Officer or Enlisted? Army E4's Unique Insight

Welcome back to the channel, folks! Today's video brings you an unparalleled perspective from an Army E4 who's walked the unique path of serving with a college degree. The timeless debate of whether to pursue a career as an officer or an enlisted soldier has often perplexed those considering a military career. Our E4 guest breaks down the real-world pros and cons of both approaches, offering a first-hand account of his experiences.
This candid conversation sheds light on the realities of army life, the distinct responsibilities of officers and enlisted soldiers, and how a college degree fits into the equation. You'll gain comprehensive insights that could help you make an informed decision about your potential career in the army.
If you're weighing your options between officer and enlisted or simply interested in understanding the dynamics of the army from an insider's perspective, this video is a must-watch!
Don't forget, KZbin's not always as reliable with its notifications, so be sure to check back frequently so you don't miss any of our content. If you haven't already, hit that subscribe button and join our community. We appreciate your support, and as always, thank you for tuning in!

[@quintonwynn9972]

Spent 3 years enlisted in the Coast Guard with a bachelors. Obtained my masters and was picked up for OCS. I am leaving this summer. Personally, I know I have a huge leg up over civilians being selected for OCS. In addition, I know what it’s like to be enlisted and can have empathy towards my coastguardsmen and be an overall better leader!

[@jakezweig]

Kick butt man!!!!!!

[@tylersmith8083]

He nailed something. Attitude. Just know, your attitude in the Military, about the Military, and towards your fellow service members is going to shape your career in the Military!!

[@southernSCkid]

My man called the GWOT a GOTWA 😂

[@donesixfour]

I have 20 months left to finish my degree, I just started hitting the gym again for the 1st time in years, it's tough, but I'm running, biking, and lifting every other day. I am 29 years old, and I plan to go for officer position in the air national guard when I get my degree.

[@Japanimal1992]

" I enjoy working for purpose, rather than adding to the bottom profit of someone else's corporation." Powerful, that was always my reason as well.

[@tylermarks7463]

I enlisted in the army as a cav scout. I already had a bachelor's degree. I was 22. What made enlisting attractive to me was my loans were going to be paid off and the option to pursue a masters was also available to me. My command was really good and a couple of guys did pursue a commission. I did get all my loans paid off. My contract was four years, but was extended to 6 Because of the meb. My command took care of me and were supportive most of the time. So i can say the military is give and take its not always great. But i also enlisted in 2006. Just have a open mind and a plan and goals and when shit starts to suck just remember your plans after and you will be good.

[@jakezweig]

You went in in the middle of the wR

[@One_of_Gods_Warriors]

Would love to see more rangers talk about going in the regiment as a pfc

[@mikeguapo1999]

I can tell you about it if you want to know more about it.

[@One_of_Gods_Warriors]

@@mikeguapo1999 how do I get into contact with you ?

[@irishcoffee5412]

Back in the day I had some friends that enlisted and were going to college. They got recalled to active duty in 1990, left college, went to war, came back and have ended up close to top of the food chain. Ohhhhh yeahhhh.

[@ph5915]

Interesting interview, obviously an intelligent and mature young man. Sometimes circumstances change ones course, but it sounds like he'll be fine after the detour.💯

[@jakezweig]

He is going to kill it

[@AUDACITY4Uphotographer]

This was a great video with tons of value.

[@olivercole1]

Just commissioned in May for the Navy through ROTC. I wish I had someone like you to talk to when I was younger. Nothing but real talk. You’re doing such a good service for young people out there. I’ve watched peers go through so many of the same things your guests talk about.

[@jakezweig]

Share the love

[@seagk1343]

Extremely insightful video for me. I’m 26 with a degree and kind of lost and have spent a couple weeks considering OTS with the Air Force. Very huge to hear his perspective especially with respect to his stance on Enlisted to Commissioned Officer or Civilian to OTS.

[@user-nn4gk5tc9q]

Go O, do not settle.

[@ViktoriousDead]

I’d say do everything you can do distance yourself from ground level-conventional troops will greatly benefit your career. Airborne, Ranger school, to a lesser extent air assault, sapper, whatever, bug your command to send you to SFAS or RASP, crush your PT tests, anything you can do to not be a basic leg in the Army. If you stay there, you can get put in a backwater unit and rot your entire career away doing equipment layouts and going to the range three times a year MAYBE. Not everyone can be SOF or whatever but everyone can try, or at the very least TRY to get in the pipeline or go to as many schools as possible/commission as an officer. Great interview as always. This individual is much more…. Ahh, ARTICULATE than some of the past guests ha.

[@jakezweig]

Yes he is!!!!

[@1anre]

He had confidence and had the lingo on lock so he could flow with Jake pretty well and not get intimidated

[@Mrd1_j6665]

This one was 🔥. This young dude will be OK. One of your best yet JZ. Keep doing the do My Brother!!!

[@jakezweig]

Appreciate that

[@thatdude-xj4qe]

Big fan Jake!! Loved you since the game on discovery

[@wildbill60]

Another good video Jake

[@jakezweig]

Thank you

[@HuggybearActual]

Jake. I left the Marine Corps and went through Army SFAS 3 times. Did all the right things, physically and mentally prepared, knew how to work well with others and lead when it was time to step up. Still not selected. SFAS is another selection process where one can do wel...but for reasons that will never be known to them still not get picked.

[@noahrivera2092]

Mkayyyyyy !!! Huge fan

[@WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot290]

Riiiggghht?😅

[@soy.ingrid]

I love that! At crossroads take the best route 🔥

[@jbarah05]

I would have told him to double dip join the reserves and then get a ROTC scholarship a lot my buddies did that to pay for college and once they get that ROTC scholarship your promoted to a E5 and given cadet status in your unit. It’s pretty much shadowing your officer leadership and getting paid to do so every other weekend. You get TA and gi and plus the ROTC pays for books ,tuition and housing.

[@jakezweig]

🔥

[@odgreen5655]

only thing extra is split ops...going to basic summer before senior year HS and AIT after graduation. You're already a year TIG when you finish AIT

[@josharnold.]

If you're going as an officer you can't be part of the E4 mafia though

[@1anre]

They can beat him, so what's the fear

[@denno3124]

It's all good. They're going to throw you out anyway as soon as you get E-5 lol.

[@Halo47143]

It’s a little different for gaurd/reserves. As long as your in a college with rotc they will let you go to comission and compete for active, or you can do state OCS so it’s less competitive and highly encouraged atleast in my state

[@BeingLovedAlways]

Thanks

[@jacobviera6424]

You have a free workout? Been watching your videos for a while, I’m definitely going to check that out !

[@jakezweig]

[e-mail]

[@1anre]

I know for Canada it's a bit different, particularly for their Army reserves. For an mid-aged guy working in corporate and wants some slight change to the 9-5 work environment part-time, and considering joining their reserves - They have a couple of good infantry units; Queen Own Rifles Regiment, Toronto Scottish Regiment, and after speaking with a couple of their recruiter even, and even as an older guy in his 30s, they said since it's part-time, they're advising to go in as an infantry soldier in the Canadian reserves and then commission as an officer once you make the rank of Corporal or Sergeant and get promoted to first lieutenant right away, or captain if you commission from warrant officer. I know its a bit nuanced and its outside what you mainly interact and give your advice on, but I'd still like to hear it, cause they said the slot for reserve infantry officers are so small and highly competitive and preference is usually given to prior-enlisted in the Canadian reserves compared to say fresh off-the-streets officer reserve candidates. Crazy right?, because your fellow black SOF buddy - Jay Dorleus from @GreenBeretChronicles is actually of this same mindset which the Canadian Army recruiters were advising, where he said that the police and fire service follow, in that that you can only commission from the ranks before you get into a leadership position in say an infantry, armoured, signals unit irrespective of you having a 4-year Bachelors or Masters degree.

[@danielrn133]

He is right it is not as simple as just "changing" over to officer. I was enlisted 5 years then went O for 15. It was on the verge of impossible. One thing I didn't realize is the unit I was leaving is "losing" me. In my head I was like who cares? However it is a huge deal almost like the unit failed and is "losing" me. Also remember When E to go O I had to have an entire MEPs physical again. And guess what..they get to look at ALL your medical records unlike the first time at MEPs.. So if you had a psych issue or some major medical issue. No go.

[@jakezweig]

Great point dude you down to talk about it? Man they why you made the switch and how. [e-mail]

[@VredesStall]

@danielrn133 Could you have just ETS-ed (gotten out first) and then gone Officer??

[@danielrn133]

@@VredesStall Yes, but then you still have to go back through MEPs. Where I saw a lot of people get hemmed up was with their second physical. Also if you ETS and do a VA claim they probably won't let you back in. That said..always try. I am not here to say don't try. I was able to do it, but it was way way more complicated than I realized. I actually had to get a GO to release me. All I can say is if you can go straight in as an O it is really the way to go.

[@VredesStall]

@@danielrn133 Thanks!!💯

[@danielrn133]

@@VredesStall It can be done, but it can be a hard road. Just. keep at it. Good luck.

[@odgreen5655]

Chris Joseph P (I got a notification of a reply from you but can't find it)...100% you know what the enlisted experience is if you were prior service. 100% agreed it's a great resource HOWEVER it doesn't trump character and integrity as a leader. Being enlisted before commissioning doesn't mean they will care more or be less selfish or good leaders at all. It just means some of the enlisted shenanigans were experienced by them also. A friend of mine and I were talking and we developed this theory that out of experience...the officers we respected the most that had prior service tended to be E6s or so. EVERYBODY has this I was an E4 story and it only amounts to I did the same goofy stuff as the joes not I learned to lead, sacrifice, empathize etc....i.e. it only gives you more tools to have success as a leader, doesn't mean they're actually going to use them and be good leaders. I have specific field grades in mind as I write this...all were prior enlisted and not respected.

[@cxpyrxght]

Fairly new to channel jake good work brotha man. What does the route marine officer to special forces look like? (Marsoc, seals, delta, spec ops)

[@jakezweig]

Are you in the USMC? If not go ARMY

[@haraldsigurdsson1232]

Cool you are that guy from "dude you are screwed". Loved that show shame they are not making it anymore. Did you find out what that plant you ate in the desert that made you puke was?

[@jakezweig]

Just to much grass man

[@haraldsigurdsson1232]

@@jakezweig ok. I wanted so bad to come trough the screen in that episode and give you a big bottle of water and some food😂

[@jakezweig]

@@haraldsigurdsson1232 it sucked man

[@TimboSliceeee]

Jake would you recommend going and flying helicopter in the army? It’s a 10 year commitment but you don’t need a college degree.

[@jakezweig]

You need a 2year degree if im correct. Hell yah man because we have a track to the air lines after

[@alexanderjohnson83]

Hey Jake, for those of us interested in a SOF career as an officer, how should we choose between Army and Marine Corps?

[@g00gleisgayerthanaids56]

Go army, pick the branch with funding

[@Ashurus]

I'm 25 and have about 2 years of college done. I want to be a Ranger or Green Beret. Wouldn't the enlisted pipeline be more direct? How competitive is it to become an officer in the 75th regiment or SF?

[@user-nn4gk5tc9q]

Go O, You'll get a shot at all the cool guy shit while you're in, don't romanticize the enlisted life style. We need good leaders, good leaders are made by good dudes stepping up.

[@elbat5946]

@@user-nn4gk5tc9q💪🏻

[@g00gleisgayerthanaids56]

​@@user-nn4gk5tc9qthe best officers were/are prior enlisted...

[@erios2751]

Hey Jake. Do you still talk to Terry or any of the other guys from "Dude you're screwed". Just wondering if there's a chance for a season 3

[@jakezweig]

All the time man

[@erios2751]

@@jakezweig That's good to hear man. I'm glad you're doing well. Keep up the good work!

[@ammar.1979]

Hey man. I’m 25 year old high school graduate. I’m a underwriter welder and a deep sea diver. I did kick boxing for 10 years will that help me be in the seals?

[@jakezweig]

Sure

[@jaroot12298]

Does college gpa still matter in order to go seal officer if I have banging numbers on pst? Not sure how screener process works now

[@357SWAGNUM_MAGA_X]

I think yes because it's so competitive to get in now

[@jakezweig]

3.0 unless your a college beast

[@jaroot12298]

@@jakezweig do you mean outstanding pst with a degree, or do you mean college beast as in you went to a prestigious school with a tough major?

[@JG20204]

Going through a marine corps ocs process right now. They were trying to get me to enlist and I said fuck no

[@yacobcastro]

I would love to be on your show and tell my story.

[@jakezweig]

[e-mail]

[@slimshady69]

Yo is the hell week book a real thing in Buds when the instructors write down names and pass them to the teams when guys get through who were turds

[@jakezweig]

The teams talk a lot

[@yacobcastro]

Recruiter lied and said I could go to OCS during basic….😂😂😂

[@1anre]

Wth. He should be jailed. And you didn't do your own research?

[@yacobcastro]

You are allowed to go to OCS in basic if it’s in your cotract prior. It was Covid man and I was out of work for 5 months and thought regardless my Bachelors would carry me. Found out the hard way.

[@1anre]

@@yacobcastro so it wasn't added to your contract ?

[@yacobcastro]

@@1anre No, like I said I joined during Covid (10 months into Covid). There are like 3 or 4 times a year that civilians off the street and drop packets for OCS and the deadline had passed for that year. So I would have had to wait a whole year and apply at a different recruiting station so he lied and told me I could enlist and do during basic. There’s no where to look that info up online unless you ask Jake or knowledgeable KZbinrs.

[@erfields]

So what happened? I'm about to enlist also and have a Bachelor's Degree. I've been getting conflicting information about this. E 4

[@dboiitaylor7747]

Book over achievement by who

[@fionagallagher984]

What is his job in the army?

[@jakezweig]

Can not say

[@kingjohn3480]

I'm 28 year old i just started college thinking going to the officer in the army

[@jakezweig]

SEND IT MAN

[@nikitaw1982]

Thank you. Whats the video with the Tennessee swimmer @18minutes?

[@jakezweig]

Shit good question

[@ensporium8857]

Do they still have the green to gold program???

[@Goof-fg8dy]

Yes, but it can be pretty competitive. Don’t enlist banking on going green to gold when you become a NCO

[@jakezweig]

Its is rolling strong just like he said hit is hard as fuck to get

[@2Fit4Tech]

Hey iam 30 and still completing my bachelor degree do u think it's a good idea to join at e2 or e3 in 2024

[@jakezweig]

worest idea ever

[@2Fit4Tech]

@jakezweig this is in real time , I have about $5000 in student debt right now , and working with a US army Recuiter who scduled a behavioral health consultantation with MEPS , should I join the army for my selfish reason like a stable paycheck , VA home loan and other stuff

[@jakezweig]

@@2Fit4Tech finish school go in as an officer

[@denno3124]

NO!

[@ensporium8857]

🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲🦅

[@24reyeser]

6 year contract lol

[@3SLXXV]

Eh, I tend to disagree. If sof is what you're interested in, the officer route is not the route to go. Yes, you'll make more money but if you actually want to be a "shooter" then enlisted is the way to go. Also, I didn't grow up doing combat sports and I made it. You either got it or you don't. Just my 2 cents.

[@jakezweig]

Who are you shooting? Do you have a college degree?

[@BadGuyCoffee]

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians bro. 🤣

[@jakezweig]

Shit if you can be a chief be a chief

[@BadGuyCoffee]

@@jakezweig Truth.

[@1anre]

The Indians will always come, eh?