Need advice from those who have been there

[Buckmark]

Rangers,
Please forgive me for having to post, but as I begin to talk to recruiters I want to make sure I have chosen the proper path.

I originally was on track to graduate ROTC in 3 years, however decided that that route was not for me. Yet over the last few months, nearly every Veteran I have talked to has tried to convince me to become an Officer. Since they have served and I obviously haven't, I feel that I should give weight to their opinions.

I want to make sure I am serving me country in a manner that fully utilizes my strengths. I have a history of being in leadership positions (ex. Class President, Team Captain, etc). However, I am not organized nor am I gifted in planning or coordinating in the least. I am the type of person that, when given a task, gets it done. People follow me because I am a good problem solver confident enough to voice my opinion.

If I understand correctly, much of an Officer's role, especially when deployed, is planning and coordinating. Again, not a strength of mine. I feel that I would best serve as an NCO or maybe as an Officer down the road after first serving as an Enlisted Soldier.

As an aside, more than be an Officer, I want to be a Ranger. Yet I don't want to look back on my decision and feel like I could have served more effectively elsewhere.

Am I correct in my understanding of an Officer and what abilities are needed? I apologize for taking up your time, but this is a big decision and this is the only venue where I can contact Rangers, and too be honest, no veterans I talk to can see why I would give up extra money and benefits to be cold, wet, hungry, and the like.

Thankyou

[Scoty]

However, I am not organized nor am I gifted in planning or coordinating in the least.

Yet I don't want to look back on my decision and feel like I could have served more effectively elsewhere.

... why I would give up extra money and benefits to be cold, wet, hungry, and the like.

Damn, it's not about the bennies, dude. It's about pride, pride to serve your country, pride to serve with fellow Rangers.

Sooner or later you'll find yourself in some type of leaedership position. There you'll be expected to plan, organize, etc........especially in Ranger School! Don't think your powers of delagation will fool anyone.

[Buckmark]

It is not that I delegate, far from it actually. It is the opposite. I am bad at delegating, actually. I have trouble organizing it all. I lead by example. I am not saying I am a bad leader, just not gifted in the areas of leadership that my basic understanding leads me to believe would be necessary for a commissioned officer.

[Buckmark]

Ranger Scoty, let me apologize for not properly addressing you. I did not realize you were a Ranger until after I posted. I found your intro, however, and realized my mistake. It will not happen again.

[rum_snuggles]

Welcome.

[Scoty]

Ranger Scoty, let me apologize for not properly addressing you. I did not realize you were a Ranger until after I posted. I found your intro, however, and realized my mistake. It will not happen again.

...I'm still inprocessing.

[Buckmark]

My mistake. In your intro, Ranger EarthPig referred to you as Ranger.

[Ranger Bill]

Getting opinions from others is helpful in gathering information for a decsion you have to make, and only you can make that decision.

[centermass]

What's the point of giving advice when you don't respond to it..

Now I know why I dont give advice.

Piss off

Meanie........ :D

[hobbit]

Have you considered the Salvation Army? They need officers.

[Bugsy]

I want to make sure I am serving me country in a manner that fully utilizes my strengths. I have a history of being in leadership positions (ex. Class President, Team Captain, etc). However, I am not organized nor am I gifted in planning or coordinating in the least. I am the type of person that, when given a task, gets it done. People follow me because I am a good problem solver confident enough to voice my opinion.

If you're a "get the job done" A Type of person then you've contradicted yourself youngster. Because in order to be a task oriented person you must demonstrate the ability to communicate, coordinate, plan and excute the task at hand, by analyzing the problem and figuring out an approach to solve it.

Now which is it, are you a true leader or did you become class president & team captain of the cheerleading squad by doin the splits better than the chicks at your high school.

Don't waste our time with your mindless drivel, figure out what it is you want to do, demonstrate "by your actions" the seriousness of your decision and commitment to do whatever is necessary to achieve your objective.

You either have what it takes or you don't, you sure as hell won't figure that out on our board. Copy!?!

[Ranger175csar]

edited.... my computer was laggin and all embryo and egg avitars where missing.

[Buckmark]

Rangers, thankyou for your replies. I realize that this board is not a place where I will find cut and dry answers to the tough questions of life. However, you all have something I do not which I want more than anything else. That experience makes you a much more reliable source of information than every Tom, Dick, and Harry who offer advice with no real knowledge about the subject on which they speak.

Your replies have been very helpful and again, thankyou. I have decided to complete another year of ROTC without contracting rather than enlist right now.

I will now shut up and listen.