Posted on May 1, 2015
Bachelor's degree or tabs and badges?
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What is more impressive and useful, a Bachelor's degree and above or tabs and badges? Justify response.
Schools
College
Education
Ranger
Special Forces
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 35
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I hate to answer a question with a question but you have to ask yourself what's the path you are choosing for yourself? A tab or badge should never be pursued just for sport or collection, it should be sought out for the benefit of learning what it represents. I've spent the last 12 years in Group, we all have tabs, why? We have them because it is an MOS requirement. What I'm trying to say is no one comes to group for a tab or a Green Beret, they come to learn and apply the skills in both training and real world missions that are symbolic of the Regiment and its head gear.
A degree is along the same lines, yes it helps with promotion but its intent isn't just to be sought out for sport but what you learn from the experience and its application to your profession. So much like other things in life there is a balance to strive for and maintain. I have plenty of badges and I have a degree, neither outweighs the other but, together I am more well rounded for it.
A degree is along the same lines, yes it helps with promotion but its intent isn't just to be sought out for sport but what you learn from the experience and its application to your profession. So much like other things in life there is a balance to strive for and maintain. I have plenty of badges and I have a degree, neither outweighs the other but, together I am more well rounded for it.
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CPT (Join to see)
Well stated. I think there is a disillusionment with badges. That badge chaser that flaunts a impressive stack of badges but has never been combat is something that we should disparage.
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1SG (Join to see)
It's easy to understand being drawn to the shine especially as a younger O or junior E, I think everyone has done it at some point. Combat experience and the badging that comes with it is on the way to becoming a thing of the past as well. Afghanistan is winding down and CIB/CMB/CABs are down to nearly nothing as far as numbers awarded. Combat isn't the great equalizer especially in CSS jobs but I do have issues with those who have gone out of their way to NOT deploy.
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CSM (Join to see)
MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM
1SG (Join to see) makes an excellent point based off ones end state. To get to ones end state successfully you need to accomplish the key tasks. I would rather my NCOs/Soldiers pursue their military education first, if they can take a couple college classes concurrently that's great.
I want my NCOs/Soldiers to be successful in their career. If they are Infantrymen that means I want to send them to Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Bradley Master Gunner, etc. That's what Infantry branch says you need to be promoted, it's not about the badges, it's about being an expert in your craft.
If you plan on making the military a career you should concentrate on mastering your MOS, if you can pursue civilian education while doing that, that's great but, eventually you will have the opportunity to get your degree. I didn't receive my Associates until I already had 17-18 years in the Army, I finished my Bachelors while attending the Sergeants Major Academy. I was promoted from E-1 to E-8 without any college credits.
Determine your end state...complete key tasks.
1SG (Join to see) makes an excellent point based off ones end state. To get to ones end state successfully you need to accomplish the key tasks. I would rather my NCOs/Soldiers pursue their military education first, if they can take a couple college classes concurrently that's great.
I want my NCOs/Soldiers to be successful in their career. If they are Infantrymen that means I want to send them to Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Bradley Master Gunner, etc. That's what Infantry branch says you need to be promoted, it's not about the badges, it's about being an expert in your craft.
If you plan on making the military a career you should concentrate on mastering your MOS, if you can pursue civilian education while doing that, that's great but, eventually you will have the opportunity to get your degree. I didn't receive my Associates until I already had 17-18 years in the Army, I finished my Bachelors while attending the Sergeants Major Academy. I was promoted from E-1 to E-8 without any college credits.
Determine your end state...complete key tasks.
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MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM I think what is the most impressive, is an individual who takes the degrees, tabs, and experience to make the team stronger by training subordinates, pushing them to excel and become the next generation of leaders while never looking back and resting on the past. That is, the past is a stepping block towards continued service and increased responsibility. (Not stepping stones, but blocks which increase perspective and therefore accountability for building others up.)
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I'm not sure this is really an either/or question. The long game leans towards degree, but really, all other things equal, even the military is going to preference someone with tabs/badges AND a degree over someone with only one or the other.
You want to get ahead, get that degree, even if it takes 10 years while you shove classes around duties, deployments and military-related schools.
You want to get ahead, get that degree, even if it takes 10 years while you shove classes around duties, deployments and military-related schools.
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I don't believe I've ever seen an interviewer state " oh that Degree is nice, but no Airborne wings?"..
Some things matter in our little pocket reality, but once we have to go back out into the real world, all that Hooah stuff is meaningless.. If a school/certificate/training doesnt translate into a civilian equivalent, pass. Go find something useful...
Some things matter in our little pocket reality, but once we have to go back out into the real world, all that Hooah stuff is meaningless.. If a school/certificate/training doesnt translate into a civilian equivalent, pass. Go find something useful...
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SSG (Join to see)
I agree with your view on College degree, military schools that actually transfer to a civilian related field. As we transition to a civilian world all the badges will look nice on display, but really won't matter to your next employer.
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Frankly, a degree. Many argue that tabs and badges will help those with military career aspirations. Here is the follow-up question to that: what happens if you get medically-retired due to a service connected injury?
A degree can help in both the civilian and military world. No, a degree will not help you become more tactically sound. A degree will help you gain problem solving, reasoning, and other skills that are practically intangible until applied. As your military career progresses, you will be expected to write, assess, manage, and plan. A degree plus experience can really help these critical career skills become something that sets someone's professional development apart. There are skills that must be learned through formal education and are vital in many career fields.
I will also say, tabs and badges definitely have their place. They can help with a servicemember's career and development.
A degree can help in both the civilian and military world. No, a degree will not help you become more tactically sound. A degree will help you gain problem solving, reasoning, and other skills that are practically intangible until applied. As your military career progresses, you will be expected to write, assess, manage, and plan. A degree plus experience can really help these critical career skills become something that sets someone's professional development apart. There are skills that must be learned through formal education and are vital in many career fields.
I will also say, tabs and badges definitely have their place. They can help with a servicemember's career and development.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Perform a risk analysis. Are you likely to get injured achieving an Air Assault badge? Airborne? German Armed Forces badge? EFMB? EIB? Some badges are easier than other. Risk for getting injured while studying for a degree is negligible compared to Airborne, for example. Again, I am in my forties, my point of view as an RN is different. I have seen a lot of service-related injuries.
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Depends on the context. On a DA photo? Tabs and badges looks sexy. But most civilian employees could care less about those, but DO care about your educational qualifications.
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SSgt (Join to see)
That's why I made sure I had my master's before trying to get back in, TSgt Joshua Copeland!
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Here's my two sense: do something, anything, even if it's wrong. Don't just chill and ride with the current. Do something to set yourself apart from others. What do you have that your competitors don't? Never lose sight of short term and long term goals.
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