What if the U.S. Army did away with officers entirely? How would things change?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 16:19:11 -0500

Pretend the Army has done away entirely with commissioned officers. All roles have been filled by NCOs and the proper authority and training has been received and delegated, to include positions of command. AR 600-20 undergoes few if any rewrites as the term "commander" simply applies to NCOs now. Warrant officers are now warrant sergeants. The special representation from congress and the constitution that was enjoyed by officers is now given to NCOs serving in select roles. Some positions are removed as they are now seen as redundant, such as platoon leader and OIC roles. There is no longer an NCO support channel, just one direct channel from soldiers upwards.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 15 at 2021 4:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 16:24:43 -0500

With proper training and schooling I have no doubt that senior NCOs can run units. As a commander that is an attribute that I want. Should I go down as a commander I don't want the unit to miss a heart beat.

Response by SPC Joshua Toney made Jan 15 at 2021 5:24 PM

SPC Joshua Toney — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:24:00 -0500

Lower enlisted wouldn’t have to go find a lost LT on the Land Nav course for one.

Response by SPC July Macias made Jan 15 at 2021 6:10 PM

SPC July Macias — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:10:28 -0500

The DA would save an astronomical amount of money from not having to pay, house, and arm all these officers.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 15 at 2021 6:34 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:34:55 -0500

You quite literally have imagined only a change insofar as the applicable lexicon. This is an argument over simply semantics. Nothing would actually change.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 16 at 2021 3:58 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 03:58:42 -0500

This is why no one listens to butterbars.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2021 10:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 10:25:25 -0500

Probably never happen but sourcing all officers from the enlisted ranks would be a good hybrid.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2021 1:45 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2021 01:45:05 -0500

I'm in the minority probably but I think you're on the right track LT. We inherited our rank structure from the British military and that rank structure is based on their, previously, rigid class structure. Kind of seems un-American doesn't it? How about everyone start at the bottom and work their way up. Maybe we use many of the same ranks and have 15-20 or more ranks. At some point college would be needed to continue upward. I'm sure some will say what about the docs, chaplains, pilots. They could start at the bottom too with certain specialties having extra pay related to the schooling they show up with.