Should I reenlist or apply for OCS?

PO2 Krysta June — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:53:33 -0400

I have been out of the Navy for 6 years now, and have since obtained my Associates and now (very soon) my Bachelors. I desperately miss being active duty and am trying to decide if I should reenlist (I loved my rate and was very good at it) or if I should apply for OCS once I graduate. In my head, becoming an officer seems daunting and my enlisted heart hurts a bit, however, it would be an absolute honor to be able to work with sailors and have a hand in bettering the fleet. I am just truly unsure of which direction to take. I know as an Officer you're more of the big picture, but I truly love getting down and dirty in the thick of maintenance and training. As an E-5 I would never ask my junior sailors to do anything I myself hadn't done, or wasn't willing to do first, and I'd want to carry that mentality into the Officer realm. Any advice would be fantastic!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 3 at 2018 2:05 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:05:23 -0400

PO2 Krysta June: I would apply for OCS!

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Apr 3 at 2018 3:57 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 15:57:23 -0400

Apply to what you feel cause no one answer will satisfy what you wanna do and what you will enjoy

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2018 6:37 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 18:37:52 -0400

PO2 Krysta June If I had just obtained my degree, I would go with OCS. The choice is yours to make. Good luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2018 12:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 12:42:23 -0400

Maybe look into asking around both NCOs and officers in your branch, and get different point of views, try to understand all of the responsibilities of both sides. You can be a leader in both positions, the question you have to ask is what kind of leader you want to be, what kind of impact you want to make, and how you want to better yourself, and the sailors around you! I wish you the best of luck! Whichever course of action you take, devote yourself to it, that is the only way to reach your maximum potential!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 6 at 2018 10:14 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 10:14:43 -0400

You must be enlisted to go thru OCS- it as I understand it is not an enlistment option. While in school, tho you could join ROTC for commissioning after Graduation.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Apr 6 at 2018 11:54 AM

MSG Lance Kelly — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:54:12 -0400

Sounds like you have looked at both options and have a positive for each, that makes it tough. For years I had people tell me that I should go the Warrant Officer or Commissioned Officer route. Some felt I would be a good leader and others just said it was about the money. In the end I felt the need to remain enlisted to be closer to my Soldiers. I felt I could have more impact on them and that they would feel they could relate to me as a fellow enlisted. I know some enlisted Soldiers don't feel comfortable talking to officers. I don't think I could have had the same impact as an officer that I did as an enlisted. For me the desire was to mentor, develop, and lead my Soldiers at a direct level. You have mentioned the desire to also learn the big picture and that is usually what you get from being an officer. Tough decision. I wish you the best in which ever route you take and in the end I'm sure it will feel like the right decision, not only for yourself but for others. You will make a difference for the better.

Response by SPC David Willis made Apr 6 at 2018 1:12 PM

SPC David Willis — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 13:12:23 -0400

I would have the same struggle if I was in your shoes. You sound like a good NCO, but also look at it like this. What can negatively impact moral on a larger scale? A bad E5 in charge of a handful of people or a bad officer in charge of dozens of people. Ive had both bad officers and bad NCOs and I would take the bad NCO every day of the week. Good NCOs recognize bad ones and can cover down but there isn't much that can be done to cover up for a bad officers deficiencies. The best officer I ever had was able to fix bad NCOs, but the best NCOs I had were not able to do much about the worst officer I had. I don't really have a recommendation for you because everyone's experience is different but I would be equally torn between staying an NCO and having a handful of people that I love and work with every day and becoming an officer and maximizing the impact I can have even if its more hands off.