Officer Respect

[Keith]

I'm a high school senior and going to Penn State University next fall. I am signed up for Army ROTC and will be a 2nd lieutenant when I graduate. However, I was contacted by an enlisted Sargeant who talked to me about an SMP program she wanted me to take. She had mentioned that enlisted soldiers sometimes look at the officers as "ratsies" ... I think that was the term she used. She meant that somebody coming out of a University and only 21 years old can be leading somebody who has been an enlisted soldier almost their whole life. And it's hard to earn the enlisted soldiers' respect. She said the only officers that come with respect are the graduates of Westpoint because they earn their respect. This comment has been weighing on my mind and I was actually going to apply to Westpoint back in September. I had the grades, the extra curricular activities, the SAT scores, and some volunteer work. I have a good GPA and take all challenging classes, mostly Advanced Placement courses. I chose Penn State because I think it was better for me and what I wanted. But now I'm beginning to rethink my decision. I guess what I really want to know is do enlisted soldiers really look at these kids coming out of college as inferior and uncapable?

[exsailor66]

Not if you do it right.

Read my post in the Introductions forum for my recipe for success as an Officer (Who I am). It is only my opinion (from 18 years in the ranks and 12 as an officer). It worked for me.

I was in the Navy, but professional Officership is.

Get the best education you can no matter what. You only go by that way once.

Then remember the "two ears, one mouth" rule of wisdom.

Because you asked that question, your chances of success are up there.

Good luck to you.

[Tacky]

I'm a high school senior and going to Penn State University next fall. I am signed up for Army ROTC and will be a 2nd lieutenant when I graduate. However, I was contacted by an enlisted Sargeant who talked to me about an SMP program she wanted me to take. She had mentioned that enlisted soldiers sometimes look at the officers as "ratsies" ... I think that was the term she used. She meant that somebody coming out of a University and only 21 years old can be leading somebody who has been an enlisted soldier almost their whole life. And it's hard to earn the enlisted soldiers' respect. She said the only officers that come with respect are the graduates of Westpoint because they earn their respect. This comment has been weighing on my mind and I was actually going to apply to Westpoint back in September. I had the grades, the extra curricular activities, the SAT scores, and some volunteer work. I have a good GPA and take all challenging classes, mostly Advanced Placement courses. I chose Penn State because I think it was better for me and what I wanted. But now I'm beginning to rethink my decision. I guess what I really want to know is do enlisted soldiers really look at these kids coming out of college as inferior and uncapable?

lol She's blowing smoke up your ***, kid.

I hate to tell you, but West Point dips generally get less respect than other butter bars, simply because they generally come in with an arrogant know all attitude. They've not earned anything but a four year education and a few Army schools. Which as a butter bar, a 2nd LT, you won't be getting much respect anyway - be you from Penn or West Point. You'll be a cherry, and you wont' know **** - don't think because you wear gold you'll march in and start bossing 15 year time in service E-7s around. Won't happen.

And yes, soldiers look at cherries (new guys) as incapable and inferior - because they are. If you listen to your NCOs, learn and gleen as much information as possible - you'll garner the respect of your men. Respect is earned, you don't get it just because you put on a gold bar.

I wouldn't worry about what this woman said - as I said, regardless of West Point or Penn State, you will all be 2nd LTs, which is basically a Private with some extra reading skills. You'll all have to earn your respect, and no one that matters will care what university you came from as long as you're a good soldier, leader and officer.