What advice do you have for prior enlisted as they go through OTS/OCS?

2d Lt Cinthia W. — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:15:18 -0500

A lot of the advice that I have heard is know when to use enlisted experience and when not to, when to lead and when to follow. What other pointers/advice do you have?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2020 10:45 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:45:32 -0500

Being a prior SFC, I can tell you that you need to remember that you're no longer an NCO. Letting go of that and letting your NCOs handle things has been a challenge since the transition. Hope that helps.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Dec 3 at 2020 12:16 PM

LTC Mark Beattie — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:16:31 -0500

In response to your question in the header, which is specific to "going through" OTS/OCS my advice is straight forward and simple. Prepare for it as if it's the most important challenge you've ever faced....train hard physically, be mentally focused on the school...don't allow yourself to be distracted. Study hard in the classroom, support leadership when you're not in charge, and take charge when placed in positions of responsibility. Always set an example for all around you, especially when no one is watching.....never give up...there is always a solution to any problem....maybe not the solution you would hope for or your first choice, but don't be afraid to make a decision.....if necessary, adjust if circumstances dictate. Listen to all ideas of others, but if you're in charge, the decision is yours to make and no one else. Many of these suggestions apply not just while going through school, but also after graduation. As a commissioned officer you'll have different responsibilities.....more opportunity to set the direction of your organization, set standards, then enforce them....but you'll have less opportunity to get hands on, and you'll lose some opportunity to directly impact Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.....but that's the cost of commissioning. Lastly, think carefully about the fights you choose over your career and life. Frontal assaults are typically brutal and bloody, and usually not the smartest approach. When angry or upset, it's probably better not a good idea to say something you may regret, and the best decisions are usually not made when angry. If feasible, it's best to hold your tongue, or wait until you've cooled down to make rational, informed decisions. I know this as I have experience doing it the wrong way. Best of luck to you!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2020 12:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:21:15 -0500

Stay in your lane. Especially while you are in training. Your extra awesomeness wont be appreciated and you'll only get a spotlight shinned on you. So why bother.

You're not going to be the only special one that was an NCO as you enter this next training stage of your career. Remember that. Let someone else step out of their lane first and see what fire they take before you try the same.

Until you actually commission and until you actually have finished your branch focus training you are not out of the woods. A PFC that has finished AIT is still more useful than a 2LT in TRADOC.

Completing TRADOC is all that matters. Top Class placement at best might be a bullet on your OER, but an OER for a 2LT, so who cares.

When the window of class leadership opens up, don't bite off more than you can chew. Don't be one that avoids it, your cadre will see you as "that guy", but I've seen classmates buried in their duties. So be prepared for it if you are selected. Getting a class leadership position basically locks in the "leadership box" in regard to your final evaluation in TRADOC. So do keep that in mind (personally I gamed it, and got Class Treasurer, and no one else ended up wanting it so I got that leadership box checked).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2020 12:55 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 12:55:12 -0500

You can also use the search on this site 2d Lt Cinthia W.. There may be many helpful responses. This Similar question is asked many times by enlisted and prior service members. Good luck in your endeavors.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 3 at 2020 10:32 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 22:32:30 -0500

Make yourself worthy of leading America’s sons and daughters. Do it for the right reasons and not pay charts. As a former NCO never forget your experiences but leverage them as an officer, not as an NCO. You will be an apprentice officer. Do your best to become technically and tactically proficient. Learn every day.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/new-officers-listen-up

New Officers, Listen Up. | RallyPoint

As a newly Commissioned Officer, or as a Cadet aspiring to become an Officer, you may be asking yourself many questions as you get closer to leading your first Platoon. How will I rise to the challenge? How should I “come in”? The first thing you need to adjust is your mindset. Unless you have prior enlisted experience, you have to adjust to the fact that you will not be leading peer Cadets. Cadets are great and wonderful people. They are...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2020 9:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:04:10 -0500

I might add something else.

Keep on top of your own career progression. Stay abreast of your ability to promote, develop and navigate within your branch and specialization for the next two promotions. Things will not be handed to you, and advice given to you by mentors will be dated based on their experience as it applied to them. You need to keep on top of current standards, policies, exceptions, and opportunities.

In regard to opportunities, when the military presents said opportunities the windows are narrow, and to take advantage of them you need to have already checked the boxes and be in a position to strike when the opportunity is presented.

Personal case in point:
1) 38G Civil Affairs Specialist: Direct Appointment Positions based on civilian credentials up to the rank of LTC. I came into the USAR late in life, and my civilian finance resume is on par with Finance COL's. I would not be laughed at if I applied for 38G/6C or 6E (finance or commerce).

a) Only branch qualified officers were being considered for selection. I was PRE BOLC at the time of the process, and not eligible to apply. The reason I didn't do BOLC is because I put it off in order to have my start and end date straddle my enlistment year so I would be point heavy in two different service years. Had I just knocked BOLC out I could have applied for a chance up to LTC, and probably landed CPT without a lot of drama thereby skipping all that time as 2/1LT.

2) A few months ago a retention bonus was pushed out for CPT/MAJ's for $10K simply to sign on for 3 more years in the USAR.

a) The catch was CPT's and MAJ's needed to have completed their next level of military education needed for promotion. I was a 1LT at the time of the window, but I just turned CPT. So if I had completed the Captains Course as a 1LT I could turn around and pickup the $10,000. I put it off as a 1LT because I wanted to get paid at the higher rate when I took it, which in total will be less than an extra $1K at the cost of $10K.

Don't put off your professional advancement, because when exceptions to policy are made, or opportunities are presented those doors are going to be opened for the most currently prepared, and there isn't going to be time to meet those standards before the door closes.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 5 at 2020 5:51 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 17:51:15 -0500

This might come across as sophomoric, but do not cheat in any way. Be a team player. When you are not in a leadership position, support those who are. Try your best!

Response by CPT Tommy Curtis made Dec 5 at 2020 8:52 PM

CPT Tommy Curtis — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 20:52:10 -0500

You will be a greatly admired if it is anything like when I went through. This will.give you an opportunity to coach young officers on the best way to deal with subordinates. You already a leader, so impart unto those what leadership really means. Show them that not only will you have people working for you, but you will also work for them. Be an inspiration.

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made Dec 15 at 2020 8:58 AM

1SG Steven Malkowski — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:58:50 -0500

You are going to be learning to view the military from a leadership standpoint. Go into that with a blank mind. As you go, you will be put into various team-building exercises, some where you lead, some where you follow. If in a subordinate position, support the leader. If you are put in a leadership position, determine your course of action and act confidantly. There will be times when you are not sure what to do. When this happens go with your gut and make a decision and go with it, right or wrong. Indecision is fatal in combat. Also remember a good leader takes care of his/her troops. That doesn't mean to coddle them. Look out for their well being and comfort to the best you can but always remember "The Mission Comes First, Accomplish the Mission". Good luck.

Response by Maj Pete Siegel made Jan 6 at 2021 11:27 PM

Maj Pete Siegel — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:27:00 -0500

I swapped AF MSgt stripes for gold bars after 14 yrs 8 mos in blue. Just accept the challenge and do your best to help the youngsters and non-priors learn the ropes. Don't be shy about volunteering, it is expected of you because of your time in service. If you are selected for a OT leadership position, do your best to lead, if not selected, be a follower and supporter. The sooner your flight gels as a team, the easier it gets. When I attended OTS at Lackland Nov 77 - Feb 78, service dress was the uniform of the day, so you wore your service "resume" over your left pocket. My wings and ribbons kept the upper class at bay. Don't mess with the old guy. ;-) USAF OTS is about 9 weeks now, not the 12 weeks when I was there, and cammies are the UOD.
After you graduate, remember your roots and let your NCOs do their jobs, you are not a technician, you are the leader of your pack. Praise in public, criticize in private, and recognize your people for jobs well done.