Once again: OCS or enlist?

Question

I already have a Bachelors degree. I want to do either Army Special Forces or Intelligence, (MOS 18A or 35). Enlisted recruiter says I should enlist because I will be allowed to pick my job; he says if I go OCS I will be placed where the army needs me and push papers. I do not want to push papers! Moreover I would not like to be in the position of "princess" to my subordinates, and am not entirely confident about my "leadership" capabilities off the bat (haven't been asked to lead anyone ever). I would like to be promoted to Lieutenant eventually, presumably. But I do not want a cushy job, and I don't care about money very much. Still, I am having trouble answering this question. People seem to have strong opinions both ways.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I will have to put on my NCOIC face for a moment.

You sorry civilian puke, you question yourself? Everyone questions themselves. I don't need your over educated butt in my squad. You will take the test, you will pass and you will enjoy every minute of it. We already know you know nothing. We will teach you!

Once back on the street, even 20 or 30 years from now you will get the higher paying job, you will be looked upon by corporate recruiters with a knowing gleam in their eyes that they have a tested and well trained person that knows how to deal with stress. The military ain't nothing compared to the crap you will take in the private sector.

Good luck!

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 2

Why not enlist to get you some leadership experience and to test the waters of being military, then go OCS. Not all officers are just paper pushers. As a platoon leader and company commander in a line unit, you're out there with your troops. I'm not sure as an SF officer, but if you come in enlisted you can always talk to an SF recruiter when you're already in, or when you're OCS. Either way, good luck

*Edit: As an enlisted SM, I can say that we have more respect and relate more to the prior enlisted officers, than those straight out of OCS or West Point telling us what to do when our boots have more time in service than they do!!! I say do enlisted first. You'll learn what its like to be the underpaid / overworked bunch that the army calls NCO's and you'll get the experience of seeing officers from the enlisted side, so you can see what NOT to be like. Most officers I know couldn't figure out how to mount a .50 cal on a humvee if their life depended on it. You don't want to be one of those. I would assume it's a little embarrasing when you have to ask a private how to do something basic, like how to turn on the BFT or change the freq on a radio. Learn the soldiers skills first, then lead as an officer. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Have you thought about going to get your Masters degree and enrolling in ROTC? You can do that.

One of my students is in law school and ROTC and he will be commissoned in the Air Force when he graduates.

If I were you, I would go to the University from which I got my Bachelor's degree and talk to them about grad school and ROTC. There may even be a scholarship possibility.

I do not think enlistment for you is the best option. If you enlist and get into OCS (which is not guaranteed), you will not likely "push papers". But your choices may be more limited.

Your recruiter is right about one thing, that enlistment is the only way to get the field you want, guaranteed. However, life as an enlisted person is very different from life as an officer.

In ROTC you pick the branch you want and most people get one of their first few choices. Go talk to the ROTC folks. You may find an option there to explore and make all your dreams come true.

ROTC will teach you leadership and give you experience leading before it really counts. It is a great way to get one's commission.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think the retired Master Sergeant said it the best. However, I would like to add that most enlisted personnel prefers a officer that has experience as an enlistee before turning into an officer. Yes, your husband is qualified to become an officer but, coming in as an officer right of the bat from the civilian world would not give him the proper leadership qualities that are needed to lead experienced and in most cases, combat experienced soldiers into harms way. This can take a heavy toll on your husband and not to mention, the chain reaction that would occur in your family. My advice for you is to take a good look before your husband enlists and maybe the reserves or the national guard is a good choice for him as he would only drill twice a month and two weeks in the summer. It would give him the opportunity to get a taste of the Army and if he likes it, he can always go active duty either as an enlistee or an officer.

Answer 5

Well as an enlisted, you can enlist under the 18x special forces option.

Except that 98% of the 18x enlistees, never even make it to the start of the Special Forces Q course.

So then you would end up as an 11b infantrymen.

Going to OCS, you would be commissioned a 2nd Lt.

And you could end up in any branch of the Army..

But you could not go into special forces as a 2nd Lt. anyway.

You have to be a promotable 1st Lt. or a Captain who has completed your branch basic and advanced course.

So as an officer, it would be 3 to 5 years before you could apply for special forces anyway.

Answer 6

OCS, they teach leadership there. You can still train as infantry and volunteer for SF duty. You can also go into Intelligence . The army will put you where they want you even if enlisted. And the enlisted personnel know Lieutenants are "princess" anyway.

Answer 7

I would recommend going to OCS, for many reasons. One, officer's pay and privileges are better, not to mention you don't have to put up with the repetitive, nonsensical crap the enlisted guys have to deal with on a daily basis. Granted, officers do deal with a lot of stress and responsibility; but you're treated far more civilly, and you get to do your actual job a lot more often, if you're an officer. You'll still have to put up with the usual mindless crap the Army makes everyone do; you just won't have to have it shoved down your throat as much or as often as an enlisted private or specialist. Bear in mind that the recruiter might be feeding you a line about OCS because he'd rather recruit you as an enlisted soldier, because that would help him meet his quota. You will need to be cautious, however, to avoid the holier-than-thou attitude so very many officers have. Many don't start with them; but eventually adopt them as time goes on and as more rank and responsibility are given to them. Sufficed to say, most enlisted soldiers can't stand some of the arrogant prats they have to work for, even if they have no choice in the matter. Should you become an officer, bother to listen to the enlisted guys from time to time, and train WITH them.

Being an officer also means you get arguably better experience doing your job, and there's no denying the value of the leadership skills and experience you gain... all of which are highly desirable for employers once you get out. True, you can get a good job in the civilian world if you get out as a specialist or sergeant--I did--but "Captain" looks much better on a resume than "Sergeant".

EDIT: Stukov's correct, although I should point out that while most E-9's (sergeants major) have degrees, it takes a LONG time to get to that rank. Enlisted promotions are also not guaranteed; officer promotions are generally automatic, provided you've been in the previous rank long enough and have a good OER. Enlisted personnel, from E-5 sergeant and above, have to jump through a lot more hoops--acquiring points, which go up and down based on the Army's need for more NCO's in that job field, plus a lot of other things. In any case, a lieutenant will still always outrank a sergeant major, even if it's unwise to contradict one.

Also--intel is great field. It's fulfilling, fun work, and most intel officers in my unit (which was an intel unit) got to do their jobs FAR more often than I did, much to my chagrin...

Answer 8

Think of a sport or activity, if you will, that you like such as paint ball, soccer basketball, etc. then ask yourself, do you want to be the one the commands and creates the game plan OR do you want to be the one that receives the order and executes it while leading a group of 5-10 people, actually being with them.

Don't let anyone tell you that if you have a degree you SHOULD be an officer, look at the E-9s, most of them have Master's Degrees.

Everyone is professional in the Military, they all do their jobs correctly; with a few **** ups. But they get Less then Honourable discharges anyways.

Answer 9

Go to OCS, and if you request it you will more than likely be branched in Infantry. There's nothing "cushy" or "princess" about it, even if you ended up in another combat MOS. Push to get your ranger tab and airborne training, then apply for SFAS. Your job will be far more rewarding as an officer than playing enlisted and pushing a push broom through the motor pool or stripping and waxing barracks floors.

Answer 10

I would say enlist for your first four years, then go for OCS. Personally, I think this will make you a better officer - if you know where the enlisted people are coming from, you'll be able to guide them better. Also, enlisted people tend to have more respect for an officer who was once enlisted.