Stay Enlisted or go Officer?

[Basket Weaver]

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.