Should You Be An Army Officer?

[@andyorozco6675]

Also are you the type who is willing to work early/late hrs and weekends? And answer calls on the weekends/holidays? Officers do.

[@dma67111]

I’m not the type to do that. Ty

[@sobersaber494]

Thank you for this video. Naturally, I leant more towards enlisted, against the advice of my parents as "why would you want to be an enlisted if your education level is high". After brainstorming why as an outdoorsy-gungho-do-first-think-later 20 year old, I realised that I was afraid of higher responsibility- fucking up and fearing that I wont be able to uphold my duties as an officer. I do well in management but I get so uneasy about not knowing everything well enough to make a decision. However, after a long time of brainstorming in bookstores and everywhere in general, I chose to put my application in as an officer. I realised that I should not limit myself, and strive for goals that better my character in the long run. I am very thankful that OCS is 9 months, so I can develop into a competent officer.

[@simonkyro661]

I hope you’re doing well The thing about the Military is that you never ever get all information values before making a decision. Just trust your training and your intelligence, take the blame AND credit (share the credit with your people), you’re going to get both

[@herkload]

So, how’s it going now?

[@allentay4875]

If you’re going to be an officer you need to lead from the front. On the dangerous missions you are expected to lead. Do it, Be Know Do. Get the Intel, assess most the most deadly course of action and conduct rehearsals -make a command decision don’t wait for the boss to give you tactical advice when your the one on the ground.

[@gustavoassis1698]

thank you for sharing. I am an USMC NCO right now and am planning on going to Army OCS and becoming and officer. I believe I have many limitations when it comes to public speaking as you have mentioned but i believe that if I must face the challenge and use this as an opportunity to improve myself.

[@whatever41421]

I'm not an American, and I don't really have any interest in being in any armed forces (simply not for me) but for some reason I still find your videos really interesting to listen to, its nice to hear an inside perspective I guess

[@jacobwilliams1319]

What u do for a living

[@vice_santos]

@@jacobwilliams1319 hes a doctor

[@swajrusa6242]

I leave October 2nd to fort benning as a 19k. Thanks for all your videos.

[@CrisInHD]

See you soon at Ft Benning - Pvt Croswell

[@unitedstatesmilitary-unite8704]

swajrusa are you a Private First Class or specialist yet?

[@charlesdarwindanao7158]

Bro it's been 3 years how u doing?

[@deet2440]

I wanna be in the field and fighting but I also wanna be giving orders...I wanna be the guy who is told to do something but I have to figure out how

[@sombra6499]

That’s what Sargents are for

[@buster117]

Keep in mind: officers study at college/University before they get to work and usually are interested/required to dedicate a large part of their lives in the military. Unlike unlisted they can drop out of the military when ever they want. And that's my problem I want to be an naval officer but don't know and want to spend my life in such role.

[@MattWard89]

For Officers your initial commitment is 4 years? Idk where you heard that it is a large part of you life but 4 years isn't much.

[@SOBEYOND]

@@MattWard89 Are officers under the 8 year MSO that you know of?

[@MyEgoReal]

LISTEN TO ME become a officer NOT ENLISTED i severed as enlisted and it was fun but you have to deal with so much bs BUT when you’re commissioned (officer) you lead and get treated better and you automatically outrank any enlisted even a E9 (SGM) and you get paid more off the bat so go officer and become a damn leader!

[@IUAlum82]

I don’t have more responsibility because I’m paid more...I have more responsibility because of my commission and AR 600-20...it grants me Command authority to pretty do whatever I see fit to train my unit and maintain good order and discipline. Pay has nothing to do with responsibility and show me the regulation that agrees w you. Officers are paid more to compete with the private sector. I have 107 Soldiers in my company...a business owner w 107 employees gets paid three times more than I do. It’s simple math.

[@jazzblackvalcin3097]

I don’t like to be in charge at all. I can’t be an officer. I like taking orders but not in a crazy way. I don’t like making plans.🤷🏾‍♀️

[@Duneuniverse]

I’m both tbh

[@danii8168]

Personally I would like to be an officer instead of enlistee because officers are usually educated and wise folks who are treated better and are very resourceful leaders and/or decision makers. Now I am not looking forward being physically superior but I could make decisions and contribute work whether I like it or not, no matter if I like the person I am working with or not, I see downsides in myself which are usually social downsides but I am not afraid to speak in front of a large group of people. Please give me feedback on whether I should be an officer or not

[@J.P.G.]

9 more things to do in my college career to get my bachelors. So close. OCS route for sure.

[@cjay8087]

Update?

[@Enderknight1024]

As I plan to be a psychiatrist in the army I kinda am going officer anyway just felt like watching.

[@MHH2121]

Hey Matt I find your videos very helpful . I just enlisted and I’m getting more and more prepared mentally and physically thanks to you. Can you do a video on warrant officers?

[@carlooo00s]

i have a college degree and am super not sure..

[@danii8168]

LOS PRIMED Is English your secondary language?

[@Bob-dv1hx]

I haven’t started college yet but I’ve been considering becoming a commissioned officer in the army through ROTC. I’m a big historian buff on military tactics and I love planning and paper work. The only thing I’m nervous about is the natural leader part. I love taking lead but I’m not great at working with people I don’t know at first but I’m great once I know them. In other words I can be shy with people I don’t know. Is this a major set back in becoming an officer, my first impressions with my unit, etc. Should this make me reconsider trying to become an officer? Thanks in advance to any replies.

[@Kyle-zc4ph]

Did you do rotc?

[@kiliandervaux6675]

It might be a setback but I don't think it's necessary to be a natural leader. It would be helpful at first but in my opinion, the best leadership is the one you have once you've gained the respect of the women and men you're in charge off (both can work together though, that's probably ideal). But if you like taking decisions, I think you should consider being an officer. That's what I do at least. Tell me if you agree guys because even though he asked 3 years ago, it can still help other people

[@xotillweoverdose666]

I have an recruiting meeting with SSG Polis for Army coming up. I am going to grad with BA in Criminal Justice & Sociology. I want that officer position. I've been watching alot of your stuff and other people too. I'm excited to learn about my resilience, Comrade relationships, trust, integrity with myself and my actions and of course the leadership roles. I do have some nervous feet but, that's because I'm not there yet! I will be

[@jessiecuellar4630]

You should do a video on reclassifying and the FAST class 😁👏🏽

[@Fentonscooby]

Agreed

[@randomuser5443]

Officer: guy who makes money on management Enlisted: “that didn’t go to plan”

[@ghostsmoke11]

I'm a 5 year prior enlisted SSgt (E5) in the air force, still AD. Considering going to OCS. Any advice?

[@dma67111]

I have a 17C E4 starting rank with a degree. Only interested in it for the wrk experience and not the military post life. Don’t mind the lower pay for now

[@explorerextraordinaire5472]

I listen to your videos at 1.75 speed because you TALK SO DAMN SLOWLY

[@stetsonnecaise3507]

Hell I like that😂😂

[@faithaustin5896]

I'm having a toss up between green-to-gold, or warrant officer route. aahhhh help lol

[@akeembausley7885]

Shootemup great news i passed the eye exam with flying colors they said im just really near sighted lol now i just got to wait on sgt to give me the call he had to turn in the eye exam paper work at meps so now he said he will hit me up in 1-3 weeks to go ahead and pick my mos wish meps down here wasn't so slow but aye at least im almost there bro

[@MattWard89]

That's great man! Make sure that you keep on them once that 1 week comes around. Don't let 3 weeks go by before saying anything if he doesn't give you a call. But if you have been communicating well with your recruiter you should be fine!

[@akeembausley7885]

Shootemup89 yea my Sgt he's cool it's just Meps kinda slow down here but he keeps me updated I'm glad it's almost fiscal year because that means all jobs will be open I will keep you updated

[@MattWard89]

Yeah that should be a great thing for you come October! For sure man

[@PodCastWrld2.0]

2 seconds in. Hell yeah I should

[@specialed1444]

Thanks for the great video. I am planning to join US Army ROTC in Philly Next year. Are you in the SMP? If so I had some questions about that.

[@MattWard89]

Yeah, I was in the Reserves before so that kinda automatically puts me in the SMP program. I drill with the same unit I was at before.

[@specialed1444]

Ok. I do really like your videos. A lot good advice. Did you maintain your enlisted rank or did they give you the Officer Trainee rank i have read about?

[@lafortalezadelasoledad1483]

SRGT. Ward thank you for your information, as a green card holder and recently graduated from SDSU on Criminal Justice , and gettin a Bachelo'rs Degree i was wondering if i am able to be Officer with my Bachelor's?? I don't like to talk to much because sometimes when i speak clearly i start to stammering but i'm ok writing and reading but no talking by self, usually i need an argument or a script or a kind guide because i get nervious people usually started to not understand me. What you recommend before join?

[@vibrantmoral849]

nice description

[@jkdynasty5737]

Is it normal to go enlisted after college?

[@MattWard89]

+JK Dynasty A lot more people do it than you think. So no it’s not. Many just don’t want to be an officer. It’s a lot of responsibility.

[@BigBoss-zg1df]

It's your choice pal and don't think what's weird or what doesn't seem right, as long as your pursue your dream, then go for it and good luck

[@jkdynasty5737]

Big Boss thanks man appreciate it

[@jkdynasty5737]

Shootemup89 thank you

[@TOhara-eb2lp]

Matt Ward For good or for I'll, the people I've met who did that did it because they couldn't get a job out of college.

[@Greg-wq3dk]

Could you explain how the bonues work? I have been hearing stories about the Army giving bonues out and then asking you to pay them back after your service. Just want to know what to do.

[@MattWard89]

It's pretty simple actually. The people saying not to accept your bonus are the 1 out of 100,000 that have an issue with it. Sometimes mistakes happen but you just get it on your contract and after AIT you get 50% of your bonus and the 25% each two years after.

[@sifuk4649]

Do officers fight alongside their guys?

[@barchetta575m]

Army (and Marines) infantry officers do. I recommend reading One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer by Nathaniel Fick. Fick goes into great detail about what it is like to be an infantry officer and the responsibility of leading a platoon into combat.

[@riverdaletales8457]

Lieutenants do but not many officers now a days fight along their men.

[@bransonwillis1672]

First off, you have to be a college grad!. Think about that first.

[@engineergaming5989]

Is it actually true once you get to a certain rank as a soldier you can commission as an officer?

[@xijinping4463]

A lot of enlisted have degrees they just don’t want to be officers,yes it’s better pay but also comes with a lot of work

[@jazzblackvalcin3097]

Thank u for this video.🥰

[@emmy6684]

Can an officer be a k9 handler? because im looking into being an officer and a k9 handler

[@christianbradley9910]

Do you still get to develop soldiers as an officer?

[@talentlessbird3572]

No, I should be one in the US marine corps lol

[@klech8]

Hi!! Great videos! Can a foreign medical doctor join the US military??

[@MattWard89]

You should yepp. You will have to go through some additional steps but you can

[@klech8]

Shootemup89 thanks for your reply!! Please what steps would I need to go through? I tried searching online but came up with nothing solid. If it's OK with you, could I contact you by email? Thank you so much!!

[@addacdd]

You should go watch Dr Webb. He discussed about this in his video. He was in the Air Force. Also you need to pass the USMLE to be US certified to practice within the US. Also depends on which specialty you are in and if there is room.

[@kari809]

I'm 11 and I want to be the cheif of naval staff(CNO)or be somewhere up there in the chain of command maybe the VCNO I definitely want to be in the navy and if I can't be those positions I'd probably take XO, or CO of seals.

[@micahknoche8501]

So do field grade officers from lt to cpt get to actually do the stuff like ncos, the kind of stuff that all goes away once major hits?

[@davidfonseca746]

Isnt their different jobs u can do as an officer rather than leading on the field? I heard u can work in law or counseling.

[@gregorylatta8159]

Officers are the white collar of the military! Enlisted are the blue collar 😆

[@malcolmmitchell7207]

I just got enlisted in the Army National Guard. I leave for basic training on April 12th. But here’s the question I want to ask. It’s a simple yes or no question. How many college credits and hours do I have to have in order to be a commissioned officer in the US Army, and can I become a officer in the US Army with an associates degree?

[@md5612s]

No you need a bachelors degree. Look into ROTC and the SMP program with the national guard.

[@loganberry7754]

If your infantry and go from enlisted to officer. Will you still see combat if stationery overseas?

[@jamesmiles9851]

yes, but im pretty sure its around o-4 is when you don't see combat as much as o-1 -> o-3

[@artixskillz7636]

So if I want to become an Armor Officer (19A), what is the best way to achieve that? (Graduating Highschool in 2021, No JROTC experience)

[@ragingocelot4013]

Artixskillz College ROTC or a Military Academy

[@ballmaster5991]

can you be a combat officer???

[@VeryPoliteNPC]

Ball master I mean you can pick a combat arms MOS as an officer but typically most of the actual combat is done by those under your command. Say you’re in a combat situation and you’re a platoon or squad leader, you’d typically be more focused on directing fire than firing your weapon.

[@mookfarr]

+Matt Ward - I joined after college as an enlisted soldier and served three years. I got out and was in the IRR for three years until recently rejoining in the Reserves. I'm considering putting in my officer packet. One question: How does branch selection work out? Do they take into account your enlisted MOS? I ask because I am really only interested in my particular branch. So, I'm concerned about going to OCS and being re-assigned to something I don't want. Thanks for all your work on these videos. They've been motivating me since I decided to suit up again.

[@MattWard89]

It depends on if you want Active duty/Reserves/Guard. Yes they take into account your prior service branch but that doesn't necessarily guarantee that. They grade you on a veryyyy large scale of different things and being prior service with a particular branch only accounts for like a few percentage points of that. It's definitely possible to get assigned another branch with Active duty which is why you want to do really well on all of the categories that they grade you on to better your chances of getting your first pick.

[@BigBoss-zg1df]

I heard about a special forces officer and that is something I want to take for ROTC but my concern is what if I pass that class but when I take a pt test for the SF try out and I fail. Do I have to take another mos or job?

[@MattWard89]

+Big Boss If you are worried about passing a PT test then I don’t think SF is for you. That’s not to be mean it’s just the truth. It takes a lot of mental toughness and hard work to pass/max a PT test and that what you need to be SF. Also, if you fail SF training at ANY point in time you will be switch to some other combat MOS. Also it’s not just a PT test to “try out”. Things are more complicated than that.

[@destinym6096]

I've been talking with my recruiter for about a year and a half now, planning on going in as soon as I finish my Bachelor's (about 7 more months) and I will be putting my all into SF. There is. a. lot. But if you can keep on yourself and stay focused, keep your cool, I haven't run into any information regarding it that is impossible by any means. People can do it, obviously. There are SF out there. You just have to put in the work, remember to breathe, and take it one step at a time. I can't wait to get further into my journey with it all. It's an odd mess of nervous and excited. I've found that there are a decent bit of books out there in regard to the process up to and after becoming SF and it's extremely motivating and fairly informative. I also workout regularly (for obvious reasons) and have started doing every little thing I can to make what I can a little easier. Face a fear now and I might still be afraid, but I can walk through it with clarity instead of running scared later. I watch pretty much every one of your videos. A person can only be so "prepared" for something like this, but I take what I can get and make anything else work as I go.

[@cjay8087]

@@destinym6096 Can I get an update pal?

[@destinym6096]

@@cjay8087 on what? My path? I'm still in school. I had to push things a few month to help with an adoption

[@cjay8087]

@@destinym6096 oh ok, what are you majoring in?

[@malcolmmitchell7207]

What are the qualifications to becoming a Army officer, cause I’m slick thinking about becoming a lieutenant in the military.

[@jordancarlson7338]

Best way is a college rotc program

[@rubeno_2463]

Bachelors degree

[@JacKayKayKay07]

What is the Green to Gold program?

[@atlasforge6524]

Jacqueline LoweryGarcia he has a video on it.

[@jeli4695]

Hey Matt do you know if it’s difficult, easy or even possible to get an age waiver at age 35 or 36 to become an Officer in the National Guard?

[@marioduarte7560]

Paper work is gay though but the pay is great :^(

[@unitedstatesmilitary-unite8704]

What if it was for a new promotion