old officer question

[spookycanuck]

So I talked to the BPSO about an Officer trade. I am half way to my degree in Geography and am thinking about UTPNCM or staying in my current trade (291). During our conversation I learned that my degree has to be applicable to my trade except for Combat Arms trades. She told me that if I ask for combat arms I would probably get it and get it soon. If I ask for another trade ( I queried about IntO) and she said that they were very competitive. She said that Int had 85 applications and they only took 5. Whereas Armour took everyone who applied for it.
My worry would be my age. I am 35. I was reserve infantry and have an idea of what I would be getting into. I can get in shape and do the course.  But is 35 too old? I have always been one of the oldest, if not the oldest, guy on my courses.
So do I "what the heck" and go for it......of all the combat arms Armour Officer sounds the best.......I have always wanted to see how good I can be and this could be an amazing challenge. Or do I swallow my officer aspirations and stick with my current trade and hope for sr. nco rank?

 

[Quag]

I'm not so sure anyone can, or should for that matter, answer this question.  IMHO, it comes down to a personal choice. 

I must point out however that there are many, many NCM's that have, or are working on university degrees.  In fact, I have heard of some NCM's having graduate school degrees (master's etc...).  Just because you have a university degree does not mean you should automatically become an officer.

NCM's and officers are two distinct career paths.  I can only speak for my short time in the ROTP program which has been very rewarding, however I'm sure most NCM's will tell you that their career path has been just as (if not more ;D) rewarding and challenging.

Spookycanuck, as I stated above, I think the decision is up to you, and should not be made by someone else.  Do you feel you want the responsibilities of an officer? Do you have the leadership potential etc...? (I dont mean to sound cocky here, I just know that many people do not in fact want to be a leader, and are content just "doing their job")

As far as age goes, I would say as long as you are in good shape, age should prove no factor.  In fact, you only bring more life experience to the table.  Nothing substitutes experience IMHO. 

I know I haven't been much help here, but the point I wanted to make was that you should make this very personal choice by yourself.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

 

[plattypuss]

I think Quag has raised some good generic points about going officer. 

I don't think 35 is to old - in the case of doing PT on course, most of the course officers/staff are around that age - so keeping up shouldn't be a problem if you put in the honest effort to get physically prepared.  Reading some of your other posts I think you are on track especially if you have continued to reach the weight goals you have set yourself.
If you are in it strictly for the challenge go for it, if you have career aspirations of commanding the Regiment or even a Squadron, 35 is not the age to join any Regiment and expect to reach those lofty positions.  I'm not even sure you would get a second tour at a Regiment after your first tour.  You should also be aware of the repercussions in case you do have difficulty on the course and not succeed - I'm not sure what they are but I'm sure the BPSO can make them clear.  At 35 you will bring a good level of maturity and hopefully common sense to any officer DP1 course you attend but there may be considerably more stress placed on yourself because of the significant leap in faith you are making by changing trades and the implications to your career and family. Are you willing to deal with this stress?
As you are aware even staying in your trade, should still be challenging considering the changing nature of operations and the situations we now find ourselves in.

 

[Garry]

Spoky,

You want it, do it.

I did, and no regrets.

14 years NCO, 14 years Officer, 7 months retired.....had a ball every second of the ride.

Cheers-Garry

 

[Reccesoldier]

I'm a WO, 20 years in, I'll be 40 next month... Signed my Paperwork for CFR last week. Will still have to do BOC, according to the army I need to go to St Jean and be instructed on the finer points of leadership by a MCpl (That is by no means a dig at MCpls just a leap of logic on the army's part that I'm not able to make)

 

[Franko]

Will still have to do BOC, according to the army I need to go to St Jean and be instructed on the finer points of leadership by a MCpl (That is by no means a dig at MCpls just a leap of logic on the army's part that I'm not able to make)

Hmmm....I'll have to talk to the RSM on Thursday and see if I can get posted to St Jean    ;D

To quote  K...K...K...K..KKen from a "Fish Called Wanda"....

REVENGE!   

Regards

 

[Journeyman]

Why do you want to be an officer? That is, do you want to be any classification, just as long as you get to hang out at the Officers' Mess? Are you considering Armour because you figure it will be less physically demanding than the other Arms ("death before dismounting")? Please don't consider these questions demeaning - - it's important that you are sure of your motivation. As mentioned above, there's more to being an officer than having a degree.

That being said, a SIGINT background and a Geo degree are very relevant to the Int world. These may make you quite marketable to the selection board. But again, do you want to be an Intelligence officer.....or just commissioned?

 

[spookycanuck]

for the people who responded to this post and sent me PM's this is what I have decided.

I will stay a 291er for now and still take courses at university.  I will apply for Int O and keep applying until I am selected.  Although I would enjoy being an Armour officer I would be doing it for the wrong reason.  It was suggested to my by an Int O here at my unit that I could take any officer trade and then re muster once I was commissioned.  So for me to become an Armour officer (only until I could remuster) would be taking the spot of someone who might be an amazing combat arms officer and do great things. 

Anyways, I just got my PER and it was amazing.  My CoC has said some great things about me and I really think I could get promoted next year.  And having a PLQ when applying for UTPNCM always helps.

Thanks for the advice folks....

Cheers

 

[George Wallace]

Why do you want to be an officer? That is, do you want to be any classification, just as long as you get to hang out at the Officers' Mess? ........ As mentioned above, there's more to being an officer than having a degree.

That being said, a SIGINT background and a Geo degree are very relevant to the Int world. These may make you quite marketable to the selection board. But again, do you want to be an Intelligence officer.....or just commissioned?

I have the same questions.  WHY DO you want to be an officer?

The real Int work is done by the NCM ranks.  Experience in the Cbt Arms is a real plus in Int.  So don't dismiss the Cbt Arms, even the Armd Offr route.  In the Reg Force, you have to remuster/OT (whatever) into INT, unless of course you are going into one of the 'special' Sig Trades.