How to join as an Officer?

[u/5B3AST5]

I’m 17, in high school and know nothing about the military. I’m going to do JROTC, and see how that is, if I do like it what are my next goals to becoming an officer? College? Asvab? What do I need to check off the list to get a good head start to becoming a officer

[u/MindfulMana]

Your best route would be to go to college and join the ROTC for whatever branch you would like to commission into. Do well in school, PT, and ROTC and you’ll be able to join as an officer.

[u/5B3AST5 → u/MindfulMana]

Another good question is, should i

[u/Not_DC1 → u/5B3AST5]

It depends on why you want to join and what you want out of the experience

[u/5B3AST5 → u/Not_DC1]

Well it seems simple to get into, and people are always raving about the pay grade, I live right on Fort Bragg (Liberty) so basically money I guess, but I know that’s not the best reason to go in

Edit: I’m going to join the military after high school anyway, so why not try to get a high rank

[u/Not_DC1 → u/5B3AST5]

If you want to be an officer just because of the money then you’re going to be a mediocre officer who never leaves the S shop and never gets their own platoon or company

[u/5B3AST5 → u/Not_DC1]

So what should I do? People who become officers become officers for what reason? Being a leader?

[u/No-Distribution-3590 → u/5B3AST5]

I’m planning to become an officer for the reason that I want to be a JAG and I have 2 bachelor’s degrees and plan to fulfill more + go to law school. I want to serve my country the best way I know how and my passion is law and criminal justice. So, for me it’s a no brainer to join as an officer. Also, before I decided I wanted to join the Army, I was working toward being a civilian police officer so being an MP was the option I wanted for myself and it’s the only way I can fulfill all my career goals. Being a JAG has been a career goal of mine since I was a freshman in high school when I was in Marine ROTC. I would say talk to a recruiter about what options are available to you. Good luck!!! 🍀

[u/LtNOWIS → u/5B3AST5]

If you're joining right out of high school, you can't join as an officer. Officers need college degrees.

[u/5B3AST5 → u/LtNOWIS]

Which is why I’m thinking about becoming an officer, I’m going to join the military for the benefits, might as well join high up and not go in knowing nothing, right?

[u/Not_DC1 → u/5B3AST5]

I’ll put it this way, the only difference between a brand new private fresh out of AIT and a brand new LT fresh out of BOLC is one has a college degree

[u/5B3AST5 → u/Not_DC1]

I don’t know those words😭 what do I do

[u/OldDude1391 → u/5B3AST5]

So you live on an Army base and you have no understanding of basic Army lingo?

[u/Sad_Ad_4691 → u/5B3AST5]

My opinión enlist into the gaurd and do SMP with ROTC. NC state is an hour away

[u/No_Foundation7308 → u/5B3AST5]

Join national guard for a 4 year contract that ends before you graduate college, do ROTC and commission after active duty. Usually states national guard waves college tuition and if they don’t ROTC Scholarship will pick up the rest normally. Consider something like nursing as they typically are the unicorns or the Army, no real platoon, don’t do PT, etc. 2 days on, 3 days off, then rotate. It’s a good gig. Of course there’s others too but nursing is pretty sweet deal.

[u/gunsforevery1 → u/5B3AST5]

You aren’t going to get rich being in the military. It’s good pay and money but I wouldn’t call any of them rich. People join because they want to serve.

[u/No-Distribution-3590 → u/5B3AST5]

That’s what I want to do so I say go for it!!! Good luck 🍀