Posted on Apr 25, 2017
What advice would you give to a person enlisting with a college degree?
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To be more specific, the person has a finance degree if that matters and wants to enlist (open to all branches). do you have any advice for someone coming in at a higher rank with no military experience compared to someone that does have military experience and is the same rank.
Advice
NCOs
Leadership Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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I once had to make a presentation to a group of newly minted captains (doctors) who apparently purchased uniforms to fit their new station in life without instructions on how to wear them. As I looked out over the group I was appalled to see that they had mixed and matched pieces from different uniforms according to their taste. After determining that I wasn't the object of a Candid Camera hoax, I simply chose to be offended. Who the hell thinks they can make someone an officer without any orientation whatsoever? This led me to consider the whole idea of rank among highly specialized individuals. Pilots, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are given rank to induce them to enlist (I suppose), without considering the consequences. I am eternally grateful that I eschewed a direct commission in JAG and earned my commission after a year at Infantry School. Although I still had much to learn, I had at least a modicum of respect for military tradition. So, if you are placed at a higher rank than other new recruits, especially if commissioned, please get someone (preferably an older NCO) to help you dress yourself before you appear in public.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
True. While at OCS, I passed a 1LT and gave him a crisp salute. He got all flustered like I had just announced a pop quiz on "War & Peace." I asked him if everything was OK. He said that he had only been in the Army for 3 weeks and didn't know how to respond to being saluted, as the JAG Direct Commissioning course he was in had not taught that yet. I gave him a quick 30 second class on saluting, and sent him on his way.
Amazingly enough, the direct commissioning process is the opposite of the OCS commissioning program. That is, DC Officers get their bars and then take the commissioning training, which at that point is de facto optional, in that they cannot really fail and have their bars taken away. OCS Candidates have to complete the training in full to standard before they are commissioned.
Amazingly enough, the direct commissioning process is the opposite of the OCS commissioning program. That is, DC Officers get their bars and then take the commissioning training, which at that point is de facto optional, in that they cannot really fail and have their bars taken away. OCS Candidates have to complete the training in full to standard before they are commissioned.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
We had a newly minted 0-3 wear a GO flight cap because the braid looked better. He was a direct Commission doctor. We had a discussion on uniform wear and the regulation that covers it
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One can enlist at E-4/SPC with a college degree. I even got a $6000 bonus (~$4300 after taxes) for doing so. The ACASP (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program) will also allow certain people with verifiable civilian skills (that translate to Army MOS) to enlist at E-4/SPC.
I know the Army Reserve can direct commission people who have in-demand skills.
I know the Army Reserve can direct commission people who have in-demand skills.
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Don't worry about the rank that you enlist as, if you enlist in the Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard for instance I know they give you E-4/ SPC rank with a degree. It's GREAT for the paycheck in comparison to E-1 (obviously). But just because you wear Specialist rank doesn't mean that people in your unit will expect anything more from you in terms of MOS knowledge. They may expect you to have a higher maturity level and self discipline given that you are older than most new PVT's and have a degree.
In terms of the degree being finance, you could certainly pursue an MOS that corresponds with finance such as 42A in the Army, or do something entirely different, it doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Pick an MOS that you think you can be happy with for at least the duration of your initial contract!
In terms of the degree being finance, you could certainly pursue an MOS that corresponds with finance such as 42A in the Army, or do something entirely different, it doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Pick an MOS that you think you can be happy with for at least the duration of your initial contract!
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