What is life truly like as a Commissioned Officer?

SPC Piega,
I can't speak for all branches, however, there are some common elements. Having served alongside soldiers and their officers, I did pick up a "taste" of the Army officer's life. Similar to most services, there are immediate differences based on your designator or equivalent Army specialty. It is stating the obvious to claim the life of an officer working in a combat support role differs from that of one working in combat arms. A new junior officer in the "line" as we squids call it, has two overriding responsibilities: learn and qualify. Managing to accomplish both requires a high level of personal discipline, the willingness to seek out and retain the knowledge of your senior enlisted leadership, and the courage to perform all of this as a leader. It's neither acceptable to come into the commissioned ranks with an "ego", or too easily "intimidated". Regulations are a starting point, not the whole toolbox. There's a point in your career you begin to think you "know" a lot...that's about the right time to stop and start evaluating the overwhelming nature of what you don't know. The officers I found to be the most respected (not always the most rewarded) were those who never took the "low road" of denigrating the chain of command, placed the well being and development of their sailors or soldiers ahead of their own advancement, and maintained a high level of respect for the senior enlisted personnel. The greatest moment of my career may have been when I gained enough confidence to form real working relationships with people who had served for three decades and were more than happy to share their knowledge with a receptive young officer.

In my short experience and plus the time I had to shadow others I will say that: that line about when someone says they want to join the military and someone gives them the advice of go officer you will make more money and you want have to start out at the bottom is the worst advice in the free world. I think often times people feel that the work you do is encompass ed soley on the field. I use to be under the same impression. I didn't know that long after you released everyone that you will still be working, I had no idea that you would train to command an unit but honestly spend most of time in staff doing a job that no one has really taught you how to do you just learn as you go. I think only senior nco's and officers really understand the work load and attention to detail that you have to encompass to do the job right. There is also that sick to your stomach during and high euphoria after a task is complete. What I mean by this is inside I am a wreck with is this the best training we can do, I hope we can accomplish it with no injury, do my people honestly feel this is bettering them or is it just wasting their time. Once it's all completed and goes well and you meet those objects you feel awesome, however no time to celebrate causs your back to the drawing board for the next big thinf, time g

To truly answer your question I think you would have to get the perspective from all branches and from the Guard and Reserve Officers. As a Reserve WO, much of what I do is similar in nature, and having been a platoon leader and Acting Commander it can be a headache. It is also challenging, and gives you a since of accomplishment that no civilian job can compare with.

Do tell!