Posted on May 10, 2016
Should DOD create a payscale for Enlisted with Degrees?
12.9K
117
85
15
15
0
Alot of enlisted have Bachelors, Masters, and PHDs, often times they have to make decisions on crossing over to the Commisioned Officer side or Warrant, but we all know those die hard NCOs who do to their love for the NCO Corps won't make the change, I say lets reward them besides promotions
NCOs
Military Pay
Education
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 36
21
21
0
There already is one...it's called the Officer scale. There are many of us enlisted with degrees (sometimes higher ones that our Officer counterparts) but that doesn't mean we should get paid more. The Officers' level of responsibility is not typically matched on the enlisted side. One of the questions I hate the most is 'Why didn't/don't you become an Officer?" as it shows a bit of contempt for being enlisted. There is nothing wrong with having a degree and being enlisted, but that doesn't mean I should be paid more because I do. The point of our profession is to defend freedom, and part of that is the opportunity to choose your own profession. We all chose ours, and if you feel that you don't get paid enough for what you do, perhaps seek a change in your life/career.
(21)
(0)
SSG Vik Polivka
SSG (Join to see) - While I don't agree with the higher pay for a degree, especially in my case, since most of my degree was funded by the Army during service, I have to agree with the comment stating that ultimate responsibility is only on paper. I've seen (In the Army, I was prior service Navy before joining the Army) Officers (no, not all, calm down) get away with blaming a NCO. While I prefer the Army culture, that is one issue that I noticed. The Navy truly does (did) hold Officers responsible, no matter what. You're in Command, it's on you.
I wouldn't say there is a need to disband the Officer Corps. I hate power point, writing OPORDERs, and dealing with travel vouchers (DTS), someone needs to be there for that. Oh, yeah, and that whole baseline of education, training, and big picture leadership is a good idea, too.
I wouldn't say there is a need to disband the Officer Corps. I hate power point, writing OPORDERs, and dealing with travel vouchers (DTS), someone needs to be there for that. Oh, yeah, and that whole baseline of education, training, and big picture leadership is a good idea, too.
(1)
(0)
CSM (Join to see)
While I understand ya'll's position, I'd ask can you cite any specific examples of NCOs being held accountable for the failure or inactions of their Officers? I have seen personally (as I'm sure many have on here) CPTs being handed a Statement of Charges at change of command time. I've yet to see a 1SG or be charged. Until I see some verified examples, I'm going to chalk this up to the rumor mill.
I ask you also...have you ever been in charge of those in combat? Did you have to send people to do things they may not return from? If so, how many...a squad? Think of that BN CDR or CO CDR who have that responsibility for incredibly more soldiers.
One must consider the entry requirements for the enlisted side. They are relatively low, with a correspondingly high pay scale. How many people two years out of high school working blue collar jobs do you know that make 40K a year in pay and benefits? I went to college before joining the Army, and my friends that did not join did not make that starting out even though they had a Bachelors degree.
I ask you also...have you ever been in charge of those in combat? Did you have to send people to do things they may not return from? If so, how many...a squad? Think of that BN CDR or CO CDR who have that responsibility for incredibly more soldiers.
One must consider the entry requirements for the enlisted side. They are relatively low, with a correspondingly high pay scale. How many people two years out of high school working blue collar jobs do you know that make 40K a year in pay and benefits? I went to college before joining the Army, and my friends that did not join did not make that starting out even though they had a Bachelors degree.
(3)
(0)
SGM Mikel Dawson
When I first saw this thread, this was the first thought coming to my mind - CSM (Join to see)you beat me to it!!
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I think we are all missing the question here. I don't think the pay scale should reflect the officer side exactly, however, it only makes sense to have a sub-scale for enlisted soldiers with at least a Bachelor's degree -- especially if they earned it outside of the Army. That is my opinion of course and it is a biased one: I joined with a BA and decided enlisted was right for me for various reasons. I believe a four year degree definitely has a positive effect on a soldiers ability and performance and should therefore be reflected in his or her payscale.
(0)
(0)
13
13
0
If they want to get paid more for their degree, let them apply for a warrant or commission. If you start paying Soldiers more for getting a degree where does it stop? Should a CPT with a PhD get paid more than a CPT with a BS or Masters?
(13)
(0)
8
8
0
I share the majority opinion and say no for a couple of reasons.
1. If you're a 31B1 with a PhD in history ... how does that help the team accomplish the mission?
2. We've all met them ... the overeducated idiot. One's BS degree may in fact be a degree in BS ... so again, how does that help the team accomplish the mission?
The best case scenario is you prove yourself, earn rank and earn the pay grade appropriate to the E, W or O grade. Should the Peter principle comes to fruition, then hopefully the respective Chains of Command takes appropriate action.
1. If you're a 31B1 with a PhD in history ... how does that help the team accomplish the mission?
2. We've all met them ... the overeducated idiot. One's BS degree may in fact be a degree in BS ... so again, how does that help the team accomplish the mission?
The best case scenario is you prove yourself, earn rank and earn the pay grade appropriate to the E, W or O grade. Should the Peter principle comes to fruition, then hopefully the respective Chains of Command takes appropriate action.
(8)
(0)
Capt (Join to see)
Degrees defined - BS We all know what that means.
MS - More of the same
Phd - Piled higher and deeper.
OK Folks, just kidding a little.
MS - More of the same
Phd - Piled higher and deeper.
OK Folks, just kidding a little.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google