America's Navy - Enlisted vs. Officer

Every job in the Navy carries tremendous importance for the success of the fleet.

As an Officer, it will be your responsibility to ensure the mission is accomplished by making the tough decisions in coordinating and planning.

As an Enlisted Sailor, you will be called upon to execute key functions that will determine the outcome of the task at hand.

Whichever your path, the Navy has opportunities to further your abilities and make you the best that you can possibly be.

Want to follow us on social?  Find us here:

[Avarcirith]

I joined the Navy after graduating from college, with honors and after having served in leadership roles, but I went enlisted. Some people would call me stupid for doing that (hell, my parents were very against me joining the military all together), but it felt right for me. When making life decisions do what's in your heart, not what anyone else "thinks" you should do.

[dwightbrown]

My dad made Lt. CMDR (mustang), he dropped out of high school to join in WWII, also served in Korea and Nam.

[raymond]

Started off as an E-1, selected to attend STA-21 (BOOST) as an E-2. I really enjoyed seeing both sides as an Enlisted and as an Officer. God Bless the United States Navy.

[moomoopuppy]

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice in keeping our country safe. My late father was a Chief Petty Officer in Disbursing who was also a Vietnam vet and was once stationed on the CVN-65 USS Enterprise. He was so proud to be a sailor and was even Post Commander of our local American Legion (Post 858) in San Jose, Ca.

[rjeanette]

Former Enlisted that attended Officer School. Enjoyed both roles and I am proud to have served my country.

[JohnMagillM]

Congrats. I was a navy recruiter for 4 years before retiring. One of the first things I always asked was why do you want to join? Are you doing it to impress others or to show others you can do it. Or because you want to make a difference? Then I would say no matter what me, your family, gf/bf say or think about it. Only you can live your life no one else.

[haydencrabtree]

Given the title, I was hoping that this video was gonna be a fistfight between a chief and a captain

[MattNemmers]

Chief Petty Officers are the conduit between officers and enlisted.  Chiefs train junior officers and rely on their Leading Petty Officers to train the junior enlisted, having been in their position before.  Any officer worth their salt will listen to the senior enlisted leaders placed under their purview.  THAT is the key to success in the Wardroom.

[rockjaw]

An Enlisted man and an Officer getting together in a room... You don't see this every day!

[calvinhobbes]

What a great piece! Thanks! The thing about Officers is that, at the outset they know why they're there. For enlisted personnel, most have to learn why they're there after they arrive. Every organization which produces must have management and labor. The Navy is one of the best places to learn the importance of each job ... and how important these components are to each other in the execution of the mission. Want to be an Officer? Stay in school. Want to be an enlisted? Stay in school ... it's just a matter of degree (no pun intended - okay yeah - pun intended)!! :)

[LaurenOrion]

met a few navy men in NYC during memorial weekend, sweetest guys ever

[diablojd]

I enlisted without a diploma or ged and got my ged after about a year in thanks to a great first class that helped me out. I have since started working on a nursing degree.

[SenseiDonGraham]

If you join the Navy as enlisted remember it's all about timing and rate. Pick a good rate, and hopefully with that rate you get a good location and command to spend your first four years with. It's all about luck, timing, and your motivation.

[thebestisyettocome]

As a retired Navy Chaplain, it was a pleasure to serve my country and the fine men and women who do a job of the highest standard day in day out.

"May the grace of God keep them safe and healthy and watch over the families to they return safely into arms of love ones" Amen✝️

[SenseiDonGraham]

Don't worry about boot camp, that is a very short part of your career that you barely remember anyway. A year after being in, I remember only bits and pieces of boot camp. It's the time after A School that you remember.

[lindapowell]

JimPowell speaking.
I do agree with both the officer and enlisted. As a Navy Airdale who served in VF-154 the Black Knights fighter squadron during the Vietnam war, from 1967-1969. I had two wartime deployments to the Tonkin Gulf in the South China Sea aboard the USS Ranger. When you are out to sea snd in a wartime situation, your training and learning leadership is all important. As an enlisted man we worked 12 hours a day 7 days a week. Every squadron aboard did the same thing. We all had one objective and that was to launch and recover aircraft safely. You always wanted each pilot/driver and RIO to return safely after each mission, the pride you have in your squadron leads directly to your success. I can honestly tell you that the officers and enlisted were a close knit family. War brings the whole squadron along with other squadrons and ships company close. To a man from the skipper to an airman you do your job each and everyday.

[chrishardnett]

I just wanted to say that out of all the post yours is probably the most honest and realistic.

[DarkFenix]

Most people don't notice, the officer is a "mustang" as in Prior enlisted, these are usually the best officers. You can tell because his ESWS is Silver, Silver is the color of Enlisted awards, Gold is for officers, though there are very few exceptions but 90% Gold means officer  

[thomasdaily]

Yes, officers can provide guidance and mentorship to enlisted, but often it is the other way around. One of the primary duties of a Chief Petty Officer is training junior officers.

[MondoBeno]

I suggested to one of my students that he enlist in the Coast Guard or Navy. He was planning to go to college on a huge student loan that would've left him in debt for life. Here's what I told him:

"You'll be a 19 year old in charge of ten million dollars worth of equipment, and the US government will trust you to handle it. I'm a teacher with a master's degree, and the dept of education won't even listen to me!"