If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Is it worth it to work towards becoming an officer in the military? Sometimes I go into work wondering if pushing papers and conduction briefs all day is actually worth it....or should I remain enlisted and get the practical training I need to be good at this same job on the outside?
I like my job....but with any job you've got idiots that are either on your level of the totem pole or higher. I had hoped that I would study the classes I like vs. just studying something to get a degree and put an officer package together. Don't get me wrong the money does look really nice....but there are plenty of times that I think money isn't everything. Hell I don't struggle and I'm only an E-3 in the USAF.
depends on your personality...but i say go for it...sounds like you're not too far into your carrier, so look into the academy. if you can get you're BS in a reasonable amount of time, OCS is the way to go. get your degree while enlisted and you'll earn more respect from the men and women you work with
and oh yea, remember:
Everyone rises to their level of incompetence.
Laurence J. Peter, "The Peter Principle"
US educator & writer (1919 - 1988)
Being officer doesn't give you that much more money. I think a 0-1 who just came in earns about as much as an E-5 with 4yrs
If you do go for it, never forget that you were once an enlisted. Do that and you'll have the respect of team.
True, but you can hop up to O-3 in 3 yrs (at least you can in Navy aviation). Those promos feel like they come quickly. Of course, then you sit as Lt for forever lol
Is it worth it to work towards becoming an officer in the military? Sometimes I go into work wondering if pushing papers and conduction briefs all day is actually worth it....or should I remain enlisted and get the practical training I need to be good at this same job on the outside?
I like my job....but with any job you've got idiots that are either on your level of the totem pole or higher. I had hoped that I would study the classes I like vs. just studying something to get a degree and put an officer package together. Don't get me wrong the money does look really nice....but there are plenty of times that I think money isn't everything. Hell I don't struggle and I'm only an E-3 in the USAF.
All I know is your living it up on Kadena!!!..Your chow hall Rocks!!!....Remember when I was on the rock up at Schwab....That was a long time ago!!!
__________________
Ya might not like it...But your gonna learn to love it!!
If you become commissioned in the near future your base pay will increase $900-1000 an month and thats not including BAH. I think thats a big differance.
If you become commissioned in the near future your base pay will increase $900-1000 an month and thats not including BAH. I think thats a big differance.
The near future for me would be about 3-4 years from now. Even then I don't know if $1000/month extra would be worth it if I don't make a career out of the military.
I have been thinking about this myself. The ED office here has been trying to get me to apply for one of there enlisted ROTC programs before I get to old. I am currently an E-6 with 10 years in, and plan on staying in until I retire. looking at this money wise, a retired Captain will make more than a retired E-9 could ever hope to. I believe captain is automatic after time in service. so to me, if your looking at the long term it is a good idea.
Posts: 7,493
Casino Cash: $100
Sportbike: two: one green, the other blue
enlisted to officer a good idea? i believe it is up to the person. i can speak only for the navy, not sure if the other services are similar.
the navy puts so much weight on an officer's opinion and does not treat their enlisted personnel to the standard that they should. granted, a lot of enlisted navy are nimrods and really do not have their head on straight and the quality Sailors pay for that, but that doesn't make it right that Sailors who do the right thing should pay for an idiot's actions.
as a senior E5 put it to me, might as well go the commissioned route, the navy is gonna get their money's worth out of me, so i might as well get paid for it and take the active duty perks that go along with it (i.e. recognition, awards, pay, and the respect the navy gives to its officers). will i choose to go the officer route? i'm still debating.
__________________
"Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!" - Stephen Decatur (1779-1820)
PLEASE NOTE: The following applies to most all Armed Service branches EXCEPT Aviators. Aviators are the exception....
You might meet some stupid ass lower enlisted. And you'll run across some mean, stupid ass higher ranked enlisted (finally able to give shit instead of get it)....but you are Guaran-F'N-teed to run into Dipshit LOWER, MIDDLE and UPPER Officers.
Now the smart ones? They listen to platoon SGT's and 1SG's and Sgt Maj's..the gray haired f'rs that have BTDT and got the scars to prove it.
The others? They do no wrong....and they tend to be like teflon...nothing sticks to 'em.
Chris
Why is aviation different? Well...I would tell you...but after being hauled out of the bush by a wacko Blackhawk driver, and after watching some flyboys lay the hand of GOD down around us with a Spooky...well I won't talk shit about 'em....for now.
My husband was a major in the army when he died and we made good money and lived comfortably. He did more than just paperwork and meetings too. It might be a good idea to speak to someone who was or is an officer to get a perspective from their point of view. I can tell that as a military spouse there were definitely benefits to being an officer in terms of choice of on post housing and what not. Ultimately the decision is up to you. Personally I wouldn't have traded a moment of the time I was an officer's wife.
__________________ Diana AKA ANKLEESTA Sitting on the Couch Facing Officer737
Proud member of the Pussy Posse 2005
Just call me Head Nurse...
I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America.
- - - Sarah Bernhardt
My Old Avatar Was Courtesy of Shawn "Krazy Hawaiian" McCallister. RIP My Friend, I'll be thinking of you...
Why is aviation different? Well...I would tell you...but after being hauled out of the bush by a wacko Blackhawk driver, and after watching some flyboys lay the hand of GOD down around us with a Spooky...well I won't talk shit about 'em....for now.
Wacko huh? I did 10yrs enlisted Navy and now fly for the Army. My only motivation was to fly, I didnt care how much I made or what kind of respect I got. I'm well over the hump now, so I have to think about continuing on to retirement, which as an officer is going to be a slightly nicer paycheck as I start a second career.
__________________
Akra full, race parts Eboz replica
Lots'o'mods and carbon fiber
2008 DUCATI 1098- What Uncle Sam bought me! Full Termi's
98 Corvette C5 M6-When it rains.
Being as I'm an officer I think I'll chim in. I have many friends who were prior E and in my career field this is very common. This is cool because my bros have a very broad spectrum of the military. Alot of people here have many different views on this issue and my limited scope just pertains to the AF coupled with the fact that I'm a new 1st Lt. (still kinda new to the military). However, the stigma about how some officers are jerks and others are outstanding isn't just an O thing...IMO it's military regardless of rank... we have all seen the good, bad, and in between. To the OP if you wanna stay in and get the perks of an officer also know the ass pain and politics that comes with the rank. But opportunity presents itself with the hard work, meh.
As far as the AF goes, my head is always on a chopping block due to the threat of Force Shaping. I believe it is a "one mistake" AF and seeing how many great Lts.(and now captains and majors) have been told to take a hike because they had the wrong AFSC badge on their chest sucks. Also, know that getting a masters degree before your majors' board is almost a must now(or so I'm told). So know that if you do cross over I hope you like school because PME and a masters degree are extra "requirements" that you'll need to move up in rank. With that said I'm going to hit the hay...gotta fly tommorrow!
Air Power!!!
__________________
USAF Active Duty
Last edited by sigmanugary : 08-15-2007 at 07:58 PM.
Wacko huh? I did 10yrs enlisted Navy and now fly for the Army. My only motivation was to fly, I didnt care how much I made or what kind of respect I got. I'm well over the hump now, so I have to think about continuing on to retirement, which as an officer is going to be a slightly nicer paycheck as I start a second career.
Where I came from, WACKO is a GOOD thing...that CWO saved our f'n azzes that night...I tell you that much. He wasn't much of a tekillya drinker, but he was a hell of a brick driver.
Chris
ME after spending 3 months in the mud, skeeters, and drinking pool water so I wouldn't shit myself to death, after arriving at an AF base in Germany....
" Jesus....why don't they put HER on a f'n AF recruiting poster? I'd have enlisted a looong time ago..."
enlisted to officer: is it worth it?
