Do officers and upper enlisted have the same camraderie, brotherhood and “fun” lower enlisted have?

2018-05-15T01:28:53-04:00

Response by Chris Grimm made May 15 at 2018 1:30 AM

2018-05-15T01:30:49-04:00

Apparently my question had a character limit. My question was: Do officers and upper enlisted have the same camraderie, brotherhood and “fun” lower enlisted have? I just can’t see them all being together off hours due to the required professional barrier. Sorry about having to comment the full question in - Rallypoint threw me a curverball there.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 1:53 AM

2018-05-15T01:53:21-04:00

Chris Grimm, the military isn't homogenous. Sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't. It depends on the command. The biggest difference is that enlisted are forced to stay in the barracks unless you are married and accompanied. This puts them in close proximity to each other. When I joined, I would say that there were more parties and comradery since there was little else to do in the barracks. Now days, the internet and X-box keeps a lot of guys in their rooms by themselves. It's still there, just not like it was. Officers on the other hand all live wherever they want. Some live on post. Some live off post. So...they don't all live in the same area. Most of our social events are scheduled. Doesn't mean we don't have fun, but that depends on the command climate. The opportunity for having a party is less as well due to the distance. Brotherhood? Sure. Pretty much the same, just on a different level. Same, but different. Younger officers tend to have "younger parties." You don't tend to find Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels with their bass pounding at 0200 with 20-40 of your closest friends over. We've...moved on past that phase.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 2:14 AM

2018-05-15T02:14:47-04:00

I am not sure what you are asking, but one of the primary goals of basic training/ boot camp across all the military branches is to develop teamwork and instill a sense of comradery. Quite frankly this largely depends on where a Soldier, Sailor, Air Person, or Marine ends up serving.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made May 15 at 2018 6:18 AM

2018-05-15T06:18:20-04:00

It depends, just like your definition of fun and camaraderie will change as you mature. What I thought was fun and bonding time has changed from when I was 20 to now being beyond 40. I’ve found that each rank I’ve earned, I’ve been able to enjoy a bond or closeness to my peer group (those of same rank). Of course, the more senior you get the less peers you have. I was excited to make Captain because my peer group doubled from when I was an LT, hence more friends. If you are an an approachable person and can make friends easily then you won’t have an issue. A plus side to being more senior is that your friends are more mature. When I was a Private-Specialist we had a lot of stupid fights and arguments. But that was because we lacked maturity. It’s all different. Enjoy the experience is what I would recommend.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 15 at 2018 6:27 AM

2018-05-15T06:27:50-04:00

There is and are strong bonds between Senior Enlisted. As I am retired for 7 years I am in close contact withvthose I came to know throughout the years. While I served they were confidants and guides. At the most senior grades CSM and General Officer the grouping is much smaller but still exists. Family, and the level of responsibility can temporarily soften relationships which are quickly strengthened upon separation. In closing I spent my entire career building bonds that I have today. Thank you for thinking of serving.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 15 at 2018 2:45 PM

2018-05-15T14:45:06-04:00

For officers, based on my experience, I'd say yes. When you work together for several years, especially on a staff you bond on and off duty. After all, you depend on each other just as soldiers do, just at a different level. When the poop hits the propeller, you depend on your fellow officers to make rational decisions on the map and on the ground to control troops as well as manage the battlefield. Breaking beer and bread with each other is an essential part of the working together process.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 15 at 2018 5:09 PM

2018-05-15T17:09:11-04:00

On the officer side, I'd say Company Grade Officers tend to socialize together outside of normal work hours more often than senior officers. There's a lot of reasons for this, but mostly I think it's families and common background of experience. In an organization with several Company Grade Officers, they tend to know each other well because of daily interaction and have recently completed the same training courses before joining their units. They also have the common experiences of being junior officers, dealing with smart ass junior enlisted, overbearing SNCOs, and of course the "old man." As officers advance in rank they are more likely to be married and have kids. Family and kid activities tend to replace the single-officer social life they once enjoyed. Families in the same unit tend to know each other but busy schedules often keep them for socializing frequently. Once officers move up to staff jobs at Division or Wing and above, the socialization is less cohesive. Officers tend to come from a diverse selection of units and backgrounds. Officers from other Services may be mixed in. It's increasingly more difficult to form friend-groups. All of that's based on my experience and observation.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 15 at 2018 10:04 PM

2018-05-15T22:04:10-04:00

Yes. Sometimes no, but mostly yes.im still friends with people I served with 24 years ago.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made May 15 at 2018 10:38 PM

2018-05-15T22:38:19-04:00

Sailors tend to skip a grade. Chief Petty Officers and CO/XO socialize more than CPO's and junior officers (O1-O3). Once ashore everyone scatters. If there is socializing off the ship or on base, it's due to prior relationships.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 2:25 PM

2018-05-16T14:25:55-04:00

Absolutely not. We raised hell as younger enlisted and always had each other's back. Now as we are older, our comraderie lies with our families. We do our best to see each other often but schedules can be hard to align. The friendships we made as younger enlisted have lasted into aulthood and they seem to be the only true friends that can be relied on.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 27 at 2018 10:02 PM

2018-07-27T22:02:50-04:00

Having been both sides, I will say that there is, but they are different.