Rockers and Stripes

I've often thought of the relationship between enlisted and officers, but recently it's become clear there is a problem in the military. When I graduated from high school I went to college for a year, clearly not ready for higher education. After some thinking of what to do, I enlisted in the Marine Corps. Good choice. I love my Marines and the Marine Corps. I don't agree with a lot of decisions made, but I'll stick with my Marines no matter where or what they do. In any case, the problem of the services, all of them, is they seem to think a college education means the person has something special to offer. I'm sure it's the ability to learn and and apply that learning. However, when I was in boot camp I was asked if I would like to go into aviation, but upon learning I had visual accuity in the damn near blind range, the offer was withdrawn. Nothing special about me with the exception of my test scores. Later, invited to OCS/PLC, the same results, the offer was withdrawn "upon further review." I spent years in the Corps and was discharged after 6+ years with a rocker and an education to be admired.
The idea came to me recently when I learned the Coast Guard has assigned many BM1s as OICs of stations. Those men are E-7 or above.
The military obviously faces new challenges every day, but leadership ought not be one.
A college degree is important stuff. A bachelor's degree in almost any field is a basic qualification for any potential member of the military to enter to OCS/PLC.
Having a degee Is, as I said, important, but if you think that little yellow bar is some sort of honorary "I got smarts" on the collar, then it's there for the wrong reason. The basic's classes teach How to, but not HOW to. They teach leadership, but often it's the bar or the leaf or the eagle which stands out, not the man behind those symbols.
I know many with rockers instead of flashy little pins who have Master's Degrees in warfare and warrior and leadership abilities far beyond many with stars on their shoulders.
Those warriors ought be given leadership positions and decision making positions which are now given to some who don't deserve them or have never earned the positions.
I associate with former enlisted men whose careers are/were cut short because of lack of confidence in the officers over them. These men left a hole in the military which could have been well served to retain them for their post-graduate expertise.
Military has, from the beginning, relied on rockers and stripes to lead in battle, but the decisions at the rear -- they called that REMF in VN -- were often highly overrated.
My suggestions are not new, but they are mine and I'm convinced a rocker indicates a degree of experience not likely to be recovered when that person is discharged or retires earlier than necessary due to lack of support by those who ought to know better.
Just my personal fucking opinion.
K?
OooRah!
Semper Fi!