Enlisted or OTS

[Anonymous]

I am planning on going into the Air Force. I am a college graduate, so I'm eligable for OTS, but I'm also considering OTS and don't know which way to go. I really want to work around airplanes, but my major was in art and I don't know much about the military or aviation. My family is really pushing for me to become an officer, even though I'd be the first in my family to go into the military, because of the higher pay and better benefits. My thoughts have been enlisting first and then applying for OTS, but I don't know how realistic that is. BT doesn't scare me, but I'm nervous about OTS, especially having to give briefings and commanding drill. How hard is OTS? I have no experience giving speeches and have had very little leadership opportunities. What are the benefits of going one way verses the other? Does anyone have any helpful advice or suggestions?

saturnv@ameritech.net

[Anonymous]

Kris—good questions about your future; perhaps I can lay rest to some of your fears. Twenty-four years ago I joined the USAF as an enlisted air traffic controller with a high school diploma and one year of college in accounting. Seven years later I completed an ABA in accounting and a BS in Criminal Law. Note that neither accounting nor law has anything to do with being a controller. Ergo, your academic background does not necessarily keep you from getting other jobs you may want. I applied for and subsequently earned my commission, obtaining a master’s degree in systems management along the way. As an officer, I’m a mission commander on the E-3 AWACS aircraft—again, not really using my degrees.

Your nervousness about no experience in giving briefings or drills is not unusual. Just ask yourself this – how many other people do you think cross the threshold of officer training school and know how to brief or march a flight of cadets around a parade ground? Unless that person has ROTC experience, you’re in the exact same situation as your classmates. The whole idea is for you and your team mates to be just that—TEAM MATES. You help each other brief; you help each other march, etc etc. You all go in without a clue how to do things, and come out the other end a more refined Air Force member. You have men like Doolittle, MacArthur, and Schwartzkoff where born leadership seemed natural. I’m certain they had their trials by fire to make them the leaders they were. The “born leader” is by far the exception and not the rule.

Whether you choose becoming an enlisted member or officer, either road has benefits and pitfalls. For me, my enlisted time gave me the experience I needed to lead as an officer—I surely didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of some of those officers I served under when I was enlisted. The availability of officer slots may preclude you from entering the officer corps right away, so your only avenue to start with may be the enlisted ranks. If you go in as an enlisted member and serve in a “critical” field, you may not have the option of going into the officer corps. All things you need to weigh and decide what’s best for your future. The bottom line is this -–the needs of the Air Force (read – national defense) outweigh your personal needs. You have to be willing to commit yourself to keep our country free—even at your personal expense.

Good luck.



dimills@msn.com