Why does having a degree as an NCO automatically equate officership?

Train of thought is why select several years of obligated service at discounted pay...and eventually face civilian employment opps that only like hiring vets whom are prior officers - enlisted work seems to take a backseat, unless you are applying for the same job you had while enlisted.

If you are happy in the enlisted ranks, more power to you. Moreover, I knew folks who had college degrees and went the enlisted route - sometimes it is about preference and comfort level. On the plus side, you would garner more respect and have a more comprehensive ability to lead being prior enlisted if you go for the commission later on.

SGT, I completely understand your experience on this topic. I enlisted months after graduating with a BS in Physics. As soon as somebody asked me about classes/school & I told them I had a BS, the next question was always about becoming an officer. I once had a 1st Shirt who told me “You know, he (the CC) asks me everyday if I’ve talked to you about OTS.” I appreciated the shirt only having the conversation with me once (command was the front hallway, my shop was the back). I like to think it’s because my CC thought I’d be a good officer. However, I always said the pay wasn’t worth the other Ps: politics, people & paperwork. I’m a do-er. Tell me what needs to get done & I’ll get it done. I’ve definitely gotten to a point where I have a fair amount of paperwork & where I need to deal with more people but I am glad the first 5-6 years of my career were more about doing. Thankfully, since I enlisted a bit older, I’m now past the age cutoff for OTS so the questions are now all past tense. I’ve also come to know several other SNCOs & NCOs with degrees. One of our PME instructors is working on his PhD in Chemistry. I actually asked the officer question of him & in his case, he didn’t get selected for OTS. I know other officers who didn’t make it initially either so enlisting was still their best option & then they crossed over from within. Everyone has their reasons for what they do. Some people just can’t see beyond the dollar signs. Some of us realize what each side entails & are proud to wear our rank on our sleeve (& this will wear my ABUs as long as possible).

Very provocative question. Education is education. It doesn't grant by it's presence ability to lead or discharge duties. It merely states... "formally educated". Not all are driven to become formally educated. I was so driven. Not everybody is. I think we all have known some (not very bright NCO's, as well as officers.) Lack of education doesn't infer lack of intelligence. Some of the best leaders I served under didn't have college degrees. Conversely, some of the worst leaders I served under did. Go figure.

College was no real big deal in my day. I didnt have a degree and got promoted through to SSG. Went to WOCS and retired a CW4. It is a prerequisite to have a 4 year degree to be an officer. NCOs do not have this requirement, they can do their jobs without it. But the challenge to get promoted has changed, there are more Soldiers trying to get promoted than there are positions and after you have maxout the point system, all you have left is the college option...to stand out among your peers. Some go because they want to and others go because they have to. The promotion system has created this requirement.

The goal is to get our education levels on par with our officer counterparts. A proper education will help our NCOs be effective leaders and interact more intelligently with officers when you reach the senior NCO ranks.

Agree with all. I went through the same crap coming up through the ranks. Why is it more important for an Officer to be educated than for an NCO. NCO's stay directly leading Soldiers for longer periods of their career. Historically, it was unheard of to target officers on the battlefield in fear that Soldiers and NCOs would be left aimless and without organization. Today's ENEMY is smart. They are forced to produce far greater results with fewer resources. They consider no rule of law, they justify immoral actions and results in the name of "their God", and they have no respect for the lives of any to include their women and children. They use their own children to test devices and to shield against the efforts of a moral and ethical force.(US) The Soldier and Sergeant that I stood side by side with on the battlefield had to be intelligent, politically savvy, criminal investigations capable, and possess a conscience that allows him or her to make the harder choice when presented with easier wrongs. These are not the skills of an ignorant force. These are junior enlisted and elements led by SGTs and SSGs with NO officer anywhere to be found. They do it day after day after day. Smart, Educated and Intelligent. When asked about becoming an Officer, I used to respond...I thought it more important to have smart NCOs than Officers. NCOs train Officers at every level of leadership.....

I had a specialist in my Cav Squadron who had PHD and loved being a scout

Being a Mustang brings the NCO knowledge and experience into to officer corp

A veteran who has VA loan entitlement wouldn't be extending this benefit to anyone else, but he or she could look to have the new spouse as a co-borrower on a new VA loan. You can talk to a specialist {financial Agent} in more detail VIA

Web Site: http://mahogany-lending-group.business.site/
Email: [login to see]
WhatsApp: + [login to see]
Call: [login to see]

I graduated from college back when I was an E5 as well. I had thoughts of going to WOCS or OCS and was approached by an officer recruiter but I chose to stay enlisted. Plus a degree helps you get promoted (E5/E6) and it is looked at as a discriminator when you hit E8 or E9. Improving yourself is the important thing because one day all of us will leave the service.