Which commissioning source do you believe produces the best Army officers?

SSG Adam Reed — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:10:55 -0400

Of all the different ways to become an Army officer, which path produces the better candidates? ROTC, OCS, West Point, or WOCS.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Mar 22 at 2015 12:44 PM

COL Ted Mc — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:44:24 -0400

An interesting question.

I would suspect that someone who is going to be a good officer can survive the most screwed up training program and someone who is going to be a bad officer cannot be improved by the best training program (absent being booted off the course and told to go home).

IOW, the "best" course is the one which fits the potential officer's characteristics the best.

For some this might mean spending "time in the ranks", for others it might not.

The other problem - for those who spend "time in the ranks" would be unlearning behavior which works for NCOs but doesn't work for officers.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Mar 22 at 2015 1:03 PM

BG David Fleming III — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 13:03:04 -0400

If you gage it by the number of Generals appointed historically, then I would say ROTC! Great question

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:56 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:56:26 -0400

The academies... We get trained by the best SNCOs and FGOs. We take more classes and harder classes than most. We hit the ground running but aren't too stuck in our ways. We are lacking in humility though.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 6 at 2015 2:36 PM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 14:36:45 -0400

There are "studs and duds" in every organization in the Army. It is a fact that you cannot hide from. I do not think there is one source better than the other. It is just a combination of the type of person that wants to be an officer and their trainer. If one or the other has issues, then the product will have issues. They all produce "studs and duds".

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 7:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 19:21:59 -0400

All of the above and none of the above. I've seen top notch from each source and shit bags from each source. It's all about mentorship.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Mar 21 at 2018 9:06 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:06:10 -0400

I've had Army JROTC, but none of those listed. My first thoughts focus on OCS or WOCS because many attending those schools are former NCOs who hold a vast amount of experience and leadership components that will give credence to the second lieutenant graduate.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 9:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:25:49 -0400

All of them, Good with experience, and worse with no experience, and common scene.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Mar 22 at 2018 10:04 AM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:04:03 -0400

As been said, all of them have their great officers and all of them have their not so great officers (ok, I am being kind). What it boils down to is the person. Do they have the foresight and the ability to see the big picture for the good of all. Just a couple points out of hundreds that make an effective and a good officer. I have even met some pretty good Academy grads, and my opinion is a bit biased.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 2 at 2018 9:29 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:29:22 -0400

I wassupposed to have been Army ROTC, I went USAF OTS instead, so I'm probably somewhat biased, I suppose....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 2 at 2018 9:32 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:32:01 -0400

Then again my Army ROTC unit trained a good deal at West Point, plus, my next younger brother was USMMA Kings Point, a friend went Navy OCS, my wife's Dad was Army artillery OCS at Ft Sill in WW2, and I've got friends, we both do, who were SUNY Maritime, anotherwas Army WOCS, so I suppose I'm rather a mixed bag on the topic, I guess....went meenie minie, I guess....

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Oct 19 at 2019 12:42 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 12:42:08 -0400

Direct Appointment ~ Mustang coming from NCO ranks with Experience

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Oct 22 at 2019 4:41 PM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:41:45 -0400

Good call SGM Hayden. Studs or Duds to be determined over time. In my experience within the first year as a troop leader and not driving a desk. I have trained/mentored many young company grade officers. If they show me the desire to lead, succeed, take command when shit goes down hill and are looking after the welfare of their troops the source of commission may matter little. I have worked with E-4's and 5's who would have made better officers than the "DUD"s hands down.
As a Rater and Sr. Rater I made every effort to reduce the DUD population to the extent possible.