Quote Originally Posted by Divinus Arma
Nope. But I personally recommend being a troop before leading troops.

In my opinion, that is the problem with most officers. They get all high and mighty and don't know dick about what really goes on.

The best officers I have ever had were all enlisted first. I would follow them to my death with total confidence and absolute loyalty. These other guys... well, they're a bunch of pompous, bloviated scyophants kissing up for promotion.

You want to lead? Great! But why? If you want to be an officer of men, a respected leader, and recieve true loyalty, then you must be a troop first. There is no other way. And when you have the loyalty of your men... when you look into your subordinate's eyes and know that he doesn't just trust you, but he loves you like an older brother, then you will never look at yourself the same. And you will be ready to assume the responsibility and authority that can carry grown men willingly to their deaths.

But if you want to be an officer just because you want to be the guy in charge, then your men will despise you. And when the chips are down, you will be revealed as the coward you are.

I want to be an active officer, i.e. a lt. that sees action with the troops. Or a tank commander, I love armor.