I want to work in a unit where everyone is doing the most they can. If you "have it in you" to be an "o" and you're hiding behind a sham-shield

I completely agree. My concern was not about taking an "easier" path, but the nature of the duties. From my experience in NROTC and during my Midshipman cruises, I got a good idea in the different duties of the Surface Warfare Officer and the enlisted personnel. But I do not know what the differences in duties are for NG enlisted and officers. Regardless of what path I take, I would put all of my effort into it. I am an ambitious and motivated person in regards to my professional life.

Winners Win and Losers Lose. In my opinion, the KEY feature is "do they like you?" Firms bend over backwards to retain good talent. So this guy might not be very applicable to you. Is he a accountant and you're in engineering? It's something of apples to oranges. By all means ask, but know going in to this that your goal is to ensure that you should be retained.

Very understandable, luckily he is in a similar position as I am. Of the companies he has worked for, ours has so far been the best in regards to how they are treating their militarily involved employees.

HR doesn't give "unofficial feedback", no matter WHAT they tell you. The ENTIRE goal of HR is to win qui tam/discrimination lawsuits directed against the company, not to "help" their employees.

Fair point. I ended up just looking up our policies about it. Seem to be pretty supportive, with them paying the difference in salary so there is not drop in pay for myself while gone. Not that I am doing this for money.

From the research I have done, and the info I got from here and in person, I am feeling pretty damn comfortable with the decision. Now I need to figure out exactly what I want to be doing.

Thanks again for the feedback.