Posted on Nov 24, 2013
More Important: Multiple Deployments or College Degree?
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As the transition from major combat operations/deployments to more time in garrison environments accelerates, what are your thoughts about the weights of multiple deployments and college degrees for promotion potential/continued service?
Garrison
Deployment
College
Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 42
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The main duty for the peacetime servicemember is the preparation for war. THis being said, the educated Soldier is also a more effective Soldier. THey are able to utilize the education recieved as a multiplier in the operational aspect of the battlefield. I believe that combat experiance and college education work together to make the most well rounded Soldier. So i guess my anser is yes.. to both.
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SGT (Join to see)
I just thought it was for emphasis CSM. I imagined it in a southern baptist preacher tent revival voice. AN-ser is YES!
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1SG (Join to see)
Well said Battle! At one point the NG was offering a guaranteed 2 yrs. of school before you deployed. I had Soldiers make sure they were enrolled into college when my unit got the order for Iraq. When I came home, they were all Cadets. What kind of a "Leader" can they really be. They bugged out of a Deployment(experience) just to get their degree. That meant my Privates were more experienced and proficient at their duties/MOS than the new Louies to be.
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<P>I feel that Deployments, while it has impact, is really not a fair item to look at. I know a number of people that, based on where they were stationed, their MOS/AFSC, and situational position for them, have NEVER been deployed. "NOT FAIR" many would say....especially those of us with 2 or more and others with none. But in the AF, I can say that deployment is a hit and miss item based on need and rotations AND where you are at. Army is one that most often deploys as a unit, so if a new arrival to the unit gets there while the unit is deployed or shortly after they return home, they may PCS prior to the next deployment rotation. </P>
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<P>Education shows that the individual is doing what they can to promote themselves and prepare for their future. Again, some locations do not have enough down time to allow significant educational oppertunities for troops....so this also becomes a problem. I would weigh each member individually and make decissions on the situation that they are in.</P>
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<P>Education shows that the individual is doing what they can to promote themselves and prepare for their future. Again, some locations do not have enough down time to allow significant educational oppertunities for troops....so this also becomes a problem. I would weigh each member individually and make decissions on the situation that they are in.</P>
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Deployments. Our profession is Soldier. Peacetime or not: Deployment is our Superbowl; our Olympics. College education is important, but our profession isn't students. We can be both a student and a Soldier, but if you meet someone and they ask you what you do for a living, I'll bet you'll say you're a Soldier before you say you're a student.<br><br>edit: I noticed Corporal Fittizzi is in on this discussion. Feel free to replace "Soldier" with "Marine" wherever you see fit. :)
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SPC Dan Goforth
PFC Dydasco, we are indeed soldiers first, but we're coming to the point where actual combat deployments are winding down. Deployments are great, but I see a well rounded education being important to the development of soldiers. When deployments to actual combat are no longer there, we will need to replace that aspect with more training.
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SFC (Join to see)
PFC Dydasco,
I felt the same way as you when I entered the Army. It was actually the reason I joined. It took me 5.5 years to realize that it isn't the case in the military. Any NCOES you go to, you will be required to write a college level essay and as 1LT Brantley said, effective oral and written communication is paramount. You need to set yourself up for a life outside the military and having experience doesn't necessarily get you a job.
Personally, I would prefer a leader with combat experience but they need to be intelligent in other aspects as well. This is usually gained through some sort of higher education.
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SSG Andrew Dydasco
Thank you both SPC Goforth and SGT Galvin for the insight. I hope I didn't give the impression that I don't find college education important -- I absolutely do! I have some credits under my belt and am continuing to add to them; studying business.
My point I was trying to make is that in peacetime, we never know when the next conflict will arise, and we have to be ready at all times for such an occurrence. If our country hasn't been at war for, say, 6-10 years when a new war breaks out, wouldn't it make more sense for some of the people who were around for the last war to be leading the people who weren't? If civilian education is weighed more than deployments, does that mean it makes more sense for a Soldier with a degree and no deployment experience to lead another Soldier who was around during the last war who has no degree, or perhaps is working on one, or has a lesser degree? Having a degree is a great accomplishment, and every Soldier should take the great opportunity that is given to them to pursue one, but NOT having one doesn't make someone less intelligent or less competent. And I know the argument may be said that the same can be said in reverse: NOT deploying doesn't make the Soldier with the degree less tactically proficient, and does not make him/her less capable of leading into combat. But like I said in my original comment: At the end of the day, we're Soldiers. And as Soldiers, we have to be ready at all times. Having a deployment under your belt doesn't make you an expert, but I think it should weigh more than a degree.
I think they need to reciprocate: In times of war, to me, many many people have deployed, and thus, they aren't exactly special or unique. So I believe in times of war, civilian education should mean more, because if you can manage that and deploying, it should stand out. Whereas in times of peace, people who have deployed will start ETSing, retiring, getting chaptered... So, people with deployments will become more scarce, and thus, should hold more weight. It's supply and demand basically. Just my 2 cents. Sorry if this PFC sounds completely ridiculous right now! :D
My point I was trying to make is that in peacetime, we never know when the next conflict will arise, and we have to be ready at all times for such an occurrence. If our country hasn't been at war for, say, 6-10 years when a new war breaks out, wouldn't it make more sense for some of the people who were around for the last war to be leading the people who weren't? If civilian education is weighed more than deployments, does that mean it makes more sense for a Soldier with a degree and no deployment experience to lead another Soldier who was around during the last war who has no degree, or perhaps is working on one, or has a lesser degree? Having a degree is a great accomplishment, and every Soldier should take the great opportunity that is given to them to pursue one, but NOT having one doesn't make someone less intelligent or less competent. And I know the argument may be said that the same can be said in reverse: NOT deploying doesn't make the Soldier with the degree less tactically proficient, and does not make him/her less capable of leading into combat. But like I said in my original comment: At the end of the day, we're Soldiers. And as Soldiers, we have to be ready at all times. Having a deployment under your belt doesn't make you an expert, but I think it should weigh more than a degree.
I think they need to reciprocate: In times of war, to me, many many people have deployed, and thus, they aren't exactly special or unique. So I believe in times of war, civilian education should mean more, because if you can manage that and deploying, it should stand out. Whereas in times of peace, people who have deployed will start ETSing, retiring, getting chaptered... So, people with deployments will become more scarce, and thus, should hold more weight. It's supply and demand basically. Just my 2 cents. Sorry if this PFC sounds completely ridiculous right now! :D
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SFC (Join to see)
I understand where you are coming from and I think you may not be getting the words across exactly as you mean. There will always be that leader who has combat experience or was in a unit that conducted great field exercises and understands the full spectrum of operations. The college aspect will and should always be there because it shows that PROFESSIONAL Soldier concept the Army is gearing toward. This will not be the first or last time the Army is in the situation it is coming to. We have remained the World's force because of our ability to provide realistic training in a garrison environment.
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