Son has a degree but was encourgaged to go enlisted?

[EllenE]

My son has a degree in criminal justice, but when he enlisted no one talked to him about going to OCS. I know the other branches allow you to enlist as an officer, does the Navy? He's going to be an intelligence specialist and has it in his head that if he goes office he won't get the school he wants. Any advice??? Thanks!

[Lady Hamilton]

Only one question: Does he want to be an officer?

Emma

[Anti M]

Officers do not go to the same schools as enlisted, so he's correct there. Being an officer is an entirely different program. He can go officer later if he desires and qualifies under different programs. I notice you say enlisted, has he already signed a contract? And yes, does he WANT to be an officer? Not everyone cares for it.

[Lisa, Nuke Wife]

Oh yikes. I don't agree with that decision. If he already has a degree he has much much more to offer the navy than someone straight out of highschool agreed? Its a better career opportunity to go Officer.

If he already enlisted have him look into STA-21 or talk with an officer recruiter PRONTO!

[Anti M]

I respectfully disagree. Officers have VERY different duties from enlisted. Just because a person has a degree does not mean they want to undertake that position. I had plenty of friends with degrees in the Navy who were enlisted and preferred it that way; they wanted the hands on experiences. I don't get why folks are so fixated on the officer thing, it simply is not for everyone. Leadership flows from the enlisted side as well, ask any officer how far they could go without their chiefs. Either is a fine choice!

The big question is what the young man wants to do, not us, not even his mom. His life, and his decision. He may know exactly what he is doing. A career opportunity is not everything.

[Tanya]

I agree aniti-m.. My husband even if he had a choice/degree etc. doesn't want to be an officer. It is SO differen't from enlisted.. yes they get more money but they have to pay more out as well... dues, food, etc.. my husband said hes more of a hands on person and he wouldnt want to be in an office and do paperwork and whatnot he'd rather be out there doing something like his job that he signed up for in the first place.

If he chooses to go Enlisted I think it is a wise choice especially if he has learned enough about it and has thought his decision thru enough.. It's a personal decision and i'm sur ehe'll make the right choice!

[Lisa, Nuke Wife]

The difference between officer and enlisted is the difference between a blue collar job and a white collar job. Its not for everyone surely. But officers have better pay, better housing, better post military career opportunities and better working conditions. Its more responsibility of course. Its a career choice that benefits them in a long run much better than an enlisted job ever will, thats the bottom line. Just like in the civilian world, there are lots of people with blue collar jobs that enjoy their work and make quiet a bit of money, nothing against enlisted, my husband is enlisted. But he would do STA-21 in a heartbeat to advance his education, career and earning potential.

[Lady Hamilton]

"But he would do STA-21 in a heartbeat to advance his education, career and earning potential."

So, what's holding him back?

Emma

[Lisa, Nuke Wife]

Oh, he wants out of the navy. If he decides to stay in, he has 4 years left, he would do STA-21 but he doesn't want to be a nuke officer, they work too much apparently. And very very rarely will they pick up an enlisted nuke for an officer program other than the nuke officer program. We've been back and forth with all the offices on the whole process for a few months. And theres no guarantee that they'll even be chosen for it. And then its 3 years of school plus a 6 year commitment and he doesn't know if he wants to dedicate the next 9 years to the navy.

[Lady Hamilton]

hmmm... I'm no cardiologist, but it sounds like an irregular heartbeat.

Emma

[Anti M]

I'm not entirely in agreement about the post-Navy career. Some of my ex-Navy enlisted buddies have some pretty high power stuff going on these days and degrees they earned along the way. We're talking NASA, satellites and more, technical stuff officers don't know inside and out like an enlisted tech does. Nothing blue collar about it.

Mustangs do get more respect for a reason; my favorite officer to work for had been an ET like us and knew what we knew about the gear. We humored the ensign straight out of OCS, had to teach her the ropes. She's retired from the Navy now, and rode a desk in civilian life too. I'd have hated doing what she did daily, administrative duties. Does she have a nicer house and car than I do now? Sure, and we're both happy as clams, just took different paths. Yeah, we're still in touch, she married my enlisted buddy, that was a scandal back then.

All depends on what you make of it, I suppose. And I can tell you're really behind officers, which is okay, just as I'm behind being enlisted.

[Tanya]

My husband would surely advance his education in a heart beat but he wouldnt go thru the officer program to do it.. he thought about it when he first signed up when the recruiter was tlkaing about how he could re enlist get his BA paid for by the navy and then in return give i think it was 6 years as an officer.. but once he learned about the officer job he didn't want to do it. he wanted to experience new things, not sit behind a desk. like everyone has said its about everyones personal opinion as to what they want to do. yes oficers have nicer things.. however officers also have to pay for a LOT more things than enlisted do.. not like its a big deal bc the pay is a drastic difference but i wouldnt want my husband to go officer just because of the money and nicer housing or better oppertunities (which he could get a lot of the same oppertunities outside of the navy with his GI bill in college).. i would rather him be happy with the career he has chosen and be able to have my husband come home happy and not miserable.. I don't know call me foolish if u like but money isn't everything and nice houses an cars aren't either.. I think happieness is what makes you who you are and how u go about life.. yes money is nice but does it matter if im rich or living off of e-2 pay with a husband and a child? nope b/c i'm still living comfortably and I am happy as are my husband and son.

[Team!]

Even though he enlisted, if he has not shipped to bootcamp yet he can still switch to officer. Just have his recruiter referr him to the officer recruiter. Make sure that he does talk to the officer recruiter. It is true that just because a person has a degree does not mean they can or want to be an officer. But he should atleast know his options. Applicants do have to sign a statement of understanding if they elect for officer only, enlisted only, or enlisted with concurrent package for officer. The later means he enlists while he applies for officer. If he gets picked up then they switch him. This is a good option if the applicant is good with either enlisted or officer and wants to just be in the navy. The other two are when he insists on one option. If he already left for bootcamp then he can do OCS not STA21 if he already has his degree. However he will have to wait, how long is the question. For the most part I would be safe to say atleast two years due to training.. Either way, if he wants it, if he is qualified, and as long as the Navy is in demand (which I believe they still are, but it changes fast) than he will be accepted with ease.