What's the difference between enlisted and officer roles in the military?

Can someone explain how the roles and responsibilities differ between enlisted members and officers in the military? I'm figuring out my options and want to understand which path might be a better fit for me.

The roles of enlisted members and officers in the military vary significantly, often aligned with different responsibilities, education levels, and career progression opportunities.

Enlisted members make up the majority of the military workforce and are involved in hands-on operations and carry out the military's primary technical and tactical tasks. They usually do not require a bachelor's degree upon enlistment and receive technical training in a specific job field which could range from aviation to engineering. Career progression for enlisted personnel is typically based on years of service, performance, and passing the corresponding promotion tests.

Officers, on the other hand, are the military's managerial class and are responsible for planning missions, making strategic decisions, and leading enlisted members. Most officer roles require a bachelor's degree at minimum, and many possess advanced degrees. Officers typically start their careers by receiving leadership training at a service academy, ROTC program, or through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS), depending on the military branch.

To determine which path might be a better fit for you, consider your long-term career goals, education level, and preferred style of work. If you're more interested in hands-on technical work or craft-based responsibilities and you don't currently have a bachelor's degree, enlisting could be a suitable path. Conversely, if you are drawn to leadership, planning, and management roles, and you have (or are planning on earning) a bachelor's degree, you might consider the officer path.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that while the two roles are distinct, there’s also opportunity for mobility between them. Many enlisted members eventually become non-commissioned officers, taking on supervisory roles and responsibilities, and it's also possible for enlisted members to move into officer roles through certain programs if they earn a bachelor's degree while serving.

This is a broad summary of the differences, and the roles will vary more depending on the specific branch of the military, the occupational specialty, and other factors, so I'd recommend speaking to a military recruiter or a career counselor for more personalized advice.