Non-Commissioned Officers: Do you regret that you are not a Commissioned Officer?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 20:31:06 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 19 at 2015 8:35 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 20:35:16 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins i tried to go Officer 2001, but my scores were too low, oh well SFC is lovely anyway.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 19 at 2015 8:35 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 20:35:42 -0400

I always did. I had graduated from my university; and tried to apply for OCS. My Company Commander said that: "I just wanted to be an Officer, because all of my friends were opting to go to OCS." I just left it at that.
I don't know what else I could have done.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 9:14 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 21:14:13 -0400

Nope. Same answer I gave when asked about going to recruiting. "Maybe when I get tired of being a soldier." I like getting my hands dirty. I'd much rather be out on the range holding a paddle than up in the tower giving commands. I'd rather be teaching a new private how to back a trailer than sitting in the office dealing with drama from battalion. I'm glad that there are troops that want to do it, but it ain't for me.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made Sep 19 at 2015 10:24 PM

1stSgt Jeff Blovat — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:24:26 -0400

Nope

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 19 at 2015 10:28 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:28:24 -0400

Not in the least. I was able to influence both officers and enlisted

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Sep 19 at 2015 10:29 PM

MSgt Niclas Svensson — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:29:13 -0400

Only when I look at the pay charts...lol

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Sep 19 at 2015 10:31 PM

SSgt David Tedrow — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:31:45 -0400

Not at all, I feel being an NCO or SNCO is the backbone of the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2015 10:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 22:33:57 -0400

Absolutely not! I trained and mentored soldiers. I was "a Non-Commissioned soldier. A leader of soldiers!"

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 20 at 2015 12:26 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:26:29 -0400

I still have my orders for OCS with a class number and date. Unfortunately they were for a school that didn't exist. They were planning on opening a school at Ft. Jackson and actually sent a number of us there to be the first class. However they changed their mind and never opened the school. We were told that we would eventually be sent to a different OCS but that at the time all classes were full for the next year. They said that as soon as a slot became open we would get another class date. The 3rd Army NCO Academy was at Ft. Jackson and so were we so I was asked if I would be interested in going there. I think that they didn't really know what to do with us. I was told that going to the NCO Academy would have no effect on my going to OCS so I went. By the time that they decided that they could find me a slot I had been sent TDY to a number of places and served over a year as a drill sergeant at Ft. Jackson. My enlistment was also up. I was told to reenlist and they would send me "soon". By this time I was not very trusting and my parents were on my ass to get out so I transferred to a reserve unit in Houston. As far as I know none of us out of that "first class" ever went to OCS. Overall I didn't really regret it because I had decent jobs, got promoted super fast with waivers for everything, and got to see the country on TDY.If I had to do it over I would probably have stayed and gone to OCS but at the time I didn't.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Dec 20 at 2015 10:24 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:24:30 -0500

SPC Margaret Higgins No,Ma'am,i was offered OCS in basic but declined.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Dec 20 at 2015 10:37 PM

SCPO Joshua I — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 22:37:40 -0500

Pay would be a heck of a lot better, but no. I had an application for STA-21 in, probably would have been accepted but chose to pull it in favor of a once in a lifetime opportunity and the most challenging assignment of my career. I'll never regret that, and if I pick up ETCM in a couple of years I'll be even happier.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 21 at 2015 8:29 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 20:29:53 -0500

Early in my career I had an officer tell me I needed to get to OCS. I looked at him and said no, I'm too rude and crude to be an officer, I fit in better as an NCO. Never been sorry for the decision.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 6:22 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:22:27 -0500

I did, originally. I actually fought like a BIG dog to get a slot in OCS and to get a Direct Commission... but was turned down for both programs, repeatedly.

I decided to make the best of it (I was a junior E-6 at the time). I got deployed - got advanced, got a spectacular job with a great crew, got the follow-on position of a lifetime (instructor/USCG liaison at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy), and then got notified that I was getting my star. Did two years there and ended up getting my second star...

I was pissed about not getting a Commission as an E-5/6, but it all turned out fantastically, and I wouldn't change much of it at all. I certainly wouldn't accept a Commission.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 22 at 2015 7:07 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:07:48 -0500

No, not at all. Being an NCO was the optimal fit for me and my personality traits.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 23 at 2015 9:42 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:42:26 -0500

When I was writing the APR for my 1SGT I looked up his past evaluations and saw that every officer he served under since basic recommended that he go to OTS. When I asked him why he never had done so he told me that he couldn't give up the power he had as a SMSGT to become a 2LT.

Got to agree with him there. When he spoke, O-6's listened carefully; he was the master of his AO, and I was fortunate to have him as my 1SGT.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Dec 23 at 2015 10:03 AM

CSM David Heidke — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:03:57 -0500

Nope, when I was an E7 I briefly toyed with direct commission, but changed my mind.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 6:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 18:09:07 -0500

This is kind of a back handed question! Regret? If a Soldier wants to be an officer then it's just a matter of school. I had a LT with a degree in forestry. Did that make him a good LT? NO! I have privates that come in as specialist because they have degrees. They want the fight and the comradery. A leader is a leader and I'm pretty sure a NCO has been the back bone for any successful officer. I'll take training my men in the suck over building CONOPS and OPORDERS anyday. The only way I would change is to go Warrant and fly choppers. Sorry for the rant and I hope I didn't come off to abrasive, but that's what NCOs are known for.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 23 at 2015 6:43 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 18:43:37 -0500

I want to convey to NCOs and Former NCOs, how much of a privilege it was to work with NCOs. I was the email, meetings, OPORD man while the NCOs did most of the leading, mentoring, watching over the troops, planning, and execution. 99% of you were superb at what you did. Thank you!

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made Dec 26 at 2015 11:46 AM

SGT Curtis Earl — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 11:46:45 -0500

Never. I enlisted after college. I could have done ROTC, I could have gone straight to OCS, also. I could have made E-5 and then gone officer like a couple of my college buddies who are now Majors and Captains. But I'm very pragmatic: I wanted to do my job. I didn't want to manage people as they did their jobs. I'm very comfortable doing what I do and I know that as soon as I got commissioned, I wouldn't be able to do it the same way. I was looking into Warrant in cyber security, but I'd have to retake classroom work I did 10 years ago for certifications I've already earned and use daily in my civilian job. I'm not interested in taking 10 unpaid months away from my current life to redo old work.

I have 2 friends that went officer after college. One has a muwic degree like me and he's an artillery guy. The other has a Masters in Computer Science and he's Infantry. No thanks. I'll take my E-6 and be thankful.

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Dec 26 at 2015 12:13 PM

1SG David Spalding — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 12:13:59 -0500

A little background - I had a 13 year break in service and had to make E5, E6 twice. So, when I finally made E6 promotable (20 years after I was on the list the first time) a full-bird said I should go direct commission, my answer was, "Just what the Army needs, a 45 year old second lieutenant!" Being an NCO (especially in a line unit) is an awesome job and responsibility. Being the First Sergeant of a Combat Engineer Company was the best (and worst) job on earth. Training Soldiers (and young officers) is great. No matter what the Leadership manual says, NCOs have three responsibilities: Train your Soldiers, Look out for your Soldiers, and Lead your Soldiers. If you do those three things well, all else will fall in place!

Response by 1SG Mike Demers made Dec 26 at 2015 1:01 PM

1SG Mike Demers — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 13:01:59 -0500

Being an NCO From CPL to 1SGhas never been a regret. As a new SSG stationed in Bosnia with the 10th Mountain I had a Company Commander and Executive Officer who were pushing me to go green to gold. The problem was I didn't want to go to college, I had 6 years of active duty time and I loved being in the suck! Being an Infantry NCO was where I wanted to be. If I were to go to West Point 4 years to graduate and be commission then to Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger school, and any other school or course they wanted me to attend it would be almost 6 years before I was given a Platoon. Then I wouldn't have been able to stay a platoon leader and be sent to staff because the system works that way for Promotion.

The one thing I wish they would do is supplement enlisted pay for education, I.e. If a SSG and above has a degree (considered career Soldiers) they should have a stipend for being at the same education as a 2LT, 1LT and if they complete a masters degree then it should increase because most Captains and Majors go to an army school which gives them a masters degree.

Maintaining higher education as a young NCO is a difficult thing if you are doing your job. Time management is a must, I know combat arms Warriors are busy most of their careers and completing college while doing their job is a big deal to accomplish. I only completed my AA before I got out and wished I would have tried harder to manage my time to complete my BA before retiring but I was not able to due to wanting to make up for lost time with my family. As it is for most warriors no matter the MOS. This is just my opinion though a lot has changed in the last 6-12 months so maybe with the talk of down sizing and changing retirement benefits they will consider these issues.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 26 at 2015 1:44 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 13:44:55 -0500

Not even a little bit. In the 70's I was offered the chance to attend West Point twice. I am content.. nay happy that I went the N.C.O. route.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 2:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 02:44:06 -0500

Nope. Would rather be an NCO working directly with Soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 10:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:18:35 -0500

absolutely not, i like to work for a living lol

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 18 at 2017 3:07 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:07:32 -0500

Absolutely NOT, When I was in Vietnam I was a 21 year old E-6, Any E-6 in my MOS, drawing Pro Pay could get a direct commision. No one wanted them. I knew one guy who took it and he got harassed mercilessly. The pay increase wasn't much and you had extend. I know that commission had to have "Good in the Republic of Vietnam Only" printed somewhere on it. Better a young E-6 with stipes down to my elbow than a Butter Bar

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 5:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 05:56:02 -0400

No, someone had to kick butt and take names.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 8:36 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 08:36:06 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins I have served as both an NCO and a commissioned officer. Each had both good and bad points.

Since being commissioned required a college degree it is not an option for many.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 22 at 2018 4:42 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 16:42:47 -0400

Oh God no. Couldn't have paid me enough to go over to the dark side.

Response by Sgt John Jones made Jun 22 at 2018 5:43 PM

Sgt John Jones — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:43:44 -0400

No. I do not live with regret. I was given 2 PUC's and nominated by my CO, XO and Gunny for officers school and the war broke out and I made a lat move prior to the war to move up the ladder and then, just got out(although I was combat injured as well), but I do not regret not applying for the opportunity but I do however, think upon the path I might have gone down. I think that is natural.

Response by SSG Chris Gursky made Oct 27 at 2021 7:12 PM

SSG Chris Gursky — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 19:12:44 -0400

Not hardly

Response by SFC Terry Fortune made Oct 28 at 2021 1:00 PM

SFC Terry Fortune — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:00:02 -0400

Nope, enjoyed being an NCO. The backbone of the military.

Response by MSG Reid Zohfeld made Jan 17 at 2024 1:19 PM

MSG Reid Zohfeld — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:19:42 -0500

Never
I have a bachelor degree
I was able to be a multi functional MSG
I loved the one on one with my troops
The soldiers I keep in contact with have made great strides because I pushed them and NEVER asked them to do something I would or could not do