Is there a future in the NCO ranks?

MSG Martin C. — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 11:51:02 -0500

It seems that there are countless opportunities for officers at all levels to diversify their careers by either attending functional area training, branch transfers post graduate programs etc. However in the enlisted side of the house we don't seem to have much to choose from the question I a have for the field is:
If you have to do it all over again would you had gone the OCS route? And are you pushing your junior Soldiers towards the officer route either commissioned or warrant?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 12:19 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:19:36 -0500

I wrestle with this question all the time, but I think that my purpose is to be a strong NCO and a leader for the junior enlisted folks and I hope that as I get more time in service and rank I can continually and effectively lead our Airmen in the proper direction. I am very fortunate to be supervising someone right now who is a very strong airman and I am pushing that individual to OTS because I can see very strong leadership skills, however if I felt this individual was not up to the standard then I would strongly encourage more development and reach out to other enlisted leaders in our Squadron and Group to help this individual better their leadership skills before sending them off to OTS. I feel like I can do a lot as an NCO to help guide young junior enlisted people to simply better themselves. They may only do 4 or 6 years instead of 20 or 30, but as long as they leave better than they came to me, I will be happy. I do not think at this time that I will go to OTS, but I am fortunate enough to have a few more years left on my eligibility.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 1:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 13:55:13 -0500

MSG Martin C. , I made the decision to become an officer many years ago and while I do not as a rule regret much, I do know that it was a tough decision -- not sure what I would have done if I had to do it again. The main factors that influenced me were 1) I had a great officer who was pushing me to seek a commission and 2) it gave me an opportunity to earn a college degree (something I was not able to do in the time after high school but before I enlisted).

The question I think comes down to your motivation to enlist. My dad was a Korean War and Vietnam veteran and when circumstances made the service an option, I proudly opted to follow in his footsteps. If I had not left the good NCOs in one assignment for the bad NCOs (and excellent officer in the next), I doubt anything would have kept me from serving my career as an NCO.

There are opportunities for all ranks and there is always the opportunity to get out and pursue success as a veteran civilian. But if you joined to be a soldier, to work daily with soldiers and to be close to soldiers while serving your country, it is as an NCO where you will find the greatest sense of accomplishment.

If you enlisted for the money, the perks, the degrees, the rank then maybe being an NCO isn't for you (not you personally, but in general terms).

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 12:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:02:24 -0500

MSG Martin C. I would argue that NCOs have as many opportunities, though they may be different, than officers. NCOs can reclass the same as officers going from one AOC to another. It is actually harder than most think though for both sides of the house unless in Reserves/NG where the need and commanders allow it provided that there is funding. There are graduate programs available to officers, but they are super competitive and with very few slots. Same as going to other services to do OES. I am not sure if NCOs can do other services' NCOES.

The key question is what is important to you? Is it making a higher rank? Both NCOs and officer routes are seeing massive cuts. QMP and QSP, as well as pink slips to CPTs because they are over strength in the AC. It will be harder to make it past LTC or past SFC in many cases. Is it about pay? Well then of course going officer will net more money. However, the higher up you go the less time you spend with the Soldiers. So if mentoring and being with Soldiers is important to you stay enlisted. After Platoon Leader time you will miss the Soldiers and only see them if they are part of the staff you are assigned to, on visits, or if you are Company Commander. After that you are pretty much on staff until battalion command if you are lucky enough to land that.

So the big question is what does the Soldier want to be in the Army for? What motivates them? What are their goals? Either side it will be harder to get promoted as we shrink the force. But you ultimately want them to enjoy what they do.

Response by SSgt Robert SoRelle made Jan 25 at 2015 12:31 AM

SSgt Robert SoRelle — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:31:49 -0500

i am working as a contractor at a reserve installation! I see quite a few enlisted transitioning to the W O side of the Army Reserve to have better a opportunity to advance their skills and worth to the military! The enlisted side of the house don't seem to have as much choice. This has been going on for quite a while now. The military needs to have a way for the enlisted personnel to better their careers than to seek moving to the commissioned to warrant officer side. The SNCO does more for the training these young troops to stay alive and how to do their job to keep their Officers alive than what they are given credit for. The SNCO is the back bone of the military, it does not matter what branch of service you are in!