SNCO to Officer: What advice would you have for someone who is making the transition from enlisted SNCO to commissioned Officer?

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 10:57:04 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 10:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 10:58:39 -0400

Don't ever forget where you came from!!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 11:04 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:04:33 -0400

Like SFC Smith said, don't ever forget where you came from. In my opinion, prior service senior NCO's make the best Officers and Warrant Officers. The experience that is transferred over to the Officer side can't be produced in any college or service academy. With that being said, stay humble, hungry and ready to work harder then everyone else because your boss will expect more from you right out the gate because of your vast experience and knowledge.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jul 27 at 2015 11:09 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:09:38 -0400

Good luck and remember you are also starting off at the bottom of the food chain again. Even with the vast knowledge that you already posses. And never for get where you came from. You might have a Plt Sgt with less knowledge than you so be prepared. GOOD LUCK!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 27 at 2015 11:17 AM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:17:40 -0400

Capt Private RallyPoint Member As a Senior NCO, I think you understand the organizational differences well. Prepare to go from respected for your knowledge to expectation that you don't know as much as you do in the Junior Officer ranks, until they have a chance to work with you. Delegation and follow up are critical skills and you must resist the temptation to 'do the task' for others.
You will do well in your new role. Congrats!

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:12 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 12:12:42 -0400

The past is in the past. That can not be changed, but now you are charged with influencing the future. Remember, when you were a nonrate you used to say "if I were in charge, I would do ..." Now is that time. Don't focus on failure, embrace it, but never re enforce or except it. Debrief the shit out of it and move on .

Response by MAJ Anthony Henderson made Jul 27 at 2015 4:50 PM

MAJ Anthony Henderson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:50:12 -0400

Let your NCOs do their jobs. There is officer business and NCO business. When I went from SGT to 2LT is that I had to not have my nose in NCO business. The only time you have to deal with NCO business is if your NCOs let their let their NCO business get to your level. Then it is no longer NCO business. It becomes Officer business.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 4:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:26:13 -0400

Mentor your fellow young officers on how to deal with NCOs. But first, find a few mentors that are at least two or three ranks higher.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 5:35 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:35:23 -0400

1. Be proud of your enlisted heritage. Don't be afraid to let enlisted people know where you came from. You can be an excellent mentor to enlisted and young officers alike.
2. Let the enlisted people do their job and be there to support them, not to criticize them.
3. Embrace failure and change... that is how we grow.
4. Never forget that your job is to take care of the people... all of them.
5. Delegate.
6. Trust but verify.
7. Lastly, you start all over in the officer corp. You must re-earn the respect you fought hard for as a SNCO. In the officer uniform you are back to square-one. Be humble and do not throw your weight around. Outside of the people that knew you as a SNCO, nobody else will know who you were. SALUTE... CONGRATULATIONS!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:12 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:12:37 -0400

Though you are starting at the bottom of the officer ranks, be prepared to work like a mid-tier officer and if you are not getting responsibilities assigned, go after them (in a professional manner). Never forget where you came from, be proud of your enlisted heritage and feel honored that you have been entrusted to be a leader. You would do well to seek out a good mentor who is at least 2-3 ranks ahead of you. Good Luck (Been there, done that E8 to O1)

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 12:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 12:15:47 -0400

Educate other officers of the importance of the enlisted corps and always remember where you started!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 2:42 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:42:32 -0400

Tell me how to do it! I got my bachelors but just assumed I was too old (I will be 37 in Nov) and already had too much time in to be considered (I hit 18yrs in NOV, so they probably wouldn't want someone so close to retirement eligibility)

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:54 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 23:54:47 -0400

Enjoying being an Officer but don't forget your roots and time as an enlisted member.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 2:13 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 02:13:36 -0400

My advice would be to pay attention to the workings of your new peer group and learn how to navigate among them.

Moving too quickly and inserting your opinion based on your enlisted experiences can possibly have a negative impact on your start as an officer.

Use your enlisted leadership experiences as stepping stones to enhance your officership.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 7:28 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 07:28:16 -0400

From a mustang to a future one, one of the most valuable nuggets is to be humble and don't present yourself as a know it all because of your experience. Understand that you will be starting at the bottom of the food chain and that will take some time to get used to. There is a difference between an officer and an enlisted Airmen in the manner certain problems are addressed. As a new butter bar, take the time to figure that out. This was one of the best choices that I ever made and I wish you the best of luck!!!

Response by PO3 Bruce Cheek made Aug 7 at 2015 7:45 AM

PO3 Bruce Cheek — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:45:09 -0400

Never forget where you came from.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 17 at 2018 4:46 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 04:46:43 -0400

Having made the jump from NCO to officer, the one thing I can say is to honor the temporary rank you will hold. Always prioritize the work and stay humble. When I see talent that is officer worthy, i recommend the jump. Lastly, i tell my enlisted and subordinate officers to take advantage of the rank for recommendations. I do this so that I can leave the Army in the best position possible when I retire. I find that I am I going to leave it in capable hands.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Dec 28 at 2020 7:29 PM

SSgt Russell Stevens — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:29:58 -0500

I think you'll find you got more respect as a senior NCO than you ever will as a junior officer.