For those NCOs with a degree, why did you choose to stay enlisted?

2018-04-14T13:07:10-04:00

I just completed my ADN and will have a BSN in a year with 16 years TIS and am I am on the fence about riding it out or applying for a commission (if not too broken). Id like to use my degree which is hard to do sitting behind a desk. Returning to 12 hour shift work where hammer meets stone sooner than later would be ideal. But we all know the many reasons for getting out at 20 years

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Apr 14 at 2018 4:20 PM

2018-04-14T16:20:35-04:00

I came in with a Bachelor's degree. I did talk to a recruiter about ROTC my senior year of high school. The recruiter came to my house. He said his boss would call me. Two weeks later he called and asked if his boss called. I said no. "Oh I'll get on him about it." Then I heard nothing. So I just went to college on my own and figured maybe I'll join after.

End of sophomore year, ran into a recruiter at the mall and they were doing this thing called College First program. If you had 2 years left you could sign up and be in the DEP until graduation. Get paid $250 a month the first year, $350 a month the second year then join the Army. So I did it. And the bonus was college loan repayment.

Enlisted and was a SPC when I went to basic. Loans were paid off in the first three years (I paid the interest). Lots of officers tried to get me to go office but I just have never been interested in being an officer. One CO told me I was wasting my talents as enlisted. I told him that might be the first offensive thing I've been told.

I got my Master's 2 years ago. I have no urge at this point (and I'm too old) to be an officer. I'm fine retiring as enlisted in 6 years, hopefully as a MSG. Plus I don't want to start over or be a 2LT or go be a warrant officer.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Apr 15 at 2018 3:44 AM

2018-04-15T03:44:51-04:00

I dated a SSG who had a Doctorate in History, when I asked him basically the same question he said that he didn't want to deal with the bullshit that comes with being an officer.

Response by 2LT Ronald Reimer made Apr 15 at 2018 8:39 PM

2018-04-15T20:39:48-04:00

Stay enlisted, avoid the hassle of going through the commissioning rigamarol, and retire at 20. You’ll be collecting your pension, while earning $70,000-$100,000/year. Try to do some moonlighting with that ADN now, especially in the ER or CCU. If you are really smart, you’ll retire at 20, collect that pension and work part time, taking some much earned “you-time”, enjoying your life and the things that you love to do. You deserve it!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2018 11:44 PM

2018-04-16T23:44:24-04:00

I recently finished my Master’s with 5 years to 20. If I was to go Officer, that would push me to another 10 years minimum to meet what I’ll already get in retirement. Plus, I love being around Soldiers. In the dirt where it counts instead of a staff office is why I joined in the first place. I just can’t see myself going down in rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 10:04 PM

2018-04-22T22:04:25-04:00

Let me tell you that my mom came to this country illegally so that I could be born here. I recently made the E8 list after earning my LPN license after only 5 years in the Army. I'm only four classes away from a bachelors and never considered becoming and officer. I had peers do it for multiple reasons which include accomplishment. If I did it, it was going to strictly be about money and that was never a good enough reason for me. I promised my mom that anything I committed to, I was going to finish. Sounds a little preachy but point being, do what feels right to you regardless of incentives.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2018 4:37 AM

2018-04-28T04:37:57-04:00

I came in the Army as an enlisted soldier back in 92 with a BS degree and realized that there were more opportunities for enlisted then there were for officers. Now in your case with receiving your BSN I would highly recommend transitioning into the nursing corps if you can. You will have the opportunity to keep up your clinical skills and be able to make those decisions that as a Charlie you can't do or make. Just remember you will have to be able to do 10yrs as an officer to get the retirement if I remember correctly. I myself spent the majority of my 24 yrs either as. Compo1 or active reserves and have seen alot of people with degrees stay enlisted.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jun 10 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-06-10T21:56:15-04:00

Because I don't want to start all over again (O-1) and have to deal with the constant moving that comes with "O" life. My mentor was Enlisted and switched to Officer after he made it to SFC and that's how it was for him. He had to move around every 2-3 years to do his KD's in order to stay current with his career path. I would be sacrificing that control over my career that I had for 8 years and counting.

I completed an Associates, a Bachelors, and I'm currently 6 classes away from finishing a Masters and don't regret staying in the Enlisted side. Sometimes is funny to see "Field Grade O's" reaction when they find out that we have the same level of civilian education and I remind them that the current NCO corps is more educated and competent than ever.

Stay where you at and finish your 20 years.