What made you decide to become an officer? Was it "in your blood" or did you want something new in your life?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 10:08:59 -0400

Are you keeping the tradition in the family? Or was it you wanted a new career change? Also would your go back and change your mind?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 10:11 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 10:11:37 -0400

It was the same rule I use when I pull up to a light with multiple lanes and get in the shortest line. It is the once less idiot rule as an officer and then with promotions you have one less idiot you may have to work for.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 10:30 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 10:30:55 -0400

My former MOS 12T used to be stagnant at the SFC and above positions so for me it was always a choice between going to OCS or WOCs. I was accepted to OCS in 2013 but was then disqualified a week later due to a medical issue that should have been taken out of my records. So I applied for 120A in 2013 and was denied due to not enough leadership time. I didn't give up and gained more experience then reapplied in 2015 and was selected. My immediate family is comprised of officers (dad- retired MP LTC, brother - ADA MAJ currently serving) I took a different path going enlisted first then becoming a warrant. I feel like I made the best decision because I get to continue to be an Engineer and do what I love daily without a lot of politics and staff work regular officers deal with everyday.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 15 at 2017 11:16 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:16:47 -0400

Very straightforward: I wanted to be an Air Force Officer since I was a kid so I could fly airplanes. If I had to make the decisions again I would have done most of the same things. Maybe taken a useful second language in High School and College, like Spanish.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 15 at 2017 11:44 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:44:03 -0400

My path was more driven by circumstance. I was in engineering school, pulled a draft number of 2, so joined the Navy Reserve vs. getting grabbed by the Army. Did Boot, A School, deployed, and kept going to school. Went to war for summer vacations and that helped pay for UCLA. So I wanted to go the O Route because that's where I could use my degree. Funny, I had E-5 and O-1 papers to sign the same day. Picked the later and never looked back.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 11:52 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:52:26 -0400

I did the enlisted experience, enjoyed it enough to decide I wanted to spend more time in the Army. For me, I figured if I was to spend more time, and potentially make a career, I wanted to do it as an officer. I enjoy working in groups and being part of a larger team so I decided I'd give the leadership part a try.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jun 15 at 2017 11:54 AM

LTC John Mohor — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:54:50 -0400

My Dad and Senior Army Instructor in High School both helped me see why I should become an Officer. My Dad was a WWII Veteran having finished after the war as S/SGT(WWII way to abbreviate it). He told me he never knew what was going on nor where they were during the war. At least as an Officer I'd know what I was doing and where we were going. They both knew I wanted to serve and they said I might as well get paid for it while I was in.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jun 15 at 2017 5:03 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 17:03:26 -0400

I took the "O" route when I became serious about making a career. I was looking for a career post military life and that naturally led me to a commission. Never regret my enlisted days nor my officer days, both are vastly different. If I had to do it all over again I certainly would have chose the "O" route out of the barn, however I would not have experienced a full career; in fact two separate full careers as enlisted and officer. Its been an interesting ride as I approach retirement!

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 16 at 2017 2:53 AM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 02:53:24 -0400

First off, I would never go back, and so far in my first year I have yet to regret the decision. It has always been in the back of my mind, and I waited and made excuses, but I knew I had to do it or I would regret it if I never tried.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 8:30 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 20:30:33 -0400

I always wanted to be in the military ever since I was a kid. I thought about enlisting straight out of high school but since my folks offered to help with tuition I chose to go to college. I screwed around my freshman year but after that I remembered the call to serve that had been there since I was a kid. I joined Army ROTC my sophomore year and the rest is history. I saw the military as a way to become a better, stronger man while serving others. Also, the sense of responsibility, setting the standard and leadership really appealed to me.