Enlisted vs. Officers in the U.S. Military (What’s the difference?)

Want to know the difference between Enlisted vs. Officers in the U.S. Military? There are two distinct segments of service members in the U.S. Military: Enlisted Personnel and Commissioned Officers. Whether you choose to be enlisted or an officer will ultimately shape and determine your fate in the U.S. Military.

Whether you’re here because you’re deciding on whether you should join as enlisted or officer, or you’re wondering what the difference between Enlisted vs. Officers are, this video will help give you the big picture on what separates Enlisted and Officers in the U.S. Military!

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[GeneralDischarge]

Which one do you think is better, Enlisted or Officer? Let us know!

[Zahrio]

If you want to do a specific job (tech fields, special ops, etc) and actually do that job, be enlisted. If you want to manage and supervise the people who do that job, be an officer. Or better yet, get enlisted experience and then become an officer that way you actually know and understand the people you are leading and have some real experience doing the job first.

[MaleWingDiver]

The widely applied answer is Officer. You are treated better from the very beginning, more recognized for achievements (often carried by your enlisted), have more opportunities out of the military, have higher pay, and have easier work. You also get housing right out of training regardless of marriage, while the enlisted member who's been in for 4 years is still in barracks.

The trade-off is that you ultimately have more responsibility. If something big happens under your supervision, you will hear about it. You are held to a higher standard than most enlisted. The UCMJ is also more restrictive of officers, but more things get swept under the rug as well.

There are some fields that you join because you want to do that kind of work. In that case, Enlisted can be the way to go.

[slaphappychappy]

As on officer, I can affirm that being an officer is better. And that's the honest truth.

[slightslice]

I actually knew a guy with a PhD and was a E-6… literally one of the smartest guys I knew. Joined in the mid 90’s got out used his GI Bill, became a doctor 9/11 happened and a few years later he reenlisted. He said he would’ve tried to become an officer, but he figured life would be a bit less stressful as enlisted.

[kengmoua]

Currently an NCO for close to 10 years. Commissioning in the next month or so to a medical provider. It was def bittersweet telling all my troops how much I've enjoyed my time with them. Looking back on it now, I'm glad I came in as enlisted. I now have a much better understanding of what the troops do behind the scenes. Looking forward to my time as an officer.

[mutleysquad]

This was explained a bit wrong.

Enlisted = Leaders of lower ranks & Advisors to senior ranks
Officers = Managers of lower ranks & assistants to senior ranks
Enlisted = serve down
Officers = serve up
Enlisted = execute strategies
Officers = develope strategies
Enlisted = degree required for promotion to mid/senior ranks
Officers = degree required to begin
Enlisted = enforce standards
Officers = enforce policy
Enlisted = make things happen from all those being led
Officers = create the physical environment for it to happen
Enlisted = are awarded for good conduct
Officers = required to have good conduct
Enlisted = career summary goes worker- working supervisor - supervisor
Officer = receiver, developer, strategist

The experience of serving in the military is completely different between enlisted and officer. It comes down to individual personalities and and privileges you had growing up. Most enlisted only receive their first opportunity to improve generational failures by signing up while most officers were born with generational privileges. That's not a negative statement, it's what everyone wants to be able to pass on.

Enlisted are not a "lower than" group by any means. All of those battles and missions are executed by teams on ground made up of 95% enlisted. Just look at the history of medal of honor winners. Some want to prove to themselves what they are made of others and some want to prove to everyone else.

It just depends on what you are looking for. If it's leadership, brother/sisterhood, blue collar work then go enlisted. If it's manager, creator, white collar then go officer.

[MrStaybrown]

Officer is better.
I was enlisted and the officers didn't do any of the work but took all the credit. They didn't plan, hold meetings, ask for guidance and assistance, they don't work the plan..in the end they get the awards and medals while the enlisted get an Atta Boy pat on the back, for all the busting ass, sleepless nights, long weekends..Officer is better..Let someone do the work and reap the benefits.

[dynamicphotography_]

I did both.
It's what you want to make of it. How you want your experience to be. It all starts in your head.

[jacklamberson]

I was in Army, 65-69, enlisted and we enlisted men made the officers and saved the officers. With out good enlisted men an officer is all alone and can become a nobody. Sure some officers are much better than others but they still need good enlisted men to put their asses on the line for the officers plan to work.

[Staticjumper]

3 of my 20 years in the US Army were as an instructor at an NCO Academy. We had no officers in our unit or chain of command. I never served in a smoother running, more effective unit. Later, as a 1SG in a regular line unit, I had a front row seat in the show of officers interested in nothing more than what I called "the three P's; Power, Prestige and Privilege". Like all the other retirement eligible NCO's in our unit, I retired on the first day eligible.

[bcliciousus]

That's an easy answer.

For officers, their service is treated as a career from day 1.

For enlisted, we are treated as day laborers who just happen to be passing through.

Officers know exactly what it takes to get promoted, what's going on with their next set of orders and duty station, and when they are set to be done with the military.

For enlisted, we are pretty much left in the dark about everything, and along the way, we learn little tricks of the trade to try and get 1% of the infrastructure alotted to officers. It is not uncommon for enlisted folks to discharged from the military, and not have a clue about what they were supposed to do prior to discharge, and how the discharge is supposed to go.

[theguywithone]

If you're an officer, don't dismiss "advice" from a staff sergeant or higher ever. Don't take credit for that advice either. Officers like to be in charge. Enlisted are the scapegoats for officer mistakes. If you don't have experience in battle, don't give orders to those who do. Just enjoy your cushy job.

[ruel]

Enlisted is best with a goal of Senior Enlisted. The military doesn't go anywhere without the enlisted, and we are the ones who train everyone, officers included. As a Senior Enlisted, it's more prestigious to be part of the 1-2% than the 25-30% who get selected as officers. Think about this: There are more Captains/Colonels (O-6) than Chief Master Sergeants/Sergeant Majors/Master Chiefs (E-9).

[jdsheleg]

I started as an E-1, got commission as an E-6 after 20 years of service, retired as an O-4. Being an officer is generally better, but the politics are at a different level. As an enlisted I could afford not to care, as everything will go back to the OIC at the end of the day. As an officer, you run pretty often into narcissists and micromanagers. Add to that the lack of discipline that you encounter from the new troops, being an officer can be very trying and stressful.

[kellywilson]

I think it depends on what you really want to do, I was a Aviation Ordnanceman in the US Navy with the then brand new f-18 hornets came into service, Its very hard work and more challenging on the flight deck which i only did once in 4 years but i loved my job !

[alfredpaquin]

Officers are responsible for every decision they make. They are also incredibly dependent on the honest advice of seasoned enlisted.

[lordhumongous]

Here is the difference in a nutshell. Enlisted do all the work, Officers get all the credit. Unless things go wrong, then Officers blame the enlisted, the enlisted get in trouble, and officers cover up for each other.

[jakeryangerdau]

Officer = better pay, easier awards, more authority, less people to kick your nuts in, less punishment for same crimes committed by enlisted. Less bs in general

[mccalejk]

I don't know but officers have the worst spouses. We were in line at the commissary a few years ago and some lady tried to cut us saying, "My husband is Major SoAndSo..." so we fired back with, "I'll let my husband Col. WhatsHisFace talk to Major SoAndSo"