Joined
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2,278 Posts
Squad leader was the most fun I think I had. After that paper work and politics start rearing their ugly heads. Nice to have soldiers that are yours, that you know everything about. Troop time was the best.
If you could have any rank in the army...
What would it be?
Take all pay and associated benefits out of the equation. Ignore prestige, job opportunities after the military, or what your family would think. If you could be any rank, which one would you choose?
Would it be:
A specialist, enough time in service to avoid the bad details, but low enough in rank to avoid having to take much responsibility?
A Captain, with his own company?
A Lieutenant General, with enough power to make real changes?
A First Sergeant, the top enlisted guy in a company?
A buck Sergeant, in charge of a group of enlisted soldiers, making things happen?
A Chief Warrant Officer, "the best rank in the army."
Take all pay and associated benefits out of the equation. Ignore prestige, job opportunities after the military, or what your family would think. If you could be any rank, which one would you choose?
Would it be:
A specialist, enough time in service to avoid the bad details, but low enough in rank to avoid having to take much responsibility?
A Captain, with his own company?
A Lieutenant General, with enough power to make real changes?
A First Sergeant, the top enlisted guy in a company?
A buck Sergeant, in charge of a group of enlisted soldiers, making things happen?
A Chief Warrant Officer, "the best rank in the army."
81 - 100 of 107 Posts
I'll say it.
2LT
I enlisted (Reservist) at 38 with Masters Degree as an E4/SPC. Couldn't go OCS because of my age, and could only direct commission, but ONLY if I was in the army from enlisted (couldn't direct commission from the outside). So I rolled the dice. HUGE RISK!!!!!!!!!!! Took a year longer than I wanted, but made SGT-E5. I pulled it off eventually. However, not without a LOT OF BS!!!!!!!! from those with complexes half my age and no college, but twice my enlisted rank.
Then I commissioned. POOF!!!!!!!!!!! 90% of the BS went away, was only a PL, and no one expected anything of me. I was old enough to know my place, and freed up from any BS from anyone CW5 and below. Yes, I wouldn't touch a CW5/CSM, but he/she isn't going to press my buttons either.
Had to take a lot of heat in Basic Officer Course as a 40yo+ 2LT, but took comfort in the fact I was getting top tier 2LT pay, being house in billeting for free paid by the school house, AND also getting Per Diem. As well being authorized CALIFORNIA Basic Housing Allowance.
So yea, I was picking the weeds out of the sidewalk to be reminded of our place in the system relative to the Officer Cadre, but I was still getting $9,000 a month to do it. HAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
2LT
I enlisted (Reservist) at 38 with Masters Degree as an E4/SPC. Couldn't go OCS because of my age, and could only direct commission, but ONLY if I was in the army from enlisted (couldn't direct commission from the outside). So I rolled the dice. HUGE RISK!!!!!!!!!!! Took a year longer than I wanted, but made SGT-E5. I pulled it off eventually. However, not without a LOT OF BS!!!!!!!! from those with complexes half my age and no college, but twice my enlisted rank.
Then I commissioned. POOF!!!!!!!!!!! 90% of the BS went away, was only a PL, and no one expected anything of me. I was old enough to know my place, and freed up from any BS from anyone CW5 and below. Yes, I wouldn't touch a CW5/CSM, but he/she isn't going to press my buttons either.
Had to take a lot of heat in Basic Officer Course as a 40yo+ 2LT, but took comfort in the fact I was getting top tier 2LT pay, being house in billeting for free paid by the school house, AND also getting Per Diem. As well being authorized CALIFORNIA Basic Housing Allowance.
So yea, I was picking the weeds out of the sidewalk to be reminded of our place in the system relative to the Officer Cadre, but I was still getting $9,000 a month to do it. HAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Joined
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1,442 Posts
That guy was my 3rd BDE CMDR at Ft. Carson in 1990. What a ******bag!
Joined
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1,442 Posts
Same for me. Of my 21 years, SSG Section Sergeant of a 4.2 Motar Platoon was my favorite.
Joined
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2,727 Posts
Started as E-3 in the Army, got out to get my degree. Back in as O-1, retired as O-5 after 33 years combined AD/Reserves. As a clinician if I took O-6 I would be forced out of the hands-on medical work and into a command position. I declined promotion boards to remain O-5. To me that was the best rank.
I was in the Army for three years, from 1962 to 1965 and spent 26 months in Germany before discharged. I was a very lucky kid at 18 years old and not being sent to Viet Nam! Having seen what has happened to our Military since I was discharged, I have to say, I would not want to be in the Army of today for many reasons that I won't go into. I had a great time in my three years and it was a great way to become educated and grow up as a 18 year old to become a man!
Joined
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150 Posts
Damn how time flies. Commented on here in 2017. Back now as a O-2. Been a E-2 -> E-3 in the Guard. Commissioned and just got home from a rotation in Europe for Atlantic Resolve. I have a 53 Soldier Platoon, 1 Warrant, and 3 E-7s. Lots of equipment in my maintenance platoon. Bout to be switched to a distribution platoon which I am not happy about as an Ordnance officer. Been in since 2015.
I was a total schmuck, and took Company Command as an O2. 160+ soldiers, and $50M+ of equipment, and only for headaches. I don't promote any sooner, and my "experience" doesn't mean anything because O3,O4, and O5 billets are only 85% and 65% and 65% staffed respectively (there is no competition for promotion until O6).
I did learn a few VERY valuable things going forward. With my command position I can see which units are RFX, which ones have NO PROPERTY BOOK, and what their mission set is. So, effectively I now can find future positions in units with minimal training schedules, no equipment to speak of, and have CONUS tied mission sets.
This LT plans to coast to LTC, and then retire.
I respect that. I would hate to be Ordnance.
I would rather one my $500K trucks BURN TO THE GROUND than lose track of ONE $0.25 bullet.
Joined
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30,515 Posts
In the late 1950's, early 1960's I was a USMC Sergeant. I liked that.
Warrant Officer (Pilot) in the late 1960's was a whole lot better.
One day while flying a Army Colonel around, he told me that in a couple days I would be flying a VIP.....the commanding General.
I told the Colonel, "I'm the most important SOB on this aircraft."
A short time later, in flight, the Colonel's holstered 45 and belt went out the doorless right side of the helicopter, from where the gun was held in by the seat belt.
Everyone heard about that. It was never found and there was a little stink over that.
The first time I ever saw the General, a few days later, as the General walked up to my Helicopter, I was standing there holding the door open.
I could NOT RESIST, I said,
"Sir, would you like me to tie your Pistol in the right seat belt?"
The General said, "Go F*** Yourself".
Trying hard not to laugh, I said, "General, is that any way for a General Officer to talk to a Junior Officer, who's aircraft he is getting into?
The General and I got along good and thereafter, every time he wanted a helicopter he asked for me.
Warrant Officer (Pilot) in the late 1960's was a whole lot better.
One day while flying a Army Colonel around, he told me that in a couple days I would be flying a VIP.....the commanding General.
I told the Colonel, "I'm the most important SOB on this aircraft."
A short time later, in flight, the Colonel's holstered 45 and belt went out the doorless right side of the helicopter, from where the gun was held in by the seat belt.
Everyone heard about that. It was never found and there was a little stink over that.
The first time I ever saw the General, a few days later, as the General walked up to my Helicopter, I was standing there holding the door open.
I could NOT RESIST, I said,
"Sir, would you like me to tie your Pistol in the right seat belt?"
The General said, "Go F*** Yourself".
Trying hard not to laugh, I said, "General, is that any way for a General Officer to talk to a Junior Officer, who's aircraft he is getting into?
The General and I got along good and thereafter, every time he wanted a helicopter he asked for me.
Joined
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150 Posts
I deal with the maintenance side of Ordnance, which is roughly 90% of all OD officers. The other 10% are a mix of EOD and ammo related. I like my job despite the headaches
Joined
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3,942 Posts
1SG, the position I filled more than a few times, but the promotion I never received. Short story, I burnt a bridge in my younger days, and that bridge became my branch assignment manager at Dept. of the Army.
Joined
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24,354 Posts
If I could pick any rank I would be a General. Why settle for any less? Muammar Gaddafi could have been any rank he wanted but he never made it past Colonel even as far as Brigadier.
81 - 100 of 107 Posts
