USAF First Sergeant vs. Commissioned Officer

I had a 1st Lt in Iraq that was a MSGT and in my Air Guard unit we had a Chief go to OSC. As others have said you have time to decide. The longer you're in the more experience you'll get. Also, the career field can determine how much time you spend with lower ranking members. On top of the fact that some officers change AFSC's depending on operational needs. There's a lot to consider that you'll need to consider later on.

You should already know what I'm going to tell you on this, but if you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. You know how to find me. :)

Becoming a first sergeant can be a goal but is not a gurantee. Where as if you become an officer you will ways be an officer. The enlisted force is diverse and multilayered. I was an aircraft mechanic before becoming a first sergeant. Although I worked with other mechanics our experiences were quite varied. Those experiences are what aid in being a good first sergeant. To understand your people, you need to have walked in their shoes first. Lead from the front, not from reading about being in the front. Others will disagree, but some of the 9 commanders I worked with had not deployed to a combat zone. They were good people but clueless to certain needs. When the commander ego kicks in, a good first sergeant is willing to stand in front of that desk and demand a reexamination of decision or policy. When the commanders are wrong, tell them they are wrong. Good people can make bad decisions, and most commanders have little or no personnel experience/ training. Once the door opens though, the commander is the boss. I made some very unpopular statements to my commanders, things they needed to hear. That's an uncomfortable position to be in. If you want to be liked or popular, you will not be very effective. Care about your people and work to make the unit better to accomplish the mission. on any issue look top down and you will find a failure that contributed to the problem at hand, late workers, DUI's, CDC failures, etc.. Understand two things about people. First, everyone is full of crap, we are all hiding something to protect our careers. Second, people never want to be questioned because of number one. A good first sergeant is not a office worker, he/she is an experienced individual from the work force who wants nothing but the best for their people. Good luck in your career.

I respect your thoughts on this, and have myself wondered exactly the same thing on a few occasions. The question to ask yourself is, what exactly do you want to do? Either route will give you the opportunity to be that role model and leader you want be.

Going the O route, you will end up being responsible for disciplinary actions for the most part. You will not see as many of the hot shots, and will not have as many opportunities to guide. At this level, you will be expected to perform disciplinary actions that will "hopefully" remedy the problem and guide them back on the path they need to be on.

Going the 1st Route, you will have the opportunity to guide the young airman before it gets elevated to the officers. You will have more opportunities to see the good, as well as the bad airman and will be more of a first line mentor for both.

Just read everybody's comments.. Totally agree with everyone.. A leader is a leader.. I have numerous officers from my career that I totally respect, try to emulate, and would go to the ends of the earth for. Then too, I have even more SrNCO's who have helped form me into who I am. More because it is the down and dirty end of the business and I saw these people far more often than the officers. Just the way it is.. I was also an "undershirt" several times as a SrNCO and have the perspective of being in those shoes.. Follow your gut, you will do well..

I'm speaking as a First Sergeant. Early in my active duty career, I was pursuing the officer path via the Airman Education and Commissioning Program, but before I entered the program, I came down with a medical condition that disqualified me from flying, and rated candidates were all that was being accepted at the time. That was a disappointment, but rather than let it get me down, I was determined to be the best I could be in my AFSC, which at the time was 702X0. As such, I had the opportunity to serve with several First Sergeants in orderly rooms at major bases and remote assignments. I learned much from them, both in what to do and what NOT to do.

As a First Sergeant, your duties will be to be your unit commander's senior advisor in all matters relating to the health, morale, welfare, and discipline of the enlisted personnel in your unit. You'll be expected to be, and you should be, the ultimate example of what an NCO should be within your unit. But the beauty of being a good First Sergeant is that you will also serve as a positive role model for the junior officers in your unit, as well.

I have no regrets on the career path I chose.

The two paths you have before you both offer opportunities to lead and develop your troops. The First Sergeant path has opportunities, but be fully aware that your time is no longer your own. "Got a minute" could be a minute, an hour or a couple of days to resolve some issues. I advised a few troops to make the move to the commissioned officer path. I had an A1C with a Master's Degree in Engineering working as an entry controller in the Security Forces career field. He was married with three young children. The benefit to him was to get him into a career field that he could use his degree and experience, while building a career to support his family. He moved on to Civil Engineering and was doing great, prior to me retiring on 2006.

You would remain on the enlisted career path as a First Sergeant, promotion and and advancement are tough. It may also be a short stint (3 years or so) then back to your previous career field.

The commissioned officer path would give you better pay, more responsibility, but a more sensitive ear to the troops as a prior enlisted airman. You will find that many of the leaders in a unit have great respect for prior-enlisted officers. You bring a unique skill set to the table.

Whichever path you choose, commit to it and be the best First Sergeant of Commissioned Officer that you can be. Do not try to fake it until you make it in either situation. This will turn out badly for you and you unit.

I wish you good luck and continued success, whatever you decision may be. Lead from the front, the view is always better from up there.

Depends on your influence goals. Macro is Officers, micro is Enlisted. Mezzo is combination of both. Do you want to influence several hundred/ thousands of troops... Or influence a few smaller groups usually less than 100. I would say with the corruption in the military that you would be best fighting amongst the officer ranks. Your cause is very nobel and would be best spent as a leading officer.

As a prior E-5 to LtCol (Retired now after 24.5 years Great Years as a Squadron Commander/Pilot), If you have the opportunity to go through OTS-"Then Do It!" You will be a great role model and leader to young Airmen. Just remember where you came from and take care of your "People!"
Dan Fraley
Son of one of the "First of 500 E-8/E-9's back in 1959!"

If you are concerned to your career after the military, I will hghly suggest get as much education as possible and for the sake of the future I would suggest you get a commission. I truly regret not having someone to offer me insight or advice and after my four years I left the service and since I pursued a career in the federal government, in the last five years I have achieved my BA, MBA and currently in a PhD program. Your GI BILL will barely cover education so my suggestion is get a commission, you will be better off even when you get out.

Luis Moncayo, MBA USAF vet