I have been told that I should go Officer. But I enjoy being enlisted but promotion doesn't look favorable. Any suggestions?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:30:54 -0400

I am going to hit my RCP next year. I recently obtained my B.S. In Clinical Laboratory Sciences and will start my Masters in January.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 26 at 2016 10:34 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:34:48 -0400

If for no other reason I would recommend going officer for the Quarters. Berthing is so much nicer for Officers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 10:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:43:57 -0400

Go and do what you're heart is telling you to do.Because if you have the option of becoming a officer and you don't go for it you might regret it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 10:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:49:27 -0400

What branch appeals to you? What will your Masters be in?

Response by CPT Russell Pitre made Jun 26 at 2016 10:57 PM

CPT Russell Pitre — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:57:40 -0400

I am going to honest. This has got to be the worst reason to get a commission. Usually, those of us who get a commission do so to lead soldiers or make the Army a better place. If you want to become an officer just so you can stay in the army then you are doing it for the wrong reason. I'll leave it at that.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jun 26 at 2016 10:58 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 22:58:37 -0400

Chase your goals, but realize it is harder to become an officer than to make SGT. So plan for multiple courses of action.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 11:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 23:24:09 -0400

Ultimately you need to decide for yourself what you want to do. Don't allow other people to make your decision for you. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable having an officer in charge of me who doesn't want to be an officer, he or she will be less apt to performing to their utmost best in their job.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 11:46 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 23:46:55 -0400

If you love being enlisted and want a little bit of being an officer, I'd recommend trying out to being a Warrant Officer. They are meticulous and technical experts on what they do!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 27 at 2016 6:36 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 06:36:04 -0400

It would be interesting to know what the career field opportunities are for officers in yr particular field. If you are in a small career field with few openings or positions available you might have trouble from the outset if they 'have all they need'. The warrant officer option might be worth looking at. Ever seen any WOs in your field? At any rate being an officer is not all it's cracked up to be in a lot of cases.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 7:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:23:07 -0400

I think you should stay enlisted, but I take you are in MOS with a high cutoff score. If you do decide to cross over to the dark side, I would suggest warrant if you're an expert in your job already. In my opinion, I think you should work super hard to reach cutoff score and get promoted, then gain more leadership experience from being a NCO then switch over if you want.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jun 27 at 2016 9:39 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:39:36 -0400

Greetings SPC Cathey,

I saw your post yesterday. I wanted to answer you somehow. But, I wasn't sure I had the correct words at that time.

The following is not to offend you: Notice how the officers here appear and notice when you check their profile how it is squared away. Emulating what you what to be will help you become that which you seek. You have the education. By asking the question, you might be a bit worried, or wondering if you have what it takes.

If you have an opportunity to become an officer in the greatest military that has ever stepped foot on this planet, go for it. Go for it just as bad as you want your last breath.

We all change. You can change too. It's not a 90 degree turn. It's an awakening. I was young when I finished my degree through the Dept. of the Navy. I turned down OCS. I thought I was smarter than everybody else.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision. Thank you for asking the question and thank you for your service to our country.

Mark A. Morris BS, RDMS, RVT

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jun 27 at 2016 11:31 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:31:18 -0400

Wrong reason to be an officer! Try reclassifying into another MOS; perhaps within the Medical field?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jun 27 at 2016 11:35 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:35:13 -0400

Check with your career counselor with regards to available options; in/out calls which for your MOS is balanced. MILPER 16-117.

Response by SSG Michael Hale made Jun 27 at 2016 3:01 PM

SSG Michael Hale — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:01:11 -0400

You have other options, you could go Warrant; it is more of a Technical Field

Response by SFC Bayardo Reyes made Jun 27 at 2016 8:56 PM

SFC Bayardo Reyes — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:56:55 -0400

I would suggest to weight your options well. Being an officer is a total different field from enlisted. Also its very competitive and rating has evolved the past 2 years. I would look at options that can land your way with your credential. Check the Army for Life website or office.

Response by CPT Carlos Ribadeneira made Jun 27 at 2016 9:48 PM

CPT Carlos Ribadeneira — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:48:23 -0400

Ultimately it is your decision to make! I was an EM for about 10 years before I decided to go for the gold bar. Enjoyed my time as EM but have no regrets for making the switch. You'll know when the time comes, if that is what you really want to do. Like someone said on his response, it is not easy, but it is rewarding.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 10:55 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 22:55:03 -0400

Did officers tell you be an officer or enlisted?

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jun 28 at 2016 12:31 AM

SSG Mark Franzen — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 00:31:56 -0400

IF I COULDN'T GET PROMOTED I WOULD STONGLY THINK ABOUT BEING A WARRANT OFFCIER IN YOUR CARRER FIELD IF YOU CAN.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 9:15 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:15:02 -0400

Deciding to be an officer and leave the enlisted side of the Army is a huge decision. In more recent years it has become increasingly more competitive to transition. You need to decide what's the best course of action. If the motivation is RCP the transition may be even more difficult. I personally believe we shouldn't push all of our best and most talented SPC to be officers. It limits our pool of great NCOs and future CSM.

Response by MAJ Rich Thompson made Jun 28 at 2016 9:19 AM

MAJ Rich Thompson — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:19:58 -0400

Promotion opportunities should be at the very bottom of the list of reasons to become a commissioned Officer if on the list at all. There is a tremendous amount of responsibility when receiving a commission. You will be the one who makes policy and decisions for others to execute in accomplishing success for the mission at hand. You will be required to lead and set the example all day everyday. Please consider your decision wisely as the effects are going to felt by your subordinates.

Response by CAPT Don Bosch, EdD made Jun 28 at 2016 11:07 AM

CAPT Don Bosch, EdD — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:07:23 -0400

Good on you for asking the question! A question back: Can you serve your country better in your current career track or with a commission? As a medical or other public health officer you would have a great opportunity to lead others to improve the lives of many Soldiers. Continuing as an enlisted Soldier in this role would probably lead you into a career as a highly-skilled technical professional that can also benefit many people. I would suggest looking at the bigger picture: Are you the kind of person who likes leading the group to get things done, or being the one skilled person with the solution to important problems. I'm generalizing here, but hopefully it will help your tough decision a little bit... Cheers! db

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Jun 28 at 2016 2:43 PM

SGT Eliyahu Rooff — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:43:01 -0400

I would talk with an officer or two who holds a commission in the branch you're considering. Find out what opportunities are available to you there, the pluses and minuses, and what it takes to progress in that branch. Most of the officers I knew with MSC (Medical Service Corps) commissions held technical, rather than leadership, positions.

That said, there's also the approach taken by twice-Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Daley when he was offered a commission. He said he'd rather be an outstanding Sergeant than just another mediocre officer, and turned it down.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 6:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:41:37 -0400

Go now! If you don't, you'll be kicking yourself for years. One thing I wish I could change about my life, take the chances I was offered. you can always resign your commission if you don't like the life later.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 7:21 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 19:21:40 -0400

If you want to become an officer explore your options and course of action as to how to get there. Point A to point B and every pit stop along the way. Warrant officer is a great way to get the best of both sides of the house. Warrants are usually more involved with enlisted until the get up to 3s at division levels or higher. But the pay isn't as good as officer. Either way, promotions as a warrant or as an officer will be competitive. Warrants will have to be impeccable to get 3 and officers to get captain. Explore all options, explore all pros and cons, talk to both commissioned officers and warrant officers (yes I realize at CW2 they too are commissioned) and determine your best plan of action

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 9:00 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 21:00:57 -0400

Go for it! Enlisted, I was a 91K with 13 years of service and had attained the rank of SSG. Had the civilian sector looked good for Medical Technologists, I would have stayed that path and applied for commission. Instead, I chose to become an RN and commission.

Sometimes it is difficult to how as a Soldier and leader, particularly without good mentorship. Surround yourself with proven leaders willing to foster tour growth and hang on tight for opportunities. It is hard work, but well worth it.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jun 29 at 2016 12:45 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:45:45 -0400

I actually have a question for you to think about. Have any of your NCOs seen fit to send you to the promotion board? If they have, they believe that you are fit to lead. I say go and try your best to become the best officer you can. If they have not, you might want to consider why they haven't seen fit to have a SPC with 7 years in the army attend the board. Regardless of your answer, I would suggest that you listen to this next part.

Becoming an officer, like becoming an NCO, is something special. You will be responsible for the lives of your subordinates. Their needs always come first. Don't take this responsibility lightly. Men and women will look to you for guidance and need to know that you care about them. If you truly want to lead and are ready for the burden that comes with it, take whatever path to leadership you must. If on the other hand you're doing this just to remain in the army, you will be doing your subordinates, superiors, and yourself a huge disservice. I hope that career progression isn't your only motivation.

Response by SSgt Justin Fales made Jun 29 at 2016 8:04 AM

SSgt Justin Fales — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 08:04:59 -0400

Go officer. If no orders come through, Advance advance advance!!
Besides, everyone loves a Mustang.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 8:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:00:15 -0400

I have gotten lots of comments and I appreciate all of them, both negative and positive. In my defense, I have been asked, by both Senior enlisted and Officers why I joined enlisted. Only reason was I didn't finish school before I joined. They see and have seen potential in me that makes them wonder why I didn't take that leap along time ago. I love what I do, but most of all I love being a soldier. I am good at what I do and if it meant switching to Officer to keep being a soldier, to remain wearing this uniform, it is a leap I am wiling to take. For those of you wondering why I am I cutting it so close, I had horrible leadership and didn't receive the great ones, until the time was running out. So now I am at a raise to remain in a field that I love so much. Some people are here for the money, some are here to stability...I joined the military at 28 strictly because I wanted to and completely feel in love with it. If these very same choices were given to me years ago, I would have asked the same question.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 12:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 00:41:28 -0400

Go for it ! If you put in the work to get a bachelor's degree while in the military that is a great accomplishment. I do hope that you actually went to work and not just attended classes and mind the system, but at the same time you have the qualifications go for it!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2016 12:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:24:31 -0400

Find out what the differences in your job will be. If you want to run a lab, be in charge of a lab, responsible for the lab - then become a lab officer. Understand that to stand out as a MSC officer, you will likely have to take command, which is completely different than being a lab officer.
Take your next position based on what you have a burning desire to be and do. If you don't want that kind of responsibility, then don't do it.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 7 at 2018 12:56 AM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:56:39 -0500

I'll be honest, don't know what all the Army lingo is, but I went enlisted to Officer and I'l throw my 2 cents in.... You are the only one that can make that decision. You have seen plenty of officers by this point and you should be able to tell if that is what you want to do. I will tell you 3 things... 1) It is much harder to get to be an officer than it is get promoted in the enlisted ranks. Not impossible, just more difficult, 2) Being an officer (and being a good officer) is about the desire to lead troops and getting the mission done... that is it. Everything else is window dressing. To do that takes a lot of work, and 3) Some of the best officers I ever saw were prior enlisted (and no that wasn't me looking in the mirror).

Look hard at it, see if that is what you want. If it is, then press on. I will say that I would not EVER mention to an officer recruiter that promotion opportunity is why you want to go officer.

Best of luck to you!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 6:49 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 06:49:21 -0500

Respect the advice of successful and well-grounded associates, but don't live by it. Ultimately go with your gut. You'll be living with the guy in the mirror for the rest of your life.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 8:30 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 08:30:32 -0500

I was a Squid, but some things seem pretty consistent across all services. Being an officer is about much more than the "career". Frankly, the odds on retiring seem long these days (for anyone), and while I was never an NCO, I imagine it's not really any more of a "sure bet" trading stripes for bars-it might even be less of one when one considers all of the "new" ways the system can fail you. You've worked hard to achieve a status you'll surrender the day you put on gold, and there will be more hurdles to cross, more ways to "earn your spurs", and even more "interesting" ways to see it all go up in smoke. If you're motivated to take what you've learned into a higher level of responsibility that serves the needs of the Army and your Soldiers better...I say go for it, and bon chance. If you're hoping that making the change will solve some career challenges, I suppose it might in the short run, but I've known more than one former enlisted officer who ended up burned out and disappointed when they find out the grass is not always greener.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 7 at 2018 9:51 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 09:51:23 -0500

That is certainly a good option- have you looked into what MOS would fit, Also ROTC for commissioning, might even help pay with the Masters. You told to do some recon quickly. Is there an ROTC program associated with your school. go talk with Education folks about options, etc. Drive on Lady!