Retired Navy officer who was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program (Mustang, in other words). The only fellow Navy officers I ever knew who were direct-commissioned were doctors, nurses and similar professionals (at the time, the Navy was hot for doctors in certain specialty fields like cardiology and orthopedics and was throwing seriously big money at them to convince them to join). And even at that, most still had to successfully make it through the easy-easy Officer Indoctrination School at Newport, RI (surprisingly, some don’t make it... go figure).
I met one PAO who was a direct commission and he didn’t seem all that impressive to me. OF COURSE Joe Biden’s son was “hooked up.” Just like he was hooked up to the tune of millions on those Ukraine and China deals. And for Joe Biden to pull a Sergeant Schultz and tell us he knew nothing — NOTHING — about it all strains the bounds of credulity.
My daughter is an Air Force Officer who received a direct commission more than 10 years ago after completing professional school. Even with an advanced degree, her acceptance was not a foregone conclusion. She had to compete for the slot. Since her commissioning, she has worked hard and earned higher rank. She views her job and her service as important and takes no short-cuts, even though it means much time away from her husband and young daughter. So, when I read about a troubled, spoiled, young man who has had everything just handed to him (although I am guessing he had to use a wheel barrel to cart away the Ukrainian and Chinese cash), I am outraged for all those in our military who earned their way and willingly sacrificed for our country. For Biden’s son, it seems like being a PAO was just another ticket to punch on his way to riches.