Posted on Dec 12, 2018
SGT Quality Control Technical Inspector
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I crunched some numbers in my head and if everything goes my way I can apply for OCS by my 31st birthday. Now with the question being, does it benefit a junior officer who was prior enlisted or just fresh outta college? I know leaders are born and not taught. This thread is just for general knowledge
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Some of my favorite leaders were mustangs. You're definitely wrong about leaders being born. Very few people are born leaders. Most leaders are taught leadership. The Army has doctrine on how to teach leadership at all levels and it successfully turns thousands of couch potatoes into leaders throughout the evolution of their career. In fact, mentorship is one of the most important components of developing leadership, and mentorship is essentially teaching.
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SGT Quality Control Technical Inspector
SGT (Join to see)
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I meant to quote that “Leaders are born, not taught”. I do believe that leaders are better in terms of making Senior SPC or SGT then transition to officer. However I have known some PLs who were outstanding officers straight from college.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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SGT (Join to see) I understand the quote, I'm just pointing out that it's been proven wrong over and over again. The military is excellent at making leaders. All of the branches focus on teaching leadership because can't be replaced. To quote a famous leader, "Leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon ever designed can replace it."
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
6 y
You can be hard charging and still fail as a leader.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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"I know leaders are born and not taught."

Where did you get this piece of information? It's inaccurate.

Leadership is a Science. Some people may have "innate" (intuitive) capabilities, but the "skills" are applied in a formulaic manner. This is no different than a Sport. Some people will be naturally gifted. Some will develop their skills through hard work. That said, natural skill will only get a person so far, and failure to TRAIN will result in those who have surpassing them over time.

The military has spent millions of dollars developing PME, not to mention the service academies and various schools for the express purpose of teaching people to become leaders.

But back to your question, it depends on the person. I've met stellar officers who were enlisted in a previous life. I've also met some that were piss poor due to the Peter Principle. Likewise, there are great Os out there who never wore stripes, and probably just as many who should have never been commissioned.

All that said, COL Mikel J. Burroughs & Col Joseph Lenertz & COL Charles Williams are three gentlemen I would definitely refer you to for Senior Officer Opinion. If I am not mistaken Col Burroughs is prior enlisted. Unfortunately I do not recall whether the other two gentlemen are.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Edited 6 y ago
SGT (Join to see) The two best officers that I served under, were former enlisted. These officers benefited from coming up through the enlisted ranks. Leaders are not born, but learn from experience.
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