+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Miscellaneous (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Miscellaneous)
+--- Forum: Military Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Military-Discussion)
+--- Thread: Stay Enlisted or go Officer? (/Thread-Stay-Enlisted-or-go-Officer)
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - CLEP101 - 11-26-2009
What do you guys think?
I've been in the Army 13 years and will finish my BS this March. I am also getting promoted to E-8 Master Sergeant in the next couple of months.
I have been debating whether or not to apply for Officer Candidate School and get my butter bar. I can apply now and go Officer in the next few months I think, or finish my Masters in Public Health and get a direct commission in a about 1 1/2 years.
What to do, what to do?
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - creationstory - 11-26-2009
clep101 Wrote:What do you guys think?
I've been in the Army 13 years and will finish my BS this March. I am also getting promoted to E-8 Master Sergeant in the next couple of months.
I have been debating whether or not to apply for Officer Candidate School and get my butter bar. I can apply now and go Officer in the next few months I think, or finish my Masters in Public Health and get a direct commission in a about 1 1/2 years.
What to do, what to do?
Direct Commision... less work...
if you don't make it thru OCS i don't think you can go thru again. what would u get your direct commision thru? for which branch of the army??
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - notaseal - 11-26-2009
Man.. I am not sure normally I say go for it but your an E-8. Your gonna get more pay more then likely. But your going to lose a bit of respect. In 7 years as an officer you will be lucky to be an O-4. I personally would say stay enlisted
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - creationstory - 11-26-2009
notaseal Wrote:Man.. I am not sure normally I say go for it but your an E-8. Your gonna get more pay more then likely. But your going to lose a bit of respect. In 7 years as an officer you will be lucky to be an O-4. I personally would say stay enlisted
how would u lose respect?
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - notaseal - 11-26-2009
creationstory Wrote:how would u lose respect?a butter will not get near as much respect as an E-8 would. Atleast not from me, as well as others I know.
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - jaer57 - 11-26-2009
clep101 Wrote:What do you guys think?
I've been in the Army 13 years and will finish my BS this March. I am also getting promoted to E-8 Master Sergeant in the next couple of months.
I have been debating whether or not to apply for Officer Candidate School and get my butter bar. I can apply now and go Officer in the next few months I think, or finish my Masters in Public Health and get a direct commission in a about 1 1/2 years.
What to do, what to do?
Every thought about going Warrant? Still a pay raise, and maybe you'd get to stay in your specialty. I know you don't need a degree for Warrant Officer, but it helps in getting selected. Of course, at E-8, staying enlisted isn't such a bad deal, either. Good luck in whatever you choose!
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - 94steve - 11-26-2009
creationstory Wrote:how would u lose respect?
Because butter bars suck!!!
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - Basket Weaver - 11-26-2009
Well you asked for it so here's my two cents worth...
I personally would recommend going officer now, get paid as an officer to get your masters. I was career enlisted and was constantly amazed at how much less work the O's did but made so much more money. Unfortunately I realized this after the age cutoff (sat on my comfortable butt and didn't finish my degree in time) so I was SOL; hopefully someone will learn from my mistake.
Yes, you would be a butter bar...for a short while. But being prior enlisted, you'll have age/experience on your side so you'll bring a lot more to the table and will be treated differently than a wet behind the ears 21 year old twit who thinks they know it all because they have a phys ed degree...seen it too many times and I bet most of the enlisted, including yourself, have too.
Besides what you bring to the table, think about the difference you can make in how your troops will be treated. Having been on the short end of the stick, you could make a real difference and be a leader the troops would respect more because of your background. Some of the best O's I've had the pleasure of working with were prior enlisted...they got it and served their troops well.
Here's the flip side...enlisted guys who cross over are either the way previously described, or they fall into the love of power being an officer and look down on those who didn't cross over...seen that many times too...basically it comes down to you and what your made up of.
Check out the pay charts and see for yourself...a Capt with your years makes much more than an E-9...and that's just base pay; O's get paid more for about everything else (BAQ BAS COLA etc) too which will certainly add up over the rest of your career...not to mention your retirement pay.
2009 Military Pay Chart
As for OCS, its a joke, and you'll sail through...they often have the prior enlisted lead and help the newbies through the course; you already know what they're going to teach you. Depending on your career choice, it is possible to advance higher than mentioned here...again, it depends on you, the choices you make, and how well you are perceived. My last Group Commander was prior enlisted and was a full bird Colonel so don't let anyone tell you you can't advance...its all what you do with your career. Judging by your drive, I think you'll do just fine...just don't forget where you came from and treat your troops the way you wish your officers would have taken care of you.
Good luck with your decision, whatever you choose.
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - CLEP101 - 11-27-2009
Thanks guys for all the feedback, and yes "butter bars do suck" 94steve. Its not their fault, they can't help it. hilarious
Quick story : we (E7s and above) had to dress up in our Blues and As yesterday for Thanksgiving and serve the rest of the troops their meals. While I was conducting the uniform inspection on everyone including the officers, in walks my favorite butter bar 5 minutes late. I put him in line and quickly noticed that his four ribbons were crooked and out of order. I told the E7 the Lt worked with to take him away and fix him. The full bird Colonel had a good laugh and just said, "I remember those days".
Well, as I was reading the OCS application, I discovered that I qualify in everything except in one area. I have to be able to run, and not have a permanent profile. As I have a busted lower back and a permanent profile, I cannot do that. So now, I think I will go Direct Commission route. I have to bust my butt to finish my Masters in Public Health so I can go into the Preventive Medicine field. I talked to the Officers in the field and said that a Masters in Public Health will get me picked up. I'll be doing Occupational Health and Safety type work. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks again for the feed back.
Stay Enlisted or go Officer? - peace123 - 11-27-2009
Clep101,
If you do not mind answering these questions.
Did you break your back prior to enlisting or was it after enlisting.
What is a permanent record ?
My youngest son age 15 wants to be in the military, but I have always believed due to the rods in his back he would not be eligible.
Peace123