Son has a degree but was encourgaged to go enlisted?

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Permalink Reply by EllenE on September 15, 2009 at 12:43pm

Thanks, Team!. I'm so glad I joined this site because these are the sorts of answers I was looking for. I didn't know about the concurrent package, would probably be something my son would be interested in. I think if he goes in as enlisted and sees the advantages of being an officer he may change his mind.

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Permalink Reply by Wifey on September 14, 2009 at 2:34pm

Make sure you're talking to an officer recruiter, there's an 800 number, not an enlisted officer. Most local recruiters will be enlisted recruiters.

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Permalink Reply by Cat Williams on September 14, 2009 at 5:24pm

Well...ONE thing that's true...the pay grade is better as an officer than it is as an enlisted. But as others have said...it's about WHAT he wants to do. I have a friend that went in as a officer because the branch she went into (not Navy) would pay for her student loans once she got out of training. My daughter is going enlisted because she's straight out of highschool and we can't afford college...but she intends to see if she can go OCS once she's got basic and A-School under her belt, because she wants to continue in college courses and get her MD. After all...as she says...Corpman is all well and good...but being able to say "Yes, I'm a Doctor" is SO much better...and that's what she wants to do...

So...if he WANTS to be enlisted...that's all well and good...if he doesn't...talk to an Officer Recruiter or go OCS once he's in...

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Permalink Reply by Susan R on September 14, 2009 at 6:04pm

I was never in the military but hubby was army, and he has always said the best officers are the ones that came thru the enlisted ranks. As he says they have been there, done that and not just read about it in book in class. Now we both know the military is much different now, but even in the civillian world I know its easier to work for a boss that actually walked in my shoes once.
In fact my son had his package for the naval acad. almost completed and decided that he was going in as enlisted so that he would be able to work in the field he wanted, not be assigned randomly during his career.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on September 15, 2009 at 12:52pm

There is certainly a difference in housing allowances. It depends for the contract length - though they are similar.

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Permalink Reply by Charla on September 14, 2009 at 6:51pm

I just talked to my son and he said that your son can go into the intel. field as an officer. He wants to know if your son has signed any papers. If so he may have to wait awhile...not sure of the timeframe, but Rich said that he thinks your son will have to be IS2, then can go for enlisted man to Admiral and that he should if this is his desire. Rich also adviced that your son talk to a carreer counelor asap. My son is in IS also. Whatever your son decides, I wish him the very best.

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Permalink Reply by EllenE on September 14, 2009 at 7:15pm

Thank you all for your responses! I will admit that my husband and I have been strongly encouraging him to go officer (my husband got out of the Navy as an E6) and he's been somewhat reluctant, however, I don't feel that he got the full story when he went to the recruiter. The friend who took him was a former Navy recruiter (enlisted), and I don't feel that he helped him to explore all his options. And that's what I really want - for him to make an informed decision.

We had family in town two weeks ago for our daughter's wedding and he had the chance to talk to his uncle (a retired CPO) and his cousin (got out as an E5). Both of them strongly encouraged him to go office as well because of the higher pay, better quality of life, and better job opportunities when he gets out. Also, a retired Marine officer from our Church has been talking to him as well. At least now he's thinking about it.

He's in the DEP program and doesn't enlist officially until February, so there's still time for him to talk to the officer recruiter. Thank you all again for your advice!

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Permalink Reply by NRDSEATTLE on September 15, 2009 at 10:19am

EllenE, Any time an applicant with a four year degree speaks to an enlisted recruiter they are required to refer them to an officer recruiter just to ensure he is provided either opportunity. It's possible his package was looked at and he was deemed not qualified because of grades or some other limiting factor. Most programs require a minimum of a 2.7 GPA although to be competitive he would need to have something above a 3.2. If you don't think this happened and he is interested, every recruiting district has officer recruiters so have him ask his recruiter to put him in touch with the closest officer recruiter. Since he is in DEP, once he puts in an officer package he would not ship to boot camp until there was a final decision on his officer package. Since the process for an officer package can take up to six months that means he may not leave in February.

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Permalink Reply by EllenE on September 15, 2009 at 12:39pm

Thank you, NRDSEATTLE. I'm not sure what happened, but from everything he told me, it didn't sound like the option was offered.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie (Kevin's mom) on September 15, 2009 at 1:37am

My son had completed most of his college courses when he enlisted. I tried to push him to complete college, get his degree and go in as an officer. He really didn't want to do that. His response was "maybe later Mom, I need to be a good sailor before I can be a good officer. I need to spend some time in the fleet before I even think about going to OCS." Bottom line is that the decision has to be your sons, it has to be what he wants. After all, it is going to be his naval career, he will be living with the choices he makes for a long time, not the parents, relatives, former officers, etc. What does he want to do? If he really wants officer, then he should check into it. If he really wants intelligence specialist, then it sounds like he has already choosen his path. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Cathy on September 15, 2009 at 10:50am

Ellen, You have received some very thoughtful responses to your question. I agree with those who said that being an officer is not for everyone. As I write this I am waiting for the phone call from my daughter that she is on her way home after finishing A school. She has a degree but did not want to go in as an officer. Pushing pencils behind a desk wasn't for her, she had that job in civilian life and wanted more. She finished first in her A school so was recommended to be promoted to Petty Officer. The college degree already gave her three stripes when she finished BC. So there are positive reasons for going in enlisted. As for getting the school he wants it is very common in BC for whatever reason that you are ineligible for the rate you chose when enlisting. It happened with my daughter but after choosing a new rate and going through A school she is the happiest I have seen her in a long time. So for my daughter having to change rates was a very positive thing, it isn't always but she was lucky.
The advice I gave my daugther when she was trying to decide between enlisted and officer was to listen to her heart and don't let anyone, even her father and I, try to talk her into something she did not want to do. After all, it is your son and my daughter who will be living that military life and not all the well meaning people who are trying to move them in a different direction. Good luck to your son. Cathy

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Permalink Reply by EllenE on September 15, 2009 at 12:37pm

Thank you, Cathy. I have to keep reminding myself that it is his life and he has to do what's best for him, even if I think I know better. ; ) I told him about all the responses I've received here and he's at least going to talk to the officer recruiter. That's all I want; and if he still decides to go enlisted after that, I'll support him 100%!

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