What was your reason for wanting to be an officer?

2019-01-10T21:18:14-05:00

This is a question cadre keeps asking us at Chow before we leave. Kinda makes me wonder what made others choose this path.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 9:39 PM

2019-01-10T21:39:17-05:00

Multiple reasons why I’m pursuing my commission:

1) My father was a mustang officer and I’ve grown up around the officer corps my whole life.
2) I hear the life of an officer is challenging and I like challenges
3) As a junior NCO, I felt underutilized.
4) Retirement pension looks sweet.

Response by CPT Derial Bivens made Jan 11 at 2019 3:06 AM

2019-01-11T03:06:48-05:00

When enlisted, I was in a low--density MOS, with only 3 E-7 slots Army-wide. My required cutoff score for E-5 was 886 and for E-6 was 941. I made E-5 in three years and E-6 two years later. Two years later, i came out on the E-7 list, which was very loonnngg. What a struggle that was! Suddenly, I found myself with only 8 years in and ZERO chance of upward mobility. After 13 months of Reserve Component OCS, I took a commission. Ultimately, I held ten ranks in the army.

Response by LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr made Jan 11 at 2019 6:09 AM

2019-01-11T06:09:20-05:00

I started my Army career as an enlisted soldier and served almost 6 years in various units ending in the 82d Airborne Division and having a roaring good time jumping out of airplanes. While there I met the 2LT that would change my outlook. My 2LT was not the brightest bulb in teh package and I figured that I was at least as smart as he. So I turned down SSG, ETS'd, returned home to start college. I graduated and recieved my commission in 1981. I served as an Officer for 28 yeaars and retired as a LTC. In all I held 9 ranks Enlisted to Officer. And, I must say that I enjoyed both sides.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 9:57 AM

2019-01-11T09:57:10-05:00

I was enlisted and ambitious. I liked what I was doing in the Army, but I wanted to make more money and be in charge of things. At the time I submitted my Green to Gold packet, I was the Assistance Administrative NCOIC to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army as a CPL.
I also had an eye on my post-military career and making sure that whatever I did in the military was transferable after serving.
I held three enlisted ranks (PFC, SPC, CPL) and four commissioned ranks (2LT - MAJ).

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

2019-01-11T12:12:27-05:00

I was enlisted and enjoyed what I was doing but wanted to have more responsibility and make broader plans.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 4:09 PM

2019-01-15T16:09:51-05:00

I wanted the opportunity to make an impact on Soldiers. I already had a degree, but chose to enlist first, so I could learn about the Army. I see that you are a 09S. My best advice to you is for you to trust your NCOs and for you to understand that rank, Intelligence, and experience are not equal commodities. Rank makes you responsible, but it doesn’t make you right. Try to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you at all times.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 15 at 2019 4:11 PM

2019-01-15T16:11:36-05:00

I couldn't imagine not being an officer. I had finished college and law school before enlisting. I also had my Coast Guard license and was pursuing a commission in the Navy. They screwed around with my application until I went to see the Army recruiter and they immediately talked about a direct commission in JAG which I didn't want so I enlisted with a commitment to Infantry OCS. How's that for a round about answer?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 4:21 PM

2019-01-15T16:21:25-05:00

Because I got sick of dealing with dumb LT's so I figured I should be one :)

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 15 at 2019 4:38 PM

2019-01-15T16:38:06-05:00

I took a different path. I selected vocation first, pilot, and then the logical extension to becoming a USAF officer so I could be a pilot. There was a point in my career where I realized I needed to be as dedicated to "officering" as I was to flying. I realized I liked being in charge and was capable and willing to accept responsibility. Responsibility not only for my own actions, but for the actions of those placed under my leadership. The numbers were often small, but employing the people and resources at my command to accomplish the mission generated a sense of satisfaction at least as great as successfully landing the aircraft safely despite mechanical problems and crappy weather. Try telling the cadre, "I want to be in charge. I'm willing to take responsibility consistent with my authority to lead Soldiers and use resources to accomplish the mission." I think that fits well whether you're an LT or LTG.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 15 at 2019 5:22 PM

2019-01-15T17:22:42-05:00

I didn't know what I was going to to after I graduated. I could go to college, but had no idea what I wanted to do. So when I was 16 I went to see a Navy recruiter. About two weeks later I was contacted by a Blue & Gold Officer, (unpaid Naval Academy recruiter, usually retired USNA grads) I completed my application and went through the hoops over the next 18 months. Around Christmas of my senior year I was notified that I was accepted. I didn't have anything more appealing lined up... so I went.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 5:32 PM

2019-01-15T17:32:59-05:00

Because to be a pilot (except in the Army), you have to be an officer. So that wasn’t optional. I was also in the reserve for four years in college, so that was the optional part. I didn’t tell anybody of my aspirations while in initial active duty training, lest they think I was a snob. The Marines in my reserve unit knew, and supported me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 5:58 PM

2019-01-15T17:58:50-05:00

I walked into the ROTC recruiters office at LSU the first week of my senior year, relaying the expectation that I would be enlisting after graduation. After discussing a mutual acquaintance and BSing a bit, we talked about everything the Army had to offer without him once pitching the idea of ROTC (I had a lot of questions). Given my proactiveness in the community and maturity level (I was 21 whereas most of my peers were 18 as an MSI/MSII, we decided a test semester would be the most appropriate route. Honestly, I just wanted to serve my country, but am proud to be doing it now as an Officer. One of my motivations was my grandfather and a lot of his brothers, who were all enlisted in WWII/Korea. I like to think I am making them proud, and hope that they would follow me as Soldiers in another life.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 8:09 PM

2019-01-15T20:09:09-05:00

Honestly, I will have almost 10 years in and only have to go to 20 years to retire with officer pay. I work hard without the salary I feel I deserve. SSG and above in the NCO corps are jobs I will outgrow fast. I need a challenge. Navigating officer world will be that challenge while being able to not have to worry about paycheck to paycheck.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2019 8:18 PM

2019-01-15T20:18:10-05:00

I got tired of complaining about bad ones. Infiltration is the only way to fix anything.

Response by COL David Turk made Jan 16 at 2019 7:12 AM

2019-01-16T07:12:55-05:00

After completing my initial tour (enlisted), via an invitation from my uncle, I ETS’d and returned to college to complete my degree. I really liked the challenge of leading others and the accompanying responsibilities, and it seemed to fit me as As an enlisted soldier, I was promoted quickly and was put in challenging leadership positions. So, after thinking about it for a quarter or so, I enrolled in the ROTC program.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jan 16 at 2019 12:26 PM

2019-01-16T12:26:45-05:00

I was raised by an army officer, so you could say that I was highly influenced to be an officer. However, when I look back on my career many years later, I often think that I would have been a better fit in the army as a warrant officer, because of my personality type. I am mission oriented, I get the job done and do it well, but I don't get up in a high hover over everything. I was told a few times that I was too laid back. So, a young man might take some time to do some self reflection and not just aspire to be a battalion commander someday. But then I write this as a wise old man and not as the desire of a dumb, young man.

(On a related side subject of leadership styles, the army only accepts one leadership style. I'm guessing this is a subject already addressed as it's own subject somewhere else on Rally Point.)

Response by MAJ William Smith made Jan 22 at 2019 10:58 AM

2019-01-22T10:58:41-05:00

I wanted a career in the National Guard. I really enjoyed being junior enlisted. However, I as looked forward, I couldn't see myself as a successful senior NCO as easily as I could see myself as a successful officer. Later, as an officer, I met too many officers who should have been NCOs and too many NCOs who should have been officers. I do not see one path as better than the other but success in either depends on your personality type.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2019 11:34 AM

2019-01-22T11:34:30-05:00

I had a couple of reasons actually. I was going nowhere fast as a 42A as our state makes it super hard to make SGT and I wanted to be a leader, and it was a chance to restart my career. Now that I am an officer, I find that what we do is a privilege. I was almost denied my commission, but found purpose in ensuring that my Soldiers never encounter the troubles I faced when I was in their shoes, fought on, and on 6 May 2016 swore in as a lieutenant. We all do it for different reasons. Don’t worry too much about it. Find your purpose, embrace it, and never look back.

Response by COL Herman L. made Jan 31 at 2019 2:13 PM

2019-01-31T14:13:59-05:00

I started out in the Air Force and went from E-1 to E-6 (Tech Sgt) in the Comptrollers office. I got my commission through the Air National Guard and finished with 30 plus years total time and then went over to the Army Reserve. I pulled to year long plus tours with the Army and retired as an O-6 Colonel. It was a good career.

Response by CPT Adam P. made Feb 1 at 2019 2:54 PM

2019-02-01T14:54:47-05:00

I was a sophomore in high school and I was watching Tool Time (a sitcom) and at the end of the show Tim, the main character was given a ride in a fighter jet. That made me want to fly and to fly you had to be an officer. I wanted to fly for the Marine Corps, but when I went to the Navy ROTC office to try to apply for a scholarship, they told me that my SAT score was not high enough, however, the Army ROTC NCO told me that it was way above what was needed for an Army scholarship and the rest is history.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 5:33 PM

2019-02-01T17:33:21-05:00

For me, it was the challenge and the opportunity for growth. I was enlisted and I saw what the officers were doing. I thought, "I can do that." So, I decided to join ROTC in college. It worked out well for me. It is not for everyone but, it can be very rewarding.

Response by CPT Jim Pratt made Feb 2 at 2019 5:05 AM

2019-02-02T05:05:06-05:00

I was right at the 8 year point, having served 4 years active Army, and then 4 years National Guard enlisted/NCO. I had served in ranks PFC, SP4, SP5, SGT, and was a SSG serving in an SFC slot. They told me if I re-enlisted, I would have to wait 4 more years in that SFC slot before I had enough TIS to be promoted to SFC.

I had several outstanding officers over me at that point, and a couple of duds. I thought to myself I can either get out at 8 years, or , if I was going to stay in, I might as well challenge myself and give OCS a try, as I knew I could do at least as well as the middle-of-the-pack officers I had known.

It was the best thing I ever did. As a mustang officer, I was given great support and encouragement by both those over and under me. I ended up holding a total of 8 ranks in my career, and I can tell you there is nothing more rewarding than serving as a Platoon Leader of American soldiers.

I am so thankful for all those opportunities to serve.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 7:17 AM

2019-02-02T07:17:44-05:00

Pay... and pay... and more pay.

Response by CW2 Richard English made Feb 2 at 2019 9:25 AM

2019-02-02T09:25:04-05:00

I was enlisted for 19 years because I wanted to play tactically as that's were you lead the team, I had no desire to spend my career performing strategic planning. However, I requested Warrant Officer School and I was selected and at this time the Army commissioned us. I was very fortunate to have served in both capacities.

Response by Brad Powers made Feb 2 at 2019 6:10 PM

2019-02-02T18:10:21-05:00

I recently heard the term serving wholeheartedly and I think that is the most important thing weather enlisted or an officer. The heart is the strongest muscle it will force a person to do things that have to be done even if they are not self-satisfying or just plain scary.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 9:02 PM

2019-02-02T21:02:11-05:00

Man, I tried so hard not to be an officer! Came from a family of NCO's, who surely told me to do it. Unfortunately went to med school and there's no getting around a commission once you're a doctor. I'm still an E-4 at heart (which gets me into trouble!)

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Feb 3 at 2019 12:55 AM

2019-02-03T00:55:33-05:00

Short answer: !) hated being drafted and 2) hated taking orders. Pause to laugh. At self. Longer answer: 1) lost my chance to go to Cornell right out of high school and become a people Doctor or Veterinary Doctor. So a bit "pissed" as well. And was absolutely certain I was "smarter" than any of the DI's I had in basic. So...2) enlist for schools, get accepted and go to OCS where I learn to my chagrin my orders will be coming from MUCH HIGHER up the chain of command, and the consequences for mistakes/failure much, much worse. I pause and laugh at self again. Graduate, become the rightly hated "butter bar", finally learn stuff (all good) from Platoon Sgt and have a decent career in active duty and reserves. Wouldn't change a thing. Except being egotistical 19 year old "butter bar". Still reaping benefits of being angry enough as a young man to change my life. Maturity actually took hold !

Response by CAPT Carlos Flanagan made Feb 3 at 2019 10:25 AM

2019-02-03T10:25:49-05:00

I decided that I had accomplished all I could as an enlisted SEAL and wanted to see what was on the other side. Wouldn't have done it any other way. As a SEAL officer, the operational time is limited so having that additional period of 10 years as enlisted not only extended my time but helped me to be a better officer.

Response by Capt Bud Adams made Feb 3 at 2019 5:57 PM

2019-02-03T17:57:32-05:00

While at Harvard, I had a double major. At the time it was titled Nuclear Physics and also Bio-Chemistry. I joined the Air Force in 1971 to pursue my career and get experience in research. They were only excepting Pilots and Navigator, of which I did not want to be one. I enlisted. My 29th day of basic, OTS was open to all fields. So I spent 29 days in basic, now another 90 days in OCS. During one of the classes know as rumors and propaganda, they explained how pitfalls of the enemy and what they would try to do. Toward the end of class, the announce that officer openings was rumors and propaganda. They only wanted Pilots and Navs. So I ended up on a pilot on a B52-G.

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Feb 3 at 2019 7:52 PM

2019-02-03T19:52:29-05:00

It was a natural progression to get the job I wanted.

There were no Marine Inspection billets for QMC’s, so I had to go Warrant

Response by CPT Don Cox made Feb 3 at 2019 9:57 PM

2019-02-03T21:57:17-05:00

I entered as an enlisted RA in 1962 with an area option rather than a MOS option. I chose Europe to see the world. Didn't take long to understand that those who wore their rank in their collar rather than on their sleeve lived better. Applied for OCS and was accepted and went to Infantry OCS in Ft. Benning. Loved it.

Response by Col Freddie Hegler made Feb 3 at 2019 10:20 PM

2019-02-03T22:20:22-05:00

I wanted to be an Air Force Pilot. To do that I had to be an officer. I retired after 33 years as a Colonel and flew my entire career... best job in the world!

Response by CW4 Edward Wolfe made Feb 3 at 2019 10:45 PM

2019-02-03T22:45:53-05:00

I wanted to serve as a pilot and I enlisted for the Army Warrant Officer Rotary-Winged Aviator Course before the draft board closed in to draft me. I served over 27 years as a warrant officer and I had several offers to become what warrants call a "RLO" -a Real Live Officer. I received my commission as a CW3 and I held positions as operations officer and then as platoon leader of a helicopter platoon. There had been several times that I was offered direct commissions. The last time occurred when I was a CW4 for over 2 years and the offer was direct to Captain. I declined to accept the offer since I would be behind my peers with military training and the promotion would eventually take me out the cockpit of army helicopters I always wanted to fly.

Response by Micah Fort made Feb 4 at 2019 12:52 AM

2019-02-04T00:52:36-05:00

I want to serve my country, and my children. I believe in soverienty as a nation. I should have enlisted much more early on than now, but im strong, and i will work hard. I have a strong foundation in electronics and i will give back everything in my brain for this country. Everything. I have an blueprint forming for a gravitational vehicle, very fast, and silent. I know it is not just dream anymore. It's possible. Bottom line, i want to serve my country, and will work until I don't drop dead, ever. I will keep moving forward and i have alot of years left to work.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2019 12:40 PM

2019-02-04T12:40:34-05:00

I started in the AF as an enlisted Medical Lab Tech. I initially wanted to finish my degree and get my Medical Technology certification so I could retire as a MSgt at 22 years and be able to secure good employment after. As an NCO, I was disappointed - frequently - being told I was in control of my area, so do what I want & need to run my area, but then having to run any ideas past my officers. I figured I would cut out the middle man and make those decisions myself. I knew I made the right decision when I made a suggestion (wearing my butter bars), and the answer was "Yes, Sir, that's a great idea!" I retired in 2017 after 31.5 years, 15 enlisted and 16.5 commissioned - loved them both, but getting commissioned was a great decision.

Response by Brad Powers made Feb 5 at 2019 1:17 AM

2019-02-05T01:17:55-05:00

Would it be safe to say when it comes down to being an officer in the in the U.S. Military it comes down to knowing that you will stand up and say something as well as do something when you have to, just as well as let things be and develop when you should.

Response by LtCol Paul Bowen made Feb 5 at 2019 1:52 AM

2019-02-05T01:52:04-05:00

The American involvement in the Vietnam War ended in 1973.

I graduated High School in 1974. I had a choice about Military Service, and was considering it as a way of applying my undergraduate Bachelors Degree.

About MAR 1975, my father told me in so many words that I was wasting my time in college. Before the bedroom door hit him the butt I decided at that moment I would try to earn a commission in someone’s Armed Service.

I decided I would try the Marines. I didn’t know a lot about The Corps except that the impression I got from Draftees taking college courses with me was that the Marines “hung together” in combat.

After deciding on a branch of service, I wanted to get the most expensive training as was possible.

The answer: Marine Corps Aviation...be an Aviator...be in charge of more firepower than a Legion under Caesar...all from Van Nuys High School.

I was a high school & collegiate wrestler; I climbed Mount Rainier with two friends in 1976.

I enlisted in DEC 1976 to learn Electronic-Repair and to have a skill with which to finish university studies. I was on active duty for training in 1977.

Accepted into OCS, completed an AA, and was accepted at Cal State Northridge.

OCS In 1978 & 1979.

BA in History from CSUN on 23 MAY 1980, commissioned a 2ndLt on 24 MAY 1980...reported to Echo Company at The Basic School on 25 MAY 1980 and went to work on 26 MAY 1980.

Started Naval Flight School in DEC 1980.

Completed Primary Flight Training in JUN 1981.

Completed Intermediate Strike in APR 1982 and completed ADVANCED STRIKE on 13 AUG 1982.

Flew my first F-4 Phantom II in APR 1983.

Flew the F-4, TA-4F & EA-6B & T-2C till 1992.

Completed a 32 year career in 2008 with 20 ActDu Years as a LtCol/O-5.

Participated in The Cold War and Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom & Enduring Freedom... the whole collection.

Response by SP5 George Traylor made Feb 5 at 2019 11:27 AM

2019-02-05T11:27:04-05:00

Never wanted it, happy being in the 2ad ft hood texas.

Response by SrA Jason Adams made Feb 5 at 2019 8:20 PM

2019-02-05T20:20:02-05:00

That's easy to answer for me. I never wanted to be an officer! Lol! The pay would have been nice, but that's about it.

Response by Col Jonathan Brazee made Feb 7 at 2019 12:20 AM

2019-02-07T00:20:41-05:00

I saw a film on the Navy working with marine mammals in Hawaii, and I thought that was cool. I went down and enlisted in the Navy, under the delayed entry program. Then I found out you had to be an officer for that, so I applied for a ROTC scholarship for Oregon State. That led to me applying for the Naval Academy, and I got an appointment. While at the Academy, I liked surface line and Marines, and when Admiral Rickover got his way and midshipmen choosing surface line might get drafted into nuc power, that made up my mind. Marine Corps it was. And I'm happy it turned out the way it did.

Response by MAJ Bruce Davie made Feb 9 at 2019 5:12 PM

2019-02-09T17:12:08-05:00

As a SPC6, my Plt. Leader 2LT...If he did it...so can I. I retired as MAJ. Wonderful NCO mustang & company, field grade officer career! Thanks LT for the motivation. MAJ.

Response by LCDR Arthur Whittum made Feb 11 at 2019 12:21 PM

2019-02-11T12:21:20-05:00

My dad was a CPO when he was discharged from USCGR(TR), so that was my initial goal. I made chief ET on my first enlistment (6/year hitch). Then got coerced into taking warrant exams while on isolated duty in Greenland. Got promoted just as sun was going down for six month of darkness. Went thru warrant ranks until coming home from Southeast Asia, then decided I had enough. Wanted more sea duty. So went to OCS came out an ensign and got my sea duty. Retired after promotion to O4. Wanted a stable life for my wife and young son. But the thing that kept me going up was a desire for new situations and challenges. Kinda tough when you’re a CWO3 and have 12 year’s possible service remaining, with only one promotion to look forward to (my opinion), so I had to keep going up.

Response by SGT Arnie Westfall made Feb 14 at 2019 3:50 PM

2019-02-14T15:50:04-05:00

Offered OCS in Basic @ Ft. Lewis in '68. Not a good time. No thank you.

Response by Capt Terry Fillmore made Feb 14 at 2019 10:13 PM

2019-02-14T22:13:31-05:00

I was working as a crypto technician at GITMO, putting in a lot of extra time in the shop, which put me in good standing with my shop chief. One day he showed me a message regarding the mecep (marine corps enlisted commissioning and education program) and told me he thought I would make a good
officer. I applied and the rest is history. It gave me a chance to see another side of the Marine Corps as an amphibious tracked vehicle officer. I held the ranks of E-1 - E-7 and O-1 - O-3.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Feb 16 at 2019 7:10 PM

2019-02-16T19:10:33-05:00

I preferred to work for a living.

Response by CPT Wes Migletz made Feb 21 at 2019 9:31 AM

2019-02-21T09:31:21-05:00

I got banged up pretty good as an enlisted Marine and was medically discharged against my wishes, plus I donated a kidney afterwards. I tried repeatedly to enlist in the Navy as a corpsman, tried several times to enlist in the Army andvthe Guard, but was denied every time. I submitted one Army OCS packet and was given five med waivers for my Marine Corps injuries and a sixth for being a kidney donor. Apparently the Army finally reached the bottom of the barrel during the surge years.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2019 8:38 AM

2019-03-15T08:38:20-04:00

I had always wanted to be an officer but I had taken a 9 year break in service after desert storm. I was over the age cutoff to get commissioned. Then one day I was sitting around the drill hall on a Saturday afternoon and 1SG comes up to me and says, "I heard a rumor about you SGT Burch, they say you have a masters degree. We're really short on officers, would you consider getting commissioned?" I said, "I'm too old, top". 1SG says they just upped the age waiver to 40. I was 39 and too close to 40 to make it through OCS before my birthday. So I filled out a direct commission packet, sat the boards and became a shiny new butter bar less than a week before my 40th birthday.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 12:59 PM

2019-03-18T12:59:42-04:00

I served with quite a few good officers and NCOs as an enlisted man. I also served with some oxygen thieves who couldn't lead flies to roadkill. I was fairly critical of the bad leadership, and to be truthful, some of the ones who weren't so bad. I figured if I thought I could do better, maybe I should give it a try. I also couldn't see myself as a 1SG or SGM. In order to be effective in those positions, a person has to have certain social skills and personality traits that I lacked. I wanted to be a warrant officer, but they said I wasn't smart enough. So to sum up...I have no personality, , I'm socially awkward, and I'm not as smart as I think I am. Perfect officer material.

Response by Maj Martin Smith made Apr 11 at 2019 1:34 PM

2019-04-11T13:34:33-04:00

Had 5 uncles in WW2 and all of them encouraged me when I was in college. Still had the draft then and I knew I would eventually go in. One even said get in supply and I asked why. His answer was "because you'll always have something to trade". Didn't quite understand then.

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Apr 11 at 2019 2:04 PM

2019-04-11T14:04:24-04:00

I was enlisted for 18 years had the choice go E-8 or W-2. The jobs as a W-2 were more intriguing so that’s where I went.

Response by SP5 George Traylor made Apr 11 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-04-11T16:07:49-04:00

I wanted to attend W.O. flight school so bad but with a 19 echo/delta mos there was no way, so I made as far as Sp5 and loved every minute of it. USA.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Apr 18 at 2019 10:58 AM

2019-04-18T10:58:36-04:00

My reason was a bit selfish. I moved up the NCO chain quickly. As an E-7, I asked the SGM how much time I would have to spend as E-7 before being considered for 1st zone of consideration for E-8. The SGM told me something like 3 to 5 years. Heck, even though a Platoon Sgt is the best job in the Army, I figured I was capable of more. So, I applied for and received a direct commission to 1LT.

Response by CWO3 Warren Gaudreau made Apr 19 at 2019 12:05 PM

2019-04-19T12:05:36-04:00

I was on the Senior Chief list and the CWO2 list at the same time-not a hard decision.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2019 3:14 PM

2019-04-19T15:14:43-04:00

I wanted a diverse career, be the tip of the spear for the military, and visit some cool places. I enjoyed my career. I flew in helicopters, rode in tanks, became a budget officer, and participated in National Disaster Preparedness. When I look back, the greatest experience I had was supporting the soldiers professionally and personally. I wanted them to be good soldiers, but more importantly, I wanted them to be good people. Getting paid was a bonus! lol

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 19 at 2019 8:10 PM

2019-04-19T20:10:50-04:00

Most interesting ... Thanks for the Share

Response by 2LT Earl Dean made Apr 21 at 2019 12:39 PM

2019-04-21T12:39:51-04:00

After 15-1/12 years of being enlisted and a SFC I decided to become an officer. I got tired of every new officer were given to me to break into real life. I decided to become an officer. Went through OCS and became 2Lt after a year I gave back the commission, politics was high at the time. I was not and never have been a politician. I finished a happy SFC

Response by CPT Alfred Smiley made May 3 at 2019 7:44 PM

2019-05-03T19:44:46-04:00

After doing my four years as an 11B, I got out and never had any intention of going back into the Army; but several years later as a junior in college with a wife and small daughter to support, the economy wasn't looking so hot of college grads in the early '80s. Reluctantly, I went over to the ROTC building and toyed with the idea of signing up. I'm glad I did. A few years later I was an MI Officer doing plain clothes intel collection in El Salvador during the so-called "Contra Wars". I served another six years as an officer before moving on to even bigger and better things. Having gone from Infantry Private to Army Captain during my 10 years of active duty continues to be a source of pride to me all these years later.

Response by CPT Alfred Smiley made May 3 at 2019 7:56 PM

2019-05-03T19:56:41-04:00

After completing four years of active duty as an 11B, I had no intention of ever going back into the Army. Several years later, as a junior in college with a wife and small daughter to support and the economy in the early 1980s not looking so good job-wise for college grads, I reluctantly took a walk over to the ROTC building. Eventually, I was glad I did. A few years later I was doing plain-clothes intel collection as an MI Officer in El Salvador during the so-called "Contra Wars". I ended up serving six more years as an officer before moving on to even bigger and better things. Many years later now, it is still one of my greatest sources of pride that I went from being an Infantry Private to an Army Captain.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made May 9 at 2019 11:55 AM

2019-05-09T11:55:28-04:00

If you whant to become an officer or warrant officer,never ask or look to the advise of a sergeant.He would make your life miserable,and most probably,you would never make it to OCS or WOC.That was what happened to me many years ago,and no matter how hard I tried, been fully qualify for it,a coudn't never make it.

Response by MAJ James McGinn made May 15 at 2019 6:22 PM

2019-05-15T18:22:31-04:00

I was serving in the Army in Germany, in 1981, my first duty station, and was talking to my LT as I was his driver. I related better to the officers than to my drunk roommates so I asked the LT, "you know, I must have went to the wrong line. How do I go get LT bars like you?" He said I would have to go to college. I left the Army after my first tour and got my commission in the National Guard on my birthday in 1989. I went back on Active Duty and finished 22 years active by 2014, retiring as a MAJ, having served in ten different ranks in the Army and thoroughly enjoying every one.

Response by Capt James Skaggs made May 15 at 2019 9:03 PM

2019-05-15T21:03:40-04:00

Two things 1. my Dad was enlist and then an Officer. 2. He told to be an Officer, Captain USAF. As an officer I had some interesting assignments. CA., Colo., Ida., Fla., Japan, Korea, and Thailand.

Response by COL Dave Sims made May 16 at 2019 8:48 AM

2019-05-16T08:48:40-04:00

I saw this great recruiting brochure about becoming an Army Ranger. Went to see the recruiter and took all the aptitude tests, etc. Finally signed on for Russian linguist training ...a 4 year commitment. The kicker was you had to complete basic training and Infantry AIT. ( I did.) During basic, at Ft. Jackson I qualified for OCS. By this time the Army had lost some of its romance and charm for me...and I discovered that accepting and completing OCS would reduce my obligation from four to two years. I jumped on this and completed Ordnance OCS on December 7th, 1967...as a 19 year old 2LT. My first assigment was as Commander,149th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) . There I had great NCOs that were very patient with me and taught me much. I fell back in love with the Army ..and had the great privilege to command at every level as an Ordnance Officer. Almost 30 years later retired as a Colonel. I enjoyed the journey - the people, the challenges and the places. Nowadays I always tell young people that you make the most important decisions in your life with the least amount of information. Go with your gut and stick it out.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 16 at 2019 12:30 PM

2019-05-16T12:30:09-04:00

I wanted the opportunity to lead and ultimately take care of as many people in my unit as I could.

Response by COL Al Fracker made May 16 at 2019 2:41 PM

2019-05-16T14:41:42-04:00

I enlisted, got accepted into Prep School after Basic Training, graduated, then spent a couple years at West Point. I made some great friends, but coming from a blue collar background, and having a chip on my shoulder, I really didn't fit in. The cadre told my classmates I would make a good NCO...a great compliment!! I rejoined the Army a few years later as an enlisted Soldier and was promoted to SP5 by going to OCS...I just figured that was the fastest way to E5... then I looked at the pay difference between E5 and 2LT - no brainer to accept the commission!! Of course, in the late 70s/early 80s, they were hurting for officers, so I was able to get commissioned without a degree. Got RFRAD a few years later as a CPT but managed to sneak into the back door when we were fighting two wars!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2019 3:16 PM

2019-05-16T15:16:23-04:00

My father was a career Navy enlisted man. He retired as an E-9. I was entering high school when he retired. He always encouraged me to go to college, but I knew he couldn't help me finance it. He said if I were to go into the military, I should go as an officer, so I pursued an ROTC scholarship. Fortunately, I got one

Response by GySgt James Ogilvie made May 17 at 2019 1:56 PM

2019-05-17T13:56:40-04:00

When I was in Boot Camp, Parris Island, S.C., my D.I. SSGT Cale told our whole Platoon towards the end, right before graduation that whatever we do stay for 4, 6, 20, 30 years stay an NCO or SNCO, do not become an Officer, you will be the professional that will help train the new butter bars coming out of the Basic School. If they listen to you they will become great Platoon Leaders and beyond. Like I have answered in another question earlier, the best damn team of Leaders in the Corps are your Platoon Leaders (Education), and your Platoon Sergeants (Professionals), an unbeatable combination in the basic fighting organization the RIFLE PLATOON !!

Response by LCDR Robert S. made May 17 at 2019 3:46 PM

2019-05-17T15:46:49-04:00

I liked the Navy, but wanted to go to college, too. And as much as they push the idea of doing college in your off-duty hours, it's just not the same as "going to college". I realized that the Navy would pay for me to go to college full time and give me a promotion at the end of it, and that I could see myself doing the jobs that the officers were doing.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made May 18 at 2019 8:28 PM

2019-05-18T20:28:36-04:00

Took ROTC just to get 3 credits of Phy Ed.

Response by PO2 Lewis Brockman made May 18 at 2019 10:32 PM

2019-05-18T22:32:49-04:00

Nevered wanted to be an officer I worked for a living

Response by LTJG Sandra Smith made May 19 at 2019 4:04 PM

2019-05-19T16:04:13-04:00

Truth be told, I never sought to "be an officer"; I wanted to serve, and happened to be a nurse with license in hand when I went active; which was automatically a commission

Response by Maj Gerald Taft made May 19 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-05-19T19:21:04-04:00

Back in 1960 when I was enrolling at the University of Minnesota I was prime draft eligible and Air Force ROTC seemed like a good way to satisfy my pending military obligation. I felt the better pay, more responsibility and opportunities available to officers were good reasons to aspire to a commision. I enjoyed the classes and camaraderie of the Air Force ROTC program and ended up serving 20 years active duty. The highlight of my service was duty as a Missile Combat Crew Commander for Minuteman ICBMs at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made May 19 at 2019 9:34 PM

2019-05-19T21:34:16-04:00

I was a 22 year old SSG serving as a Drill Sergeant. 90 hour weeks were the norm. I looked around and saw all the NCO’s senior to me working the same hours after 15 - 20 years of service. The lightbulb went off in my head and I saw my future without a college degree. I applied for an active duty ROTC scholarship - 2 years of college paid for to be followed by 4 years as an Officer. I loved my time as an NCO and as an Officer.

Response by LT Ted Painter made May 20 at 2019 7:50 AM

2019-05-20T07:50:12-04:00

Money. I was a Chief Petty Officer over 14 when I got commissioned. My combined pay and allowances was $1154 and change. My base pay as an Ensign was $1145

Response by LTC James Shannon Crow made May 20 at 2019 10:30 PM

2019-05-20T22:30:07-04:00

I was already in college, met some of the guys in Army ROTC, took MS I and II. I decided to go ahead, get my commission, and do one tour of active duty, just to have something on my resume other than “I managed to graduate college”. Next thing I know, there’s a guy saying “Upon the occasion of your retirement...” and I’m looking around trying to figure out who he’s talking to!

Response by CPT Mike Vendetti made May 21 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-05-21T14:09:33-04:00

I was stationed at JUSMAG Thailand as a PFC, and they weren't authorized that grade, thus no promotions to E-4. It was a choice of spending at least 20 months in grade as an E-3 or going through OCS. I took a medical retirement as a CPT after losing a leg in Vietnam. I have never regretted going through OCS at Ft Benning

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 22 at 2019 12:06 PM

2019-05-22T12:06:18-04:00

At the time there was no reason other than friends were in the ROTC program when I went back to school...Looking back, I guess the reason is as follows. I was an NCO and although I loved my profession and the folks I served with, I knew there was more that I could do to mentor and lead at another level. I was right. As an NCO you lead on the tactical level and that is awesome. As an officer you get have the opportunity to lead those NCO's and make change and life better and more efficient for those under your command at a strategic level and as you progress you are able to make changes for larger groups. Both sides were great but I was glad I crossed over to the Officer Corps.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2019 12:47 PM

2019-06-07T12:47:47-04:00

I started as enlisted, doing it for two years to get money for college. So, after my two years I ETS'd and then joined the reserves. After seeing what the officers in the headquarters did, I thought, "I could do what they do." Plus, I wanted the challenge. It worked out well for me. I retired June 1st as a COL after almost 36 years of service. There are good points to both sides, it depends on what you want.

Response by MAJ Pat Beyer made Jun 16 at 2019 6:28 PM

2019-06-16T18:28:43-04:00

Same for, did an enlistment in the band, my 1sgt(s) kept telling me I needed to think about being an officer, it was the 80’s and they needed them. Eventually I saw some real pieces of work lt’s And said to myself I can do it better. Went to OCS, received my commission, then had nco’s start telling, ‘hey sir, I bet you were enlisted before’. It gave me an edge over the new lieutenants as I had those basic soldiering skills you don’t get in ROTC. I think being prior enlisted made me a better leader...

Response by SP5 Michael Cates made Jun 23 at 2019 7:19 PM

2019-06-23T19:19:36-04:00

I didn't I got out and went back to College! BUT the reason I new I wanted to be like Officers is BECAUSE every word out of their mouths was not a F THIS OR F THAT!! I new I wanted a higher Education! What you know I came back and studied Theatre and Speech Communication and got my Sec. Teaching Credential and for the last 40yr's I have been Teaching All the Children that Come through our Gymnastic Center how to Speak Up for themselves and HOW TO LISTEN! One of our Head Coaches has started a Mentor Program that is FANTASTIC!!! Well in my OPINION!! Oh I made that decision back in Vietnam '67-'68 TET! Sp5/CATES

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Jun 28 at 2019 11:22 AM

2019-06-28T11:22:42-04:00

I mostly did it for the higher pay and higher retirement, which you probably don't want to say to your cadre. I did try to go in initially as an officer but the recruiter told me there were no slots and I believed him. He said I could do it easily after basic which wasn't true. I settled on Warrant Officer about 10 years later.

Response by Col Lawrence Molnar made Jul 8 at 2019 2:15 PM

2019-07-08T14:15:00-04:00

I wanted to go to the Naval Academy to be an officer. I went to Purdue University for two years before I succeeded to obtain an appointment. I made a promise I would stay in the military for 30 years when I graduated. I was far down on a number by our class president. He picked the number from a punch bowl--the fairest way to give a person an assignment. I decided I wanted to fly inspired by an incident. A classmate and I were the first and only Midshipmen to fly in N3Ns and run out of gas (not my fault). All the Navy flying slots were gone, so I became a second lieutenant in the Air Force. I graduated from flying school and I was sent to Goodfellow AFB, TX. to instruct new flying candidates. In the three years I spent there, I graduated 20 plus students; flew for 1950 hours in B-25s. I then changed to become a program manager, development engineer, program director and other non-flying positions. Along with very technical jobs, I managed to get 5,500 flying hours so I was awarded command pilot wings. My first technical job came after graduating with a master degree from Mass Institute of Technology. I was picked by a scheming Colonel to help him on his ICBM mission at the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility at Holloman AFB, NM. At that time the Air Force was developing the Minuteman III ICBM, so I had responsibilities for testing components of the guidance system. My first major mistake was to go to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. I served as an associate professor in the Dept. of Astronautics and Computer Science. I intended to be reassigned in 3 years. The Dean changed that to 5 years the very day I arrived there. In addition to teaching, I was the Head of the Dept. Laboratory. I was selected by a Princeton Professor Emeritus to go to Paris France. Once I was no longer at the Academy, an officer at USAF Personnel assigned to snatch pilots for Vietnam told my Academy boss to inform me "Not only is he not going to Paris, he is going to Vietnam." I had a wife and 5 young children yet I went through training for Vietnam and then went there for a year flying C-123 Providers. I received two squadron awards, yet I received a mediocre efficiency award. It was written by a person I knew in my past--he was an enemy. I failed to tell the leadership about my past problems with the evaluator--big mistake. On a nice day I found a new crew in their places. We went to Ham Tam. The co-pilot was an Air Force Academy grad. He failed to see a hole where I was parking. The right wheel dropped into the hole lowering the right wing enough engage a building. A large crowd of ranking officers came to see the damage. I was a instructor pilot, so the blame was mine. The co-pilot cried when addressed. The Academy portal with "Bring Me Men" was dishonored. The crew chief also cried. Both were called cowards by the Wing Commander. A senior master sergeant fixed the wing with duct tape. I flew the aircraft home with the squadron commander in the right seat. He was enraged for what. I lost a Distinguished Flying Cross seating on a desk in clear sight. I was thrown out of the squadron. So much for Vietnam. My run-ins with lazy officers did not end until I boarded an aircraft for home. Quickly, I achieved the rank of Colonel. My biggest Air Force achievement was to be the first person to brief the Air Force four star Generals on the benefits of the Global Positioning System. That went unrecognized. Should anyone want to hear more about Molnar's trails say so.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Jul 29 at 2019 6:08 AM

2019-07-29T06:08:31-04:00

An O-1 makes a LOT more money than an E-1

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 3:35 PM

2019-08-05T15:35:57-04:00

I wanted to fly jets off a carrier. That meant I had to be an officer.

Response by LTJG Sandra Smith made Aug 16 at 2019 11:08 PM

2019-08-16T23:08:18-04:00

Actually, I didn't seek the rank, just wanted to serve as a nurse, and had my license in hand, so I was commissioned as an officer as well.

Response by SFC Richard Baerlocher made Aug 26 at 2019 4:15 PM

2019-08-26T16:15:08-04:00

My last overseas assignment was in Baumholder Germany. Our S-4 NCO was a LTC at the end of the Viet Nam war. He returned to the Army as Staff Sergeant, and a supply specialist. Our battalion commander and the battalion staff treated him very poorly, and as if he didn't know what he was doing. He decided to retie, and ask permission to go to personnel to fill out his retirement papers. and he was refused permission. He went anyway. When personnel saw his ID card and records they faxed his retirement to the Pentagon, and received a reply to immediately retire as a full Colonel. This man actually outranked to Battalion Commander. When he returned to the Battalion HQ to sign out they attempted to tell him he was not authorized to wear the birds on his collar. This man was more comfortable as an NCO then he was as an officer. His original specialty was infantry officer.

Response by MAJ Norm Michaels made Aug 27 at 2019 7:50 PM

2019-08-27T19:50:34-04:00

I was a SSG when I was encouraged by my Captain and Lieutenant to go to OCS. I ignored them. A couple years later, I was on recruiting duty, and I kept getting College Option folks to enlist for OCS. After my second one came back to solute me for helping him, I decided that I could be a much better officer than most. As it turns out, that was true. I was a good officer, and I enjoyed training lieutenants in my two company commands.

Response by 1LT Mike Donio made Aug 27 at 2019 11:51 PM

2019-08-27T23:51:18-04:00

Didn't want to be a yard bird as a draftee! There was also the difference between making $109/month vs. base pay of $386. That's only part of the story. Felt since that #*@#$ LBJ was a pain in my ass, I'd be a pain in his. My brother-in-law was an Air Force pilot and captain at the time and he said go to OCS.
Then at reception center, they pulled most of the college grads into a room and gave us the OC test. Especially liked the WAC E-7 who encouraged us by telling us, "...gentlemen, the Army is looking for liars and bull-shiters to be officers. Good luck!"

However, the real reason is that I could not abide how some NCOs were treating trainees and decided that when I became an officer I would put an end to that type of treatment. Always viewed my role as protecting lower-grade enlisted men assigned to my office. Then there was the problem of the US-54's. I watched as two SSGs destroyed a kid who had his heart set on OCS and really wanted to be in the Army and become an officers.
After attending Ft. Benning and being one of 132 that graduated out of 236, I escaped to the Signal Corps--having two radio licenses really helped--CQ anyone? Ended up in Public Relations & Broadcasting state-side and in Nam. Epilogue: things didn't end well as the Army changed the regs on promotion 60 days before I was to make captain and catch my brother-in-law who was then promoted to Major! While at the time, being drafted made me angry, there is no way I'd ever not go. I had some of the greatest jobs a junior officer could have including working for some incredible senior officers and working with incredible senior NCOs.

Response by SGT Michael Hearn made Aug 30 at 2019 7:41 AM

2019-08-30T07:41:16-04:00

I like your statement about a 2nd Lt. I had one in Germany named Lt. Leonard he was stupid as a rock. He knew very little about ammunition and less about handling soldiers. I had been in the Army about 11 years he was an OCS 13 week wonder. I never gave it a thought about being an officer.
Because as an NCO I worked for a living. This 2nd Lt.Let a 21-year-old kid drinks himself to death.
I had asked him to help me get help for this soldier. He told me that he shines his boots and shows up for work. On following Monday he was not in formation I went to his room opened the door
and found this soldier dead from alcohol poisoning I reported it to my squad leader.
Then I went to see the 2nd Lt. I told him his career was over I was going start a Congressional investigation. Next thing I know I am transferred out of the company and the cover-up went on. The backbone of the military is it's NCO'S

Response by MAJ Lee Goehl made Aug 30 at 2019 9:12 AM

2019-08-30T09:12:13-04:00

For me I enlisted right after high school. I was lucky that I had a duel enrollment program and had 46 crefit hours ehen I went in.Took a few years to complete my BS. But, the main reason that I went is I worked for a Col that had come up through the ranks and encouraged any of us he thought had the potential to go to OCS or Green to Gold.

Response by 1stLt Marvin Jackson made Aug 30 at 2019 4:37 PM

2019-08-30T16:37:22-04:00

I wanted to fly.

Response by SGT Debra Jahnel made Sep 2 at 2019 5:15 PM

2019-09-02T17:15:30-04:00

I had always wanted to be an Army officer: according to my family, as a toddler I told stories of being a soldier, with a sword & a gun, & I rode a big white horse that was shot out from under me by an Indian. This was before I watched TV westerns. I got married right out of high school until divorce. I was 27, had BS degrees in Finance & Accounting & spoke French, German, & Spanish - & knew if I joined as an officer, it would be finance & I would learn little. I enlisted as a linguist - looking for earliest shipping date in Arabic, Russian or Chinese (if military didn't work out, International Business was a sure thing), but my goal was Intel. Every decision was based on 1 enlistment then OCS. But a health issue interfered with all that.

Response by Maj Robert Larkowski made Sep 16 at 2019 1:22 PM

2019-09-16T13:22:57-04:00

I hated working like a dog on the outside and I wanted a better future for myself and my family so getting my BS and becoming an AF officer was a great career decision for me.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Sep 30 at 2019 4:34 AM

2019-09-30T04:34:46-04:00

I was encouraged to apply for OCS while I was teaching at the Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Ft. Ben Harrison, IN, in 1978. I was a promotable SSG E-6 with two years of college and they had recently lowered the education requirement for OCS from a 4-year degree to two years of undergraduate study. It was not an easy path, but I'm glad I chose to follow it. I had been an enlisted infantryman and journalist, but chose Armor Branch for commissioning. I was able to complete my BA by going to night school while stationed at Ft. Knox. Later, after my second successful company command at Ft. Carson, I was encouraged to seek assignment to the faculty at West Point. I was accepted by the History Dept. and was able to get my MA and complete nearly all requirements for the Ph.D. while I was at Temple Univ. for 21 months in 1986-88. By the end of my second year at the academy I had completed my doctorate and, although I was a BZ-select for major and selected for resident CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth, branch let me know that thanks to my age I would not be competitive for battalion command in the '90s. Given that prognosis, I opted to retire with just shy of 22 years service in Sept. '91. I thrived on leadership challenges as both an EM and officer and enjoyed every day of my army career.

Response by CPT Robert Bretherick made Sep 30 at 2019 8:36 AM

2019-09-30T08:36:24-04:00

Started as a Private 14 March 1966. Basic training Ft Polk, Louisiana D-3-5. Graduated as top trainee of Unit. Volunteering for OCS, advanced infantry training Ft. Ord, California. OCS at Ft Eustis, Virginia. Fixed wing flight school Ft Stewart, Ga. Ft Rucker, Alabama. Rotary Wing transition while at Ft Rucker Alabama. Back to Ft Eustis Virginia for
AMOC as a duel rated Pilot with Instrument Ticket. Went to Vietnam ,
14 August 1968 with the 1st Cavalry Division. Returned to Ft Rucker, 7 January 1970. Transfered to Ft Bragg, North Carolina finished my service working in Top Secret Library, 18th Airborne Corp,
G-4 Logistics and separated from service
4 April 1972. 38 months in grade as CPT.
LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF DUTY ❤️!!!!

Response by Capt Wayne Burden made Sep 30 at 2019 9:16 AM

2019-09-30T09:16:37-04:00

I was a E-6 in the Air Force with 13 years of service. I had a wife and two children and wanted better pay and a better retirement, so used GI Bill to go to school at night. Every one was getting a Bachelors at the time so had to spend an extra two years getting a Masters degree to put me ahead of the pack. It paid off with a direct commission into the Medical Service Corps (MSC-Hospital Administration). I believe I was a much better officer than most because of my enlisted service... I knew what it was like to be on the other side of the fence. Personally, I think ALL officers should have to spend at least two years as a grunt... it would help their careers and give them a better perspective on the lives of those they will lead later as an officer.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 30 at 2019 3:07 PM

2019-09-30T15:07:27-04:00

All of the jobs I wanted to required a commission.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2019 6:56 AM

2019-10-01T06:56:04-04:00

I had the opportunity and knew that I was not a career person but wanted to pay my debt to the country. Of course, getting kicked out of college and not wanting to be drafted did add a sense of urgency so three years with and a year extension made me appreciate people who did their job regardless of their rank.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Oct 1 at 2019 8:20 AM

2019-10-01T08:20:13-04:00

Solid question. Personal side- selfishness. It made my retirement more enticing. Now the realistic side: I had 27 years as an enlisted guy, eight of them as a senior NCO. I was a late bloomer on the education scene and earned my BS at the age of 35. I had the opportunity to take a new positon as the Medical Admin Officer which was a grade bump from my GS-11 position and an opportunity to commission. What the hell did I know about leading troops? I took the leap of faith and accepted- went to COT at 47 and here I am just shy of eight years later. When asked this question at COT my response was- I have more to give of myself to others.

I am not looking to change things, just do my best and mentor those coming behind me. Something the military does not do well anymore- careerism has killed many great officers and Senior NCOs alike. I realized my experience could help others achieve and better themselves. My career at the end is not about me, but what I can do to help others.

That is why I became on officer.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Oct 1 at 2019 9:40 AM

2019-10-01T09:40:47-04:00

Wow, is that a really complex question...I've really gotta give that one some serious thought, ya know? Lemme cogitate on that one for awhile, OK?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 1 at 2019 9:46 PM

2019-10-01T21:46:47-04:00

In November 1974 I enlisted under a 12B combat engineer contract. The year before I had declined to pursue an application to USNA, Annapolis SPC Private RallyPoint Member. I also turned down a free college education at University of Pennsylvania - my father was associate director of the Library system there.
My parents raised with a strong work ethic and to respect all people independent of color, creed, etc.
1. I had studied military history since I was a pre-teen and determined that I would enlist in the Army. I had hoped to become an Army officer and lead men by example and learn as much as I could in the process. I reported to Fort Leonard Wood for BCT. I was taken out of afforced road march in late November to take a battery of test because I had done so well on the entrance exams.
2. I graduated 12 AIT and was sent to Fort Campbell as a 12B PV2. In June 1975, I learned that I had orders to attend the united States Military Academy Preparatory School [USMAPS] in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I was surprised and so was my chain of command. I was afield soldier who did better in the field than in garrison :-)
3. USMAPS was 7 hours of English and Math per weekday designed to prepare us for USMA, West Point as well as the SATs. During that 11month program I got into trouble accouple times and the Tac NCO told me I had no hope of becoming an officer. The spring of 1976 I was home in Upper Darby, PA and learned I had an appointment to meet the Congressman who represented the are where my family lived. I was hung over when I went to that meeting :-)
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he nominated me for an appointment to USMA, West Point.
4. I reported to West Point on July 3, 1976 and it was challenging to go through Beats Barracks and learn about the Army from cadets who had no Army experience other than CTLT [Cadet Troop Leadership Time]. I determined to impart what I knew and learn as much as I could as a cadet. I resolved to (1) treat others more respectfully than I was treated by some upper classman (2) learn from good and bad and teach others along the way; while I was a plebe. I kept that attitude throughout my cadet time and commissioned officer service.
5. I was commissioned as an infantry officer and went through the required schools and was assigned to a mechanized infantry battalion in Bamber, Germany

Images:
1. 1981-08 Grafenwöhr August 198 [01]– 2nd PLT A 1-52 at OPFOR Vehicle Park – posed in front of tracked vehicle – SPC Correa, 2LT Ford, SPC Ballinger, SPC Reyes, SPC Frizzel, SPC Turner.
2. 1981-08 Grafenwöhr August 1981 [17] Success on Range 35 Platoon Live Fire by 2nd PLT 1-52 IN – Left to right facing camera Correa, 2LT Ford, Ballinger, SGT Collie, Shreves.
3. 1982-10 Hohenfels A Company 1st Bn 52nd Infantry Regiment XO 1LT Stephen Ford
4. 1983-10 Hohenfels - wild boar checking out the jeep at dusk.
Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for mentioning me.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL Private RallyPoint Member COL Charles Williams Col Carl Whicker COL Private RallyPoint Member LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer LTC Private RallyPoint Member LTC Orlando Illi Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Private RallyPoint Member LTC Wayne Brandon Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj Kim Patterson Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Scott Sharon LTC Hillary Luton

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Oct 2 at 2019 12:18 AM

2019-10-02T00:18:11-04:00

This is easy but not nearly as cool as many of the other reasons given.
I knew from the age of six that I would be an Infantry soldier. My father (a WWII veteran of the South Pacific) left the Regular Army in 1946 and enlisted in the USAR in 1950 - I was born the following year and for the first three years of my life the Korean war was being fought and it seemed that was all my parents and neighbors talked about even long after it was over.
My dad would attend his drills on Thursday nights and would wear his class 'A's with his SSG stripes, over seas stripes, enlistment stripes, ribbons, CIB, jump wings and the like, and his 41st Infantry Division combat patch on his right shoulder - 5th Army patch on the other.
Being an impressionable youngster that I was, that was my influence practically from birth - to be like him.
As I grew a bit he took the family to see every war movie produced and one of them was Pork Chop Hill. Gregory Peck starred in the role of 1Lt Joe Clemons, MOH awardee for holding his position in a desperate situation against the Chi-Com with a decimated company. I asked my dad - "Who is that guy and what does he do?" He told me "He's a Lieutenant and he runs the company of men assigned to him." I was exceedingly impressed with his accomplishments and decided at the age of 7 that I would be a Captain of Infantry because I liked Captains bars better. At seven, you don't have to be rational yet - you can just dream; and I did.
At the age of 15 I sat home one Saturday afternoon and watched the movie The D.I. with Jack Webb and thought "Man, that looks like the best job in the world" but it conflicted with my desire to be a Captain of Infantry - What to do? Viet Nam was well under way by then and it was a foregone conclusion that I would go, but as what? At the age of 17 I enlisted in the 70th Infantry Division USAR on the delayed entry program in order to be acclimated to the Army when I went to BCT.
By now my father was a CSM in the same unit and was being pressured by my mother (Unbeknownst to me and according to my older sister) to keep me out of "that damned war" because she knew I would transfer to the active component as soon as I could. The year before I lost a boyhood friend LCPL Tom Sutton to the war and it stung our family deeply. He was like a big brother to me and I still grieve his loss. She didn't want to go through what Tom's mother was going through and that was that. (More to follow)
Upon completion of BCT and Infantry AIT at Tigerland Ft. Polk in '69, 79% of my unit was going to VN, the rest were either going to Germany or back to their Guard and Reserve units. It was then that I found my records had been transferred somewhere (no one seemed to know) and I was sent home within 24 hours of requesting a transfer to active duty and placed on orders to RVN. All I had were my training records and a dummy 201 file. I dutifully went home and reported to my unit where I learned I was being sent to the LSA at Ft. Leonard Wood as soon as I made E-4 with 6 months TIG. My orders for the LSA were not in effect until the latter part of May but following that I reckoned I could still transfer to the active component while erroneously thinking I could still catch up with some of my unit for the last six months of their tour - having no clue how it actually worked I likely never would have run into any of them. Following the LSA I learned I had a guaranteed 18 month stay in CONUS even if I transferred to the active component. I remained an NCO until 1972 when I broke my six year enlistment after nearly four years and reenlisted in the ROTC at Michigan State. I was determined to be a Captain of something which was a question mark due to the RIF which was underway at the time of my commissioning in '74. My degree was in Criminal Justice so after consulting with an MP Major I took a Reserve commission in the MPC. Little did I know that unless you had a critical MOS, you weren't transferring to AD in any status - there were too many officers and only those with RA commissions were being accepted. I followed bad advice and after three miserable years as an MP Lieutenant I transferred back to my old Infantry Division which is where I finally realized my dream. I was given a company as a 1st Lt and promoted to Captain six months later. I recall thinking as the BC pinned on my new rank - Okay, I made it - Now what?!
I remained in the Infantry for the rest of my career and regret not being able to fulfill that dream on active duty. Years later I asked my father if he had anything to do with my records being 'lost' for more than four months and he denied that he did; Just not convincingly.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Oct 2 at 2019 9:14 AM

2019-10-02T09:14:37-04:00

My reasons as a 17 year old boy going through the gates of Annapolis for the first time, sound rather naive recalling them as a 41 year old man. However, they were fairly simple...I wanted to be, as close as anyone possibly could; an inheritor of the traditions that go back to knights in armor, Musketeers, and included names such as Nelson, Washington, Lee, Grant, Audie Murphy, as well as my own grandfather. I also wanted to fly...and that was the most logical route I could fathom at the time. In retrospect, I wish I had chosen a different service, and a different path...a lot changed in a very short amount of time, and everyone has 20/20 hindsight. Still, it's interesting to note that almost a decade after I last wore the uniform...I'm still serving under a similar mindset, albeit in a different capacity. Officers are generalists...if we are doing it "right", then we're coordinating the efforts of people who specialize in critical skills, keeping a "larger picture" in mind towards achieving tasks within a greater strategy. It is not unusual for me, when working with other professionals, to discover that they too, once wore officer's rank, and share similar views on our "role" in our careers and communities. Personally, I believe there is a point where commissioned, or non-commissioned, the lines meld...the "aristocratic" notions having long since (and for very good reasons) surrendered to the realities of experience, knowledge, and commitment. To my mind, the reasons NOT to become an officer are clearer still...Don't do it for extra pay. Don't do it to be "in charge" of any one. Don't do it because it's "easier". Don't do it to gain entry into higher levels of society. Do it because you love your country, love those who serve it, and are 100% willing to surrender everything you have, and everything you are in support of both.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Oct 2 at 2019 11:45 AM

2019-10-02T11:45:52-04:00

Pretty easy for me, I wanted to fly and in either the Air Force or Navy you had to be an officer. All the other leadership, responsibility, etc. things came later when deciding whether I wanted to make the military a career.

Response by PVT Tony Notimportant made Oct 2 at 2019 3:29 PM

2019-10-02T15:29:47-04:00

As a former enlisted soldier, I've met plenty of Jr. Officers that couldn't answer that question. Till I deployed to Iraq.....being a NCO it was imperative that I trusted my Lt. So began the true meaning of why! The small details, eating last, getting no freakin sleep, getting your ass chewed by "the old man"! Once I heard my Platoon Leader yell out commands over the net during a firefight! It was a bolt of energy as a NCO that he was getting his full share of War. This Lt. I will not mention his name, but will say this..he answered his calling. He was my frontline Officer a Combat Leader!

Response by 1LT Mike Donio made Oct 2 at 2019 11:34 PM

2019-10-02T23:34:25-04:00

Today is my anniversary of commissioning...on this date 2 Oct 1969 received my crossed semaphore in ceremony at Ft. Benning...can't believe it's 50 years!!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2019 10:15 PM

2019-10-05T22:15:39-04:00

I enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War 1972, from there I went through the ranks from Private to Gunnery Sergeant. I was fortunate enough to have good officers during my young career and decided to go to college while on active duty. In the meantime I submitted my package for Marine Corps Warrant Officer program. I started this while I was a Staff Sergeant and continued with my education, then got promoted to Gunny. Believe it or not I got selected to the program a few years later and was promoted to Warrant Officer. They rest is history. I served during the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and other little conflicts that I can’t mention. I had a couple of Command and Staff billets, then finally retired in 1994. It was a great ride for me but especially for my family. I choose this path because I believe that I could make a difference to others and to the Marine Corps. I retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, Electronic Maintenance Officer for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. Again, it’s what you as an individual can do for others and not just yourself. Semper Fi Soldier! James

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2019 1:05 AM

2019-11-15T01:05:37-05:00

I was enlisted for 8 years before I took my 5 year break before commissioning. In that 8 years I had an amazing CPT and a complete pile of dogsh*t CPT. I thought the army could use another good officer like the awesome CPT I had so I commissioned with my master’s and hopefully I’m more like that awesome CPT than the sh*tty one. We’ll find out in another few years I guess.

Response by SSgt Derick Brock made Dec 9 at 2019 10:08 AM

2019-12-09T10:08:27-05:00

None

Response by CPL John McCulley made Dec 15 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-12-15T11:51:35-05:00

Hope no one objects to me answering this even though I never became one. My reason was; duty, family tradition & a love of aircraft. My father was a B29 pilot in WWII. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a LTC. After the war he became an Air Route Air Traffic controller with the FAA, so my life was fully immersed in all things aviation. My entire life my plan revolvee around becoming a USAF pilot like my father, though I was drawn to fighters. In my freshman year in college, I was in AFROTC & I had taken the AFOQT & done very well. I was, however, feeling a little burned out by school. That was the fall of 1983 & in Oct we invaded Grenada to rescue the American medical students & return democracy to the British Commonwealth nation. Like all things military, I started reading everything I could find about the operation & began to learn about these "snake eaters", Army Rangers that had spearheaded the mission. I was hooked, my dad thought I was crazy. Aa the saying goee; 'The best laid plans of life & men."

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Dec 30 at 2019 12:05 AM

2019-12-30T00:05:38-05:00

I can give you a reason why I did not. Simply put I enjoyed my job as an Electronics Tech. As a PO-1 (E-6) much of my job was administrative, (XPO and LPO at my last two stations), but I still had enough hands on teaching and troubleshooting to keep my happy. I'm just not the type that enjoys desk duty and paperwork. (If you saw my office there would be no doubt.)

Response by MAJ Steve Daugherty made Dec 30 at 2019 7:25 AM

2019-12-30T07:25:09-05:00

The money is. Better. Of course I went from combat arms enlisted to medical Corp officer.

Response by SGT Dennis Shoemaker made Jan 21 at 2020 1:34 PM

2020-01-21T13:34:25-05:00

Never wanted to be one. Had the appointment to West Point out of high school but instead went to small teachers' college to play football. Got punted for majoring in the 3Ps instead of something someone would pay for, lol. Enlisted the last year of the draft. Selected for the Prep School 3 times in BCT & AIT. Turned it down each time with the statement that "if I didn't want to be a second LT in four years, why would I do it in five?", lol. Spent 8.5 years of 12 as an NCO. Loved it. European command attempted to send me to OCS after four years enlisted & enough college credit. It was tough explaining the "why" i did not want to be an officer to field grades, even a couple who had been prior service enlisted (most of the best officers I've known were).
I have had the honor of rendering the first salute (and getting my silver dollar) to more than a couple of my former troops at their commissionings. I would not have traded that for anything, ranks right under the birth of my sons.
BTW, most NATO armies at that time seemed to require enlisted time for their officer candidates.
Those armies also allow professional privates & corporals. No bars to reenlistment for not moving up in rank...some people just aren't meant to lead but were meant to be professional soldiers....just sayin.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 1:05 PM

2020-04-26T13:05:11-04:00

Knew a colonel who hated ncos telling him what to do. Said colonel, as a specialist, went to PCs. Sill had ncos telling him what to do

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 1:05 PM

2020-04-26T13:05:57-04:00

Last one, had a platoon leader, he was e-6(p), go to ocs on a date/bet

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 3:06 PM

2020-04-26T15:06:23-04:00

I started enlisted as a PVT, 12B (combat engineer).Served 7 years as enlisted. It was fun blowing things up I must admit. I then got out went to nursing school and after that anesthesia school. Commissioned as a 1 LT now a MAJ. in the Army reserves. I have enjoyed my time but being in officer was a better experience for me. Don’t have to hump them heavy loads lol.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 3:24 PM

2020-04-26T15:24:53-04:00

I didn't particularly want to be an officer. I wanted to be a chaplain. The commission just came with it.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Apr 26 at 2020 6:40 PM

2020-04-26T18:40:45-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I considered going for a commission when I got my degree, but, honestly, I was having too much fun as an NCO. I told more than one top notch NCO that if that is where their path is leading then go for it, but we need strong, smart, motivated NCOs and SNCOs as well.
With that said, please know exactly why you want to become an officer. In my experience, there are two kinds of Mustangs. 1. Truly fine Officers and 2. Really bad ones. Without fail, the worst Mystangs I ever knew were former enlisted who had issues with their NCOs and SNCOs and went into it with an attitude of "I'm gonna get a commission and straighten out every NCO that I possibly encounter. I even had one tell me that, and this is a quote, "the lowest ranking 2Lt outranks the CMSGT of the Air Force. I simply told him "you go give that a try Lt come back and let me know how it works out for you". Inwas hos Superintendant. Once he got a bad on how things worked (take that as tried to overrule me three times) he finally came around and took some mentoring.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 6:49 PM

2020-04-26T18:49:07-04:00

The Air Force sent me to finish my degree and then get a commission, I wasn't about to turn that deal down.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 26 at 2020 7:10 PM

2020-04-26T19:10:46-04:00

Already had my degree and wanted an opportunity to be a supervisor.

Response by CPT Alvin Stephens made Apr 30 at 2020 9:13 PM

2020-04-30T21:13:53-04:00

My father was enlisted in WWII and when I started talking about the service as a career he told me if that was what I wanted it was best to be an Officer. So I attended an Honor Military School for high school and College and got my commission through ROTC. Best decision I ever made.

Response by LTC David Howard made May 18 at 2020 2:42 PM

2020-05-18T14:42:46-04:00

I signed up for ROTC in college primarily because this was during the draft era and I assumed that I would be serving in the military one way or another. I assumed, and I believe I was correct, that serving as an officer would be preferable to being drafted as an E-1. Once on active duty I found that as an officer I could make a difference in how things were done and ended up staying for 24 years.

Response by CW3 Paul Fitch made May 18 at 2020 5:58 PM

2020-05-18T17:58:15-04:00

I wanted to fly helicopters.

Response by COL Raymond Kreiner made May 31 at 2020 10:04 AM

2020-05-31T10:04:56-04:00

My brother was an officer thru ROTC, and I decided I wanted to become an officer because of him.

Response by Capt Karlos Nordinsifeller made Jun 1 at 2020 1:54 PM

2020-06-01T13:54:06-04:00

I was enlisted for half and commissioned for half. Either I wanted to be accountable, or I wanted to start at the bottom and work my way across.

Response by LTC Jr Hutto made Jun 10 at 2020 2:46 PM

2020-06-10T14:46:11-04:00

The thought was never even in my DNA of becoming an officer. Born to two USMC NCO parents, the thought of being an officer never crossed my mind nor did enlisting. Neither was really encouraged not discouraged at home. In fall 1972, I got an invitation to take a "pre-induction" physical whatever that is. Went to the draft board and the lady there said, "It means you're going to get drafted." Told her ha! never happen. Walked out her door, column left, column left, opened the USMC recruiter's door and said "I'm here, give me two, Gunny." Probably the easiest enlistment he ever did. Hardest part was telling my father, an Iwo Jima and Chosin Reservoir vet who was pretty much down on participating in what he called "Police actions." Did my two, got out, and straight to my new job, college on GI Bill! (Best job I ever had) After 18 months, I transferred from Jr College to a 4 year school and wouldn't you know it, but an Army mustang Major (ROTC) called me up out of the blue asking if I was interested in serving. I told him he didn't know who he was talking to with this officer stuff and he said just give him a listen. Having had 18 months of the civilian experience, where I once was laid off from a job and having tried to reenlist with the Corps, who no longer wanted me because the wife I had wasn't GI by the Corps, I was definitely willing to hear what he had to say. I wound up signing up and have never looked back.
To specifically answer the question, the main reason I made the leap is I was looking at the future that a military career would offer initially. Guaranteed job after college, steady income, getting paid to go camping and all the fun stuff (sarcasm). I was commissioned and reported for active duty with Armor Officer Basic Course at Ft Knox in 1979 and found out I loved tanks, still do at age 67. My first duty station was 2AD at Ft Hood. Being a Texan I love that too but I discovered the reality of my decision to become an officer required a lot of change on my part. It wasn't fun and games anymore, it was mature, adult, serious stuff being an officer. I learned new vocabulary words like brusque and belligerent and was even accused of conducting myself with the candor expected of a Marine NCO. Those days were a tough awakening for me at the end of the ZERO DEFECTS, Jimmy Carter VOLAR days. The eighties brought a new paradigm in the Army way of thinking and it helped me immensely. We had Officer Professional Development Classes (OPD) where I learned that being an Army officer wasn't just a job, it was our profession, then I was fortunate enough to get transferred from a squadron of totally politically oriented group of officers to tank battalion that whose officer corps was more aptly described as a family whose focus wast first to the success of the battalion and self afterwards. It was during this time I needed to figure out if I'd just let my time run out and go back to civilian life or go for Voluntary Indefinite status. This was also a time of great introspection and I had to figure out just exactly what I was doing here and why. I came to a life changing conclusion. I had to figure out why was I serving as an officer. Was it because the money was better? No. Was it because I was somehow making my self better? No. I finally settled on the real reason I was there was because I finally was in a position to make things better and do a better job for the soldiers entrusted to my care than some of my officers failed to do in the Marine Corps and in my former squadron. This ah ha moment is what propelled my career forward more than anything in the world could have. It gave me purpose and meaning in life and still does. Somehow, I figured out selfless service was what it's all about and good leaders care for their soldiers just as much as their soldiers wind up loving them and that makes soldiering a family affair that builds the bonds that make units excel in any endeavor regardless the mission. I served 28 years total retiring at LTC. Now that's what I call real fun and I'd go back to those days in a heart beat! Sorry for so long a story but I've never been accused of verbosity either.

Response by 1st Lt James Lipski made Jun 20 at 2020 1:28 AM

2020-06-20T01:28:09-04:00

I was a shy student in high school. I knew I wanted to go to college so my academics took priority over making friends. During my freshman year at Michigan State I enrolled in the AFROTC program. That first year we new cadets were taught the history of the Air Force. I found I enjoy what I was being taught so I continued. I realized that this program was going to teach me leadership skills and force me out of my shyness. As I progressed from freshmen to sophomore I was being tested with responsibility over the incoming freshmen. Near the end of my second year I was interviewed by my detachment commander and was asked if I wanted to make the commitment for the next two years. I knew this was the path I wanted to take. Basic training occurred that summer. Starting my junior year I was given the rank of cadet lieutenant. Learning about managing people and paperwork. I found I made more friends in the ROTC program than I ever did in high school. I found I like the responsibility and wanted more challenges. By spring term of my senior year I had made it to cadet major and was the Alpha Squadron Commander. So basically it was a personal challenge to myself and I was richly rewarded.

Response by LTC Joe Anderson made Jun 23 at 2020 10:33 AM

2020-06-23T10:33:13-04:00

After 6 years as an enlisted soldier I had worked up to E5 and I really liked it. But I wanted more leadership and responsibilities so I perused a commission through ROTC. At first the transition was a tough. But I found my niche and did 29 more years of service. Its not for everyone and the military needs good, strong, competent, NCO's as much as they good, strong, competent, Officers. Even though I had prior service I was treated like I had none. It didn't matter to anyone I had been 11B for 6 years. Getting that silver bar was a great relief. It was only one up. But I gained more respected and responsibility. Even though the only thing that really changed was the color of the bar I wore. As a 1st Lt more Enlisted and Officers respected my prior service as well. I enjoyed it all and accomplished quit a bit. But I'd be lying if I said there wasn't days in those 29 years where I missed being an enlisted soldier, the comradery of the 11B enlisted soldiers life, and just one of the guys.

Response by CDR Kenneth Pepper made Jun 26 at 2020 9:50 AM

2020-06-26T09:50:46-04:00

I was enlisted Navy for 7 years, 1962-69. When I got out I had no intention of returning, although the sailor in me never left. Almost 9 1/2 years later I was back, as a Navy chaplain. Being a chaplain means being commissioned. I served all four branches of the Sea Service, Navy, Maring Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. I wasn't there for the rank, I was there for the people. (E-1 to E5; O-1 to O-5).

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Jul 2 at 2020 9:33 AM

2020-07-02T09:33:37-04:00

I just saw a CPT go to SGT last month.
I have never seen that. I have seen pilot officers become warrants.

Response by Lt Col Kevin Wyman made Jul 15 at 2020 6:34 PM

2020-07-15T18:34:42-04:00

I joined the USAF (NYARNG) in the capacity of a RN. This automatically advanced me in to the officer ranks due to my career field.

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Jul 19 at 2020 4:56 PM

2020-07-19T16:56:37-04:00

I wanted to fly

From the time I could think of "what I want to do when", it was always to be an Air Force pilot--my dad had been a B-17 gunner. Along came the realization that one needed to be an officer which required college. However as high school was drawing to a close, only the Navy offered a full ride 4 yr degree. I knew the academies were not my cup of tea. So went NROTC. The real point at which I decided to be an O was on a summer 8 week training time on an old destroyer. As we were standing in the cold mist waiting for breakfast, I caught a glimpse of the officers sitting in a warm environment with actual dishes not our hot right of the scullery trays. That was my come to Jesus moment...no matter what... I wanted to be an officer. I also gained a great appreciation for the life of the enlisted at sea. Got to flight school then an eye developed a condition which dropped me right into the combatant ship environs off the coast of Vietnam followed by a tour on the rivers in Vietnam.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2020 1:01 PM

2020-08-01T13:01:34-04:00

My dad made me promise not to enlist... so I went the officer route.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2020 2:01 PM

2020-08-26T14:01:14-04:00

I spent four years as an enlisted Marine, got out and racked-up three years of college over almost eight years (and of course, working), then joined the Army (National Guard) to get a commission and become a paratrooper. I reenlisted at 29 and let my commander know I wanted to attend OCS to become an officer. He told me to wait six months so he could see me working, prior to recommending me, but we deployed to Desert Shield and didn't return until after I turned 30. Recruiters told me they weren't giving waivers for OCS any longer so I switched over to the Army Reserve to become a paratrooper.
Long story short, I spent approximately 20 years enlisted, making the rank of Master Sergeant, before accepting a direct commission to 2LT and retiring at the rank of Major (34 years total service).
The reason I give for becoming an officer is similar to the reason I give for going into the Army from the Marine Corps, "who better to shore-up the officer corps than a good NCO?" (my Marine to Army reason: "who better to shore-up the Army than a good Marine?") Tongue in cheek... of course.
I enjoyed just about all my time in the military because helping develop future leaders, while honing my own leadership skills is rewarding and priceless. (FYI: the “not so enjoyable” times were not during my three deployments)
I was fortunate enough to get promoted 13 times, total (this includes the promotion to Lance Corporal three times).
I would recommend that all leaders identify squared-away NCOs, in their ranks, and encourage them to become officers. Mustangs can become some of the best officers.

Response by SSG Luis Robles made Dec 21 at 2020 10:14 AM

2020-12-21T10:14:14-05:00

Power Hungry!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 10:20 AM

2020-12-21T10:20:59-05:00

I was looking for an experience with a much bigger picture. I LOVED being an NCO and enjoyed getting things done, cleaning up the day to day clutter that can stand in the way of meeting mission. It was a special role and I understood that well. In my civilian life whenever I was asked to think on a large scale, like vision casting, and coming up with the "impossible" I was stuck. I could handle all the day to day stuff they threw at me but I had no real experience at setting the course for the future. I saw becoming an officer as a way to get hands on experience in that world. Plus...on the financial side I thought I owed my family more pay and the "prestige" of being a commissioned officer on my resume for all the time and heart I was putting into wearing the uniform. My family was probably 50% of the reason I switched over.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 17 at 2021 5:24 PM

2021-04-17T17:24:24-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Started as an E-1, did well, got promoted fast, then my leaders encouraged me to go to ROTC or OCS... (I was never sure if it was because they thought I would be a good officer, or because they thought I was a bad NCO...?)
I did it for the opportunity to move forward, and to make a difference. I believed I could make a difference as an officer.
I had not planned on staying in the Army. I just wanted to do my best in every job I had.
Like MAJ Private RallyPoint Member said, I also saw my fair share of clueless LTs and CPTs in my short time as an enlisted Soldier.
I knew I could do better.