Which path to take, Officer or Enlisted?

[TXSRT]

I have decided to join the corps. I have about 3 years of college under my belt and my test scores allow me to go into the Officer Program and pursue being a Mustang upon completion of my education after basic. I'm hearing many opinions regarding going the Mustang route or going Enlisted. I know my recruiters job is to do whats best for the Corps, he wants me to go the officer route, however the only way for me to go in to the Offcier Program is by joing the reserves, which I am no tso sure about. I know that even going enlisted, I can still be called up after my inital enlistment if the need arises in that 4 year time period following. If I go the reserves, I'll have to go 6 active and 2 IRR to qualify for the GI bill. I know that only I can make the decision and what I do, however I am looking for some feedback from guys that have already been in the Corps and can help point me in the right direction. Am I better off going with the Officer School route, or just going Enlisted and if I decide I want more than 4, too easy, no problem. I know that this could be somewhat of a loaded question, as it depends on the person. I am just looking for some general answers, opinions, etc, to help me in this choice. Thanks in advance guys

[Muel1988]

I know i was in a similar situation when i first decided to join the corps. I had college under my belt and wasnt sure which path to take and didnt really have a good guidance on things.

I ended up enlisting. It has been the best experience in my life. My brother is currently a 2nd Lt also in the Marine Corps and i get to see a general view as to the differences he faces and i face with the Corps. I have been in just over 3 years now and wouldnt trade anything i have done for it. They are 2 different lifestyles. Enlisted has its ups and downs, as do officers. The portrayl of things is going to be different from the 2, but thats something you will find out with experience in the Corps. By no means am i an expert on how the Corps functions. I am currently eyeballing the Commisioning Programs that the Marine Corps can offer me. MECP, BOOST, ECP...etc. they are all there for a reason.

Everyone has a different prospective and experience with the Corps. Make the decision that you want. Where do you see yourself?

Corporal Mueller
MSG Detachment Kingston Jamaica
MWR/Training/Ball NCO

[smarg]

Go officer, like I did. More money, more power, and no moron with one more stripe than you can ever tell you what to do again. Sure, you'll have to suck some ass every now and then, but who doesn't? Even the Sergeant Majors kiss the old man's ass to get a higher position.

Bottom line, look at a military pay scale and see what an O1E makes and compare it to the closest amount an enlisted makes and look at the rank. KA-CHING! :D

[Ponga]

My experience in the Corps goes back almost 50 years but I don't think things have changed all that much re: the officer/enlisted experience. I was a mustang. I enlisted two days after I turned 17 and went to boot camp in San Diego. I served as an enlisted man for almost 4 years before accepting a commission as 2nd/Lt. I served another 6 years in the Corps before getting out at the rank of captain. I had two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.

I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything but there are some that I wouldn't want to repeat. I know that my enlisted time made me a better officer and I was always impressed with officers I saw wearing a Good Conduct ribbon (which is given only to enlisted men). I felt that they understood what it was like to be in my shoes.

It seems like you're not sure if you want to commit yourself to the time required for officer's training. In that case you're probably better off to enlist and see if military life is something you can commit to. You're close to getting your degree and you can most likely complete that while on active duty. If you decide that the Corps is where you want to be you can apply for one of those officer programs Cpl. Mueller talks about. If you decide to stay in as an officer your enlisted time will be a benefit to you. And who knows, you may decide to stay in as enlisted and become the future Sergeant Major of the Marine corps.

[Lone_NCO]

I, like the Cpl speaking above me am looking into the MECEP program and other enlisted to officer programs. I'm currently a Sgt, i've been in for 5 years now. One of the most depressing issues i've seen in my short career is watching Sgt's not get promoted until there 8-10 year mark, or getting promoted to SSgt and being terminal SSgts. That has to be demotivating, so among some other reasons i'm going to try the officer route. no matter how you look at it, the end result is a better deal. If your just in it for the fun, and to have a steady job then I guess it really doesnt matter in your case.

Thats just a hint of my opinion, Either way good luck.

[darkhorse0369]

As a 14 year enlisted man, I have a bias. Therefore, if you're not really interested in the reserves then I would say do 4 enlisted and scope it out. There are options to get commissioned from there. Also, going that route will get you some brownie points with the enlisted ranks you'll command. You will have a good working knowledge of what it's like to be the little LCpl and so on.