Navy OCS

[originalbigjim]

I began my degree journey with the intention of going to OCS, in fact that was my only reason for going to school while I was in. I did the clep and dantes things and got my degree from excelsior quickly. I was so motivated that I moved on to my master's and I am now nearing completion. After starting my OCS package, I was told time and time again that I have to make sure that this is something that I really want to do, and it is not for the money because you will make much more in a lifetime as a civilian. I did three interviews and they all couldn't have been better and then I spoke with a Jr. O and he said officers are just as miserable as everyone else in the Navy. That kind of changed the way I looked at things and brought it up with in my next interview and when I casualty spoke with officers with similar responses. They said being an officer is all about sacrifice and dedication to duty. most of the 04s and above I spoke with are on their 2nd or 3rd wife and their kids hate them. This when I stopped working on my package. I am a father of three who loves his wife and I can't see myself putting the navy over my kids for the rest of my life. You only get your kids for so long and if I mess up my kids I want to do it not because i wasnt there for their entire lives.
I wanted to be an officer for the pay raise, for the prestige and out of spite.
I never had any desire to actually be an officer. If being an officer is something you want to do, do it for the right reasons. Remember there is life outside the navy (even for AOs) being a veteran with a degree you are very desirable as a potential employee. Going to OCS is not the only option, you no longer need the navy.
IYAOYAS!