Should Army officers be required to obtain Specialist before being allowed to commission?

Negative. Any rank can cross to officer and or WO as long they meet the requirements

No, SSG would be best unless the college degree fits the branch. Like Engeneering degree, engeering officer. Science degree, chemical officer. AG officer, HR degree. Medical Officers are pretty much already cover that and they seem to have the most intelligent officers. JAG officers seem to be the most useless but unfortunately lawyers are a necessary evil.

I believe it would help there leadership abilities. It would show them the everyday life of a enlisted soldier. Soldiers would have more respect for the officers if they were made to do this. I know a lot of soldiers when I was in had some strong dislike for leadership because they make calls without understanding the full situation because they cannot relate to what is going on.

ROTC Cadets should be required to drill at least in year 4 if not years 3 and 4. I think that would be a difficult requirement for Academy cadets due to availability of units and time. It would beneficial for OCS candidates to have served in a leadership position - CPL or SP4 team chief/leader. Since a promotion to E5 could take years due to points and or staffing that would be too much of a requirement .

I've seen 2LT out of ROTC that would not listen, knew everything. Did not work out well. I know an enlisted guy that was commissioned, retired as a COL, that was a leader, sought advice, and was one of the finest officers I ever worked for or with, in my 11+ years active or 24+ years as a DAC. I have also served with ROTC officers that really had their stuff together. My bottom line is, should a system be changed because of a few yoyos? The system is not perfect, I also know a couple OCS graduates that were worse. Wouldn't listen to anyone.

I was an e7 before becoming an officer. Although the majority of my NCOs and soldiers would vouch me as a good officer. It was tough being a 38 year old major and competing with young west pointers.

Being prior enlisted can certainly help one become a good officer but I do not believe it should be required. I do however, believe NCOs are crucial at OCS, West Point, and ROTC so they can determine if a candidate has a true heart to be in charge of Soldiers. Officer commissioning programs give NCOs and even junior enlisted Soldiers the opportunity to vote on a prospective candidate.

NO Most officers that made it from enlisted to officer in a war were always a SSG or higher. New TWO.

No, 2LT has an XO and a Commander to help him/her, but most important the NCO's in the unit. The NCO is the backbone of the unit and they train Soldiers including officers.

This again. I see great plans to make a new Soldier into an NCO, but they don't work one iota for making officers. Different skill sets. We have a pretty good system right now. As with the enlisted and NCO ranks, it's still far too difficult to get rid of the bad ones. Fix that and we'll really be moving.