Should I stay enlisted or go for a commission?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 16:29:59 -0400

I’ll put my details in the comments because it’s kinda long.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 4:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 16:35:15 -0400

I’ve trained and now prepared for accelerated OCS but won’t attend until 2020 due to an upcoming deployment. I’m in the MO NG with hopes of going active. I really want to branch armor but MO does not have that. I have the desire to lead and be in command but I love the dirty work, enlisted I can get both but the pay is not that appealing. I want to be financially stable for whatever is to come (life experiences is the main influence for financial stability). Also, right now the Army is in need for 19D and 19K, I don’t know if I can somehow make a deal to go active, after the deployment, and change MOS’s then go to OCS for armor. Sounds like a great idea.
I appreciate any help, knowledge, and advice!

Response by SPC Dontay Parrish made May 29 at 2018 5:14 PM

SPC Dontay Parrish — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:14:20 -0400

Well, you should go Commission and see if you can go active after that.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 5:17 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:17:28 -0400

Stay enlisted

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 5:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 17:39:42 -0400

Go Warrant and become a pilot.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 8:09 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 20:09:55 -0400

There’s pros and cons to both Officer and Enlisted. Personally, I don’t think I could pull it off as an Officer. The subjectivity of the OER would drive me nuts. I applaud the Officers for their patience, especially at the JO levels. Some of the members are extremely intelligent and diligent in their duties, yet a lot will be passed over. Statistically only 17% of military members make it to the retirement years (Officer and Enlisted combined). That number will most likely decrease with the new retirement system that came online 1 JAN 2018, leaving vacancies or gaps (a.k.a. opportunities). Nevertheless, Officers are more heavily recruited when they leave the military.
The money dramatically increases with the number of years served so at the Senior Enlisted rank it isn’t too bad at all. It’ll just take you a bit longer as enlisted to get to the same dollar amount as the JO.
Want more statistics? Ok, roughly 2.5% of the military is allowed by congress to reach the E-8 level. Only 1% is allowed to serve at the E-9 level. It’s a question of chance really. What are your chances of making it to the O-5 level (where the money really gets good) without getting passed over twice versus the Senior Enlisted level? New programs are always coming online and other programs are getting cut, personnel increases / decreases, Reduction in Forces (RIFs), High Year Tenure (HYT). It’s hard thing to nail down and make your career projections. It makes a difference which career field you have chosen. The bottom-line is to go in the direction where you’d have the least amount of regret later. Either way, I wish you the best of luck to you on your decision.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Jun 3 at 2018 8:29 PM

Jerry Rivas — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 20:29:40 -0400

Go for the commission.

Response by Jerry Rivas made May 29 at 2019 10:22 PM

Jerry Rivas — Wed, 29 May 2019 22:22:23 -0400

An O-1, makes a LOT more money than an E-4

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Feb 8 at 2020 9:20 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:20:30 -0500

All of these responses seem to be about money or opportunity. I think you need to decide which is a better fit for you. Each has its own set of politics and expectations. Talk to a Company commander, a first sergeant, and someone who went from enlisted to officer. Find out what their job is like on a daily basis, what hey like, and what they don’t like. Asking all three will give you different perspectives, you can also ask the person who went from enlisted to officer what did he/expect before switching and what is different the two.