I've heard people talk about 'enlisted' members of the military, but I'm not entirely sure what it means. Does it refer to everyone who joins, or is it more specific?
The term "enlisted" in the military does have a specific meaning. It refers to personnel who have joined the military through a process of enlistment, which typically involves an initial contract of service for several years. These individuals are distinct from officers, who hold positions of leadership and command and usually have a university degree.
Enlisted members make up the majority of the military's workforce and fulfill a variety of roles, depending on their training and classification. They can be involved in areas such as infantry, mechanics, healthcare, or communications, among others.
On the other hand, officers, who come from pathways such as Officer Candidate School, ROTC programs, or military academies, take on roles that involve more strategic planning and leadership responsibilities.
Both enlisted members and officers play vital roles in the functionality and efficiency of the military, but the paths to each are different, as are the responsibilities and roles they encompass.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.