How is/are the culture/people in the Army?

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wperry722

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Jun 21, 2020
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14
I am interested in doing Army ROTC (In part because my partial color blindness narrows my options), but I have heard some very negative things about the Army and the people in it. I have heard that they tend to be not only less intelligent but also are worse people that one wouldn't want to spend their career with. I don't know how much of this is true and how much is just bias or specific, non-representative experiences that people have had. Obviously, all people are different, so I don't want to generalize too much, but are there any trends that you all have noticed?
 
Focus on whether you want to serve in the Army as an officer in the active duty military and if there are career paths that appeal to you.

Generalizing that just under half a million people are less intelligent is like saying the people in a certain state or city are less intelligent. Ignore that. Sweeping statements like that do no one any good, and there is no way to actually substantiate it. That’s just people talking. Don’t fall prey to stereotypes. If someone says that to you after hearing about your plans, it’s usually an oblique way of putting you down. Research, observe, form your own opinions.

Army folk come out of the general population, with an assorted distribution of “smarts.” You’ll meet brilliant warrior-scholar intellectuals, book smart people, field smart people, clever smart people, wicked smart as well as those with the common sense of a baby gnat and everyone in between. Just like the corporate world and any other line of work.

The officer community has college degrees, as do many of the enlisted community these days, from well-respected institutions. After a certain number of years, officers usually get their Master’s, sometimes more than one, or other advanced degrees.

Everyone can largely control their own happiness through attitude management. By starting AROTC, you are not signing up for 20 years on the spot. There is time to try it out, look for a fit that seems right. The obligated service time may seem like an eternity to you now, but on the other side of it, if you decide to separate, you will not be teetering at grave’s edge, age-wise. You’ll be in your twenties, with leadership experience, professional skills, and a security clearance, someone the corporate world actively recruits for.

Your journey, your decisions, your life, no matter what “they” say.
 
I'll attest to the well educated enlisted folks. My Marine Captain son always says his enlisted men and women with college degrees were his go to people when something really needed to get done. As Capt MJ said, you'll meet all kinds in this world, including in the military.
 
wperry722 said:
I have heard some very negative things about the Army and the people in it. I have heard that they tend to be not only less intelligent but also are worse people that one wouldn't want to spend their career with.
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We'll forgive the clumsy wording of your question.

As usual @Capt MJ is spot on. My son, an Army Captain same vintage as @kinnem 's son, would say the same about his unit. Granted his branch is probably in the top two or three for average ASVAB scores among enlisted, because it is technical.

Don't conflate the culture of institutions in general with the culture of the people inside them. The US Military is a huge institution with many of the same problems that plague all large institutions. It has its share of inefficiencies, deadwood, misplaced talent and bad actors. Learning to adapt and thrive in that environment will make you a more mature and valuable 30 something, wherever you end up.

Frankly, I was shocked that my son even chose this path. He was never really a Company Man. Some people take the road less traveled. He always took the road with a big sign that says "Turn Around ROAD CLOSED". He has survived and thrived--committed for an additional 3+ years-- specifically because the quality and support of the officers and enlisted folks he has served with. Full Stop.

The common goal of a mission, especially when dealing common shortcomings of the Big Army, have a way of bringing out the best in people.

Best of Luck!
 
@wperry722 My DS surprised the heck out of me and his mom about a year ago when he said he wanted to go to USMA. At first, I was thrilled. I had visited as a kid, gotten to know some kids from USNA when I was in college and was very impressed by them. Then I started thinking further and had some misgivings. I had some of the same concerns about the Big Army that you voiced, and I wasn't sure that I wanted him spending time on certain things at USMA that would fill so many hours. Suffice to say, I did more research, talked to a bunch of folks and spent many hours on this forum. My opinion turned around dramatically and I was very hopeful that he would get appointed. He ended up getting an LOA but abandoned it after a great PMS interview down at Vanderbilt and decided to apply there ED2. I was shocked and a bit disappointed b/c I had fallen so hard for the unique experience that is USMA (as you can tell my super lame/long and now irrelevant screen handle!). He heads to Vandy in August and I'm super excited for him. But let me share what turned me around in general on his decision to start his career in the Army and to start his Army training in college (whether at USMA or ROTC).
1, learning about leadership, teamwork, command etc is never, ever going to be a waste of time. You would likely draw upon it for the rest of your life.
2, the potential for camaraderie within the ROTC unit, plus the time-management skills and commitment for success
3, the opportunities for summer training, internships and other programs during school
4, if you are offered a scholarship, whether for 2, 3 or 4 years, that's a substantial savings, plus you receive a stipend
5, upon commissioning, as others have said, a 4 year commitment is not that long at 22 years old. You'll likely save money for grad school during your 4 years or decide to stay in longer and go to grad school on the army's dime. Even if you did that, you'd get out (if you wished) before you were 30
6, service and leadership training is valued by most employers. I work for one of the major tech companies that we all know and love and I was on a call the other day with a new employee. He had just left the Navy after serving as a SEAL. Another senior leader was in ROTC and our head of Corporate Development graduated from a service academy.
7, I don't want to over-glamorize especially since I literally have zero direct experience, but whether in ROTC training or when you're posted, you'd likely derive some pretty unique experiences that your friends who went into banking or marketing right out of college are just not going to have in their lives, ever.
8, if you wanted to make a career out of the army, you can likely stay in as long as you like, retire with a pension and then do something else. I know that's a small minority of new officers, but it's an option.

So as you can tell, I'm pretty pumped that my DS has chosen to start his adult life as part of ROTC and the Army. It seems like a great path and he'll learn and do things that no one in my immediate family ever has, and I'm happy he'll be serving the country. One thing that I'm going to be sure to impart to him before he starts school is that it really is what you make of it. There will be opportunities of every kind and it's up to him to make the most of them.
 
cb7893 said:
We'll forgive the clumsy wording of your question.

@cb7893 is generous of heart. But people will judge you for an inelegant introduction out in the world. Especially if it can be read as an insult. This is a unique place where you have access to lots of experienced officers, very involved parents, other high performing HS students, and current MIDS.

I would encourage you to read a bit more here. Review the writing for tone and structure while you gather information to help you make your decision. I feel you might not have written that question if you'd read 100 posts and I feel you definitely would have rephrased it.
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NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful said:
@wperry722 My DS surprised the heck out of me and his mom about a year ago when he said he wanted to go to USMA. At first, I was thrilled. I had visited as a kid, gotten to know some kids from USNA when I was in college and was very impressed by them. Then I started thinking further and had some misgivings. I had some of the same concerns about the Big Army that you voiced, and I wasn't sure that I wanted him spending time on certain things at USMA that would fill so many hours. Suffice to say, I did more research, talked to a bunch of folks and spent many hours on this forum. My opinion turned around dramatically and I was very hopeful that he would get appointed. He ended up getting an LOA but abandoned it after a great PMS interview down at Vanderbilt and decided to apply there ED2. I was shocked and a bit disappointed b/c I had fallen so hard for the unique experience that is USMA (as you can tell my super lame/long and now irrelevant screen handle!). He heads to Vandy in August and I'm super excited for him. But let me share what turned me around in general on his decision to start his career in the Army and to start his Army training in college (whether at USMA or ROTC).
1, learning about leadership, teamwork, command etc is never, ever going to be a waste of time. You would likely draw upon it for the rest of your life.
2, the potential for camaraderie within the ROTC unit, plus the time-management skills and commitment for success
3, the opportunities for summer training, internships and other programs during school
4, if you are offered a scholarship, whether for 2, 3 or 4 years, that's a substantial savings, plus you receive a stipend
5, upon commissioning, as others have said, a 4 year commitment is not that long at 22 years old. You'll likely save money for grad school during your 4 years or decide to stay in longer and go to grad school on the army's dime. Even if you did that, you'd get out (if you wished) before you were 30
6, service and leadership training is valued by most employers. I work for one of the major tech companies that we all know and love and I was on a call the other day with a new employee. He had just left the Navy after serving as a SEAL. Another senior leader was in ROTC and our head of Corporate Development graduated from a service academy.
7, I don't want to over-glamorize especially since I literally have zero direct experience, but whether in ROTC training or when you're posted, you'd likely derive some pretty unique experiences that your friends who went into banking or marketing right out of college are just not going to have in their lives, ever.
8, if you wanted to make a career out of the army, you can likely stay in as long as you like, retire with a pension and then do something else. I know that's a small minority of new officers, but it's an option.

So as you can tell, I'm pretty pumped that my DS has chosen to start his adult life as part of ROTC and the Army. It seems like a great path and he'll learn and do things that no one in my immediate family ever has, and I'm happy he'll be serving the country. One thing that I'm going to be sure to impart to him before he starts school is that it really is what you make of it. There will be opportunities of every kind and it's up to him to make the most of them.
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Thank you, this was very encouraging! Our oldest (of 5) will go to the UGA (honors college) and will be in Army ROTC. He is "all in" for an active duty Army career (short or long-term). He was also accepted to Ga Tech.
 
wperry722, My husband and I are 49 with graduate business school degrees and professional careers. It's our observation that young (and older) Army officers that go into civilian careers garner a great deal of respect. As well, the Ivy League schools and all top universities in our country have Army ROTC programs. Our son will begin in August and we feel like he could not find a better start to his career. We also feel like the ROTC part of his college experience will greatly enhance his growth personally and professionally.
 
wperry722 said:
I am interested in doing Army ROTC (In part because my partial color blindness narrows my options), but I have heard some very negative things about the Army and the people in it. I have heard that they tend to be not only less intelligent but also are worse people that one wouldn't want to spend their career with. I don't know how much of this is true and how much is just bias or specific, non-representative experiences that people have had. Obviously, all people are different, so I don't want to generalize too much, but are there any trends that you all have noticed?
Click to expand...

Less than 1% chooses to serve. Every single one of them is worthy of deep respect.

There is no greater honor than leading them.

Those advising you are inadquately informed.

I am being kind...
 
The Army values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. I have been in 31 years, deployed three times, and have observed that 95% of Soldiers adhere to these seven values. I have stayed in this long because of the PEOPLE in the Army. My joint service has shown me the same of Airmen, Sailors, and Marines.
 
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