Personnel in the U. S. Enlisted service members and commissioned officers make up the two branches of the military. The President of the United States commissions officers and swears them to uphold and protect the U S. Constitution. Also swearing to “obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over” them are enlisted personnel. [2] Military customs and courtesies require the highest ranking enlisted member of the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne Bass, who has nearly 30 years of service, to salute the newest second lieutenant fresh out of Officer Training School (OTS). Four frequently cited arguments in favor of maintaining the current system are tradition, enlisted not wanting the “burden of command,” senior enlisted serving as subject-matter experts to officers, and problems with career longevity. In this piece, I’ll analyze each of these claims and suggest a different framework that better serves the requirements of the present.
What is an officer?
Military officers are members of the U. S. armed forces members who have completed four years of college or university and have earned a bachelor’s degree and meet all other requirements When they are appointed to a squadron with a specific military mission, some officers, like doctors and lawyers, immediately specialize in that squadron’s mission.
Once assigned, they receive training in that area and support the organization’s enlisted personnel in their specific job duties by acting as supervisors. Officer grades and ranks vary by branch, but the majority offer at least eight opportunities for advancement.
What does enlisted mean?
Enlisted service members are members of the U. S. military personnel who comply with certain criteria and consent to carry out particular tasks Enlisted personnel typically enlist in the military at a younger age than officers because they are only required to possess a GED or high school diploma.
Enlisted personnel receive comprehensive and specialized job training for a specific role, which many veterans use to transition into civilian employment after serving their terms in the military. Although enlisted member grades and ranks vary slightly between branches, most branches offer at least nine opportunities for advancement.
How to enlist
The steps to join the military are as follows if you’re interested:
1. Talk to a recruiter
Speaking with a recruiter is the first step in joining the military. They can offer advice on the following steps in the enlistment process and assist you in deciding if enlisting is the best career choice for you.
2. Meet the basic requirements
Your recruiter will assist in making sure you fulfill the prerequisites for enlistment in your particular branch of the military, which include:
3. Attend MEPS
You will visit a MEPS, or a Military Entrance Processing Station, to complete initial paperwork and take a few tests and exams after determining with your recruiter that you meet the basic requirements for enlistment. The military will give you lodging and food throughout this process, which typically lasts a day or two.
4. Take the ASVAB
You’ll take the “Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery” (ASVAB) at MEPS. The military uses this test to determine which positions you are best suited for and to place you into career fields and units after the enlistment process. If you are interested, some high schools offer the ASVAB; therefore, bring your results with you if you already have them.
5. Pass the physical exam
You’ll have a physical examination after the ASVAB to make sure you meet military requirements. This usually includes measuring or administering:
6. Speak with a career counselor
To determine which position in the military best suits you, you’ll speak with a career counselor about your ASVAB results and personal career goals. Along with reviewing pertinent paperwork for your potential contract, the career counselor will also assist you in filling out the required forms for enlistment.
7. Take the oath
You will take the oath of enlistment once your paperwork has been discussed and signed. You will then be given instructions regarding your training and first duty station assignment and will officially become a new recruit.
Differences between enlisted vs. officer
Enlisted service members and officers must fulfill different requirements in order to join their respective branches of the military, and once they are inside the organization they have very different responsibilities. Take a look at some of the most significant distinctions between these two categories of military personnel:
Initial education
A high school diploma or a GED is required for enlisted service members, but a post-secondary degree is not a requirement. Officers, however, are required to have a four-year degree from a college or university that is accredited. Additional education is required for specialty positions, such as those held by doctors and lawyers.
Training
Before beginning their military careers, enlisted service members and officers must complete physical and academic training. The duration and level of training vary between the enlisted and officer ranks as well as between the various branches of the armed forces. Enlisted personnel and officers alike typically undergo training that includes learning about their particular branch of the armed forces and making sure they are in top physical condition prior to their first assignment.
Contract
The initial contract for enlisted service members is typically four years, but this can vary depending on the situation. Unlike enlisted personnel, officers do not have contracts, so their commitments also differ, though many start with a four-year commitment.
Job options
When joining the military, enlisted service members have access to an incredibly diverse range of employment opportunities, from working in the dining hall to maintaining aircraft and armored vehicles. Instead of receiving training for a specific position, officers learn how to control and direct others in a variety of situations. There are some exclusions, especially for officers working in specialized fields that call for higher education and training.
Assignment length
Assignment lengths also differ between the enlisted and officers. Enlisted service members can anticipate staying in the same place for their regular assignments for a year to eight years. Officers, on the other hand, typically switch assignments every two to three years. Enlisted personnel and officers can have different deployment lengths; enlisted personnel frequently deploy for a year or longer, whereas officers typically deploy for six months to a year.
Duties
The specific duties for an enlisted service member vs. Depending on the assignment, an officer will differ, but there are some universal distinctions between them. Enlisted personnel typically perform more manual labor related to their jobs, whereas officers’ responsibilities typically include supervision and operational planning.
Pay
The pay gap between officers and enlisted personnel is one of the biggest differences. Despite the fact that each grade and rank has a step-based pay structure, enlisted personnel’s starting salaries are much lower than those of officers, so over time, officers will be paid significantly more than enlisted personnel.
Enlisted personnel can anticipate paying less for some services than officers due to the fact that many of the benefits provided to enlisted and officer personnel on base, such as childcare, are subsidized based on rank and grade.
How to become an officer
Aspiring military officers can commission through several different channels. If you want to join the military as an officer, think about the following options and choose the one that works best for you:
1. Attend a service institution
Each branch of the military has a service academy or college that serves as a place to train and enlist officers. Since the government pays for all major expenses like tuition, room, and board, the majority of students pay very little to attend. A service academy’s affordability and career prospects make admission extremely competitive. Officers start working for the military right away after graduating.
2. Participate in ROTC
Some colleges and universities offer ROTC programs, also known as “Reserve Officers Training Corps,” to assist students at non-military affiliated colleges and universities in preparing to join the military after receiving their four-year degree.
3. Enroll in OCS
Officer Candidate School, or “OCS,” is the quickest route to a commissioned position for aspirant officers who did not attend a military school or complete ROTC. OCS varies in length and content depending on the branch, but it generally equips prospective officers for military life and their upcoming duties.
4. Specialize and direct commission
To work in professions like medicine and law, each branch of the armed services requires officers with advanced degrees in their respective fields. Chaplains and officers in these professions frequently complete their advanced degrees before being commissioned directly into their preferred branch of the military without any prior training.
They attend training after receiving their commission, which is comparable to OCS but frequently shorter because they already have a specific job they’ll perform for their service.
Transitioning from enlisted service member to officer
It is possible for a service member to advance to the rank of officer while still enlisted. This can be accomplished in a few ways:
You Cannot Decide between Officer and Enlisted | Veteran Advice
FAQ
Is enlisted better than officer?
Depending on the assignment, an officer will differ, but there are some universal distinctions between them. Enlisted personnel typically perform more manual labor related to their jobs, whereas officers’ responsibilities typically include supervision and operational planning.
Can an enlisted person become an officer?
In a nutshell, enlisted soldiers are the backbone of the military, comprising about 83% of the armed forces Enlisted personnel are in charge of completing military missions and obeying directives. Officers serve as those soldiers’ managers, organizing missions, issuing commands, and delegating tasks to soldiers.
Do officers outrank all enlisted?
The good news is that becoming an officer is now possible for enlisted personnel in all five of the military’s branches. Because of his technical proficiency, a service member can be promoted to warrant officer, but in order to become a commissioned officer, a person must go to officer candidate school.
