I recently joined the navy as an enlisted ( I am coming in as an E-3). When I go to basic I will have 2 classes left to finish my bachelor's degree in business Administration with a concentration in accounting and financing, and since the school is 100% online and all my homework is due on Saturdays, I will finish the degree during A school.
Right now I am in the US as a permanent resident. So even if I waited to join when I complete my bachelor's degree I still would not be qualified for officer position, since one must be a US citizen to do so.
Does it make sense to come in as an enlisted with a Bachelor's degree to try for an officer position? By the time i actually receive my citizenship, I will have started on my master's degree.
I figured it would probably be easier to receive a slot for OCS from inside with a Bachelor's and maybe a master's degree, than it would if I came straight from outside and tried it. I am wrong?
2007-10-11 04:43:08 · 6 answers · asked by hello 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No. There are many Enlisted to Officer programs available.
Not only will you be earning time in the Navy while completing you school, they will pay a large portion of it as well.
Just look at all your options.
Good luck and thanks.
20 year Navy retired.
2007-10-11 04:58:03 · answer #1 · answered by Jon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct in regard to your instincts.
So you don't qualify now. By the time you recieve citizenship you will be working on a masters. What then? You ditch out of the masters program or you wait until you are done with it? Either way the process of getting a commission will take some time.
Just go in. The fact that you are in will help you get a slot later. Finish your degree while in and if you can take some classes toward your masters.
On the other note that others alluded to. I only had two years college and enlisted. Later I finished my degree and became an officer. I know for sure that the fact that I was enlisted first has contributed to my success. I have moved up faster over the years because of it. Faster than guys who just did college and became officers. It is because I understand and can speak to those who are lower and those who are higher.
2007-10-11 12:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is an excellent idea. As you may know, an enlisted person who advances to an officer is called a Mustang. Mustangs are respected by enlisted people more than other officers who have never experienced life as an enlisted. Enlisted experience could be very valuable in helping you with leadership skills and you will have the luxury of actually having trade (rating) knowledge.
I do not know what A school you are going to, but I doubt you will have time to finish your online classes. You will have a full plate in A school. Not only school but standing watches etc.
I would suggest you give full concentration to your A school and try to do the best you can. There are advantages to being the top in your A school class! When you get to your first ship or permenant duty station, go see the ESO (educational service officer) and explain your situation. You will have more opportunities to finish you education once you get settled in to your permenant assignment.
2007-10-11 12:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by Tincan Navy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One: no guarantees that you ill have TIME during A school to finish up school. In fact, you must get permission to do so, and 98% chance you will not be given it. You will be standing watches as well as doing outside classroom studying.
Do NOT expect to finish up the degree while in A school.
Secondly, OPTEMPO determines how much time you will have to finish any kind of degree while on Active Duty. If you are deployed for six months on a ship, your internet access will be sporadic if not downright non existent. If you are on a sub, forget it. If you are on Shore duty, you will have slightly easier time carving out enough free space to take college courses, so long as you are okay with having no social life.
One advantage to enlisting first is that the normal waiting period and fees to apply for citizenship is waived.. after serving only one Year AD, you can become a ctiizen.
2007-10-11 13:29:34 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is actually a good idea- you get the experience of being enlisted first, then learn to lead later. This will give you more of an idea on what those you are to lead will be doing and how its done, rather that trying to figure it out from a piece of paper... You can get commissioned through the enlisted to officer programs, rewarding your schooling while giving you the basics to lead.
The Navy does things a little different than the Army, but its still a good program, but to be a good officer, remember where you came from and those that helped you get where you are...
2007-10-11 12:09:04 · answer #5 · answered by worxsigns 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To the contrary, it's a great idea. I did it and I have no regrets. I joined the Marine Corps in 1989 and when I got promoted to Corporal in 1992, I went into the MECEP Program and earned a degree and my commission.
2007-10-11 12:02:28 · answer #6 · answered by dr_law2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋