Officer vs. Enlisted

[Pinto]

I've been dead set on going to MECEP for a year now to become part of the officer ranks which whom I respect greatly because of my past experiences. Recently however, my perception of officers has vastly deteriorated due to acts which all of the junior ranks in our office have witnessed. To the Mustang members of Air Warriors I ask this:

In what ways are the officer and enlisted ranks similar and different?

I know there are some perks for being a higher rank but do officers have to put up with the vast quantity and caliber of b.s. as the enlisted? I would greatly appreciate all comments as I will consider them all in my decision for a career path. Thank you all in advance.

 

[Schnugg]

What acts do you speak of?

Enlisted ranks typically see punishment meted out at mast right away.

Bonehead O's will see it in their FITREP and or next set of orders...

Which in the future can lead to
a. not making rank
b. crappy orders
c. not screening for command
d. not screenning for DH
e. being RIF'd out of the Navy

 

[Pinto]

Specifically, are pissing contests as common in the officer ranks as they are in the SNCO ranks or are things more civilized? Once rising from the lieutenant ranks, is the officer expected to take on company grade responsibilities or is that something that depends on the number of open billets? SNCO's are supposed to be on the look out for troop welfare. What exactly is the officers responsibilities toward his/her troops?



On a side note, I have not been able to specifically locate how retirement works for Mustangs. Does their enlisted time count toward their officer retirement?

 

[snake020]

Specifically, are pissing contests as common in the officer ranks as they are in the SNCO ranks or are things more civilized? Once rising from the lieutenant ranks, is the officer expected to take on company grade responsibilities or is that something that depends on the number of open billets? SNCO's are supposed to be on the look out for troop welfare. What exactly is the officers responsibilities toward his/her troops?



On a side note, I have not been able to specifically locate how retirement works for Mustangs. Does their enlisted time count toward their officer retirement?

-Pissing contests are common everywhere, military and civilian world. Politics is everywhere, get used to it.
-Enlisted time counts towards retirement, but you have to do at least 8 years as an officer mandated by Congress (not sure what Navy requires, USAF requires 10 years as an officer to retire as an officer)

 

[Brett327]

On a side note, I have not been able to specifically locate how retirement works for Mustangs. Does their enlisted time count toward their officer retirement?

Concur with what SSnake said. To amplify, all your time counts towards retirement, but your statutory high year tenure clock gets reset when you commission. For example, the statutory limit for an O-4 is 20 years. If you don't make it past O-4 in that time, then you have to retire. However, none of your enlisted time counts towards that, so someone who had 8 years enlisted would have 20 years from commissioning. Bottom line, if for whatever reason you didn't make it past O-4, you would have 20 years total time at mandatory retirement. In the case of O-5, it's 30 years, etc. Sounds complicated, but it just means you have the potential to serve a lot longer and have a better retirement pay in the end, if that's what you want. It doesn't stop you from retiring at 20 years total time though. Clear as mud? I'm in this situation with >8 years E time, so feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Brett

 

[Purdue]

I think the Officer V. Enlisted situation is best summed up with this short story:

My Father loved the Navy. He made chief in seven years, and although there was a lot of crap... he was happy to be a chief and some of his favorite stories come from his days as an enlisted sailor. When I told him of my decision to join the Navy after high-school he told me:

"Life sucks as both an Officer and an Enlisted. And, life is awesome as both an Officer and an Enlisted. Remember, it is always better to TELL someone to go clean the head with a toothbrush then to be TOLD to go clean the head with a toothbrush."

When I still had thoughts of joining the Enlisted side and working my way up through the ranks, so as to perhaps be a better officer... my father gave me one more pearl of wisdom from his salty chief's mouth:

"I will be so proud to have a son in the Navy, but if you Enlist instead of going to school first and getting a Commission... I will kick your teeth down your throat."

So, in referance to your question... from what I understand, there is always bullsh!t at every level of an organization this big. And as the posters before me have stated... it is just handled differently and carries different consequences.

 

[Pinto]

-Pissing contests are common everywhere, military and civilian world. Politics is everywhere, get used to it.

I specifically meant situations where you are basically forced to carry out the bull$^!$ of the day. As a lower member of the enlisted ranks, you basically have no choice but to comply. As an officer, do you have total power to put your foot down and be a bull$@&* deflector for your troops?

 

[Carno]

As an officer, do you have total power to put your foot down and be a bull$@&* deflector for your troops?

Although I have no firsthand experience whatsoever, I can already tell you that this is probably a no.

 

[nittany03]

I think it would depend on the rank of the source of the BS.

 

[gaijin6423]

I deflect BS not only for my Marines, but for the whole squadron on a daily basis. You should hear group complain about how we need to give bodies for this FAP and that det... But I digress.

Sometimes, you can deflect it, and others your senior enlisted can do a better job of that for you. Sometimes, you take it face-first to save everyone else. And occasionally, when you try to deflect it, there's so much BS that it washes over you, and everyone gets a hot, stinky mouthful.

 

[feddoc]

Concur with what SSnake said. To amplify, all your time counts towards retirement, but your statutory high year tenure clock gets reset when you commission. For example, the statutory limit for an O-4 is 20 years. If you don't make it past O-4 in that time, then you have to retire. However, none of your enlisted time counts towards that, so someone who had 8 years enlisted would have 20 years from commissioning. Bottom line, if for whatever reason you didn't make it past O-4, you would have 20 years total time at mandatory retirement. In the case of O-5, it's 30 years, etc. Sounds complicated, but it just means you have the potential to serve a lot longer and have a better retirement pay in the end, if that's what you want. It doesn't stop you from retiring at 20 years total time though. Clear as mud? I'm in this situation with >8 years E time, so feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Brett

Brett is mostly right, with one slight correction. In the O-4 example above.....if you have more than 10 years commissioned service (assuming you are 2XFOS), then you must retire at either your 20 year mark OR NLT the first day of the seventh month after board results are released.

 

[Brett327]

Brett is mostly right, with one slight correction. In the O-4 example above.....if you have more than 10 years commissioned service (assuming you are 2XFOS), then you must retire at either your 20 year mark OR NLT the first day of the seventh month after board results are released.

Sure, there are lots of other variables, but I was just focusing on the retirement time aspect. Good points. There is also a window in that scenario ( I think it's 16 or 18 years total time) where a 2XFOS can remain in until 20 to collect their retirement. Lots of options, so whatever your circumstances, make sure you know where you stand.

Brett

 

[Birdman]

-Pissing contests are common everywhere, military and civilian world. Politics is everywhere, get used to it.

I specifically meant situations where you are basically forced to carry out the bull$^!$ of the day. As a lower member of the enlisted ranks, you basically have no choice but to comply. As an officer, do you have total power to put your foot down and be a bull$@&* deflector for your troops?

There is always someone who out ranks you, and you'll have to smile like a jackass and do whatever they want you to.

 

[The Chief]

... summed up with this short story ... if you Enlist instead of going to school first .... I will kick your teeth down your throat.

Great story, great advice.

Son, ... is that you?

Near same exact story, well 6 years to Chief, at 28 yo (minus couple days) I was a Master Chief. Never regretted a day in the Navy, was glad to retire several years before 20 years (+2+ years "constructive time"). Was able to go on to several more "careers". Opportunities galore.

Enlisted or occifer (can't even spell it) a noble undertaking.:icon_smil

 

[Steve Wilkins]

[threadjack]I met a Master Chief up in Newport at SWOS. He was a Gas Turbine guy. Made Master Chief in 14 years....absolutely amazing IMHO. I thought that was only a nuke thing to make Master Chief that quick.[/threadjack]