Posted on Jan 18, 2014
Any suggestions as to what can be done to help Soldiers get time to do college courses in person?
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<p>I think we can all agree that having a college degree is pretty important in this day age, whether you stay in or not. Is anyone else running into the issue of units preaching the importance of college and taking college but gives no time for it? I know I had Soldiers that want to take courses but don't want to do the online option because they learn and retain better in a classroom environment. I think getting an online degree is the only real feasible way to complete college and I try to preach it to my Soldiers. I myself take online courses and have a hard time keeping up with stuff I have to do at work and the stuff I have to do when I get home with the family. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what can be done to help Soldiers get time to do college?</p><p> </p><p>(For my command that might read this, this is just a broad question. I have encountered it before and hear Soldiers talk about it all the time.)</p>
College
Education
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 25
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LT, you're not the only education Nazi. Aside from preaching financial security that is the one thing I preach often, if not overdoing it. It feels great counseling my Soldiers on the benefits of education but also showing them that I'm practicing what I preach. We all know it's easy to tell a Soldier do this, that and the third without questioning but not many Leaders tells their subordinates AND show them.
Remember, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!!!
Remember, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!!!
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CPT (Join to see)
Ohh Sergeant, don't even get me started on LT Hooser's financial lectures. I got soldiers going to Mental Health complaining that Dave Ramsey is talking to them in their sleep, and they don't know who Dave Ramsey is.
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Attending college is a give and take. One must realize that they are active duty and the job comes first. If they can find a way to work some classes into their off time I am all for it. I even let some Soldiers leave at 1500 so they can take class from 1600-2000. Not a problem. The issue is when a Soldier signs up for college then expects the Command to give them all of the time off to attend the class. A lot of planning must going into taking college classes. As a 1SG I do not have the time to attend a brick and mortar environment. I can effectively plan a class around my schedule that I do on my own time online.
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CW2 (Join to see)
1SG, I understand the mission comes first, but why is it the Army will offer to send an Officer back to school for 2 years to complete a Master's Degree, but doesn't afford the enlisted member the same opportunity to self-improve? Is there a program like that for Enlisted members that I don't know about?
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LTC Jason Bartlett
Not all officers are given that opportunity (only a few,someone else can fill you in on the 5 W's), you have the same opportunity as I (officer). I didn't do degree completion either I sacrificed and did it on my time along with my advance degree. If you want something bad enough you work hard and it will happen.
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CSM Mike Maynard
SSG Whittington - YES, there are programs exactly like that for enlisted.
It's hard to replicate with enlisted though, as all officers have a bachelors, but not all enlisted even have a bachelor. So, the pool is limited usually to Senior NCOs that have a Bachelors.
And usually these fellowships require a follow-on internship and then a special duty utilizing the education that you just received.
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Yes, and I practice what I preach - currently working on my MBA. I have big plans for what comes after that too, many thanks to a senior LT of mine who has gone out of his way to encourage me.
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CPT (Join to see)
Emergency Management and Resource Allocation. Well now i know who to include in my Zombie Apocalypse readiness meetings.
What classes are you working on now?
What classes are you working on now?
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MAJ Laurie H.
I have a well-thumbed copy of this in my desk drawer. I'll bring it.
http://www.ugcsurvival.com/SurvivalManuals%5CFM%20999-3.pdf
http://www.ugcsurvival.com/SurvivalManuals%5CFM%20999-3.pdf
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Yes I do. I counsel all of my Soldiers and NCOs monthly on
the importance of civilian education. I "highly encouraged" all of subordinates
to attend college. All of my Soldiers and NCOs are enroll in some type of
associates or bachelors program to include myself. I completed two associates
last year and I’m three classes away from my bachelors. NCOs should lead by
example.
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Yes, and people who aren't my soldiers. I'm basically the education Nazi.
I have gotten through everything the army is willing to pay for. As a 1LT (As of today), I hold an MBA in finance. It was very challenging so I am taking a prolonged tactical pause before moving to a second Masters or PhD.
I have gotten through everything the army is willing to pay for. As a 1LT (As of today), I hold an MBA in finance. It was very challenging so I am taking a prolonged tactical pause before moving to a second Masters or PhD.
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CMC Robert Young
Sir, I have the second master's. It's the third master's or the PhD decision that's got me stumped too.....there's something about paying for it as I go that the wife keeps whispering in my ear...
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CPT (Join to see)
I hear that Senior Chief, In 2 years my student loans will be paid in full and I will start itching for the next program.
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CSM Michael Poll
LT Hooser, MCPO is a Master Chief, not a Senior Chief. Its like calling a Sergeant Major a Master Sergeant. Just a heads up!
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LTC (Join to see)
I wish I had learned this lesson when I was on active duty. Getting/staying academically engaged has so many benefits; gets you away from drinking, makes you more creative and open-minded, benefits you throughout your career, or prepares you to enter the civilian workforce.
This must, obviously, be balanced with professional duties and family concerns. For single Soldiers with high aspirations, it should be a no-brainer other than funding. Also, scholarships are available. I have law school classmates in the evening division who are still on active duty.
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The medical side of the house has several different programs to help you finish your degree if you want to be medical. For nursing you get to go to any school you get accepted to in the country for 2 years and that is your only job to finish your degree. You also have PA school which is similar except you graduate from there with your masters degree in the same amount of time without even having your bachelors.
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SFC (Join to see)
I did not know that about the medical side of the house. I will certainly look into this more as a possible option for soldiers looking to reclass as an option. Thanks
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"I think we can all agree that having a college degree is pretty important in this day age"
I do not agree. That concept has been pushed for decades and has only resulted in an educational arms race, higher tuition, and graduates who cannot employ what they learned in an actual trade. The degree, in many cases, has been reduced to a badge of tenacity.
My question is, in what way does a degree for an enlisted servicemember enhance unit readiness? If college is critical to the mission, why is time not already budgeted during the duty day?
I do not agree. That concept has been pushed for decades and has only resulted in an educational arms race, higher tuition, and graduates who cannot employ what they learned in an actual trade. The degree, in many cases, has been reduced to a badge of tenacity.
My question is, in what way does a degree for an enlisted servicemember enhance unit readiness? If college is critical to the mission, why is time not already budgeted during the duty day?
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CW2 (Join to see)
SFC Pate,
I agree with you up until the point you ask your question. I also agree that experience doing a job and learning that trade will better qualify you for a job than a piece of paper stating you have learned about it in a classroom, but we live in a society that has glorified that piece of paper and in order to succeed outside the military in most professional careers a degree is necessary.
I feel the military should take a serious interest in both Enlisted and Officer ranks education in order to have not only an experienced military, but an educated military.
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SFC Stephen P.
The "professional careers" that require a degree are the ones facing undue competition. Careers that start with technical schools or apprenticeships are wide open and still pay quite well.
We should take an interest in education in order to have an educated military? This is tautology.
I agree that education is advantageous, but is it worthwhile if obtained at the expense of METL specific training?
With our officer corps, we set up our own academies and fund schooling through ROTC in order to ensure sufficiently educated personnel fill our ranks.
If we really needed that level of education from the enlisted side, I doubt it would be difficult to expand those programs.
I assess that the primary beneficiaries of any pass or financial assistance are the soldier and the school. As such, it is an excellent morale and retention booster, but not a significant readiness enhancer.
We should take an interest in education in order to have an educated military? This is tautology.
I agree that education is advantageous, but is it worthwhile if obtained at the expense of METL specific training?
With our officer corps, we set up our own academies and fund schooling through ROTC in order to ensure sufficiently educated personnel fill our ranks.
If we really needed that level of education from the enlisted side, I doubt it would be difficult to expand those programs.
I assess that the primary beneficiaries of any pass or financial assistance are the soldier and the school. As such, it is an excellent morale and retention booster, but not a significant readiness enhancer.
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MSG, I have taken advantage of every educational opportunity the military has offered earning a BS and two MAs in the process. I point to myself as the "if I can do it, you can do it" poster boy for T/A, and college. I was fortunate enough to see several of my subordinates at my last unit earn AA, BA, and BS degrees while we were stationed together. My hope is with new assignment that I'll be able to have the same effect.
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I finish my bachelors degree this week and have done so while being deployed and having a family. It can be done, but you have to sacrifice your personal time to get ahead of your peers. That why degrees are viewed so highly. The Army has a mission to conduct and obviously can allow Soldiers to attend college during work hours or others will have to cover down for them. Of course exceptions can be made, as a Platoon sergeant I got a Soldiers approved to do this. This is were online degrees are so important. Complete your degree own your own time and you only have to request the TA. Getting a degree depends on the determination of the individual. Good job on asking the questions in order to take of Soldiers! Leadership qualities at work!
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