Mustang (military officer)
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A Mustang is United States Military slang for a commissioned officer who began his or her career as an enlisted person. Mustangs are usually older and more experienced than their peers-in-grade who earned their commissions from one of the service academies (such as the United States Naval Academy), Officer Candidate School, or the Reserve Officer Training Corps. An exception to being older, was during the Vietnam War, when some Army Warrant Officer Pilots were offered a direct commission to 2nd or 1st Lieutenant, they were usually younger than 25 at the time of commission.
A United States Navy mustang can be Chief Warrant Officers, Limited Duty Officers, Staff Officers, Restricted Line Officers or Unrestricted Line Officers depending on their particular situation.
A mustang is defined by a continuity in military service from enlisted to officer (i.e. no break in military service). However, being a slang term, there is no precise definition or set of criteria to determine which officers can properly be called a "mustang"; however generally accepted mustangs are those who earned a Good Conduct ribbon or have completed 4 years of enlisted service prior to earning their commission.
