Making the switch from Enlisted to Officer: Any advice?

I had two promotion paperwork in my hands. E-5 and O-1. A few things I learned.

1. You'll make different mistakes because it's a different world and you're new to it. Learn quick because the world gets less friendly once you go silver.

2. Being a mustang is a blessing and a curse. It can help you with more extensive organic knowledge but you don't relate to the troops like you used to, hence have to learn to stand back a lot and let the NCO community do what they do best. You'll be chomping your bit sometimes. Don't jump in quick unless it's a safety thing. You have to unlearn some of your habits.

3. Know that newbie O-1s will see you're prior enlisted and some will be jealous knowing you'll likely get some plum opportunities. Don't rub their noses in it. Statistics says a couple of them may well be your boss one day. Negative memories tend to hang around.

4. Get to know your people. Not because you want to be their friend, but rather so you're in a better position to care for them. The higher you go up in rank, you'll have more people that you have to keep safe. Life's too precious to be lax on this one.

5. Don't tarnish where you come from. Many mustangs "manage by terror" because they have never been taught different. If you have any of those characteristics, make sure you work that issue hard with your mentor to ditch it ASAP.

6. Speaking of mentoring, there should be some process set up that helps officers along. In the Navy we make O-4s responsible for JO development as they aren't "Senior" yet, hence are less intimidating, have 10-14 years in, and they are being watched by their seniors to see how good of a job they're doing.

7. Every promotion should be a humbling experience. If not, your priorities are out of whack. See #4.

Congrats

I could have swore that I have wrote about this before but I can't see to find it. But I will try the best I can. I hope I don't fail COL Vincent Stoneking

If you would to look on my profile I first came in the Army as a PFC. I was Regular Army and made it up to being a SGT. I then left and joined the National Guard. I picked up SSG and was near my time for SFC but I got out to later commission. I have learned a lot about this.

1. Just because you are prior service doesn't mean you are going to be a good officer. You may find that you miss being an NCO and revert back to your ways. I have seen this and have myself made some mistakes in this. You are an officer and now you are going to have to act like one. Don't use your prior service as a credential. Use it as a experience. I have seen many think that they know what they were doing and say that they were enlisted. That is cute but that doesn't mean you know what it is like being an officer. You have to study and learn how to be an officer. You need to learn the TLPs and the orders process. You may know the enlisted side but you don't know the officer side. It is good to know that but you don't need enlisted experience to be an officer.

2. You are in charge of the Platoon. But your PSG runs the platoon. The balance of PL/PSG is strained by prior service. I had a difficult time with my first PSG. I knew the job. I knew what wasn't happening and how to improve it but my PSG didn't really care. If you have a PSG that comes from the old school "Sit down and shut up" philosophy then you are going to struggle. You will really have to work together and let him know that you are in charge. At the end of the day if stuff goes side ways you will be in front of the CO. But PSG has an instrumental role in the success of the platoon. He can make a plan but you need to give him the go ahead. Don't let him cut you out. If he runs the platoon behind your back it will reflect poorly on your professionalism. I could right an essay about this. I did post a discussion about this already.

3. You are there to learn. Seek out mentors. You know what success looks like. Work with the XO and CO. Learn as much as you can. Learn from your NCOs. Your PSG is a great resource. He has been there a long time. You have to trust him as he should be doing what is best for the Platoon, that means what is best for you too.

4. Don't hangout with NCOs. It will come natural to want to be one of the guys. You have to give them room to do NCO stuff. I will usually wonder off and let them do what they need to do. If done right they will know why you are doing it and will appreciate it. You should go get a coffee with the XO or that other PLs.

Being a PS officer is not easy. It is easier being a brand new PL. With your prior service everyone will expect that you are squared away and know everything. Don't be afraid to say you don't know something. I would also check out other discussions on RP too.

Congratulations! My advice is that you never forget where you came from!