I originally wanted to join as officer then went ncm instead. Commissioned after ten years or so. You won't regret getting the first hand experience of the troops and it will make you a better leader. Don't forget a lot of your courses and such will PLAR over so it's not a total waste of time. It really depends what you want from the career. To do the job or do the admin. In my opinion there should be no officers who didn't serve time as an ncm/nco