Question about the army?

Question

I was looking on the their website goarmy.com under carrers, and when you click one of the carears, it says its either A.) enlisted or B.) officer. whats the difference? thanks

Answer 1

Officers hold commissions and usually have university degrees.

Answer 2

If you just go down to the recruiters and sign up, that's "enlisted". If you choose to get a college degree first, and then enter the military, either through an ROTC program, military academy, or sign up to enter as an officer for a particular job they need officers for (doctor, lawyer, etc.) you will be an officer.
You can also obtain a commission after you enlist if the Army determines you are "officer material", and if you have a college degree. A recruiter can explain this to you.
The difference as far as jobs are concerned should be obvious--officers are the leaders, they make more money, have better benefits, and are in supervisory roles.
My son is completing the ROTC program at a local university and will enter the Army next summer as a second lieutenant. He had enlisted in the National Guard during high school and has already served as an enlisted guardsman for about 4 years now. He said it is very different.

Answer 3

Enlisted soldiers in the Army rank from Private through Sergeant Major, and no college degree is required for a person to become an enlisted soldier.

Army officers range in rank from 2nd Lieutenant through General, and a college degree is required, as well as graduation from Officers Candidate School.

Enlisted soldiers have a lower rank than officers, and lower pay (though I know many higher-ranking enlisted soldiers with many years of service who make more than new Lieutenants and Captains - the pay is graded on rank + years of service).

I don't think enlisted or officer is better, per say...it is all in what type of job a soldier wishes to do in the Army. Officers enjoy better housing, but I know plenty of enlisted soldiers who are happy being enlisted, they say they don't want the added responsibility.

If you want an Army job right now and you do not have a college degree - you must choose Enlisted. If you do have a college degree - you may choose either Enlisted or Officer.
Hope that helps.

Answer 4

An enlisted soldier begins as a private and can work his way up to a sergeant major of the army. An officer is a second-lieutenant or higher. An officer gets better pay, usually has a command position, and usually gets more respect.

A way to "skip" the enlisted ranks is to go to a college with an ROTC program.

Answer 5

First of all, I hold a college degree and I am enlisted. So the first guy is wrong. Second, an Officer is a leader. There is a lot more expected of someone who is in his/her position. TO become an Officer, you must go through a review board and have (in most cases) a minimum of a Bachelors Degree. To enlist (or become enlisted) in the Military, you must simply score high enough on the ASVAB to be accepted, and have a minimum of a GED.

Answer 6

Enlisted is usually someone that enlists without any form of higher education, although having a higher education doesn't mean that you will automatically become an officer. Even with a degree, you will need to attend officer candidate school. Also if you attend West Point, you will be commisioned an officer upon graduation. Officers make more money, but they also have more responsibility.

Answer 7

An enlisted Soldier joins the Army under a service contract, usually from 2 to 4 years, to serve in a particular specialty after completing training basic and advanced specialty training. Those Soldiers whose duty performance and leadership qualities are exceptional and whose aptitude for additional responsibility is high may be promoted into the noncommissioned officer (NCO) ranks (for example, corporals or sergeants) during their service. Soldiers promoted to the NCO ranks are usually (but not always) promoted during their second or subsequent term of service (known as reenlistment). NCOs are known as "the backbone of the Army" and are responsible for the training, development, and leadership of Soldiers. Enlisted ranks run from Private through Sergeant Major. The most senior NCO in the Army is the Sergeant Major of the Army

Commissioned officers receive a commission from the President and are confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Army's senior leaders. Most Army officers are commissioned through college Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, and others are commissioned by graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point or by attending Officer Candidate School (OCS). Some individuals with particular specialties (for example, lawyers, chaplains, and certain medical professionals) may receive a commission upon enlisting in the Army and do not have to go through ROTC, West Point, or OCS. Officers also have specialties, called branches, though at more senior ranks they may serve in other specialites called functional areas. Most (but not all) commissioned officers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and more senior officers usually have at least a master's degree. Army commissioned officer ranks run from Second Lieutentant through General. The most senior ranking Army officer is the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Another category is the warrant officer corps. Warrant officers are technical subject matter experts in a variety of fields. They almost always come from the enlisted ranks, as Soldiers with exceptional technical and leadership ability may be selected as warrant officers (which is a very tough selection and training process).

Enlisted Soldiers may be selected to become commissioned officers through ROTC, West Point or OCS, with OCS being the most common means to become a commissioned officer.

Answer 8

Enlisted is just joining.

Officer is through West Point, an ROTC program, or enlisted soldiers can go to schooling to become officers.

Answer 9

Officer usually come out of the ROTC program, which you go to college for 4 years, after graduation you have your degree and you become an officer of the U.S. Army. Its a great program, but are you willing to risk your life, or be handicapped for life. The enlisted careers, are guys fresh from H.S. they are likely to be put on the frontlines.

Answer 10

enlisted is just a soldier but an officer usually requires that you attend the military academy.