What kind of commissioning makes a better officer and why?

Question

Mostly I'm refering to the Air Force but this question is applicable to a branches. I've heard from various people that the best officers come out of ROTC. I've heard that the service looks upon military academy grads as great followers, but not great leaders because they were told exactly what to do for four years and really didn't experience the type of college life that makes you think and grow as an individual, so in other words, they can't really think as well. And lastly I've heard that OTS produces questionable officers because their training is so short. Just wondered what you thought and what might be the best path for me to pursue for my own interests. Thanks!

I meant to say service academy grads as opposed to "military" academy grads.

Answer 1

My experience has been that all three sources turn out good officers - it depends on you.

With that said, the depth of training available at the Academy is superior. ROTC programs vary considerably. I have met good ROTC officers, and some who barely had any knowledge about military subjects after graduation. This was particularly noticeable at the Air & Space Basic Course, a training course the Air Force initiated for all newly comissioned second lieutenants in 1999, where some ROTC graduates couldn't answer the most basic questions about their profession. The Academy folks seemed bored - they knew all the material already, and couldn't wait to get out of there and on to their specialty training. OTS varies a bit - some classes are better than others, but the training covers everything you should learn at ROTC, just in a condensed period of time. It does make it challenging - the exams are not easy, and there is an attrition rate just from the academics.

From an institutional perspective, graduating from the Academy is still considered superior, but you rarely see junior officers engaged in any kind of "ring knocking." You live and die by your reputation as an officer, and that kind of nonsense will alienate your peers in a hurry.

Answer 2

Personally, I believe that the best officers are those who have come up from the enlisted ranks. There are many ways to do this, such as warrant officer programs, limited duty officer, or several line commissioning programs. I feel that offocers who are former enlisted men have a broader view of their objectives, having experienced the job at the bottom end as well. I also believe that, for the most part, ex-enlisted officers have a tendency to treat their enlisted juniors with a greater deal of respect, and take care of them better than do ROTC of academy grads. Keep in mind, my opinion may be biased due to the career I've spent as an enlisted person.

Answer 3

I was in an aviation unit, I served with lot of officers. My squadron had about 25 aviatiors, plus a handfull of other officers. In all of the commisioned officers that I met, the ones that commanded the greatest respect from me were the Mustangs. These were the officers that had been commisioned from the enlisted ranks.

You didn't get a whole lot of crap from Mustangs, they knew where you were coming from, and when they adressed you, they didn't act like they were better than you, merely higher ranking.

This is not to say that straight commisioned officers were bad, but most of them dealt with you like you were from different worlds, and they seemed to be a little aloof from everyone else.

On the note of OCS being short, in the Marine Corps, OCS is the same length, if not longer, than enlisted boot camp, and the officers are trained by the same drill instructors as the enlisted at Parris Island and San Diego, although ALL OCS drill instructors will be Gunnery Sergeants. Once they complete OCS, they will attend the Basic School, which is four months of field, combat and leadership training that is attended by not only commisioned officers, but Warrant Officers as well.

I can't speak for the other branches, but our officers were actually pushed harder than the enlisted were, although they didn't get credit for it. We were required to pass the PFT, they had to pass it with a certain margin. We qualified on the rifle range, they had to qualify pistol and rifle, and if they didn't achieve a high Sharpshooter, then it was reflected. Also, the officers had a great number of social obligations that they were required to fulfill that, as enlisted, we didn't even know about.

Answer 4

I've heard that about the Army myself. I think the difference is that ROTC is preparing their cadets to be junior officers and the academies are preparing their cadets to be generals. So the ROTC guys are more likely to be good straight out of school, but the ones that do eventually become generals most likely went to an academy.

Answer 5

Well heres the scoop. You should go to college and get a couple of years under your belt without the military. Don't go to an academy. Just hit up a regular old state school and enjoy yourself. Live a little, get laid, play sports, all of the things the military academies frown upon while you are in them. When you hit your Junior year or so, decide what kind of career you would like and start to per sue it. You can't be commissioned without a bachelors minimum so it really starts fresh once you get your commission and that is why I recommend a regular school to enjoy yourself first.

Answer 6

When i graduate High School im going staright into ROTC to be in the Military Police


Iv looked at it and asked around and people have told me thats the best way to get training as an Army Officer

Answer 7

The best officers start out as enlisted soldiers.