Posted on Nov 6, 2014
What do you think should be requirements for becoming an officer?
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Me personally I have a lot more respect for an officer that was enlisted first because they know what is like to have to follow orders and be a private. That being said I think I have more respect for an officer that has a combat deployment.
1) Must have been enlisted first or attended US Military Academy at West Point
2) Must have deployed and be a leader when deployed. Not just have the title of one
3) Bachelor's Degree or Higher
Things I think shouldn't allow you to become an officer.
1) ROTC. I think at most it should allow enlistment at a higher rank, but not a commission
What do you think? What are your thoughts?
1) Must have been enlisted first or attended US Military Academy at West Point
2) Must have deployed and be a leader when deployed. Not just have the title of one
3) Bachelor's Degree or Higher
Things I think shouldn't allow you to become an officer.
1) ROTC. I think at most it should allow enlistment at a higher rank, but not a commission
What do you think? What are your thoughts?
Commission
Officers
Deployment
Requirements
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 45
I understand where you are coming from but enlisted experience doesn't automatically make you a good officer. If you were a bad NCO becoming a bad Officer isn't any better. Enlisted service is good but shouldn't be a requirement. If you do that you will be robbing from the NCO corps.
Plus the line of thought and decision making is completely different from the two and can be a hindrance.
Plus the line of thought and decision making is completely different from the two and can be a hindrance.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) Nice name by the way. But I have to say that I am a bit of trouble. On top of all of that I have high expectations. I am proud of my men but want so much more for them. I only hope they understand where I am coming from.
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CPT (Join to see)
Thanks, I get comments all the time about the name! Back to the topic. We all have high expectations as leaders. All we can do is set the standards, give direction and distance to our NCO's and pray, that we can inspire our Soldiers and NCO's to meet us halfway there. Some will fall short and that is, ok. Yes we second guess ourselves when we see them fall short of the expectations. However, it is also a good thing because it constantly causes leaders to re-evaluate our tactics and techniques on the ways we lead.
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CPT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) Thanks. I really appreciate that. I often re-evaluate myself in hope I am doing the right thing. Being prior enlisted I know what I wanted my PL to be like. I am trying to be that PL that I always wanted. There is nothing better than hearing one of your soldiers saying they appreciate you. The other day we were training at one of those fake FOBs. It was cold as hell and it about about midnight. I got dressed and went out to the ECP to check on my men. I was there for an hour or so. Talking to all of my soldiers and showing them what I would like from them. Points about range cards and the such. Of of the NCOs there spoke to me there that night. I felt that I was able to inspire him. He did look up to me. He wants to do all the cool guy stuff like ranger school. I am the only PL in my battalion that is tabbed. I did it earlier this year while in the National Guard. I was able to show my men that it doesn't matter if you are guard or not you can do whatever you want as long as you put the time in. I want nothing more for them but to succeed in all they do. That night I felt like I was the doing my job. Not for the accolades from those above me but for the respect my men had for me. It was truly humbling.
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1SG (Join to see)
CPT Jon Morgan, because you are a mustang, I am curious about your opinion on how going from an NCO to an officer differs from going from an NCO to a Warrant Officer. You mentioned the challenges faced with switching mentalities.
I will find out in a few days if I made selection to WOC. I have to admit that I am curious about how I will personally change my mindset (although I have been told by several that I think more like an Officer then an NCO).
I will find out in a few days if I made selection to WOC. I have to admit that I am curious about how I will personally change my mindset (although I have been told by several that I think more like an Officer then an NCO).
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If the Army did not allow me to sign an 09S contract (guaranteed OCS after BCT) I would have never joined. Just like any other employer, if the military wants to hire the best and brightest, they will have to be a viable option for people who have a stronger background than high school completion.
What I have little tolerance for, SSG(P) (Join to see), is making general statements about having little respect for Soldiers who outrank them. You are not the only one making remarks like this, but I've now seen it three times in two days so I'm pausing here to point out that you (and the others) are not asked by the US Military to invent your own internal set of rules for who you plan to respect and disrespect. I could let it go if your point was that you would lack respect for someone who disrespects you, or who breaks rules they expect others to follow, or some other reflection of poor performance or personal character. But anyone who would say that they would have less respect for someone of good character who does a good job simply because he/she doesn't measure up to some set of invented rules for what makes a good Officer/NCO/spouse/etc reflects pretty negatively on you (and the others making similar remarks).
What I have little tolerance for, SSG(P) (Join to see), is making general statements about having little respect for Soldiers who outrank them. You are not the only one making remarks like this, but I've now seen it three times in two days so I'm pausing here to point out that you (and the others) are not asked by the US Military to invent your own internal set of rules for who you plan to respect and disrespect. I could let it go if your point was that you would lack respect for someone who disrespects you, or who breaks rules they expect others to follow, or some other reflection of poor performance or personal character. But anyone who would say that they would have less respect for someone of good character who does a good job simply because he/she doesn't measure up to some set of invented rules for what makes a good Officer/NCO/spouse/etc reflects pretty negatively on you (and the others making similar remarks).
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Apologizes mam. I should have been more detailed. I respect all officers and those who outrank me, however as you mentioned if someone gives me a good reason not to respect them like being disrespectful towards me, treating lower ranked with general disrespect, etc; then I will of course still show military bearing and everything, I just won't respect them as a person.
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Things I think should be required to be an officer:
1) Understand that you don't know everything
2) Ability to listen to advice
3) Ability to identify mistakes and inefficiencies, admit them, and learn from them
4) Willingness to lead by doing what he expects the men to do. Not all the time, but enough to let the Soldiers know that he isn't above them
5) Ability to plan, and flexibility to adjust the plan as information becomes available
I don't care what their commissioning source was, if they can do the things above they will be just fine. And I'll follow them anywhere.
1) Understand that you don't know everything
2) Ability to listen to advice
3) Ability to identify mistakes and inefficiencies, admit them, and learn from them
4) Willingness to lead by doing what he expects the men to do. Not all the time, but enough to let the Soldiers know that he isn't above them
5) Ability to plan, and flexibility to adjust the plan as information becomes available
I don't care what their commissioning source was, if they can do the things above they will be just fine. And I'll follow them anywhere.
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1SG (Join to see)
It should be, MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, it should be.
Unfortunately, other considerations seem to drive bosses in both worlds. I don't know if it is pressure or forgetting where they came from, but a little humility, consideration of others, and praise for good work go far in fostering a great working environment.
Unfortunately, other considerations seem to drive bosses in both worlds. I don't know if it is pressure or forgetting where they came from, but a little humility, consideration of others, and praise for good work go far in fostering a great working environment.
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CPT (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) YES. That is what we were taught and told at West Point. Oh, and some cadets were prior enlisted, some were prior ROTC, some were from other military schools. Some listened to that advice, 1SG, some didn't.
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