What are some of the good, bad and ugly things to consider when making the change from Enlisted to Officer?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:01:29 -0500

I recently earned a Bachelors degree and since it has become public knowledge I've had alot of Officers ask me if I have considered commissioning. Previously I hadn't given it much thought but now that it is a possibility and am at least going to entertain the idea.

I'm interested in personal experiences from men and women who were enlisted and decided to go officer. Information on OCS as well as Direct Commission. Any advice, guidance or personal stories would be appreciated.

Bonus info would be how going from enlisted to officer could help or hinder any goals I may have to join Special Forces if I choose to go that way as well.

Thanks ahead of time!

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Dec 26 at 2018 12:03 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:03:58 -0500

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 12:06 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:06:28 -0500

I was a prior before commissioning with 18 yrs enlisted. It's a unique experience, but worth it. In general I would say be the officer you always wish you would have had. It's a bit of a culture shock at first, however with your prior experience you'll rise to the top and take charge. I'm the balls to the wall or nothing type of guy. You'll go far if you learn and lead. Good luck man!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 26 at 2018 12:23 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:23:14 -0500

I don't know any direct commissions other than Doctors and Lawyers, so can't help you there. Pluses of commissioning. Better pay, more opportunity, more responsibility and a better chance of being involved where the rubber meets the road. Downsides. Officers are up or out, the work load can be pretty extreme at time, and you will never be that buddy close with a squad or platoon again. Doesn't sound like much, but it's a big change in cultures.
If you are really interested in SF, don't commission. The only Company Grade officer is Captain, so the opportunity at Detachment Level for Officers is pretty slim. Your profile says NC Guard and there is part of the 20th Group in North Carolina, so you could apply as without needing a release from the National Guard. As far as I am aware, all of the training, whether active or NG, is active duty, so you would need to be able to go active for the year + it takes to complete the cycle of schools.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Dec 26 at 2018 12:52 PM

LTC John Mohor — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:52:27 -0500

You can go for a direct commission with the your degree completed. The key is strong letters of recommendation from a number of Officers at various ranks. There's a board too you'll wanna be squared away for too. See an in service Officer selection Recruiter. Just because you're now Infantry doesn't mean you'd automatically become an Infantry officer. Needs of the Army can trump what OBC you go to. That still wouldn't deter you from your dream of SF as a captain later if you still want it. I personally know two former NCOs that made it to CPT as I retired. One was a CSM before he took a direct appointment. The other was a MSG that I worked with SSG thru MSG. He had a maintenance MOS. The CSM was MP and civil affairs. Both ended up commissioning Military intelligence. If you like working with troops as a commissioned Officer it's only thru CPT then staff/ HQ assignments. As a warrant you could easily still work at company level training and working with troops up to CW4 depending on specialization. As a Major without promotion you can only do a little over 20 years commissioned service. LTC 28 years and COL only 30. That doesn't count your enlisted time. I even knew a couple 0-5's Army and Navy that took a Warrant in order to continue serving until age 60 due to not being prior enlisted. Good luck whatever you decide SSG Cory Freeman

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 1:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 13:47:23 -0500

If you are a "big picture" type of person, go the commissioned route. If you like taking care of Soldiers as individuals, stay where you are. I did five years enlisted before going Green to Gold. I don't know if that is an option for you since you have a Bachelor degree already - you might check into Master degree programs.

As I reflect on my career, I think I had more fun with my peers when I was enlisted, but enjoyed the responsibility of leadership after I commissioned more. I also believe that being commissioned may have set me up somewhat for my post-military career. I think I got the best of both worlds by taking the path I did. I can do the individual contribution jobs because that's what I did for my first five years, but I also know how to plan projects, manage resources (including people and time), and enforce standards.

It really comes down to what does Cory Freeman what to be when he grows up? You must do the exploring and figure out the right path for you. You have the degree and you have officers asking you if you have considered commissioning. Definitely a road to explore, while keeping in mind what happens when you are done with the military. Which road leads you to a better place? I can't advocate which path will work better for you. Explore, explore, explore. Check out the Education Center. Call a Green to Gold recruiter (they are at the University ROTC departments). Check with ACAP (SFL-TAP). Stay away from the "Barracks Lawyers." :-)

Good luck on whichever road you follow! Excellent question to ask.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 26 at 2018 2:09 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 14:09:50 -0500

Tagging COL Mikel J. Burroughs for perspective.

However, in my opinion the O's wouldn't be asking if they didn't see something. They engage to encourage. From my experience, if you were lacking in key traits they would avoid the conversation or deflect. Take it as a positive. Use the resources at your disposal and remember if you are looking at this as a career, your ability to influence (lead) increases exponentially with brass compared to stripes.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Dec 26 at 2018 2:15 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 14:15:50 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Great question and congratulations on getting your Bachelors Degree. I was actually attending college when I went through OCS as an SSG/E-6 and I had 9 years enlisted service under my belt. The OCS experience was tremendous in my opinion, but since you've got your Bachelors Degree you can always apply for direct commission to the Officer Corp. It just depends on your reason for wanting to go over the the "Dark Side" (Just kidding by the way). I wanted to, because I saw officers that weren't do the job and I wanted to get in there and make a difference and the other reason is because I had a mentor (an officer) that I respected and he really convince me that I should go for it and I did. After 37 years of total service (9 enlisted and 28 commissioned) I have no regrets and I can say that I did make a difference. Do you want to make a difference Cory?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 4:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:04:36 -0500

You get to salute everyone

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 26 at 2018 4:29 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 16:29:25 -0500

I had two pieces of promotion papers; one to E-5, one to O-1. Difference in pay was $250/month which back in the day was 30% more. Biggest reason was I didn't get a degree just to turn around and not use it. The good has pretty much been addressed. Everyone has long hours. The biggest difference you'd notice way down the road has much more to do with outcomes. Because I went commissioned, I eventually wound up in Command. When you are in command and your people are out in the badlands, you worry like no other. Back then, and likely now, DC applies to a set list of degrees. Mine did at the time, so that's the route I went. A plus of OCS would be an earlier start to offloading your NCO mentality. You truly need to be something different. Prior enlisted is both a stepping stone and a boat anchor. BTW, take a look at the officer progression and pedigree requirements. You'll see that in one form or another, you're going back to school frequently.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Dec 26 at 2018 6:03 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:03:27 -0500

Special Forces is not just some afterthought. It requires 100% dedication from both yourself and family, even if you go through it in the National Guard. Do not even attempt the SFQC unless you are ready to give your all. It isn’t a cakewalk.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 26 at 2018 6:08 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:08:53 -0500

Some superiors will be abrasive, as they think this is a zero defect army. Up to CPT level you will focus on tactics. When you become a MAJ and go to CGSC, the focus will become more strategic and theoretical.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2018 6:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:16:10 -0500

Congratulations on earning your degree, considering a commission is a great way to potentially apply what you’ve learned in College. I was enlisted for 17 years (RA) and was fortunate enough to earn a Direct Appointment as a Medical Service Corps Officer (70B- Health Services). The good, I enjoy being the one who gets to make the decisions. When I was a Commander, nothing was more satisfying than one of my NCOs or Officers coming to me with a recommendation and being able to make it reality. Many NCOs will tell you that you don’t get to “take care of Soldiers” anymore, but I would disagree. As the Platoon Leader, Commmader, OIC, I was able to establish and set the standards with my NCOs. You may not get many opportunities to mentor or coach junior Soldiers, but you will have the opportunity to mentor and coach some NCOs. I’ve coached NCOs in the ranks of SGT to 1SG. Experience matters and you will gain a lot as an officer, fast. Some of the downside I’ve seen is that some NCOs don’t like Officers and even though you may have been one of them, they will test you and test the limits of your professionalism at times. That being said, those times are rare. You’ve heard others in this thread say that officers are “big picture” and that is true, but it have many levels to it. Company Grades have a Level, Field Grades have a Level (MAJ-LTC) and then there are HQ assignments where you will really see how the Army works and is run. One more plus, as an officer you can be as involved as you want, without micromanaging your team. No one can tell you “mind your business” or “this is NCO business”. You can ask as many questions as you like until you feel comfortable with a situation, then empoyand trust your NCOs to get the job done. I’ve enjoyed my 9 years as an officer and I’m looking forward to the transition to Field Grade next year. Again, look at who you are, what you enjoy, and then commit. As some have said, an officer’s life can be very challenging and demanding at times. Lastly, there will be time you are alone. As a Commander, everyone worked for me to include the 1SG. While we were a team, I was accountable and responsible for the company’s performance. These are just a few of my experiences. Good luck.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Dec 27 at 2018 12:34 AM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 00:34:37 -0500

I went from E-3 to Cadet to JO, then out. The "out" part is what is the bad part of being an officer. There are just so many slots for those in the pipeline. The pipe become smaller every year. Not everyone can be promoted. That said, the second worst and best part of being an officer is the paperwork. As a Dept Head aboard ship, I spent 8+hrs on watch (vsl operations/boardings), 4hrs on daywork/collateral duties, 2hrs on training, 3 hours on paperwork, 7hrs on sleep/personal time/meals, etc. I had about ten collateral duties.

Paperwork is what makes the unit function. It's a burden any officer endures, but it what makes leadership effective. Kept a log on every person in the Dept. Made daily entries, which were used to support evaluations. Cannot effect promotions, transfers, or schooling without this information. Maintained maintenance records every day to prepare for future work. Cannot perform your mission if equipment doesn't work. Monitored daily financial records in order to ensure budget is followed. Cannot achieve your goals without the money to do it. Conducted inspections to ensure what is supposed to be done is done. Also, had to complete required personal training objectives.

Above all, an officer's primary loyalty is to his commanding officer. His primary obedience is to the Constitution. Notable accomplishments on my first tour as a JO was; to hold my bladder for six hours on watch, being able to carry a full cup of coffee up a ladder (stairs) in heavy seas without spilling, and being able to dock the ship quickly while taking conflicting advice from the CO, XO, Ops and making seem they were all correct. The last talent takes time. You must be true to yourself while carrying out the demands of those more senior.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Dec 27 at 2018 8:10 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:10:52 -0500

Cory, as a DC Mustang I went from SFC/E7 with six years of service to First Lieutenant. MOS 00E4O To AOC 42A. While I continued in various positions I enjoyed my background as an NCO which helped me throughout my career. I would not have wanted it any other way. My final assignment after a DA HR position was the XO to the DCG. Recommend you take the information presented to you and run with it getting ALL of the Training and positions which you can and Being All that YOU can be!!! Feel free to contact me should you want to talk one on one. My email is
[login to see]

R
Charles ( Chuck) T Dalbec
LTC, Army Retired

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Dec 29 at 2018 4:59 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 16:59:07 -0500

Remember that as far as officers are concerned in SF, their troop time is very limited. Most are fortunate to get two years of team time. After that it is a series of never ending staff positions. Even the company commanders don’t really command anything. The team Sergeants and company Sergeants majors actually run things. All the company commander is there for is to sign for things, go to meetings and take ass chewing.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 29 at 2018 5:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:16:12 -0500

I looked at my response and it was a bullshit answer so here it goes:

To go through OCS you should walk on water. Don't let superiors an reason to say no. APFT, bearing, and productivity are a must. Start your OCS packet ASAP as it is a long packet and requires letters of recommendation. Think and write down an essay on why you want to become a military officer. That will help you in the interviews. Talk to superior officers about coordinating the interviews. I made it easier for them by writing my own letters. Be confident in your interviews. The interviewer will mostly ask general questions instead of specific questions like what are the formations the Infantry uses. Ask the company grade officer to coordinate with a senior officer pertaining to your next interview. Good luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2018 7:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 19:35:57 -0500

I was enlisted for 19 years before going over to the dark side. The disadvantage is you must remain in the military for at least another 10 years as an officer in order to retire as an officer. Officers are also expected to perform a lot more work on their off time, especially in the reserves.

The best thing about becoming an officer is you go back to working with troops again. As a 1SG, I was doing a lot more administrative work and less time with the junior Soldiers.

Response by SSgt Michael Bowen made Dec 30 at 2018 12:34 PM

SSgt Michael Bowen — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 12:34:36 -0500

One it would put you in a higher tax bracket . And mandatory functions you most likely would prefer not to attend . LOL But it does have it's perks LOL

Response by CPT Mike Sims made Dec 30 at 2018 9:36 PM

CPT Mike Sims — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 21:36:40 -0500

SSG Freeman - congratulations on earning your degree! Next, the fact that you are asking the question means that you question a lot of things, a lot of decisions, and a lot of people making those decisions... that's what leaders do - they ask why! It also means you care enough to ask - you care enough about the mission and your troops + their families. I spent 7 years enlisted before going commissioned. As for SF - I would definitely say go as an Officer... it looks like they need a few more Mustangs to become SF commanders and protect SF troops from political correctness B.S. So, whether or not SF is in your future, good luck and go forth as an Officer who serves the best interest of his troops. One other piece of advice - do not believe that all Officers (your seniors) will appreciate your experience as an NCO... some will see it as a threat to their "leadership", rather than embrace it as a value added asset to their command team. Oh... and be prepared for politics... some Officers will question why you hang out with the Enlisted guys so much - as a Mustang you understand the bond between Officer leaders and their troops... many Officers who were never Enlisted have a problem understanding this until they earn a right patch on their sleeve!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 12:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 12:27:48 -0500

As a prior enlisted 2LT you will know more than any of your peers. As a 2LT it won't make any difference and everyone will assume you're an idiot anyway. LOL Seriously though, I was enlisted for 19 years before I got commissioned. The hardest thing for me was "letting go" of that NCO/enlisted mindset. I wanted to get out there with the guys and get my hands dirty. Officers plan and coordinate. Enlisted/NCOs execute. Had several NCOs pull me aside and tell me "we've got this, Sir". But they did appreciate the fact that I was willing. And, especially as an LT, when the guys find out you were prior enlisted they tend to take your opinion more seriously and consider the possibility that you actually might know what you're talking about.

Response by CW5 Dennis Stewart made Jan 16 at 2019 2:08 PM

CW5 Dennis Stewart — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 14:08:03 -0500

Great question Cory. I was 7 years enlisted, 8 Years Branch officer, 25 Warrant. Going officer after being enlisted gives you a much better prospective when making decisions and giving orders. I was an OCS so I cannot speak to direct side. I did not have much use for the direct guys as they did not seem to understand the enlisted view. As to SF, you really need to look at the physical cost and just how long you think you can do it. Also if you can look at the feeder MOS for SF Warrant. They need those guys bad and you can have a very long career

Response by LTC Julian King made Jan 17 at 2019 1:37 PM

LTC Julian King — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 13:37:32 -0500

Enlisted in the Navy and attended Antisubmarine warfare school. Flew as rescue crewman and ASW sensor operator. Did my four years then went back to college and stayed in the naval reserve. Was offered ROTC in college and the opportunity to participate in the simultaneous membership program in the Army National Guard as a 2LT upon completion of the ROTC advanced camp at Fort Bragg. The only down side for me was the transition from the Navy to the Army. Having been enlisted, I believe helped me understand and utilize the NCO's in the units I later commanded. Worked as an Intelligence Officer (MI) then later branched to Field Artillery (FA). I personally feel having been enlisted prior to my commissioning was very helpful. If you plan to commission an go SF check and see which MOS fields are most needed in SF.

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Jan 17 at 2019 7:59 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 19:59:25 -0500

From the way i saw it in the past...the good..better retirement income; the bad..moving into a realm where "politics" (not necessarily party stuff though) has a great affect on promotions; the ugly (which can be guarded against)..the tendency to let yourself slide into a "better than thou" attitude toward the same people, and others in the specialty, you used to call workmates.

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Jan 27 at 2019 1:33 AM

1LT Rich Voss — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 01:33:45 -0500

I have no experience re: Direct Commission, but I do have the experience of having been drafted in '66, losing out on an acceptance to an Ivy League University, and then had opportunity to go to OCS. Very different rules then. I had no college whatsoever and I had "just" turned 19. My goal was to NOT be an Infantryman in Viet Nam. Though I certainly had/have friends that served that way...even paratroopers, Rangers, and Green Berets, and I honor them for their service. I had always wanted to be a "Tanker". From childhood. Perhaps one too many books about Patton or Rommel. SO, during all the testing in basic I kept doing the best I could on every exam I took. Apparently did quite well on several, and was "charmed" into being discharged and enlisting to get one of several schools, never knowing OCS was a possibility. Then there were physical and mental tests, interviews with a panel of Staff Officers and various other things. That took me down the path of getting to Armor OCS at Fort Knox, and unlike a bunch of guys with time in service or college, I graduated. I still look back at that being one of the best things I could have done at that point of my life. By the way, I had signed up for airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces schools while still enlisted, and my OCS Commandant knew that. He whispered to me at graduation..."Young man, Tankers don't jump from planes or helicopters..." I can think of benefits to this day that only happened because of my commissioning. Best wishes on whatever YOU choose to do SSG !

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 1:17 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 01:17:15 -0500

I wasn't Army but Air Force, 13 years enlisted (TechSgt - E-6) prior to attending OTS.
It opened up a whole new world for me in addition to the pay increase. I was asked where I wanted to be assigned instead of a computer generating my next assignment. As an officer most of us understood what it was like to be enlisted since a lot of us in my class were prior enlisted.

You do have more responsibility and a lot more accountability.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Mar 9 at 2019 6:53 PM

LTC Wayne Brandon — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 18:53:29 -0500

SSG Freeman -
Congratulations on acquiring your degree and as far as the Army goes it is a huge step in the right direction.
You have received a considerable amount of good guidance and advice from the many responses that for the larger part you should find quite encouraging.
As an NCO who was just short of four years enlisted when I was honorably discharged and signed up for the ROTC at the University I attended and was quite reticent about the change from EM to Officer but knew the value of doing so was much greater in many ways than staying the NCO course.

I will offer a few items for your consideration if you'll indulge me this time:
1. The Army needs as many talented enlisted people stepping up to the role of officer as it can get and your experience in the ranks will give you a unique perspective on how to lead and care for your soldiers.
You will understand how orders you receive will affect them and because you know that you will know what to anticipate from them if the orders are not what anyone, including you want to receive.
This gives you a great advantage for you will be able to take some time to consider how best to deliver that message to them and have good, intelligent and often times experience based answers to their questions.
Your ability to lead and manage in this way will set you apart from your contemporaries and your soldiers will come to trust you more quickly and follow you more readily. This factor alone will not make you a great leader but will be a great building block.

2. Do not expect that because you were once one of them that you still are or ever will be again.
There is a line that should not be crossed and in case you forget that, the more senior NCO's in the group will remind you of it. Additionally, there are some enlisted personnel who simply do not like officers - period. They have an irrational distain for us which defies logic, so if your feelings are easily injured, you may want to rethink the transition option.

3. All of them, whether they like you or don't, will watch everything you do - Everything.
Some will try to emulate you while others find humor in mocking you whether it be your speech, a habit or even a particular way of standing. Just remember to set the bar high and lead by example.
By way of illustration, I had been a battalion commander for about two weeks when the unit went to the range for weapons qualification. They had their M-16's and I had just received a new 9 mm Beretta. Following qualification everyone returned to the battalion area to clean weapons. When I arrived I went to the arms room to collect the cleaning equipment and was told by the armorer - "We'll take care of that for you, sir" I thanked the Specialist and assured him I would turn it in nice and clean whereupon I went outside where the soldiers were cleaning their weapons, picked a tree where I sat down and began disassembling my weapon. About 20 minutes later I was putting it back together when the CSM walked up, knelt down and stated "You have impressed the men today, sir"
Not knowing what he meant I asked for clarification. He said, "I have overheard several of them remark about how you are cleaning your own weapon instead of the armorer doing it for you. Just letting you know, sir" I replied "And that impressed them?" The CSM nodded and left.
It had never occurred to me to have anyone clean my weapon and I'm glad I didn't for a minute consider exercising that option. A little thing? Yes. But to them it established for me some credibility.
Be at PT when they are there; Lead the run and not just the short ones; Keep your uniform squared away, say what you mean in simple terms and mean what you say - every time.
Just remember - they are out there and they are watching.

4. Finally - Don't become a "ticket puncher" for it is the path that leads to destruction.
If you aren't sure what that means or looks like, it is about the officer who slides in and out of positions getting just enough experience to be able to move to the next one and so on until he is paper qualified for promotions. A good example of this type is found in the movie Band of Brothers in the character of the officer replacing Captain Winters as the Company Commander. He was a coward and his soldiers saw through him in a heartbeat. Resist the temptation to out-pace your contemporaries in that way.

I wish you the very best in this decision and encourage you to consider your branch options carefully.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Mar 10 at 2019 6:35 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:35:30 -0400

As an OCS Grad., 2Lt's don't leave their Cap on the SGM's desk. It will probably turn up missing!

Response by SFC Michael Krogmann made Mar 12 at 2019 4:35 PM

SFC Michael Krogmann — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:35:24 -0400

Congratulations on earning your degree. If you are able to commission, go for it. You will thank yourself in retirement! That is the biggest benefit in my mind and, after 26 years, my only regret.

Response by LT Jason Godusky made Mar 15 at 2019 3:01 PM

LT Jason Godusky — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 15:01:36 -0400

Better money up front, but the level of gratitude is nothing compared to being a NCO!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2019 10:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 22:29:31 -0400

Mostly good but you cant hangout with enlisted folks anymore. Also after you do company command time you will have less troop time; however going SOF will give you some opportunities to get down and dirty with your teams.

Response by Maj John D Benedict made Mar 17 at 2019 9:05 PM

Maj John D Benedict — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:05:19 -0400

Congrats SSG Cory Freeman on earning your degree! Once you earn it, it is yours forever.

I found being an officer is typically a thankless job. That didn't bother me too much, but I did notice it. Didn't seem to matter how hard I worked, but I think Aircraft Mx tends to be that way in general. Being an officer is a way to influence more people, and I hope that I did a good job of that.
I don't know that there are more opportunities, but there are different ones. Also, I found that once I got into the fighter world, I was primarily assigned inside it. You may ask to see if others have similar experiences.
Generally you shoulder more responsibility. You don't work as a technician anymore; you should get paired with a good SNCO who will help you develop your people management and people leading skills. If you don't, go find one. I mention those skills separately, because they are not the same. And not everyone seems to understand that.
If you plan to go into Special Forces, I think I'd go that route instead of commissioning. It's pretty slim pickings for senior officers in Spec Ops, from what I've seen.

Response by LtCol Paul Bowen made Mar 18 at 2019 1:07 AM

LtCol Paul Bowen — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 01:07:36 -0400

The Marine Corps considers itself one big Special Operations organization. So just earning the commission is a big deal.

OCS is a version of a Squad Leaders course designed to push the weak up out into the open in order to suggest improvements and to apply real feedback on what your peers think of you. Mind you, OCS is very physical. Physical exhaustion leads to identifying psychological issues that allow honest evaluation of your potential.

Teaching you how to be a leader begins after commissioning. After The Basic School (TBS) you are platoon commander material if everyone one else ahead of you in the protocol list is dead or missing.

USMC Infantry Officer Course (IOC) is another three months of training to operate under physical and mental duress.

So total it up...ten weeks of OCS, 26 to 30 weeks of TBS, and 11 weeks of IOC...that’s a year’s worth of training and you have not been put in charge of anything yet.

If you haven’t learned how to delegate tasks, and constructively evaluate results, you will not be an effective leader. Your job is to come up with a plan that follows doctrinal training; the way the plan is executed is where your own operational art and leadership effectiveness shows up.

I was a fixed-wing Marine Aviator my first 12-years. Before that I was an enlisted USMCR Marine for a year on active duty for training...then in an Officer Candidate Status for two years. Being regarded as “Competent” in your primary MOS skills is the only thing anyone cares about. You need to show readiness for assignments of increased responsibilities and complexity, along with unlimited growth potential.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made Mar 21 at 2019 4:21 PM

CWO2 Shelby DuBois — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 16:21:45 -0400

Congrats on the degree and by all means, think of going the O route, but don't be pushed into it. I had a salty Gunnery Sgt as a Platoon Commander in Boot Camp. A handful of us were being meritoriously promoted and he pulled us aside for a bit of fatherly advice right before graduation. One piece stayed with me. He said..."You have proven yourselves and as a result you will be given more responsibility. When you leave here and get to your next duty station, there will be some who will encourage you to pursue a Commission through various programs. Let me tell you, I wouldn't give a rats ass about an officer...unless it's a Warrant Officer, then I'd say okay. But remember this... the NCO is the backbone of the Corps. Never be ashamed of your rank. Never feel like you are inferior to Officers. You are leaders of men. I would rather be a standout NCO... than just another officer."

There are a lot of things to consider... Nobody should have to tell you what the difference is between O's and E's by now. The good? Rank has it's privileges...it's still a profession of arms...and until the PC police completely wreck it, it will remain so. The bad? A good officer looks out for ALL of his men ALL of the time...and is held accountable for their actions. As a prior enlisted, you'll know how more than others. The ugly? Sacrifice more. Officers pay for their own uniforms and rations. You should eat last and lead from the front. You should be prepared to take the hit for any failure under your watch and you should back up your people and be the buffer between them and anyone, regardless of rank. It's not an easy position to be in...but then again, that's why they pay you the big bucks.

Response by PFC Suzan Workman made Apr 11 at 2019 6:26 PM

PFC Suzan Workman — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 18:26:23 -0400

I think it would be a great idea.. The nice part about having an enlisted go into officer positions is that they at least know what its like to really serve and as an NCO you also know how to take charge and what drives your soldiers to get the job done.. When I served there were many officers that were ( trash ) they didn't work to support and make things happen in the company.. a lot of them were nothing that I would want to live up too or respect...You have a much better understanding of what needs to be done and how to get it done as an NCO.. Anyone can just go to college and get a degree I have a Bachelors degree too that doesn't make me a leader until I have learned to lead.. You have.. and the retirement benefits will be better too along with how impressive it will be on a resume when you are ready to transition into civilian positions

Response by COL Jon Lopey made Apr 12 at 2019 10:27 PM

COL Jon Lopey — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 22:27:07 -0400

SSG: Another thought - I would highly recommend SF. There is a separate course for officers but you have to have your act together. Get in optimum physical condition, practice carrying a ruck with 80-lbs, practice land navigation, know patrolling, research Ranger and SF training requirements, and go for it. Normally, SF units and the SF officer course is more suited for an officer with some field time in a line platoon and line company prior to joining SF. I suggest going Infantry for 2 to 3-years, get some experience, and then go SF. I suggest going Airborne and Ranger. As a Ranger-trained officer, you will have a better chance getting into SF. Both active and reserve components have stellar SF units. I have been exposed to these men in various overseas assignments and they are the best, they have the most fun, and you get the best training, best equipment, best weapons, and you serve with some valiant and extraordinary warriors. I wish you the best and congratulations for earning your BA. One more thing, never, never, ever quit and you will succeed. Airborne, COL L

Response by SSgt Michael Bowen made Apr 12 at 2019 10:46 PM

SSgt Michael Bowen — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 22:46:48 -0400

I never cared to be an officer , To many schools and rules but I was asked a few times . So I can't help you much . But if your degree is in Gender studies , Or a UCLA degree in Queer Musicology (That's what they call it not me so no hate mail) Stay enlisted .LOL it wont help you to be a better officer

Response by CDR Tom Davy made Apr 13 at 2019 9:56 AM

CDR Tom Davy — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 09:56:48 -0400

I'm a mustang, former HM1 (E-6 medic) and retired Commander (O-5).
The view, pay, responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities are better. You will need to learn to hang back when you as a former NCO want to jump in. You will move from ops to planning and QA.
You will keep your enlisted FRIENDS, but not your buddies. Friends support you even when they are taking your orders, buddies want an easy ride because of their past association with you.
I know many enlisted with graduate degrees, so don't go for gold just for that reason. But, if you want to do more and can work through your Staff NCOs, then go for it.

Response by MAJ Vic Artiga made Apr 15 at 2019 1:33 AM

MAJ Vic Artiga — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 01:33:10 -0400

I served as an enlisted soldier and an officer. The Army has an officer by his balls. Many senior officers treat junior officers like shit and lead via fear and intimidation. The West Point graduates are the worst. Don't expect other officers to work with you or even help you, even if it is their job to help and mentor a junior officer. Being an officer, especially a combat arms officer, is every man for himself. Officers get promoted by being better than their peers. Consequently, most will not give you the time of day to help you unless it makes them look better in the eyes of their senior rater. Also, be prepared to have to eat a shit sandwich every day only to be told you should feel fortunate to be an officer in the Army. It's not like being enlisted and having to rely on your platoon mates if you ever need help with anything. Also, you will be a manager, so if you like field work, it may not be the best transition. Don't want to be the battalion S4? Too bad. Don't want to be an S1? Same answer. Many battalion commander simply don't care what you want to do. Most officers receive good training on how to be a staff officer and not hard MOS skills. If I could do it all over again, I would have become a warrant officer. Or, better yet, I would have joined the air force.

Response by CW3 Peter Acevedo made Apr 15 at 2019 6:14 AM

CW3 Peter Acevedo — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 06:14:57 -0400

It’s always worth the time and effort to improve oneself, that you will never regret. Depending on the career you seek should be your deciding factor. I had a class date for OCS when I worked for the 8th infantry division commander. He asked me why I was going, I told him I wanted to fly. He said if you truly want to fly then go warrant. I did and stayed in the cockpit right up to my last day. It helped me with a career with the FAA. It make me proud to see enlisted members advancing them self’s.
Follow your dreams and Soldier On.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Apr 15 at 2019 5:39 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 17:39:05 -0400

You've asked a good question. I wrote two books about my experience making that transition. Enlisted in 1971 and in 1988 took a direct commission as a JAG. A good thing is that people are nicer to you, at least at first. A bad thing is that while an enlisted troop might toss one or two salutes a day, as an officer, you'll toss many more, giving and getting. Bad thing? Finding out that all that stuff you thought about officer's sitting on their asses while NCOs do all the hard work, is just a myth. Everybody works hard, just not all hard work is done in the field or on a PT pad. The Ugly? There are a lot of incompetent people out there and you will have to be able to recognize them. You also have to follow the rules even though a lot of people don't. Overall: It gives you a real perspective on what being a soldier/sailor/airman/marine/coastie is really all about since you've grown with it. You started out at the bottom. I always believe the German mantra: "You can't lead until you've been led." Spend $7.99 each for electrons and by Syosset Blues & Combat JAG on Amazon. They are all short stories, vignettes about the people I met along the way; The Good, Bad and the Ugly. Fair warning, it's all true; and on Amazon. $1 from every sale goes to VSAV, a 501(c)(3) non-profit in C-Springs dedicated to helping rescue one "at-risk" veteran at a time. Good luck!

Response by COL John Hudson made Apr 16 at 2019 12:06 PM

COL John Hudson — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:06:11 -0400

I wore Enlisted rank to E-7. Flight school put me at WO1, then CW2 in Vietnam. Programs in place offered a Commission to 1LT for in-country (Vietnam) extensions and I accepted that. Made Captain one year later. Took a break in service then came back... Major, LTC, and COL. followed. Stepping back and taking it all in from a distance, my 30 years was INTERESTING! Always something new and exciting to look forward to. Wonderful events that challenged my intellect, stamina, and desire! GOOD = all the wonderful individuals I met and interacted with who became friends for life. BAD = Those I lost in conflict/risk arenas (Vietnam, Balkan Conflict, Iraq). UGLY = Finding I placed faith and confidence in some individuals along the way who talked a big game but failed miserably; resulting in disaster for me personally while attempting to recover from the damage they caused due to incompetence or sheer petulance. Know this: the military is a micro-slice of humanity at large. You WILL encounter ALL personalities out there and the truth is our military houses some types that could not exist or flourish outside of a military environment. The best lessons I ever learned was by watching some of them screw up terribly, then swearing that when my time came I would NEVER do it that way. Overall - I've had a good run and regret nothing. So - do you want to dig a ditch or manage those who do so? You're young, educated, and motivated. The military needs you at that level so why do you hesitate? PS: I'm aware that "Direct Commissions" are no longer being offered (Ft. Huachuca, Arizona). Apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS) - you'll more than likely attend a "Gentleman's Course" for your Basic Branch requirement.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2019 11:15 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 May 2019 23:15:40 -0400

First make sure you are doing it for the right reason. If Os are asking you, you must show potential. But if you are just doing it for the money/power that will eventually show. The good: You can make an impact in your troops lives pretty quickly. You can have huge impact on mission accomplishment. You operate in a different realm than you do as an NCO. You will be closer to bigger decisions being made. If you leverage your E time properly (demonstrating experience and knowledge with no chip on your shoulder, helping the new baby LTs, not belittling them etc...) it opens doors into decision making realms faster than your typical butter bar. The bad: Most of the fun is behind you. You will spend more time operating a keyboard than a rifle (even in SOF). There will be fun to be had, but your primary role is not shooting and scooting any more, it enabling shooters to do their job. Yes, you can have a few more "fun" jobs, and even in the unfun jobs there is still fun to be had. However, you will be more likely to be briefing operations over the long haul than actually going on ops. The up shot to that? You have the chance to help keep those ops from being FUBAR at a higher level. Good luck, and if you are doing it for the right reasons you will never regret it. Even as a staff guy it's a good feeling to be able to walk out of a brief to a GO and think "I just made a positive impact on X hundred/thousand troops lives/missions."

Response by CPT Gene Speer made May 14 at 2019 4:49 PM

CPT Gene Speer — Tue, 14 May 2019 16:49:19 -0400

As a college graduate, I felt that I could better serve our Country as an Officer. I attended NG OCS in PA. I then enjoyed a career in a high speed Combat Engineer BN in the Army Reserve. I truly enjoyed working with the NCOs and EM as a Platoon Leader, and as Company commander. I later became an Operations Officer until our unit, 79th ARCOM disbanded. At that point I anticipated serving in a different Unit until I retired. Then Bosnia Operations started. As an experienced Senior Company grade Officer, I was mobilized to work in Operations for HQS USAREUR, in Heidelberg, Germany. What a fascinating assignment! After that assignment, I retired. In 2004, with the buildup of OIF, the Army sent out a request for retired Company Grade Engineer Officers. I answered the call, and received a TDY assignment to JTFB in Soto Cano, Honduras. It was a tremendous experience. My whole point is that being an Officer opened up a lot of opportunities that I never expected. I would recommend it to you also.

Response by Capt Jim Ross made May 17 at 2019 10:20 PM

Capt Jim Ross — Fri, 17 May 2019 22:20:28 -0400

This occurred to me. I was an AF E-5 when I got my Bachelors and applied for Officer Training School (OTS) and was approved. I had 10 yrs in when I got my commission. I was used to working closely with others and being friends with my coworkers. As a commissioned officer working closely with enlisted folks, I had to set new guidelines. My coworkers could not call me by my first name unless they were officers. I could not stop by the NCO Club for a cold one with the guys/gals either. As I had worked in a small career field and went back into it after 4 years in Missiles, but as an officer, that met I knew several of the enlisted folks. Just had to stay on my toes as getting to friendly could create problems. As far as work was concerned, I did not ask my folks to do anything I would not do myself. If everyone was getting their hands dirty, if I was free, I would roll up my sleeves and get dirty also. More than once while attending all service military training classes, some enlisted folks would comment they were not used to an officer getting down and dirty. Nothing wrong with it, just know the limits and do NOT be afraid to delegate out work.

Response by SSG Bill Cooke made May 23 at 2019 12:19 AM

SSG Bill Cooke — Thu, 23 May 2019 00:19:57 -0400

First as a 2nd Lt learn how to command a Platoon. An NCO commands a team and under the LT a platoon. As a LT learn how to give clear commands and follow up on the work to be done. Make sure the work is done and give small say high fives for good work done. Lead well and do well. That is just for starters. Take care of those under you and they will take care of you.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made May 28 at 2019 11:00 PM

SSgt Daniel d'Errico — Tue, 28 May 2019 23:00:31 -0400

I have two friends and one aquitance who as former enlisted, became officers. They had many years in their career field (ATC) and it was a good thing for them to become officers. The two friends I knew from our gime stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War and the aquaintance I met while TDY in Saudi Arabia. They all were just in their early years of being commissioned, but adjusted well. They as being former enlisteds, were easy to talk with at all times.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jun 9 at 2019 11:45 AM

LCpl Cody Collins — Sun, 09 Jun 2019 11:45:31 -0400

Is the little things that will make or break you if you transition from enlisted to officer. If you are having problem being squared away at all times as enlisted, you will have even an harder time as an officer. You have to be able to double that of your enlisted personnel. Everything from your uniform to PT to setting the example. Your position has changed, no buddy buddy. But you are now the leader and your enlisted personnel will look to you for direction and purpose to accomplish the mission. And you better qualified expert on the rifle and pistol range every time. It does not look right that the O.I.C. Is wearing a marksman badge , and Lance Corporal Joe Smuckatelly is Dress down Expert badges.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Jun 10 at 2019 11:45 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:45:09 -0400

You just HAD to ask this question, didn't you, Sarge? I believe if you intend on making the military a career, becoming an officer is the way to go. You're demonstrating leadership qualities simply bey asking this question. If you qualify, check it out. You can always go back to the NCO corps if you decide becoming an officer is not for you before pinning on. For me, it was quite a challenge. I had earned a master's degree before even considering joining the military. When I finally decided to join to take advantage of college loan repayment, learn a new skill (combat medic), serve my country and make a few extra dollars, I was told that an Education degree ( I was a teacher of health and physical education and an interscholastic coach), was not eligible for direct commission. From PFC to Specialist, and interim E-6 for pay as an Officer Candidate, I spent five years enlisted. I branched into the Medical Service Corps, and was promoted to 2LT in a unit I was serving in as an OC. I thought the transition would be difficult, but they had been letting me serve as the Medical Platoon Leader in HHC (71st Infantry, NY ARNG) before I pinned on, and I blame a phenomenal Platoon Sergeant for every ounce of success I had in that unit before moving on after a while to accept a position as Company Commander of the 356th Field Hospital out of Rocky Point, Long Island, NY USAR, still as a Second Lieutenant. My Medical Platoon Sergeant saved me from myself time and again. "Be yourself," he kept telling me. I was always worried that being myself wouldn't be enough. But we learned as enlisted men to give and get respect by doing our job, staying in our lane, and helping our brothers when they needed it. True story from OCS: We rate each other, first to worst several times during the 14 month National Guard OCS program (a couple of summer camps and weekends for a year in between). There was a former E-6 in our platoon whom I hated with every fiber of my being. Why? Because I perceived him as trying to be our Platoon Sergeant in OCS. We were trying to learn to be officers, each of us in turn assuming different leadership roles, from squad leader to platoon leader, and I perceived this former Staff Sergeant as not being able to let go of his rank. To learn to lead, you must also learn to follow, I thought, and this guy was just not into the following thing. When the evaluations came up, I always ranked him last. Too many last man rankings and the OC could get boarded out! That was my dream. Little did I know, this guy was last ranking me as well. In our final Phase III of OCS, the field phase, while we're out in the steep (and unfortunately wet and cold) mountains of New York, just southeast of West Point, the TAC officers got the better of us. They waited a few days until we were good and tired and miserable, and then they came up to us, told us what was going on, and then made me and this other OC sit on a log facing each other and then tell the other, to their face, why we ranked each other last. I'm not even kidding. What a gut check. What a life lesson. In the end, we hugged it out. The Sarge thanked me for telling him about my perception, and said it would help him become a better officer. I thanked the Sarge as well, because he told me he could feel my resentment during phases I & II. We were on each other quite a bit. It wasn't healthy for us, and it wasn't healthy for the others, either. Lesson learned: Do the gut check face-to-face as early as possible to clear the air. The mission is more important than petty differences. Everybody has their own leadership style, and if we have a problem with it, as fellow officers, we need to love and respect each other enough to get it out in the open and then fix it. So, BE YOURSELF, and see yourself as part of a whole and work with others to accomplish your goals together. Be self-reflective enough to come down from your high horse once in a while. The Army values WORK in practice: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. My advice is that if you make the transition to officer, seek out a MENTOR. An officer a few ranks up from you, not necessarily in your direct chain, but someone you admire and want to be like, to learn and grow from. Everybody could use a Platoon Sergeant like I had on my first gig, but as we learn and grow we need to seek out personal guidance from someone in a position that we aspire to. Being enlisted first helped me never fear seeking advice from NCO's or enlisted. As a commander, I always kept an anonymous "Suggestion Box." Anyone could put in a suggestion about anything. It couldn't be just a complaint, and it couldn't be personal. It had to be 1) Identify a problem or issue, and 2) Recommend a solution for that problem or issue. Regular informal small group sessions also helped earn respect and cooperation from the troops. Listening is always more important than talking, directing or barking orders. There is no substitute for getting to know your troops. Last thing (I could go on forever!), a great quote from Gen George S. Patton: "Never tell someone how to do something. Tell them what you want done and then let them surprise you with their ingenuity." In other words, let the troops do their jobs, never micromanage, but make sure they have the resources to meet and then exceed your expectations; mission first, safety always!. Good luck! Hooah!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 10 at 2019 2:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 14:21:19 -0400

Keep OCS tight to your chest amongst peers.
Start the OCS packet now as it is a large one.
It's easier to get combat arms out of OCS than support branches.

Response by LCDR Bruce Cooley made Jun 11 at 2019 2:03 PM

LCDR Bruce Cooley — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:03:29 -0400

Congratulations on getting your Bachelors as that will help you regardless of your choice. I went from enlisted to officer (E-6 / First Class Petty Officer) and 'thought' I knew what the issues surrounding it were. For the most part, you'll be a highly valued asset to whatever command you go to.....but remember, you're no longer supposed to 'hang out with the troops' as much as you used to. It's a fine line between building rapport and teamwork.....and "fraternization". "Some" traditional officer (By no way the majority however) will be scrutinizing you on that association alone, so be aware of it. Your ability to deal with, and get quicker acceptance by your enlisted personnel will be something that they'll envy....hence leading to them 'thinking' you're fraternizing. Some of those same officers will be jealous of your leadership skills.....so become an indirect teacher. The vast majority of officer, at least in my experience, value your abilities and leadership capabilities. That same majority will also help you around some of the pit falls that will show up....and blunt most of the complaints from less capable officer. That was my experience for the most part. It was in the Navy however, but I think it applies across the services.

Response by CPT Mark Choiniere made Jun 12 at 2019 10:57 AM

CPT Mark Choiniere — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 10:57:29 -0400

You really need to sort through your goals and objectives--the pay is absolutely better and depending on the MOS/skillset, you can make higher level contributions from the standpoint of policy, doctrine, etc. You can continue your education either way. You can go SF either way. Options are a nice problem to have! My first assignment my commander wanted me to put in for USMAPS-I had zero college and really zero interest at that point. I did put together my flight packet but after an official orientation flight at Irwin and about 100 hours noodling around with NOE "High bird" flights, I told my Battalion Commander to cancel-just not for me. I switched to an MI MOS, took a bonus, worked for AS degree, put in for OCS years later as a SSG. Had a great time messing with the TACs at OCS-Honor Grad-spent 11 great years-two commands, acting Bn commander for a time through a deployment, Degree Completion for BS, before becoming a quota for Clinton VER. The thing I never thought through was the "after the military" job. Because of my training and military experience, I went from GS-12 to GS-15 and later senior executive in about 8 years, retiring in 2017. I don't think I would have had a chance at making Senior if not for my decision to go to OCS. And I-like dozens of others I spoke to-talked about it for years-but I only know a handful of people who actually put in for OCS, despite all the talk. I was on the fence for a long time but it was family, opportunity and money-in that order-that tipped it for me. I was either going to get out-I had never planned to do much more than get the GI Bill-or stay because I enjoyed the mission, the people, the training. Plus I had a number of folks pushing me-writing letters of endorsement (that I did not ask for,) volunteering me for special assignments, etc.
Do a rigorous assessment of your goals and objectives, prioritize them, think of where you want to be in 10-20-30 years. And good luck! Mark J. Choiniere, CPT, USA (Ret),

Response by CDR Ron Miller made Jun 12 at 2019 7:44 PM

CDR Ron Miller — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 19:44:51 -0400

My experience was a bit different, as I was nominated for a direct commission in the USAF Reserves. I had 4 years enlisted active duty and 5 years enlisted in an active USAF reserve squadron when nominated. I was commissioned as a USAF 2 LT, but then resigned to join the Navy and was commissioned as an Ensign after flight school. But to answer your question, 'Why?' it's because I wanted to be in positions for making policies that I thought would improve 'the mission', and 'the troops who perform the mission'. As a junior enlisted I had suffered under some decisions made by leaders, both enlisted and officers. As a more senior enlisted the positions I held offered opportunities for recommending policies that met my objectives, and was very pleased when they were adopted. And as it turned out my officer positions enhanced that goal in that I could make policies happen by virtue of my billet. And I could implement the good suggestions of subordinates as well as make recommendations up the chain which were often adopted as well. Bottom line, I was able to make a greater contribution to the country, the Navy (and previously the Air Force), the troops, and myself. If you obtain your commission for pay or a particular billet you may be successful. But consider the officers you consider less than competent. Were they officers in it just for the money? To boost their personal career objectives as opposed to the mission? I hope you will be able to achieve your personal goals and career goals while serving as enlisted or officer. The choices you make should be in what you believe is where you can make the contribution that lets you look back and be proud of what you have accomplished.

Response by CAPT Carlos Flanagan made Jun 13 at 2019 3:42 PM

CAPT Carlos Flanagan — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:42:14 -0400

I have a similar experience to COL Burroughs, 10 years enlisted and 27 years as an officer. Your question is somewhat complex however since it involves "officer" and "SF." As to the officer experience I can only add to COL Burroughs experience (which is spot on) and mention that as an officer you don't gain many friends....at least not like you would have as an enlisted man. The reason being (at least in the Navy) is your peers are your competition and sometimes it can get ugly. Now back to the SF question. If you can afford (time) to become SF first as an enlisted man your experiences would be vastly different than as an SF officer. While I'm not Army, I am Special Operations and as such have many SF friends and acquaintances. From my understanding an Army officer needs to get a wide variety of experiences and not all of them are within the SF community. Read that to mean that you might have to make a decision on what is more important, SF or becoming an officer if you don't have the time to do both. As an SF operator (enlisted) you get to run and gun. As an SF officer you get to lead men that run and gun.....key is lead not be the guy going through the door. I actually deal with this dilemma fairly often for those young men with college degrees who are looking to become SEALs and as it is for you, it all comes down to what is most important. Sometimes we can't have it both ways. Good luck.

Response by Maj Michael Leon made Jun 13 at 2019 6:15 PM

Maj Michael Leon — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 18:15:35 -0400

I was enlisted E6 Tech Sgt when I got my direct commission to O1 2nd Lt . Retired as a Major O4. Best move I ever made. Only advice I have for you is be prepared to leave your enlisted friends behind cause now you're their boss and don't hesitate to move on. Also, keep good records of all your military service. It's easier for things to get lost when there's a switch to a commissioned rank.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2019 11:00 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:00:48 -0400

I did this. Money is very good . But be prepared to PCS every 2 years maybe 3 if you’re lucky. Also family work life balance disappears as your work day will be 2-3 hours longer.

Response by Angela Sweet made Jun 15 at 2019 2:47 PM

Angela Sweet — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 14:47:03 -0400

As Officer exemplifies leadership, I feel there is not much bad to be said about the change other than donning more responsibility for others. Be sure to stay on top of your fitness and get strong!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2019 9:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 21:26:40 -0400

The only issue the I've seen and currently experiencing is prior enlisted officers forgetting their roots and treating their Soldiers like crap. Some of them have power trips and degrade Soldiers. Best advice I could give you is use your knowledge and experience to leave a legacy in your unit. Of course, as an officer the expectations will be higher and your excuses become minimal. You must work as a team with your enlisted counterparts...i.e.SL, PSG's, and 1SG's. Humility, respect, and firm but fair leadership (servant leadership) will set you up for success. My opinion...

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Jun 16 at 2019 1:27 AM

SGM Robin Johnson — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 01:27:37 -0400

As a SSG you probably have less than 10 years in, so this probably won't be an issue, but be aware you have to spend 10 years as a commissioned officer to retire as a commissioned officer. I had a couple of SNCOs who didn't take that into account seriously when applying for OCS. Also, don't discount the dangers of not only the the 'up or out' promotion system,
but also reserve vs active commission. I had a high speed junior NCO go into the AECP (enlisted to nurse commissioning program), then not be part of the 34% picked up to receive an active commission at the end of his service obligation (even though he'd been selected for promotion). Fortunately we were able to get him into the Air Force, but I've also seen guys get passed over for promotion and forced out. So...
As with anything, it is a calculated risk, and if you believe you will rise to the top of your peer group regardless of the circumstances it may be a moot point. Just go into this, as with anything, with situational awareness.

Response by LTC Russ Smith made Jun 16 at 2019 8:25 AM

LTC Russ Smith — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 08:25:52 -0400

As a junior officer you will quickly tire of the condescension from officers senior to you and the institutional disrespect for Second Lieutenants by enlisted personnel that is encouraged and approved by the Army. Add for the officers, suck it up and shut up, treat your lieutenants better, be significant more tactful with your candor as an officer. As for the occasional NCO that goes too far, privately have their ass and remind then of your enlisted time.

Response by MAJ Norm Michaels made Jun 30 at 2019 11:02 PM

MAJ Norm Michaels — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 23:02:26 -0400

I went to OCS when I was a Staff Sergeant. I was bored with my responsibilities and upward mobility prospects. I really wanted to be a warrant officer at the time, but the olden Army didn’t have many warrants; we had to wait for one to die or retire. So after two years of submitting my warrant packet without openings, I chose OCS. It was the best decision. As an officer, I found myself in amazing situations with amazing responsibilities. I impacted people directly as a leader. As a company commander, I had the most impact, training young lieutenants, senior NCOs, junior NCOs, and I had great fun doing it. I learned to be firm but fair. There is little more useless than commanders without the backbone to command. All six of my lieutenants in two different company commands went on to command and retired as LTCs or Colonels. One of my 1SGs later was a Command Sergeant Major of a Post. To this day, they all say they loved and respected my command style.p, firm but fair. You too can impact peoples’ lives To a much greater degree as an officer than an NCO. Choose the road less traveled.

Response by MAJ Rabi Singh made Jul 8 at 2019 4:38 PM

MAJ Rabi Singh — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 16:38:21 -0400

Bottom Line---> look in the mirror and determine 'who' you see. Do you 'see' an enlisted Soldier or an officer? What I mean by that is simply forget about officer pay and benefits and look at NCOs and officers around you. Do you want to do what the NCOs do, or what the officers do? When I was a platoon leader, my platoon sergeant told me the following, knowing I was former enlisted (in fact, he was the lead NCO at Ft Campbell's Air Assault School when I went through it, years earlier): "there's no way I could become an officer! I'm too hands on and I want to be with the joes!" I laughed, but began to realize he was not an 'officer' on the inside...he would never like it. I don't want to mystify it like one is predestined to be one or the other, but advise every enlisted considering the possibility to determine how you function best / prefer to function. I was the opposite; I did better overall as an officer than when I was enlisted. The higher pay will not make up for disliking what you do, if you 'are' enlisted on the inside but commission. One key way to determine it is this: do you prefer to do the task or manage those who do? Every officer walks away from 'hands on' after Captain more or less (that is O3 for any squids out there) and place their hands on a desk. Pilots leave the cockpit for the desk...Redlegs leave the guns for the desk...Grunt leaves the foxhole for the desk, or at least, the field desk in the rear. If you don't like the management, meetings, etc, stay away! Again, look at the NCOs and officers around you to see the future ahead of you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 11:44 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 11:44:19 -0400

I was a SSG over 8 when I went to OCS. First, officers don’t get to pick their branch so be flexible. Second, many prior service guys struggle to make the transition. NCO business is no longer your business. You are now one of “them” and your focus needs to be different of you won’t make it past Major. Yes, prior service guys are better officers at first but that becomes less and less pronounced as the non prior service folks gain experience. A huge challenge is burn out as you become retirement eligible and people start asking you why you are still there. A HUGE number of my OCS classmates with significant prior service retired as Majors because it is grueling. Once you finish a command as a CPT you may not be around troops again for 8 years until you do your S3/XO time.
Finally, if you go Officer you can try for SF as a senior 1LT from any branch. But they need fewer officers than enlisted and they are way more picky than they would be with an NCO. Something to consider. Good luck

Response by CPT Robert Huddleston made Jul 14 at 2019 1:58 PM

CPT Robert Huddleston — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 13:58:21 -0400

Congratulations! Don't hesitate!! You’ll have the experience from the enlisted side to be an example of what a good soldier can be. The NCO’s will respect you more; listen to them and you’ll be a great team. More times than not, your perspective as a prior enlisted can help those in command and operations to make decisions if you can earn the trust. But most of all you can stand for justice, when something is wrong. Good Luck with your career! Hooah!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 5:53 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:53:18 -0400

Congratulations soldier, on earning your Bachelor's Degree. It demonstrates your desire to excel beyond ordinary boundaries. Good luck in the remainder of your career.

Response by Capt Hansel Bumgarner made Jul 15 at 2019 11:44 AM

Capt Hansel Bumgarner — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:44:56 -0400

Well, in the Marines it means going through OCS. If they thought Paris Island or San Diego was hard, wait until they arrive at Quantico. If they didn’t like the former, they certainly are not going to like the latter. Going through boot camp twice is not for the faint of heart.

Response by CPT Jim Kotva made Jul 17 at 2019 12:35 PM

CPT Jim Kotva — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 12:35:08 -0400

I DID THE DIRECT COMMISION ROUTE I HAD ALMOST 11 YEARS IN WHEN I DID. TALKING TO THE OCS GRADUATES IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN FOR 9 YEARS YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TEACHING YOU

Response by CPT Michael Walsh made Jul 20 at 2019 5:04 PM

CPT Michael Walsh — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 17:04:04 -0400

I had three years enlisted time (in Aviation) before I went to flight school and was commissioned a WO-1. After the Nam on my next assignment in Germany, I was offered and accepted a direct to 0-2. A year later was promoted to 0-3 and orders back to the Nam as an Infantry company commander. This was in 1971. After Infantry Officer Basic and on leave, DA called and offered me the option to get out or do my tour in SE Asia. ( I did not have my degree yet.) So as unprepared as I was, I got out and went to work in a machine shop and attended college at the same time. I 'm happy I didn't go back to the Nam but I'm even more happy the GI bill was there for education. All worked out for the best but anyone that wishes to make the military a career I'd suggest they get their education BEFORE they enter the service and continue with their education after they are in the military.

Response by CDR Skip Albee made Jul 21 at 2019 4:03 PM

CDR Skip Albee — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 16:03:02 -0400

This Marine Sergeant was an Embassy Guard and finshed his baccalaureate in Europe.
I applied for Navy AOCS in a desire for aviation. Best decision ever. Retired as a O-5 Commander.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 1:15 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 01:15:51 -0400

Cory,
I would never discourage anyone from chasing their dream. With that said, I would say be sure you have considered all your options, and are chasing the right dream. I considered the Commissioned and the Warrant (which is a reserve commission at CW2, and a RA commission at CW3) routes. As you can see, I was an SF Warrant Officer and did not regret my decision. Let me provide some clarification: As a commissioned officer in SF I would have served maybe 2 years ODA time (operator time) and then would have worried about my next "STAFF" position and next level education to be competitive for Major, and subsequent company command. There would have been the same worries at each milestone for command positions. While that may be exactly want you want, it was not for me. I chose the SFWO route and stayed on a detachment 5 years as a Warrant Officer, with 4 of those years as the Detachment Commander. At that time, we did not have a sufficient number of CPTs to fill all the Det Cdr slots. Additionally, at every level Company and Battalion Ops, I still had just as many, if not more TDYs. I had a total of 22 years in 7th GP before I attended ILE at the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth where I finish my first masters degree and pinned CW5. I did one year in the school house before I was the Command Warrant Officer at SOCSOUTH (2 years unaccompanied tour), and then return to doctrine to finish out my 34 1/2 year career. The operational time/experience I had during my career provided me great job satisfaction.
At one point, I was the BN OPS WO/SWOA when I had a CPT/former Det Cdr approach me about changing to WO. I asked the CPT why? His response was that he wanted to stay operational. He did, however, change his mind when he was selected below the zone (BZ) for Major. I tell you this, to stress the importance of knowing your options before making a decision that could affect your career, or possibly cause you to doubt that decision later.
Now that you know my story, I wish you the best at whatever decision/route you take in your career.

Response by CPT Allan Quigley made Aug 10 at 2019 7:51 PM

CPT Allan Quigley — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 19:51:20 -0400

I went to OCS after 10 years enlisted. I went from E-6 19D (made the E-7 list) to 2-LT Engineer. The positives were significant. Opportunity for education were greatly improved. Office Basic, Officer Advance Courses, CAS3 and Command and General Staff Course, as well as the routine things like Supply Officer courses, logistics, etc. There is also something to be said for camaraderie with young officers learning the ropes. The negatives were significant as well. Going from being a Cav Scout to an Engineer garnered no respect from the Corps of Engineers. My superiors didn't like the idea that I had more time in the mess hall than they had with troops. I had two battalion commanders that essentially said that I had no business being in the Engineers because I didn't have a "hard engineering degree" and wasn't from West Point. While I had the respect of my subordinates but to my superiors I was expendable. To them OCS was the lowest rank of their caste system and would never amount to anything. I was able to retire as a Cpt and had some great troop and staff experiences. Retirement pay is better as a commissioned officer. If you make the leap, remember a couple of things, 1. OCS commissions are not respected by West Pointers. 2. You have to prove yourself to senior NCOs. The jump from being a senior E-6 to a 2LT was a significant. The senior NCO's will try to get away with treating you like the typical 2LT if you let them. Finally, while its rewarding being a Squad Leader or Plt Sgt, its more rewarding being a company commander.

Response by 1SG Jack Crutcher made Aug 11 at 2019 1:33 PM

1SG Jack Crutcher — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 13:33:06 -0400

Don't forget how you felt when you were enlisted because the enlisted soldiers you will be over still feel that way. Never forget the things you learned while enlisted and apply them. Get along with your NCO counterpart and keep learning as you go. You should do well because you will see both sides of the coin.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2019 4:42 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:42:40 -0400

No much bad when switching to officer, in my opinion enlisted to officer or junior enlisted are both good career progressions. I started enlisted and currently I am an officer in the Navy, plus I have been a medical officer recruiter for Navy.

Response by LCDR Jerry Maurer made Aug 16 at 2019 10:25 AM

LCDR Jerry Maurer — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 10:25:06 -0400

My son and I are both mustangs. Neither of us regret a day as an officer!

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Aug 19 at 2019 5:21 AM

MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 05:21:51 -0400

Back in '78 I was a promotable SSG E-6 on the faculty of the Defense Information School and had just achieved two years of college (I was in my ninth year of service). Unbeknownst to me, the army had lowered the education requirement for OCS to two years of college and I soon found myself being encouraged to attend. t was not an easy process. Several of the TACs acted like they had it in for me and really hit me hard with demerits. I spent the entire 14 weeks restricted to barracks (even though my family lived just a quarter mile away in SNCO housing) and was the only senior candidate walking tours the last two weekends of our class. Despite that, I was an Honor Graduate and would do it over without giving it a second thought. I was commissioned in Armor Branch and alternated between armor and public affairs jobs. I completed my BA going to night school and, after my second successful company command, was selected to teach military history at West Point. I wound up getting both my MA and Ph.D. from Temple University in Philadelphia and retired at age 40 after nearly 22 years of service because of the planned draw down in the early '90s. Realizing that I was unlikely to get a battalion or squadron command because of my age made the decision to give my seat at CGSC to someone who could benefit from it a lot easier.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2019 3:20 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 03:20:24 -0400

I think that if you have goals of going to Special Forces you should do that now as an enlisted guy and go be the best soldier you can be doing cool stuff that is unique to SF.

I think that the biggest question you have to answer is "Do I like staff work and do I know what I'm really getting into?" If you can't find someone to tell you what staff life is like please send me a message.

NCO: 18 years of leadership, 2-3 years of staff.
O: 5-6 years of command, 15-20 years of staff.

Response by SGT John Peacock made Aug 28 at 2019 8:45 AM

SGT John Peacock — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 08:45:53 -0400

I spoke with my commander on this subject. Him being prior Enlisted as well as Warrant, told me he somewhat regretted leaving the Warrant Officer corps. Warrants basically get the best of both worlds is what he said. They get the pay & respect of officers but don't have to deal with most of the politics & BS that both Officers & Enlisted do. They just do their job & report only to the BN commander & aside from that & a few obligatory "dog & pony shows", that's pretty much all you have to do.

Response by CW3 Terry Gile made Aug 30 at 2019 10:41 PM

CW3 Terry Gile — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 22:41:51 -0400

JAG, medical, chaplain, and army cyber currently offer direct commissions. This list is subject to change depending on the age old factor "needs of the service". Way back in the day I served with a major who was commissioned in some kind of club management specialty as he had a degree in hotel management.

Response by CW3 Terry Gile made Aug 30 at 2019 10:47 PM

CW3 Terry Gile — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 22:47:57 -0400

JAG, Medical, Chaplain, and Cyber Army are currently awarding direct commissions. This list changes owing to the age old factor "needs of the service". I once served with a major who held a degree in hotel management and was granted a direct commission in a club management specialty

Response by MAJ James Rediske made Sep 3 at 2019 8:23 PM

MAJ James Rediske — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:23:26 -0400

I am a mustang.....I would seriously consider going OCS rather than the direct commission route. It gives you a great deal of leadership experience, and generally greater respect from the NCO Corps.

Response by MAJ Ramon Claudio made Sep 8 at 2019 12:27 PM

MAJ Ramon Claudio — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:27:17 -0400

If, you are commissioned back to a unit where you once served as enlisted, then you will have a more difficult transition, mainly because your old buds may not see you as a superior. Unfortunately, you are no longer one of the boys, you have responsibility that may conflict with friendship, and you may have to make decisions that could cost you a friend or two.
On the other hand, starting fresh in a unit where no one knows it is best.
Having said that, the best advice I can give you is to allow your Platoon Sargent to make an Officer out of you. That platoon Sargent has forgotten more stuff than you ever remember, so listen to him/her, give great weight to their opinions, always consult with them, but ultimately, you must make the final call. Remember, a bad call is always better than no call at all, it’s the quickest way of losing the confidence of your troops. Always be prepared, take the lead, and don’t show weakness, but be compassionate, you’re dealing with humans.
When I graduated from flight training I was given command of a platoon of Warrant Officers, not an easy task, but I earned their respect by becoming a good pilot and always being fair to everyone.
Good luck on your career.

Response by SSG Jerry Chlarson made Sep 8 at 2019 2:54 PM

SSG Jerry Chlarson — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 14:54:45 -0400

I was in College nearing the end and was sponsored by my unit to attend OCS. I like to tell people it's like (Basic x Basic) or (Basic Squared). Not only did you have to know all of the Basics, but you also had to perform at a collegiate level. Inspections, Spot Reports, PL/CO Tactics in the field, Op Orders, Peer assessments, Physical Fitness, Required Reading, Essays, Book Reviews, and the list goes on and on. It was a complete overload at all times!!! It is the only course I would not want a repeat of out of all of them that I was fortunate enough to attend during my career. It was also one of the most awesome experiences I had while in the Army. To this day I am friends with my TAC Officers, and a bit afraid of them at the same time (haha). They were absolute professionals and that included the NCO's that were in the support roles as PSG, 1SG, and CSM's. They acted the part of what a Senior NCO really does in a Unit and were instrumental in their roles. Ultimately I did not retain my Commission and remained an Enlisted NCO that became an NCOES and MOS Instructor. I don't know about other schoolhouses, but the first 2 days we dropped half of the OCS Candidates, and you really had to want to attend it, it was like the lights turned on and the roaches scurried away, or it wasn't worth the trouble and effort. We started with around 150 Candidates and only 15 of us graduated the course. Air Assualt School had a better graduation record than my OCS Class did. (haha) Great Experience. Absolutely glad I did and it made me a better soldier of me no doubt. If you're up for a challenge and you can deal with 100% all of the time, critical assessments of your performance, by both Staff and Peer's, and you want to be in the role of an Officer, go for it!!! I will never regret the experience.

Class Motto- "All for one, forty-one" 1997...

Good grief I'm an old ass... (haha)

Response by 1LT Shaun Ray made Sep 9 at 2019 12:49 PM

1LT Shaun Ray — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 12:49:34 -0400

You are going to have more opportunities as Enlisted vs Officer. Officer side of the house is a upper management position that is more critical thinking, decision making, paperwork, and less line time with the men. Officer side is politically charged, cutthroat, and success seems to be based on playing the game mostly. If you go Officer make sure you complete Ranger School, Airborne, and Air Assault before you go to your unit if at all possible. Also, you will have an opportunity to try for SF Selection somewhere around O-2/O-3. I would recommend you branch Infantry, Armor/Cavalry to develop your combat arms skill set.

The Enlisted side has it's benefits as you will spend more time on the line with the men. Your decisions are based more on the intent of the Officer or Commander in charge. You will have more opportunities to attend schools and "do work". You may survive politics longer on the Enlisted side since my observations have shown that advancement is more based on merit as opposed to self preservation and favoritism. The work will be far more physical and high pressure in the moment decisions. You definitely make more money but if that is your driving force then in my opinion that is a bad reason to be an Officer. Lastly, everything you do or don't do is under a microscope.

So, in conclusion transitioning to the Officer side can be a seamless move for a Mustang but those NCO habits are hard to break. A thick skin is required and a keen ability to communicate effectively. Your decisions have a much larger impact on many lives. Politics are high and you must be ever present leading from the front placing the Soldier first. Success or failure of your charge is solely on you. Your peers and your OER Senior Rater determines your everything. Good luck in whatever path you choose.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Sep 9 at 2019 7:54 PM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 19:54:51 -0400

It depends on your goals. If you want to stay in your MOS but be a subject matter expert, become a warrant officer. If you want to be a generalist, become a commissioned officer. A retired CW3, like myself, receives roughly the retirement pay of a major; a CW4 makes the retirement pay of a lieutenant colonel and a CW5 makes roughly the retirement pay of a Colonel.

Response by Capt Mike Downs made Sep 10 at 2019 6:45 PM

Capt Mike Downs — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:45:49 -0400

You are going to miss the camaraderie and friendships. Most officers just like to do,their own thing. I'm a retired mustang.

Response by LTC Charles Lauderdale made Sep 11 at 2019 12:52 AM

LTC Charles Lauderdale — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:52:09 -0400

When I was a very young soldier serving in an armored cavalry troop, I was privileged to have a first sergeant and a troop commander who were both ‘Mustangs’. They with few words, but one action after another taught me more about how to lead men in combat than all the text books, ROTC classes/field exercises, branch basic course, and/or specialty courses combined. First, both men had served in combat as enlisted soldiers. The first sergeant had received a battlefield commission and only returned to enlisted ranks after a major reduction in force (RIF) in that he had no college credits (a major discriminator of the day). The troop commander had served as enlisted soldier for three years during the Korean War, received his BA degree through the GI bill, and returned to active duty after receiving his commission through ROTC. Two framed posters were displayed on the unit’s bulletin board that clearly implied two critical factors in their leadership styles. The same two images were also displayed behind the commander’s desk. One was of a soldier in full combat gear superimposed over a cemetery full of crosses with the words, ‘Save Proper Training’ across the bottom. The second was simply three words spaced across the entire poster. The words were, ‘Soldiers Eat First’. Both men proved to me every single hour I was in that unit that they lived by the words on those posters. They made every single experience a teaching/training/learning experience. Without neither coddling nor undue harassment, they made us into soldiers willing to give our all for the unit and them! After making buck sergeant and deciding to try for OCS, it was the first sergeant who convinced me to go to college before being commissioned. When the RIF’s came after Vietnam and many officers in my unit were getting pink slips, I was selected for early attendance at the Command and General Staff College. I credit that cavalry troop commander and first sergeant for turning me into a mustang with a college degree and the ability to always consider my every plan, action, and order from vantage point of my soldiers as well as my own.

Soldier/Cop/Grunt, Retired

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2019 10:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:41:09 -0400

First part of the word Officer is "Office" which is where you will spend the rest of your career.

Response by SFC William Bethea made Sep 12 at 2019 8:01 PM

SFC William Bethea — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:01:25 -0400

Going to an O will not hinder your chances at SF, you have to meet the requirements when you apply.

Now my take. When you become an officer, remember you are an officer and conduct yourself as such. You will garner more respect from older NCO's that way.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Sep 15 at 2019 10:50 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 22:50:13 -0400

One of the best officers I ever worked with was a former SSG/E6 who went thru OCS. Go for it, you'll make a great officer.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2019 4:52 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 04:52:32 -0400

If you think you are qualified for a commission in the Armed Forces, then don’t think, just do. It takes a special person to join the Military, but it takes an extraordinary individual to accept a Challenge to lead others. So what are you waiting for? Go for broke. CWO3 Kaupe, USMC, Ret.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2019 5:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 17:34:48 -0400

There have been changes made to going the officer route. Primarily age. Not sure how old you are but could be a factor. Was 26 for Active and 33 for Reserves/NG. Can always go Warrant if not able to DC.