Officer vs.enlisted

[micfreeman]

I would like some solid advice regarding the pros and cons of officer career or enlisted career for my 18 year son. My son who is planning to attend a jr. military college this fall and participate in the USNA self prep program for the academy. He knows its a long shot, but he wants to give it a try. His GPA is weak 2.7 and his SAT's qualify( 580M/570V), but are by no means near academy competitiveness (mid 600's). The college he's to attend has solid academics and will probably be able to boost his SAT's another 50pts or so, but I just don't know if officer are that much happier in the NAVY. I know that they make more money, as does my son who really wants to go to college. However, it does seem that officers just delegate to every one else. Is this accurate?

I think that since my son received strong ASVAB scores (3 pts away from auto qualifying for Navy Nuc. Power school-though he doesn't want to do that), he is in a strong position for some of the more challenging rates and might be more fulfilled in his Navy service pursuing something in Aviation Structural field, Aircrew, Aviation Electronics, SWCC/SBT. I see these jobs as interesting, challenging and even strong in career opportunities, but since he wants to make Navy a career, I'm certain many opportunities will open up if he's good at what he does, right?

Lastly, how does that DEP really work? I mean if he goes DEP and attends college or a year, but doesn't get into the academy then he's set. But if he does get into the academy, can he be released from the DEP enlistment?

Thanks for any and all advice,

Michele Freeman 

[Jean]

Hi Michele,

My daughter is a Naval Academy grad who is currently still serving as an officer. USNA is a difficult four years, but the experience is well worth the hard, HARD work. If there is any chance that your son could earn an appointment (admission to USNA), I would encourage him to do son.a. First, USNA is a very well respected college. Classes are small, and you are not just a number. The curriculum includes Typical college courses such as English, chemistry, and calculus, but it also includes couses in ethics, law, and electrical engineering (even for English majors!). There are professional development courses about the Navy and MarineCorps. Each summer there are training sessions that on board US Navy ships. There are lots of other training possibilities, too many to mention.

At the end of four years, your son would have a great education, which he would pay for by serving for at least five years as an officer. Depending on his grades and his overall rank in his class, he could request to be assigned to a surface ship, or he could request training to become a submarine officer, a Marine officer, or a naval aviator (either a pilot or flying officer).
You are right that an officer doesn't learn a trade such as those you listed. Instead, officers are expected to become leaders who provide direction and guidance to their troops. ( However, some officers receive training for specialized jobs, such as a communications officer or a diving officer. ) Whether they stay for five years or 20 years, they come out with experience leading groups of other young people to accomplish their mission, and they are usually highly recruited for leadership roles in civilian businesses.
You are also correct that an officer with certain amount of experience earns a lot more than an enlisted person with the same number of years in service.
Either way, enlisted or officer, a Navy career can provide excellent training and experience.

[Angie]

What does HE want to do?  There is a BIG difference between being an Officer and being Enlisted.   IF he wants to try, than go for it.  BUT I will say I have had a few people who worked for me who failed out of the academy and they thought they where better than everyone else.   The thing is if they fail out they still owe time to the Navy for the college they got.  Well one of the people was suck a ___ that he had enough stuff to get him kicked out of the Navy and he had to repay ($$) all the money the goverment put into his education, even after they stripped his record of all of the college he had went to. 

The reason I tell you the above, is that even if they get into the academy not everyone makes it through the academy.  Sorry to say his scores are very low, and if he isn't motivated to go to a jr college than what makes him think he will be motivated.  Just some things to think about

He can be released from DEP at anytime he wants to, he doesn't even need a reason to get out of DEP.  DEP is really just the waiting time from when they sign their contract to when they leave for bootcamp.  It isn't up to him how long he is in DEP for though, it is up to when the job he would get would leave for bootcamp. 

 

[micfreeman]

Good advice. Yes, he knows it's a long shot to try to get into USNA but HE wants to try. I think he should do DEP as a back up, cause he knows he wants to be in the Navy. College is an eye opener for most 18 year olds, it was for my daughter who's at VMI. She thought she was tough, but the system got to her that first year. Thankfully she's overcome and is a better person for it. My son just completed 8 days of SEAL wrestling camp at USNA, and it was good for him to see what he's in for no matter what he chooses. Regardless, do enlisted individuals ever get to choose their enlisted job? Jordan scored well on ASVAB. He was 3 points away from auto qualifying for the Nuc program which he doesn't want to do. However, there are a lot of great jobs that he qualifies for.  It seems like the recruiter was always steering him to that Nuc program. Would they tell him, there's nothing else available just to try and get him to make a commitment to that?

[Jean]

Just to clarify Angie's comments. It is certainly true that NOT everyone who enters USNA will succeed and graduate. About 80% of those who have entered USNA in recent years have graduated and been commissioned. However, it is NOT true that everyone who doesn't make it through must pay back the cost of their education. Anyone who leaves before the start of the third year owes NO money, and NO enlisted obligation, unless they were already enlisted before being chosen to go to the academy. Someone who was already enlisted who leaves USNA must complete their enlistment.

That all changes at the start of the third year. Once a Midshipman signs a "2 for 7" contract, he or she is obligated to complete their last two years at USNA, and he or she must serve five years after graduation. In some cases, notably for pilots, the five years of payback service only start after he or she completes pilot training.

I totally agree with Angie that the most important thing is what your SON wants to do. To do well as either an officer or as an enlisted person, he needs to have the drive and determination to achieve his goals. I also agree with Angie that some people who graduate from USNA have bad attitudes, and don't make good officers, but that, I think, is based on the person's character, not the fact that he or she went to USNA.

[Jean]

One other comment: if someone flunks out of USNA, he or she still gets college credit for all of the courses he/she has completed. So, if someone flunks out, the most he or she will lose is the final semester of classes. Now, just like with any college, if the person wants to transfer to a different college, it is the new college that decides what credit they will accept. If the person's grades were bad enough, it is possible that the new college will not accept any credits at all.

[micfreeman]

Thanks Jean,

Thanks for all this great information! My son did meet w/a Blue and Gold officer this weekend for an interview. He is going to apply to USNA as he is going to attend Marion Military Institute SAP program this year. He truly wants to be an officer, but the path to that position may or may not include USNA. If it is does he will be amazed, but for now he is looking at several options. On a cool note, we did visit DDG 51 Arleigh Burke this past week in Norfolk. Got a personal tour from the XO and a LJG. My son got to ask them a lot of questions about their experiences good and bad. We are looking forward to his Navy future, no matter how it turns out.