In some ways it's been reported to me that you are treated "worse."
One of my colleagues says "you're invited to the party, but no one asks you to dance." Note that he is an OIC in a Supply unit: in other words, he works with a group where the ONLY officers are chops (example: Cargo Handling Batallion). He told me that officers from non-Supply units can have some disdain for us.
I've never observed this. I work in a joint command and regularly interract with every type of officer from dolphin to SEAL, and I have, through competence (I hope), earned the respect and camraderie of these guys.
There IS a certain awkwardness about SOME of the chops out there. Many are guys who had to withdraw from other communities owing to physical challenges -- poor eyesight being one of the top reasons. However, you'll be stunned by the quality of most of the folk, and by the list of distinguished alum (David Robinson being only one, Regis being another). Also, one of the high-profile frigates out there has a 6'5'' former Navy lineman as her SUPPO. I wouldn't be quick to generalize.
I love it, though. I was a DIVO from the minute I put on my bar and was essentially the XO of a small shore unit while still an O1. We tend to have bright officers and without doubt we have the best career path of any designator. I feel that my chances of making at least O6 are excellent.
I once had a superior explain to me why she was head of the Supply Dept (contrary to Navy instructions, and it was later corrected) and a qualified chop in our unit was not. She said "_I_ am an officer of the UNRESTRICTED LINE," as though I should fall on my knees, clasp my hands together and proclaim "hallelujah!" Unfortunately, the statement had the opposite effect, and I unwisely allowed a brief bark of laughter to sound (I thought she was kidding -- she wasn't
)
You see, I've seen too many URL officers manning an administrative station to be too overawed by the designation.
No other designator can run with the SEALs, build with the SeaBees, serve at sea, command ashore, do contracting and sales, run a supply chain outfit, procurement, be eligible for four warfare pins (aviation, surface, sub, CB warfare) etc etc.
Ummm...wow. All this time I should have been working.
R, VR FPC
^- is Ready for Sea!
FlyingMonkey said:
That's good stuff to know. I was just wondering if you would get worse treatment due do that fact that you weren't an unrestricted line officer.
:icon_tong And as for the troops, I have never had a rating treat me with other than respect. A chop can take a guy to Mast in exactly the same fashion as any other zero. There is no differentiation here.