INPUT NEEDED: ULTIMATE DEBATE Hire JMOs vs NCOs?

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:44:19 -0400

This is subject I have tried to explain to several fellow employees and to other recruiters. An NCO (E6-E9) will likely get overlooked over a JMO (2LT-CPT), the discussion it usually an JMO has a degree, has a higher level of responsibility, is a leader (I have to hold back a laugh when I here that) because of his/her rank.

In my opinion both are equally qualified, there are plenty of NCO with degrees, a Bachelor's or some with MBA. And while an officers career progression is pretty much timed, an NCO can spend several years at a rank, particularly in the Guard/Reserves. All are exposed to different environments, leadership and development level which are often overlooked when compared.

In my current position as a recruiter I take a look at both, and an NCO, in particular a Senior NCO will get a second look before a JMO. No disrespect to that JMO, but with 20+ years of service and the rank of CSM, he/she will get a second look.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ultimate-military-hiring-debate-hire-jr-officers-jmos

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 14 at 2015 9:53 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:53:58 -0400

This all depends on the company. I have seen that companies who want experience are more likely to hire NCOs. Other companies who want young with some experience are more likely to hire LMOs.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Oct 14 at 2015 10:01 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:01:10 -0400

The debate of Officer/NCO during their careers: My experience has seen Officers move into leadership positions for 12 - 24 months and want to sprint the entire time while the NCO stays there (sprinting before and after) sprinting with the next Commander. Don't get me wrong, the Commander is the one responsible, it is his name on the line, but it is a dedicated NCO checking, inspecting, verifying, certifying, following up and making sure the mission gets done. I think you are a rarity in your thought process SSG Ricardo Marcial, and nice to hear that perspective.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:30:05 -0400

Hopefully, it would depend on the required job qualifications, and how well a certain individual met those qualifications, more so than if one left the Service as an officer or an NCO.

Lots of comments in RallyPoint and elsewhere suggest that lots of NCOs and Soldiers have college degrees. As a college degree is often a minimum requirement for a job, and as in general more officers than NCOs have degrees, this might be a factor that favors officers. Does anyone have the data that shows what percentage of NCOs have college degrees?

As its illegal to discriminate based on age, there might be a slippery slope with preferencing someone with 20 years experience over someone with slightly less experience (unless the minimum job requirements state outright that a certain number of years of experience is required), as you suggest might happen in your current capacity.

It's also fairly difficult to compare the experiences of a senior NCO and a company grade officer; are you really seeing former senior NCOs and company grade officers apply for the same job? What types of jobs are these, where the minimum requirements can be met by both a senior NCO and a company grade officer?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 11:58 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:58:14 -0400

As an Active duty E-5 with a masters degree I can tell you that there isn't a lot of us. Most will either get out or commission. I am in the process of trying to commission myself. To me, ( and this could just be me) if I stay enlisted I feel like I wasted almost 7 years of schooling. The enlisted side doesn't promote based off of education ( 10 promotion points for degree completion, 100+ if you are good at pt). I would say most senior NCOs have a bachelors at minimum though .