Army Officers?

Question

I've been thinking a lot about the military lately, and most people
say I should try to go in as an officer through ROTC or one of those programs. Yet, I get the impression that officers are more like managers, where as the enlisted men are the ones who are actually the ones doing things. I know this is different for certain jobs, like Civil Affairs, but at the same time, that is one small job, and I've heard from people in ROTC that it can be really difficult to get the specific job you want.
So, for those who have been there and done that, if I'm looking to actually get in there and make a difference (most likely something MI related), then am I better off as an officer or an enlisted man?
I get the impression that MI officers sit behind a desk most of the day, and that would be if I even got MI as my branch after ROTC.
Also, I've been thinking about doing Human Intelligence Collection as an enlisted man.
Within that, would the army teach me Arabic?
Thank you.

Answer 1

I've been enlisted, trying to go back in as an officer. If you go officer, you submit a wish list with 10 mos's (jobs) on it. The way it works for ocs is the top of their class gets their first picks... rolls down from there. ROTC is similar. MI/Aviation are the two hardest to get into. If you are siting behind a desk all the time as an officer chances are so are the enlisted under you. Yes, officers are more like managers, but depending on the mos they are right in the thick of things with you. More money as an officer. Better enlistement bonuses for enlisted. No idea about the language.. My opininon, go to rotc, get your degree, go in as an officer. if it's not your cup of tea, you have the degree to fall back on. - good luck /salute

Answer 2

No military officers don't sit behind a desk all day, Esp those in combat units.

Officers make the plans and follow them out, Remember there is supervision in inlisted also, and the "JOB" you do determines what you do.

OK, once you go high enough up, in enlisted or officer you are going to be at a desk level,

But many jobs only sit at desks all day, or work in the kitchen,or work in the warehouse, or work in a office.

You want to be an officer, if you want combat, the Lt's and Capt are there in the battle areas just fine.

Answer 3

You wouldn't be put in MI right out of ROTC. They don't need lieutenants. As for HUMINT, they're changing it rapidly. The army would make you wait three years, and then decide if they want you to learn a laguage. If that is your desired path, the surest way to do it would be to enlist for a couple of years, and then reenlist for arabic. Also, humint promotes fast now, but they're about to flood the MOS, and points wil skyrocket (this is my personal opinion).

Answer 4

i myself am going to be a Marine officer extremely quickly. i think of there is extra delight in being a Marine myself in spite of the reality that the army is amazingly credible. the army Rangers are very elite yet, in my view Marine First Recon is on good. actually, it comes down on your very own opinion, do you choose for to be thought-approximately, wrongly, as no longer the neatest individual or do you choose for to be seen rebellious. And just to assert... the final sentence isn't precisely my opinion, only some stereotypical comments. additionally, each branch has the comparable pay grades (different than coast take care of) so because it extremely is not an element of your determination. the roles rely on what you're doing; Infantry, Sapper (wrestle engineer), Gunner and so on. in general the roles are the comparable yet maximum individuals could inform you that presently the army is oftentimes doing extra missions yet, the Marines are in only the comparable circumstances. i'm hoping this facilitates...

Answer 5

Well, of course in intelligence youre going to have an office job mostly, whether you go enlisted or comiissioned. But as far as a combat arm, whether it be armor, infantry, field artillery or whatever, youre going to be leading troops in combat as an officer, or following officers in combat as enlisted. 2nd and 1st lieutenants are usually platoon leaders or company level XO's, and definately are in the thick of combat. Captains and Majors command or XO for companies and battalions, and are responsible for leading more troops in combat. Only when you reach the LT COL and above do you start seeing less of the front lines and start living in rear area command posts. The same can be said for enlisted personnel as well, you will definately see much combat at first, but when you get to senior enlisted (sgt majors) youll be assiting the COL's in their rear area command posts.

Answer 6

My son graduated from the United States Military Academy at Westpoint in May 2005. He was in the top 10% of his class and the different "specialties" the Army will place you depends upon its needs and your ranking. He is now being trained in MI and has just been deployed to Baghdad. In regard to learning foreign language(s) USMA highly recommends it and finds it desireable that its officers be well versed and highly educated. Cadets receive an amazing education at USMA but it takes a special inidividual to persevere and graduate from Westpoint.

Answer 7

Officers strategize and create orders based on the situation, and the enlisted personel follow the orders. You shouls strive to be an officer, who is a leader. Also the Army would pay for you to learn Arabic if you use it for them.