Calling all COLs and Generals: Operational assignment or attend SAMS?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:35:19 -0500

I am an AGR officer in the Army Reserves. I am looking forward in my career and I am wanting to retire as a COL. Is it better to have an extra year in the field as a BN S-3 or other operational assignment or to attend SAMS? As of now I do not know what utilization tours are available for AGR SAMS graduates.

Response by COL Jim Kohlmann made Jan 1 at 2016 3:46 PM

COL Jim Kohlmann — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:46:20 -0500

Go to SAMS. You should get a good follow on - normally to a G-3 plans shop.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 3:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:59:11 -0500

Sir, SAMS will be critical for leadership billets at the 05 and above level. However, I thought that the AMSP was for Majors and new LTCs. I don't know where you sit for selection for 0-4, but it seems to me that you might as well take another year in an operational assignment with plans on attending SAMS as soon as you make Major.

Of course I am saying this with some degree of ignorance about the requirements and only going on what I have picked up on during my career working in staff positions

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 4:02 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:02:55 -0500

Attend SAMS. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. A year in school vs. one year as and S3 all other things being equal will have little to no bearing on your chances of promotion to O6. At the end of the day, high performance in whatever position you are in will set you up for success.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2016 9:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 21:36:19 -0500

Deleted. I forgot about the AGR part and I think my response only applied to active career path.

Response by BG Robert Enzenauer made Jan 2 at 2016 12:45 AM

BG Robert Enzenauer — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 00:45:39 -0500

SAMS attendance. In Guard, of course, the AGR is a "hindrance" since the state has to "do without" the AGR person while away from the state attending SAMS. But very important for follow-on assignments .

Response by COL Thomas McGrath made Jan 2 at 2016 7:18 AM

COL Thomas McGrath — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 07:18:14 -0500

SAMS. It will increase your understanding of operational and strategic planning which is key asset as a senior officer. You will get your operational assignment after SAMS.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 3 at 2016 8:08 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 20:08:26 -0500

A few thoughts:
- SAMS vs extra year in operational force. Which is better depends upon what your personal/professional goals are and how each one helps you to achieve those goals. Pick the one that best helps you attain your near and mid term goals, not just your long term goal (retire as a COL).
- The HRC advice of "it does not matter what job you do as long as you do well in it" applies in this case. Neither extra year as BN S3 or being a SAMS graduate will help you retire as a COL if you do not perform in the jobs to which you are assigned.
- Timeline. Timeline can become an issue if you want SAMS because it is a year of SAMS plus a utilization tour as a planner which most likely will not be KD. Hard to become a COL if you do not meet the requirements to become a LTC.
- If being a Division or Corps level planner does not appeal to you then stay away from SAMS since one of the reasons for SAMS is to make you a better planner.
- If reading 200+ pages a day does not appeal to you then stay away from SAMS. CGSC is about 30 pages of reading a day that only 3/15 in the small group actually read. SAMS is 200+ pages of reading that 15/15 in your small group will have read.
- SAMS might help you get promoted but, at the end of the day, it will be your performance or non performance in KD positions that are the decisive factor in whether you will be promoted or not.

Response by BG Mike Bridges made Jan 3 at 2016 11:48 PM

BG Mike Bridges — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 23:48:31 -0500

Take SAMS, it is such a rare and extraordinary military/academic opportunity and few even fit the criteria.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Jan 5 at 2016 11:23 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:23:09 -0500

Not sure AGR assignments are the same with respect to completing SAMS. But regardless it is a free education and that is always good

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2016 2:35 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:35:30 -0500

SAMS will make you a much better officer if you have the mental capability to be a planner. My only caution is that you need some time as a Bn. S-3. Officers who skip that crucial step just don't perform well at higher levels.

Response by COL Tom Lewis made Jan 14 at 2016 4:35 PM

COL Tom Lewis — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 16:35:55 -0500

SAMS. Professional education will benefit both the Army and you in the long run. The SAMS knowledge is available to select few, and strategic officers influencing your career path know that. Make a difference by being different with a highly-sought specialty. The special education will be rewarding to you. Opportunities may appear in your future because of this specialty. Set the stage whenever you have such an opportunity. Don’t settle for an average career path when you can influence your destiny.

Response by BG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:49 PM

BG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 22:49:16 -0500

Go to SAMS, hands down. The education, relationships, and perspectives you will gain are priceless. There will always be an operation. Prepare yourself to best support the decisions to be made by exploiting this extraordinary military education opportunity.

Response by COL Jeff Ragland made Jan 21 at 2016 12:47 PM

COL Jeff Ragland — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:47:25 -0500

SAMS is an excellent opportunity if you can attend. I do have a slightly different take on the advantages of attending. In my experience, most all of the SAMSters I know have done well but seem to become disillusioned at the higher echelons. I might have limited exposure to these guys and gals, but for what it is worth, get your OES required courses completed and figure out just how far you want to go in the Army (GO? COL? LTC?) and then navigate according to that goal.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 1:53 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:53:04 -0500

Attend SAMS. One of the best schools in the Army and will give you tremendous insight into the operational process plus invaluable contacts and alumni.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2016 4:36 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:36:00 -0400

If you are looking at Colonel, the key will be your performance in the LTC jobs (particularly KD). SAMS would be an outstanding experience serving you up through Colonel. Ensure you get your KD Major position (particularly S3 if possible), but take SAMS. Wish you the best.