Posted on Jun 7, 2021
What do you think about the suggested program for E6/E7 to commission?
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A few years ago I recall various news articles about the proposition of allowing Army Staff Sergeants and Sergeants First Class to commission as Second Lieutenants.
Do you think this could be a viable option to allow for the increase of talented officers if the Army were to take on such a program?
Do you think this could be a viable option to allow for the increase of talented officers if the Army were to take on such a program?
Posted in these groups: 
Direct Commission
Direct Commission
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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The mechanism is there in place to be used at the whims of the powers that be. The Direct Commission program gets turned on an off at various high demand periods of manning levels.
What I noticed is such opportunities are minimally advertised. One doesn’t know what they will be targeting for, nor do we know what the requirements will be. That said, be on the look out for a Milper Message and be in a position ready to pounce.
Short of periods of high demand while the nation is engaged in massive military operations on par with months after 9/11, WW2 or Vietnam such programs to magically direct commission one day from the NCO ranks to the officer ranks the next on a whim. Hopeful officer types shouldn’t be banking on such a process.
It’s also important to mention, things like Field Commissions aren’t permanent. So when the massive ramp of up promotions given under extreme circumstances of large scale war operations everyone goes back to their previous ranks once things end (or usually where they would have ended up in a peace time progressing career). One’s best chances of “keeping” the commission is having all the requirements for said commission when things go back to normal (meaning college education in this case to at least hang onto 2LT). Time in grade, Time in Service and PME would probably also need to be secured to hang onto higher grades.
**** Legendary General Custer died as a LTC at Little Big Horn. He was aggressively promoted during the civil war, and given the opportunity to stay Active Duty, but at the reduced rank of LTC based on his career longevity at the time****
How does this apply to us today right now? I direct commissioned in May-2015 in the USAR as a prior service E5 35F (Intel Analyst) into Quartermaster/Logistics. I don’t think the Active Component is using such a program, and I think the main reason is the Active Component tends to fill those positions by reaching back to the Reserve or NG.
Case in point. While I couldn’t Direct Commission into Active Duty, that didn’t stop an Active Duty representative come into my BOLC class, and were told anyone that anyone that graduated QM BOLC had an opportunity get a 3 year sting on Active Orders.
This would be one’s window in to the active component, and if they performed well, could probably get a transfer to Active, or another assignment (thus rack up those retirement points) when the 3 years was up.
Anyway……. Back to my point here and now about direct commission.
1) Put yourself on par with officer education requirements. Get a degree.
2) Have your medical status always current, and be ready to have a commissioning medical conducted at short notice.
Because if you have your education and medical status on par with what is required for a commission then you will be in a position to pounce on a Milper that might present itself for a direct commission. The further nuances would be those specialties the Army is looking for, but odds are college education is going to be the #1 filter for candidates, and followed by one’s physical fitness status to serve.
Check the Milper history in things that interest you, and guide your personal development to take advantage of similar Milpers if they ever come around again.
Anyway, if you are young there is a path to a commission for you. Direct Commission is sort of the last resort, and is supply and demand dependent.
I originally tried for a Military Intel commission, and failed. Then I wised up and looked at the vacancies and noticed when I tried Intel there were only 12 CPT and below vacancies in my entire state. When I tried Quartermaster there were over 200 in my state, and knew under no circumstances would the USAR fill all of those
What I noticed is such opportunities are minimally advertised. One doesn’t know what they will be targeting for, nor do we know what the requirements will be. That said, be on the look out for a Milper Message and be in a position ready to pounce.
Short of periods of high demand while the nation is engaged in massive military operations on par with months after 9/11, WW2 or Vietnam such programs to magically direct commission one day from the NCO ranks to the officer ranks the next on a whim. Hopeful officer types shouldn’t be banking on such a process.
It’s also important to mention, things like Field Commissions aren’t permanent. So when the massive ramp of up promotions given under extreme circumstances of large scale war operations everyone goes back to their previous ranks once things end (or usually where they would have ended up in a peace time progressing career). One’s best chances of “keeping” the commission is having all the requirements for said commission when things go back to normal (meaning college education in this case to at least hang onto 2LT). Time in grade, Time in Service and PME would probably also need to be secured to hang onto higher grades.
**** Legendary General Custer died as a LTC at Little Big Horn. He was aggressively promoted during the civil war, and given the opportunity to stay Active Duty, but at the reduced rank of LTC based on his career longevity at the time****
How does this apply to us today right now? I direct commissioned in May-2015 in the USAR as a prior service E5 35F (Intel Analyst) into Quartermaster/Logistics. I don’t think the Active Component is using such a program, and I think the main reason is the Active Component tends to fill those positions by reaching back to the Reserve or NG.
Case in point. While I couldn’t Direct Commission into Active Duty, that didn’t stop an Active Duty representative come into my BOLC class, and were told anyone that anyone that graduated QM BOLC had an opportunity get a 3 year sting on Active Orders.
This would be one’s window in to the active component, and if they performed well, could probably get a transfer to Active, or another assignment (thus rack up those retirement points) when the 3 years was up.
Anyway……. Back to my point here and now about direct commission.
1) Put yourself on par with officer education requirements. Get a degree.
2) Have your medical status always current, and be ready to have a commissioning medical conducted at short notice.
Because if you have your education and medical status on par with what is required for a commission then you will be in a position to pounce on a Milper that might present itself for a direct commission. The further nuances would be those specialties the Army is looking for, but odds are college education is going to be the #1 filter for candidates, and followed by one’s physical fitness status to serve.
Check the Milper history in things that interest you, and guide your personal development to take advantage of similar Milpers if they ever come around again.
Anyway, if you are young there is a path to a commission for you. Direct Commission is sort of the last resort, and is supply and demand dependent.
I originally tried for a Military Intel commission, and failed. Then I wised up and looked at the vacancies and noticed when I tried Intel there were only 12 CPT and below vacancies in my entire state. When I tried Quartermaster there were over 200 in my state, and knew under no circumstances would the USAR fill all of those
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SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for the information sir, something to keep an eye out for definitely as I continue my Civilian education and decide on my next path.
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MAJ (Join to see)
You have hit some very good points.
First is supply and demand. Shortage specialties will be aggressively recruited.
I spent 3 years in Recruiting Command recruiting both active duty and Reserve officers.
The easiest to process (not recruit) was the non-prior service new graduate unmarried who had always lived at home or in the dormitory at the same school.
Prior service personnel with lot's of movements, schools, etc were most difficult, and filling in the forms correctly could be a nightmare to get everything right because of the complicated history. If the forms are wrong, they get kicked back for a redo.
Example; if your transcript says you went to a certain school, your security form needs to show addresses consistent with that location, etc (except for distance learning which needs to be explained).
So potential applicants, keep up with your personal history, transcripts, addresses, etc.
You may be able to walk on water, but if you can't fill out the forms you are a no-go.
First is supply and demand. Shortage specialties will be aggressively recruited.
I spent 3 years in Recruiting Command recruiting both active duty and Reserve officers.
The easiest to process (not recruit) was the non-prior service new graduate unmarried who had always lived at home or in the dormitory at the same school.
Prior service personnel with lot's of movements, schools, etc were most difficult, and filling in the forms correctly could be a nightmare to get everything right because of the complicated history. If the forms are wrong, they get kicked back for a redo.
Example; if your transcript says you went to a certain school, your security form needs to show addresses consistent with that location, etc (except for distance learning which needs to be explained).
So potential applicants, keep up with your personal history, transcripts, addresses, etc.
You may be able to walk on water, but if you can't fill out the forms you are a no-go.
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I was a 22 year old E6 when the Army offered me a commission, I passed then and I would pass now. Some promotions take you from doing the job you love and make you supervise the guy who is doing it
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SSG Edward Tilton
One of the big problems with up or out. In my MOS E-6 is a good job. E-7 is management.
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I think it could show promise as an idea. It would need to be tested and thought out though and have a backend responsibility for the individual to earn a degree at some point. If there isn't an incentive or requirement for education I don't see how it would be much different than the WO program.
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