Negatives about transitioning from Army enlisted to officer?

Question

I'm an enlisted soldier thinking of transitioning from Army enlisted to officer using the Green to Gold master's program (yes I already have a B.A.). I'm already aware of the positives, better pay, opportunities, etc. But I'm wondering what the downsides to being an officer are. What am I not seeing that I might regret? What struggles do most people have moving to the other side (so to speak)? What do I lose from the enlisted? What are the biggest complaints that officers have about their jobs?

If anyone understands what I'm looking for and am asking for I'd appreciate any thoughtful answers. Thank you

Answer 1

There is no real negative except I get called "Sir" at Mcdonalds and even after I retire I'll get call "Sir", but I'll never called a Sergeant First Class and a NCO. Just my opinion after 20 years.

I have an AA and a BA, but I never wanted the officer job (especially now that I'm JAG). I have plenty of responsibility (try being a infantry platoon sergeant in war with a new platoon leader in Afghanistan in the 82nd ABN) and I don't do this for the money (I could join a private military company with my infantry background and make a grip). I got plenty of medals and respect, but I do this for the Soldiers and the folks at home. I see my "O's" complain about the politics, but most of them won't 'buck the sytem' or stand up to someone higher when their wrong, so life will be hard. Too many worry about 'evals'. I hear the lamenation, but you know what, they can resign (if they have no loans to pay off lol) and I can't so I don't want to hear it. Whining without a sloution is just that.

Anyway, do what YOU feel. Do worry about the enlisted scum lol. You will be an officer and will be dealing with mainly officer issues. The NCOs will be dealing with us. So I say go for it and live your life with no regrets. At least you can fix things that were broke in the past and affect change as a commander (unless you are a chaplain or lawyer or doc). We need more GOOD leaders. Put that MBA to use.

What's the worse that can happened..... you make colonel or general one day? Be All You Can Be!

Answer 2

Basically an officer gets more pay and prestige for having more responsibility.  

The toughest part of being an officer is that you are expected to be squared away in all areas all the time.  A junior enlisted can get away with "What do I know?  I'm only an E-4." but an officer can't make excuses.

No, officers don't have to do physical work but they do have to a lot of mental work and, most importantly, don't make mistakes.

Remember, the Army is spending a lot of money on you and they expect a lot in return.

Good Luck

Answer 3

All in all, change to officer status.  You will lose, more or less, all your enlisted friends.  If an enlisted friend comes up to you and says, "Hi Joe," you'll have to quickly remind him that you're not Joe, you are lieutenant so-and-so.  If he didn't salute you, request that he do so.  This may not be the most pleasant thing to do, but it gets easier and you have to establish your new "place."  Slowly your contacts with enlisted friends will diminish.  Hopefully the Army will transfer you to a new unit.  If you're married, your wife will adjust to be an officer's wife; as time goes on she'll be expected to join officer wife's organizations and participate in their events.

As an officer you will begin to take required officer courses, OBC, and other advanced officer courses.  C&GS comes later.

Pay attention to your yearly OER, real important.  One good way to learn your new job is to get to know a good NCO in your field and hopefully one that will be working for you.  I say "working for you" but you know what I mean, you'll be expected to make decisions but there's nothing wrong with asking, "What do you think, Sarge?"   Call E-8's Master Sergeant and of course E-9's Sergeant Major.  No one messes with a Sergeant Major!

Biggest complaints?   Unreasonable demands by higher ranking officers, too much time in the field, fatigue; those officers who complain a lot are wimps, stay away from them.

It has been showm that officers who were enlisted make better officers than those who were not.  Speaking of that, always take care of your enlisted soldiers, their needs come before yours.  You have probably experienced lousy officers.

Your BA and MA will be better put to use as an officer.

Increased responsibilities isn't a downside although it may seem so at times.      Good luck, sir.  

Answer 4

To be an officer means more responsibility and accountability.

Answer 5

Other than the simple camaraderie that the enlisted soldiers have with each other due to the common enemy, ie Officers and Senior NCO's I would really say there is no downside.  You don't have as much day to day contact with the boots on the ground so to say but other than that you should definitely go officer.