Is there any worth in becoming an Officer?

2015-10-04T00:17:40-04:00

Other than the pay, is there any worth in becoming a commissioned officer. I am almost finished with my degree and I plan to get out in order to attend medical school for physical therapy. After I graduate should I come back in as an officer or would that just hinder my progress professionally? How truly different is the officer side from the enlisted side?

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Oct 4 at 2015 1:05 AM

2015-10-04T01:05:53-04:00

Of course there is. It just depends what you want your role to be in the military.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 4 at 2015 1:50 AM

2015-10-04T01:50:02-04:00

There is... especially if you are a good leader who cares about those you are charged to lead. We need all the good leaders we can get

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 3:27 AM

2015-10-04T03:27:24-04:00

I would suggest becoming a Warrant first.. To see how you like it. I have a few friends that did it that way and went on to be even stronger Officers.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 4 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-10-04T15:30:16-04:00

Well, the first question is: do you want to be a Physical Therapist in the Army? You can have a fulfilling and successful career in that field in both the civilian and military worlds. It really comes down to who you want to take care of. Do you want to take care of Soldiers or civilians? Also, finishing out 20 will garner you a military retirement, which will allow you more options later in your life.

Now realize that being an AMEDD officer and a line officer are two entirely different experiences. As a PT, you are a clinician and the Army is hiring you to be a clinician. Yes, you will be expected to be a leader and take on leadership duties as you progress in rank, but that is not your primary raison d'etre within the military. You are there to take care of patients.

As for "worth", c'mon now SSG. You've been around the long enough to have a pretty reasonable idea of what officers do. They are the executive leaders and planners. Not to say that NCOs are not leaders (they are), but NCO's are more about direct supervision and are concerned about executing the plans. Officers are concerned about making the plans, policies and overall (executive) leadership. One is not better than the other. The decision to be an officer vs. an NCO really comes down to what level of leadership you want to be part of and work within.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Oct 4 at 2015 5:04 PM

2015-10-04T17:04:51-04:00

People will call you Sir. (To your face)

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Oct 5 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-10-05T11:08:05-04:00

But depends on how it fits into your life goals during and after the military

Response by 1SG Darren James made Jan 14 at 2017 12:51 AM

2017-01-14T00:51:03-05:00

There's a huge difference between Officers and Noncommissioned Officers. People may think that the duties and responsibility blend together, but this is a farce.