In the Old days, Army Officers could buy their commissions up to COL or raise units to get them. Navy officers had to start as Midshipmen.

2015-06-03T08:57:20-04:00

Midshipmen had to pass tests to become LTs. Does this historical difference still affect our services' officers in any way?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 3 at 2015 9:12 AM

2015-06-03T09:12:51-04:00

Historically, the big difference was naval officers had to be technically competent and have enough experience to run a highly complex piece of equipment that was a sailing ship. Being a seaman was a fulltime profession. Army officers (except artillery and engineers) for the most part didn't need that depth of technical experience.

That being said, does that affect our officer corps today? Nope, not since the abolishment of purchased/political commissions and the advent of uniform commissioning requirements.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 9:18 AM

2015-06-03T09:18:13-04:00

Buy commission?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 9:37 AM

2015-06-03T09:37:56-04:00

Two of the most famous Naval Officers in US Military history.

The Continental Congress appointed John Paul Jones as a Lieutenant, in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775, never was a 'midshipman'.

James Glasgow 'David' Farragut's naval career began as a midshipman when he was nine years old, through the influence of his father; commissioned a midshipman in the United States Navy on December 17, 1810. His date of birth was July 5, 1801.

I totally see your point…turning the question around does this "still affect our services' officers?"

Considering we've enjoyed a military with professional means of education, development, and commissioning officers for more than 100 years, not certain where you intend to go with that question.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-06-03T11:37:16-04:00

Actually, current regulations still allow the President to appoint anyone up to the grade of Major General.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 2:47 PM

2015-06-03T14:47:45-04:00

The appointment of officers due to the number of personnel they recruited makes a lot of sense from the militia perspective. Only high caliber leaders would be able to convince enough people to join, since this was only used for war time when there wasn't enough time to train up a real officer corps.

Very similar to the draft in WW2, if you were the best Private in Boot Camp you made NCO.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-06-03T15:51:26-04:00

I remember a mention of this in Master and Commander. I realize it was the English Navy, but many of our traditions are rooted in militarys from all over Western Europe.

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Jun 3 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-06-03T15:52:17-04:00

When/where did the US Army have "purchased commissions"?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 4:37 PM

2015-06-03T16:37:30-04:00

This isn't exactly true. From the start of our nation Militias were started like this and commissions in militias were pretty much given out. But militias weren't regular military units but were still used by Army commands. States formed standing Army units, in the continental Army and their officers were appointed. Getting an appointment as an officer had to do with education levels and wealth. But if you were an idiot you usually didn't get a Colonelship. George Washington himself saw issues with the Army and tried to standardize his Army prevent a person from becoming a GEN without being able to lead.

Now during the civil war these became a serious issue. You have state militias and Army units. There were two different types of units. A issue was that they were never really standardized still. Most of the officers came from the regular Army. They are the ones that were trained in war and made an impact. The officers from Militias were really never allowed to assume major commands. If they they you would see the term Brevet General at times. It is like getting flocked in reverse. You are given all the authority in that position of command you were in but if you move out of that command you lose the rank and title. They wanted it to be known that they were not actually that rank so the term Brevet was included.

In 1878 the federal government redefined how state guards or militias would be structured. This would led to how the National Guard is set up. In times past a Regiment would wildly vary is size. By this the officer in charge of a REG would not be equal to a peer with another REG due to that size of the REG. This prevent this from happening and standards for officers were set a cross the army.

Just not that the Army has always had a much larger need for officers than any other branch, to include the Navy. You could look a the Civil War and see how many were killed and realize they had to replace officers quick. If you were wealthy you really would ideally make a good officer. You knew how to manage your own estate already and you had a life to come back too. In theory this person was successful in life so they should be successful in the Army.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 9:56 PM

2015-06-03T21:56:54-04:00

While it may not affect the different branches officers in any way anymore, I'm going to have to say that Navy officers are the best simply because I was in the Navy, lol...

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 12 at 2015 7:38 PM

2015-06-12T19:38:48-04:00

I will say the service academies had a pretty good influx of high school grads as a result of having politically connected and/or wealthy parents. I'm sure money has changed hands. Obviously less prevalent now than the past. Is there still is a "pedigree pass" i.e. parent is/was MoH awardee?

Closest thing I can think of insofar as purchasing position in the military nowadays.

By the way, this stuff goes on all the time in college admissions. Can you say "Booster Club"? Or parents chasing an athletic ride for their kid.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jul 16 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-07-16T12:55:34-04:00

Or... go to Kentucky and fry chicken