Posted on Dec 30, 2015
Thoughts on Enlisted now allowed to fly drones and the pay difference between them and Officers?
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I couldn't find details on if the pilots still had to have prior flying experience, however, this would mean that an enlisted would be doing the same job right next to someone who makes twice as much, how tired and frustrated would you be when by MSGT you know way more but you still have to follow the orders of someone brand new and they still make more money than you? How would you try and balance out that pay gap?
Drones
Enlisted
Military Pay
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
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If you are an enlisted flying a drone setting next to an officer and feel frustrated about he/she is getting paid more than me to do the same job. Go take a look in the mirror and tell yourself, "lets look at becoming an officer"! Or, you can poke that chest, bow that neck and tell yourself, "I'm badass to be doing something this guy/gal is doing"!
To much justifying going on these days! I have preached and continue to preach, rank is earned and a privilege not a right! If you want what the other has, go get it and stop trying to justify why does he/she get that and I don't! Just my two cents!
To much justifying going on these days! I have preached and continue to preach, rank is earned and a privilege not a right! If you want what the other has, go get it and stop trying to justify why does he/she get that and I don't! Just my two cents!
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Different types of drones. Remember not all drones are the same. The USAF has some HUGE drones, and some of them are weaponized.
Furthermore, just because someone is a Drone pilot doesn't mean they have all the other qualifications needed to be an officer, including the Bachelor's Degree and specialized schooling.
Yes being an Officer has pay advantages, but there are quite a few disadvantages when you look behind the curtain as well. But all that is secondary to the responsibilities that come with a "managerial position" that is inherent with the rank.
By definition Enlisted are Specialists in our fields, and as we progress we take on managerial tasks. Officers are Managers by trade, and may operate as Specialists within a field, but they are always Officers first and foremost.
Furthermore, just because someone is a Drone pilot doesn't mean they have all the other qualifications needed to be an officer, including the Bachelor's Degree and specialized schooling.
Yes being an Officer has pay advantages, but there are quite a few disadvantages when you look behind the curtain as well. But all that is secondary to the responsibilities that come with a "managerial position" that is inherent with the rank.
By definition Enlisted are Specialists in our fields, and as we progress we take on managerial tasks. Officers are Managers by trade, and may operate as Specialists within a field, but they are always Officers first and foremost.
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LTC Bink Romanick
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Well stated. That's why most of the services retained their Warrants. You have officers who are technical specialists while remaining managerial. The best of both worlds.
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Maj (Join to see)
Having been on both sides of the rank fence, I was going to say something similar. Rank carries with it breath of responsibility that sometimes is overlooked when comparing tasks. When enlisted, I focused one being the best at my specialty and made optima decisions through that lens. Now, I'm expected to consider more than just my specialty through problem solving. Is there any reason why an enlisted person can't do the same as the officer? No. But the expectation is different.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Maj (Join to see) I spent the vast majority of my time in "staff" positions, and it gave a very unique look at how officers had their hands tied compared to enlisted, and vice versa. It wasn't always a capabilty issue, but as you said expectations.
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As usual, Mr. Kennedy's comments are spot on.
Officers are paid more in salary, yes...but there is a point where an O-2 with no prior service is living a much lower quality of life than many E-7 and above. Having the experience to know what to do with your pay is often worth more than "base salary"-in my opinion (and experience). in addition, I don't know many officers who honestly make it past say twelve to fifteen years...and those who do, run even tighter gambits attempting to hold on to their careers until retirement.
More importantly, being a "pilot" isn't an officer's primary job...being an officer is. Admittedly, I'm not that familiar with the Air Force commissioned culture, but I can state that in Naval Aviation, commissioned aircrew are still expected to be divisional and departmental officers, and as they advance towards command, have to master the skills to be the CO of an air capable ship someday...if they want to make flag.
Finally, and this is in no way a "dig" at remote aviation's importance...flying a drone isn't the same as piloting an aircraft in a combat zone. Enlisted aviators in the past often were spot promoted to officer rank simply because as they advanced, they did find themselves in positions to be combat leaders of lesser experienced, commissioned flyers. There were, for example, quite a few RAF pilots wearing stripes during the Battle of Britain, who survived the odds to train incoming "butters" as the war progressed. My own grandfather, who didn't have a college degree, ended up an officer because he was an extremely experienced civil aviator when the War began. I am fairly confident this is why the Army utilizes warrant officers in many aviation positions as well.
Officers are paid more in salary, yes...but there is a point where an O-2 with no prior service is living a much lower quality of life than many E-7 and above. Having the experience to know what to do with your pay is often worth more than "base salary"-in my opinion (and experience). in addition, I don't know many officers who honestly make it past say twelve to fifteen years...and those who do, run even tighter gambits attempting to hold on to their careers until retirement.
More importantly, being a "pilot" isn't an officer's primary job...being an officer is. Admittedly, I'm not that familiar with the Air Force commissioned culture, but I can state that in Naval Aviation, commissioned aircrew are still expected to be divisional and departmental officers, and as they advance towards command, have to master the skills to be the CO of an air capable ship someday...if they want to make flag.
Finally, and this is in no way a "dig" at remote aviation's importance...flying a drone isn't the same as piloting an aircraft in a combat zone. Enlisted aviators in the past often were spot promoted to officer rank simply because as they advanced, they did find themselves in positions to be combat leaders of lesser experienced, commissioned flyers. There were, for example, quite a few RAF pilots wearing stripes during the Battle of Britain, who survived the odds to train incoming "butters" as the war progressed. My own grandfather, who didn't have a college degree, ended up an officer because he was an extremely experienced civil aviator when the War began. I am fairly confident this is why the Army utilizes warrant officers in many aviation positions as well.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sir, thank you for the nod.
The expansion "behind the curtain" provides valuable insight for those of us sporting stripes.
The expansion "behind the curtain" provides valuable insight for those of us sporting stripes.
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LCDR (Join to see)
I'll never forget the Senior Chief at my last command who held a Doctorate, owned several patents, and received monthly royalties for his design of a simple lock...He used to just smile at we "uneducated" departmental officers trying to pretend to be "savvy" with our financial lives...while checking our ATM balances before libbo :)
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Lt Col (Join to see)
LCDR (Join to see) - I have a Chief here right now like that. He got his Doctorate in Finance as a MSgt, and no he does not work in finance he is a Ground Safety guy.
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