Posted on Mar 5, 2014
Should Officers be required to have a Specific Degree in order to be commissioned?
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I am noticing an increasing amount of mostly incompetent Officers joining the ranks. I guess part of it has to do with the War but I believe there needs to be a new standard.<br>What I mean is that an individual should only get Commissioned with certain degrees which could translate into a Leadership role.<br>Many moons ago when a person went to College they matured but these days it is basically an extension of High School for most.<br>I know there are many Great Officers out there but it is time to make a more strict standard for being able to Lead.<br>I look forward to many Great responses. Thank You.<br>
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Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 30
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You're noticing this trend, SSG Fay? I would love to see the quantifiable data you've been collecting and the plan of action you see for righting this 'incompetency'.<br><br>STOP THE MADNESS! I am really tired of reading about a very small population of NCOs randomly calling out 'incompetent officers' or the like. Maybe the problem is the NCO Corps not taking the time to properly integrate the officer to the unit.<br><br>Officers already have strict educational standards...whether it's a service academy, OCS or ROTC commission, our future leaders go through many levels of education. A degree doesn't make an officer...it's the levels of military education and experience. (I'm sure our officer counterparts can elaborate)<br><br>Stop complaining and start making a difference! We're ONE team here, folks.<br>
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SSG Robert Blum
<p>Agreed, as Non Commissioned Officers Junior officers look to us, seek out our guidance and rely on our expertise. If an Officer is failing, for the most part the blame lies with his/her NCOs especially his/her PSG and Squad Leaders. Most Officers have already gone through 4 years of ROTC, or West Point lets not forget OBC, and BOLC before they come to a unit. My LT was a finance major, She Branched MP, and while she rarely uses her degree in her day to day duties, she has become one of the finest most competent officers I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and it was all achieved by MENTORSHIP from her NCOs. </p><p> </p><p>"While 'Platoon Sergeant' is a duty position, not a rank, the platoon sergeant is the primary assistant and advisor to the platoon leader, with the responsibility of training and caring for soldiers. The platoon sergeant helps the commander to train the platoon leader and in that regard has an enormous effect on how that young officer perceives NCOs for the rest of his career. The platoon sergeant takes charge of the platoon in the absence of the platoon leader. As the lowest level senior NCO involved in the company METL [Mission Essential Task List], and individual tasks to soldiers in their squads, crews or equivalent small units."</p>
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I see ZERO connection between a degree and leadership skills. Maybe it's leadership training that is lacking....
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I fit the mold, or you might consider I do, for an officer with a non-specific degree. My B.A. is in Women's Studies and my M.S. is in Special Education. When I tried for a direct commission into the Navy, I was told that I was too old and my degree was non-specific. Fair enough, I enlisted in the AF and then commissioned.
I agree with SGM Matthew Quick, we all still had to go through leadership education and training. I know some less than ideal officers will slip through the cracks, but the training is still there.
Leadership aside, even if I had a B.S. in something applicable to the logistics field, would that necessarily make me a good leader, SSG (Join to see)? I think that component depends on the individual and their personal leadership skills. You can very easily have an intelligent subject matter expert who is in no way equipped with the mentorship, leadership, and relational skills needed to serve as an officer.
I agree with SGM Matthew Quick, we all still had to go through leadership education and training. I know some less than ideal officers will slip through the cracks, but the training is still there.
Leadership aside, even if I had a B.S. in something applicable to the logistics field, would that necessarily make me a good leader, SSG (Join to see)? I think that component depends on the individual and their personal leadership skills. You can very easily have an intelligent subject matter expert who is in no way equipped with the mentorship, leadership, and relational skills needed to serve as an officer.
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CPT (Join to see)
Capt (Join to see) - If I may break into a humor for a moment....you have a degree in Special Education...that is probably the MOST applicable degree for leadership. As you progress in your career, you will discover that there are a LOT of moments that you'll sit there and wonder "So did you NOT get the memo about unleaded paint chips?"
That seriousness aside, leadership is one of the greatest opportunities and the best gift that any officer can be given. It isn't easy, and many times I find myself going into my line leader's office and going "WHAT THE HELL?! How do people GET these ideas?!" But I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING in the world, and they are always going to be my "kids"....
v/r,
CPT Butler
That seriousness aside, leadership is one of the greatest opportunities and the best gift that any officer can be given. It isn't easy, and many times I find myself going into my line leader's office and going "WHAT THE HELL?! How do people GET these ideas?!" But I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING in the world, and they are always going to be my "kids"....
v/r,
CPT Butler
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Capt (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), you can imagine how often I've heard that one too. ;) I started in a flying squadron and when they heard I was a SpEd teacher I had lots of, "You'll fit in great around here!"
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CPT (Join to see)
Capt (Join to see) -One of my "WTF Moments" was when I had a MSG that was demobilizing, wanted to be sent to a military hospital for a breast augmentation (on orders). She said that she blamed the Army for making her "boobs flat and saggy". I asked her how long she'd been in the military (26 years), and how many kids she had (3). I asked then if it was possible that any of these things....like "natural aging" and "childbirth" maybe contributed. "Nope...it was my body armor Sir. And I'm entitled to have it corrected. I was told that you would create the Line of Duty paperwork and send me to get it done."
This was also the only Soldier that I ever cussed out of my office...
v/r,
CPT Butler
This was also the only Soldier that I ever cussed out of my office...
v/r,
CPT Butler
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