Can my command tell me my college school work isn't important?

2018-09-20T13:25:51-04:00

So, My command team tells me that if they need me too, I must stay extra long hours to work. But in doing so, My school work is suffering. I know I read somewhere that the army places great emphasis on those in college and that my command is required to give me more than enough time to do the work. Is this true, and if so, where can I find a regulation or SOP for it to give to my command team.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 1:30 PM

2018-09-20T13:30:30-04:00

They can order you to work extra hours depending on the job that needs to be done and at their discretion. Unless you are concerned there is some sort of discrimination, your first commitment is to the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 1:31 PM

2018-09-20T13:31:54-04:00

It’s based off of mission requirements. Yes college is important, however no command is going to allow you to sit around doing college course if there are due outs. Operations is extremely busy, are you tracking and have turned in all personnel actions? Is anything delinquent? Have you asked for an expected battle rythm checklist that’s expected of you daily? Lastly, depending on the OPTEMPO of your position, some are never in a position to do college during “normal” business hours. I would talk to your retention NCO and see if you can reenlist for college.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 1:33 PM

2018-09-20T13:33:08-04:00

If you Commander approved you to go to school, he/she needs to give you time to do so.

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Sep 20 at 2018 1:35 PM

2018-09-20T13:35:10-04:00

No. Mission first. If your command needs you then that is priority. Of course the Army wants you to succeed in your “personal” civilian education and most commands are good at that. However any command that has an unfulfilled mission requirement will obviously have to adapt to overcome those shortcomings. Sorry

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 20 at 2018 1:39 PM

2018-09-20T13:39:00-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member: College graduation is essential to garnering a good career; but so is the military. Your mission always comes First.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 2:16 PM

2018-09-20T14:16:17-04:00

You are in the reserves, correct? So you work one weekend a month and two weeks in a year? That is the amount of time at your command has you. I'm sure you can work your school work around that.
Or, are you AGR? In which case you're a full-time employee, and work is your primary job. There are no employment agencies in which your job is to go to school

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 2:33 PM

2018-09-20T14:33:06-04:00

Yes it is mission first, like everyone else has said.

Personally I would just take one class at a time and complete your school work after work. It is all about time management. It might be hard for you to complete but you will also thank yourself in the end. With that being said do not enroll in a course if you know cannot complete the work. Otherwise you might have to pay back money if utilizing tuition assistance.

Also, I am not sure if this program still exists but it may be worth researching.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2015/07/06/take-three-years-off-army-extends-sabbatical-program/

Take three years off: Army extends sabbatical program

The Army is continuing to offer sabattaicals for soldiers. Those who enroll receive a stipend and health benefits.

Response by 2LT Ronald Reimer made Sep 20 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-09-20T14:34:13-04:00

If they can order you to “take a hill” amongst blistering machine gun fire and insurmountable odds, I am betting that they can make you miss some college work. (Talk to many of the Gulf War veterans who were yanked out of their colleges mid semester and sent to the desert!)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 2:37 PM

2018-09-20T14:37:07-04:00

They can say anything they want yes. They can tell you that your college isn't important - yes. There is no regulation against that.

No your command is not required to give you time to do college.

Also you're in the Reserves...how do you not have enough time to do college? If you're not AGR then you have no excuse but yourself that you can't get your college work done.

"In addition to taking courses off duty, each of the services has programs which allow some enlisted to remain on active duty and attend college full-time, receiving full pay and allowances. Some of these programs lead to a commission as an officer, some do not. Most require that you commit yourself for a longer hitch in the military. Most require that you obtain some college (usually two or three years) on your own, first, and all of these programs are extremely competitive. There are many more applicants for these programs than there are available slots each year."

That's all I could find about where college would be primary duty but I don't know if the Army has those programs. I know when I first came in I recall someone who reenlisted for some program and their primary location was college for months or a year? I can't remember. I don't know if that still exists for enlisted. I think officers have an option to get three years to get a degree but are still active duty and getting active duty pay.

There is no regulation that says your commander has to give you time to conduct college courses.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 2:51 PM

2018-09-20T14:51:42-04:00

Your profile says Reservists? Are you at Drill/AT/ADOS? I'm confused. If you're at Drill or AT: most college instructors will work with you but you have to work with them AHEAD of time, NOT AFTER THE FACT. If you're on ADOS: Surely you would have understood the mission requirement before taking on the ADOS assignment (it is voluntary-most of the time-anyway).
You'll learn as you advance (become an NCO) that time management is a HUGE deal. It's even emphasized in NCOPD schools now BIG TIME. You're gonna learn how to juggle things, all part of life.
But as stated above, MISSION is ALWAYS first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 2:53 PM

2018-09-20T14:53:40-04:00

Oh, FYI: I'd HIGHLY advise if you give anything to ANYONE, it NOT be your command team. We have a chain of command/responsibility for a reason. Don't skip over your SGT.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Sep 20 at 2018 3:00 PM

2018-09-20T15:00:39-04:00

You signed a contract to defend and protect The United States of Americe. The mission of your assigned unit ouweights your colledge time. There is no regulation or SOP that I know of that would take your side. Take SSG(P) advise.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 20 at 2018 3:37 PM

2018-09-20T15:37:38-04:00

Nothing you stated in your post supports your title statement "My command tell me my college school work isn-t important"

Secondly unless you have reenlisted for and education option or some other educational contract allowing civilian school while on duty your command is not obligated to provide you work hours for a personal endeavor. A very admirable personal endeavor and one that may benefit the unit as well as you personally.

Work hours are whatever the unit needs them to be.

When I had a choice between tasking two soldiers, one that going to sit in his room and play Xbox and one who wanted to go sit in a classroom to better himself I absolutely would choose the one playing Xbox. That is one way we support soldiers trying to better themselves through higher education.

What we don’t do is allow a service manager to shirk their duties responsibilities because something they've chosen to do outside of work is interfering.

I can almost guarantee, if you bring forth the attitude presented in this thread to your chain of command you will get zero support.

On the other hand if you go to them and asked their advice of how you can best accomplish both your goals; support your units need and your educational ones they probably will work with you to the best of the units ability.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 20 at 2018 3:58 PM

2018-09-20T15:58:59-04:00

Have you heard of the phrase, "Needs of the military take priority...."? You have enlisted in the US Army. You are charged with learning everything you can about your MOS to be the most effective Soldier you can be in performance of your primary duties. College work, while encouraged, will always be secondary to your military obligation. I dropped from several classes because my duties prevented me from attending class. Incidentally, that didn't change much after retirement either. For some reason, my employer expects me to be on the job instead of a classroom.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 20 at 2018 4:06 PM

2018-09-20T16:06:45-04:00

One thing I stressed was to make the soldiers' lives more predictable. At the minimum, 24 hours of notice.

Response by 1SG Billy Vance made Sep 20 at 2018 4:21 PM

2018-09-20T16:21:34-04:00

Is the government paying for the College Course?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 20 at 2018 4:39 PM

2018-09-20T16:39:47-04:00

Did you start by informing them you were signing up? If so they likely make some accommodation, but are not obligated. They are definitely not obligated to give you more than enough time as you say. Bottom line is that the military does encourage education, notvat the detriment of the mission. Like with anything, if you feel your leadership is unreasonable you should speak to the 1SG. The buck stops there. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 5:21 PM

2018-09-20T17:21:04-04:00

Mission first. When I was in 25th ID, during in-processing, the assistant division commander told us that if we left without a degree it was "our own damn fault." However, with exception of a single accelerated semester of classes at night and on the weekend which I got to do as a reward for graduating Sapper School on first attempt, I never had time for classes due to our training schedule. I saw Soldiers from other units going to class. And I talked to Soldiers from some units whose commanders excused them from training activities in order to allow them to go to class. But honestly, though the disparity in policy and treatment irked me very much at the time, in retrospect, I agree with my commander over those commanders. HOWEVER....

...That said, I think that the Army should set up ONLINE college degree programs with schools like UMUC to allow Soldiers with crazy schedules to still complete coursework toward a degree while they are serving on active duty.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:23 PM

2018-09-20T18:23:13-04:00

First, what major are you doing? Assocs? Nac

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-09-20T18:49:26-04:00

Sorry, hit enter by mistake...major? Assocs? Bach? GPA now? What was it before problem? Grades? STEM? Non-STEM? Are you aiming for senior enlisted? Warrant? Commissioned? Flight interests? Family stuff in the way at all? Next, have you spoken with any of the chaplains on your installation? Understand, OK? If they need you, they need you, there's no getting around that, I had coursework with exams while in, often being made to stay till 3 am quite frequently, only to be screamed at as àn idiot the next day, so trust me, been there, done that (BTDT). Is it online at all? On installation? Off installation? How far along are you in the program? Can you go to your faculty, advisor, chair, deans, provosts, and explain, get an incomplete, as well as more time to prep? School isn't supposed to be easy, at the same time I:0:s not intended to be torture...many schools have drop rules tat if you have to drop, whether by a drop deadline date, or, in the case of documented personal hardship or stress, you can often repeat a course, the same course, the next time given, at no cost, if you already paid once...if the svc paid, then you need to go to your educ ctr, and speak with them, or ask the chaplains to do it, they deal explicitly with such problem, also long as you're making a good faith effort, performing well otherwise, in the main, OK? Also, of you elaborate on what coursework explicitly you're doing I might be able to suggest review texts or videos tat might seriously help, I do know a good deal about such aspects, I spent a long, long time in academia, for undergrad and grad...next, have you tried for ROTC? Green to gold? SMP? Academies or their prep schools? The maritime colleges? VMI? The Citadel? If you seriously elaborate more, I might be able to suggest more, or others could, possibly...and for God's sake go to the chaplains, and expressly tell them what you're going through, the have avenues you don't, I mean, trees a limit to how many times you can draw water from their well, you know, but if you need time off for exam prep, within reason, it's part of their function to at least lend a sympathetic ear, and at least try to help...you've gotta be judicious about it, appearance demeanor, behavior impeccable, PT perfect, tour PME for promotability all done also, however, if you genuinely need help, your school vet office rep is at least supposed to be able to help go to your faculty or installation educ off as a go between, I should think, as well. Sit down, write a serious letter to your department, to your advisor, chair, dean, and provost, detailing and explaining everytging in depth, they'll have tour grades, and say who's paying for it? Is it a state school? Private? High tuition? Low? You need to tell is a whole lot more, and for God's sake, be detailed, not just a couple of brief comments here, OK? If you seriously need help, we need info...also, look at the Schaum's outlines and REA Problem Solvers in the school bookstore, or through any good bookstore, e.g., Barnes and Noble, I'll try to send you the links, there are sevl different versions of REA review material, the Schaum's and REA staff are staples of college review...I can also possibly suggest video review material as well...how many hours do you study a night? Generally, as a rule of thumb, any serious topic needs three to one, 3 hrs for every class hour, OK? Minimum, seriously...next, how do you take and organize tour notes? Do you take adequate notes? Can you videotape lectures? Some places already videotape ten for you in a library archive, ask, OK? Some faculty will understand, you may need to ask an advisor to speak with them, or your chair, dean, or proviost...also, join Student Veterans of America, as well, or see if trees a chapter by you anywhere, at tour school or elsewhere...finally, you might nenefotmfrom a study group, sharing taking notes, or maybe if not videotaping, possibly audiotaping lectures, at the very least...give !e your thoughts and elaboration, I'd be most eager to hear more...if you want to chat, I'm here, OK? Look up also a video series for undergrads with a weird ma!e, TheStandard Deviants, it's been around for years, the ma!e is a play on words from statistics, heyve got basically most undergrad topics in relatively cheap videos, I got tjem on VHS, however, I know they're out now on DVD, probably Blue Ray or some other !medium, also, OK? Send word about whether you think all that hjelps, and reme!her, details, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:52 PM

2018-09-20T18:52:31-04:00

Also, is tour major related to your work or not? I realize it might not he, it:s just that unit staff are likely to be more sympathetic if it were...and, reme!her, you can work and drive, drive and go to school, or go to school and work, but not even Superman in a BG red cape can work, drce, and go to school constantly without burning out, if you burn the candle at both ends, you're gonna fall down at work, and have more aggravation...if tour installation has a program physically closer, trees a lot to be said for physical convenience for school, trust me, BTDT, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:54 PM

2018-09-20T18:54:38-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schaum's_Outlines

Read this, look at the McGraw Hill site for them, they're relatively cheap....

Schaum's Outlines - Wikipedia

Schaum's Outlines (/ʃɔːm/) is a series of supplementary texts for American high school, AP, and college-level courses, currently published by McGraw-Hill Education Professional, a subsidiary of McGraw-Hill Education. The outlines cover a wide variety of academic subjects including mathematics, engineering and the physical sciences, computer science, biology and the health sciences, accounting, finance, economics, grammar and vocabulary, and...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-09-20T18:57:11-04:00

http://store.rea.com/stguide-math-probsolve.html

Look at every version these people have, problem solvers, essentials series, review charts, all of it, trust me, they're well worth the costmamd complement the Schaum's: material....

stguide-math-probsolve.html

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 6:58 PM

2018-09-20T18:58:33-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Deviants

And these....

Standard Deviants - Wikipedia

Standard Deviants is a series of edutainment videos produced in the United States dealing with educational subjects such as math, science, politics, English, social studies, foreign language, and SAT Test Prep created for elementary schoolers, middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, and graduate school students in the U.S. Originally a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public television series, it blends essential information with...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2018 6:59 PM

2018-09-20T18:59:51-04:00

Hmmm, hard to say. I know it was very hard for me when I was taking night classes. It was clearly understood that mission came first, I didn’t like it...and I didn’t have to like it.

I recall working 15 hour shifts 6 days a week: taking two night classes meant I was in school 4 of those nights...3 hours each of those nights. It sucked, plus, this was when we had black boots that needed shining, and uniforms that needed to be pressed nicely. It sucked!

I also remember having to drop my classes about a week prior to finishing due to a very short notice for me to go to UFL. At the time, I carried a 4.0 and had to just walk away after all that hard work. It sucked!

My point isn’t to say that things are the way they are, and simply suck it up. My point is that the sacrifice might be worth it in the long run if education is important to you. Only you can decide if it’s worth it to keep taking college courses at this time, or whether it’s best to take a break for your own sanity.

Either way, best of luck!!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-09-20T19:00:04-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_Academy_Preparatory_School

Submit for this....

United States Military Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), sometimes referred to as West Point Prep, is a preparatory school for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Located in West Point, New York, its official mission is "to provide academic, military and physical instruction in a moral-ethical military environment to prepare and motivate candidates for success at the United States Military Academy."[1]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:02 PM

2018-09-20T19:02:01-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Academy_Preparatory_School

And this....

Naval Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The Naval Academy Preparatory School or NAPS is the preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. NAPS is located on Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is "To enhance Midshipman Candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the United States Naval Academy".[1]

Response by COL John McClellan made Sep 20 at 2018 7:03 PM

2018-09-20T19:03:11-04:00

Strictly speaking - yes you command can dictate the duty hours required to accomplish the military mission. Doesn't mean the military doesn't support a higher education, but I know of no requirement to exempt members of the unit from missions where you are needed. The key I think would be getting a commitment from your chai of command to work with you - maybe there are some things that can't be avoided but other things that they can work to support you. What kind of command is this - and re you / where are you - in the deployment cycle? And what is your position?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:03 PM

2018-09-20T19:03:43-04:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Academy_Preparatory_School

And here....

United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School - Wikipedia

The U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School—usually referred to as "the Prep School" or "The P School"—was established in May 1961. The school's founder and first commander was Colonel Lee Charles Black. It is located on the campus of the United States Air Force Academy near the Community Center. The Prep School's mission is to prepare, motivate, and evaluate for admission to and success at the Air Force Academy. Students at the prep school...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-09-20T19:08:50-04:00

You can also submit for USMMA Kings Point, USCGA in Groton, Cat, VMI where my best friend in USAF was AFROTzc, the Citadel, the maritime colleges which are all state schools, for the most part, the junior military colleges as well, and he ROTC programs in any service...consider also Army WOCS for rotary wing flight, it needs only high school, silly to not try for it as well, OK? There are articles and Wikipedia pages on all of them, I've sent them all in many times...look up also USMC Platoon Leaders Course (PLC), little known, and if you want enguneering, IT, or clinical, USPHS Jr and Sr COSTEP, am analogue of ROTC and PLC, you do NOT need to stay strictly Army, when I was USAFmOTS after Army ROTC, we had many OTs there from other svcs as prior enlisted, I wasn't prior enlisted, you are, or would be, tour have a far easier time adjusting, trust me....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:11 PM

2018-09-20T19:11:40-04:00

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

And look at this, the forum pages are quite good, itmdoesmt cover Army WOCS, however it has the other OCS programs, USCG has its own scholarship stuff, and if you went maritime college, you'd be classed as what USCG terms a MARGRAD, look up the term...also, if you opt for a commissioning program, you can commission in a svc other than what our program was for...also, does your school now have any ROTC or USMC PLC at all?

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:12 PM

2018-09-20T19:12:42-04:00

That should keep you going a good long while, if you want more, ask...and re!ember details, if I can, I'll send more, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-09-20T19:13:04-04:00

And, re!e!her, chaplains, and faculty, and vet rep at your school, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-09-20T19:13:39-04:00

Just reme!her, your work and unit are first, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:14 PM

2018-09-20T19:14:37-04:00

http://www.vmi.edu

My best friend in USAF went here for AFROTC, as I'd said....

www.vmi.edu

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-09-20T19:15:07-04:00

http://www.citadel.edu

This is the other West Point of the South....

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina - The Citadel - Charleston, SC

The Citadel is proud to announce a pair of substantial gifts to name the Swain FamilySchool of Science and Mathematics.Learn more

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:16 PM

2018-09-20T19:16:00-04:00

http://www.USMMA.edu

Read this and try for it....

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

"To educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces."

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:16 PM

2018-09-20T19:16:27-04:00

http://www.uscga.edu

And here....

www.uscga.edu

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:19 PM

2018-09-20T19:19:12-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Maritime_colleges_in_the_United_States

Read this....

Category:Maritime colleges in the United States - Wikipedia

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-09-20T19:20:40-04:00

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_schools_and_academies

And this....

List of United States military schools and academies - Wikipedia

Most military schools in the United States are high schools that place a high emphasis on military preparation, academic rigor, and physical fitness. Most military schools are private and have high tuition, with financial aid available. In addition, most military schools are reserved to males, though military schools for females do exist.[1]

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:22 PM

2018-09-20T19:22:19-04:00

Norwich Univ or College is always advertising on Jere, I've seen...also, ISCGA isn't NY nomination, it:s by exam...finally, any ROTC unit commander can nominate for the academy for their svc, out might need to reapply, just do it, if needs, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:24 PM

2018-09-20T19:24:10-04:00

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer/flight-warrant-officers.html

As I said, you only need high school minimum for this....

Flight Warrant Officers

If you have dreamed of becoming a helicopter or fixed-wing pilot, the Army can help you turn that dream into a reality. Warrant Officers fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced aircraft in the world.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:26 PM

2018-09-20T19:26:32-04:00

Though I've read Army WaoCS is rough, we had a family friend who was Army enlisted, got it, then did his Bach in aviation through Embryo Riddle Univ, he got picked up by USCG as an OIS indoc school grad, as he'd been warrant, I think he was direct commissiomed, and finished as a USCG O-3 at 20 yrs....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:27 PM

2018-09-20T19:27:51-04:00

http://www.usphs.gov

Look at their Jr and Sr COSTEP, they take engrs and IT, not just clinical, OK? Trust !e, I'd have gone with them if I'd had brain one back then, or known they existed....

www.usphs.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:29 PM

2018-09-20T19:29:45-04:00

http://www.omao.NOAA.gov

Look at the NOAA BOTC, their OIS at USMMA Kings Point where my next younger brother went, I commissioned him while i was USAF, I walked through the bldg...rhe flight program is a 5 ur commit, they do pure science....

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations |

Learn about the NOAA Diving Program, which trains, certifies, and equips personnel to safely support underwater missions

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 20 at 2018 7:31 PM

2018-09-20T19:31:15-04:00

Now here's the thing, o don't know what you ultimately want, or your preferences, so when we all do, we can focus in more, OK? That should keep you busy for a fair while reading all that, at any rate, OK?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Sep 21 at 2018 11:16 PM

2018-09-21T23:16:35-04:00

1. School is your problem- not the service. 2, You did not swear to serve when it was convenient for you. 3. Yes college is important- but it DOES NOT out weigh the unit's mission ever! 4. If you are been allowed to go to school, then I would think the Command would try to come to terms with your education, but I NEVER ever saw anything in writing that said it came 1st.

Response by SPC Tony Pacheco made Sep 22 at 2018 9:16 PM

2018-09-22T21:16:34-04:00

Um, is this question really being asked by a specialist?! I don’t mean to sound rude in a day and age where people need safe spaces, but come on........ To top it off you’re a part timer! This is the very reason why active duty makes fun of you guys.......

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Sep 25 at 2018 9:40 AM

2018-09-25T09:40:12-04:00

Currently what is your primary mission? Did your unit sign off for you to go to school or did you sign up outside them not knowing, If they know your going to school they should support but if it is METL mission you can't stop it.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Sep 30 at 2018 10:59 PM

2018-09-30T22:59:22-04:00

My Sgtmajor once told me that if your mission was school then that is your mission. But if your mission is school and other things then the school takes second place. My contract i signed gave me ten years to finish my degree. After I got out of the military I did get my degree and all the schooling from the military I received was credited to my College I went to.

Response by MSG Moises Maldonado made Oct 5 at 2018 12:18 PM

2018-10-05T12:18:09-04:00

As the Old saying says: " You are in the ARMY now" meaning,, Yo'Momma, Spouse,Kids,and everything else goes out Da' "Guindou".. (sic) . The Regs and M-16 are your Buddies now.. Bite the Freaking Bullet.. and Stop your Belly'aching( Cry babying if you will).. You want to Study?.. Do it in /on your own time.. ( You are a Service member 24/7) If you must ,, Then Get to it when You Get out or Follow orders.. This is What's Wrong with Soldiers nowadays( I'm an OLD Fart from the late 60's--Draftee to boot).. They Feel Entitled to everything under the Sun... WAR is Hell and You Chose to fight it.. Everyone have a "ETS" wait for Yours,, There will Always be another that will fill your Slot.. ( Hopefully not a SAD SACK like you ) or Beatle Bailey... Toughen up FLAKE..!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2018 4:19 PM

2018-10-11T16:19:33-04:00

What's the first line in the Warrior Ethos?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 8:03 AM

2018-10-23T08:03:52-04:00

College is important to you. Your command should care about you personal life to an extent. But if school is getting in the way of your job in Ops either accept the late hours or drop down to one class a quarter.

Response by SCPO Lonny Randolph made Oct 27 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-10-27T17:07:10-04:00

I am having a hard time believing I am actually reading something so incredibly stupid... Your job in the military is to support the needs and objectives of your command which in turn are to support and defend the nation and carry out such missions as directed by the Commander in Chief. Any school work not directly involved in support of your military duties and not directly ordered by your chain of command in support of the command's objectives and mission are secondary - falling somewhere near the importance of liberty call in the grand scheme of things. Your military duties apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and the number of hours you spend on your assigned duties will be as many as your chain of command feels are necessary irrespective of your personal school program. Were you under the impression that enemies of this nation are going to stop an attack simply because it is inconvenient to you? Are you under the impression that the United States Army is a special educational program designed to provide you with food, lodging and pay while you go to school? I sincerely hope that while standing your post you wont find yourself inconvenienced so much that you will fail to fire on command! Grow up!

Response by PO3 Anthony Nichols made Oct 29 at 2018 11:56 AM

2018-10-29T11:56:49-04:00

You must not be married or have children. Schools are set up to work around the command not the other way around. If you want your cake and eat it too become a midshipman. If this is your first realization that your command is all that is important I am guessing you might be a reservist? The Navy was real easy in the 1990's we were either on duty or on leave.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Nov 17 at 2018 11:44 AM

2018-11-17T11:44:29-05:00

Got to be something Command can use. All adds up for promotion but can not expect help if taking a degree in basket weaving.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Nov 25 at 2018 4:20 PM

2018-11-25T16:20:24-05:00

They ABSOLUTELY can do that. You signed a contract giving them control of you 24/7.

Response by CW2 Jalistair B made Nov 26 at 2018 10:40 PM

2018-11-26T22:40:20-05:00

The army is more than a full time job. In your case, it is an enlistment. During the time you are enlisted your primary focus is completing whatever task the army has for you. College is not one of those tasks. The army provides a benefit of the GI Bill when you leave the army and if you wish to dedicate your time to your studies that would be a good time to do so. Until such time any class you choose to take is your choice and your obligation, not the army's. I suspect that you are still able to find time to hang out with your friends, look for chicks or date your girlfriend, get drunk, and go to the movies. That is the time you will need to cut back on in order to complete your studies. If that still isn't enough time then you may always cut back on your sleep time. If you are unable to do these things then you are unable to take your chosen classes.

One last thought, the army isn't for everyone. If you don't like the army you can always do something else. You were not drafted!

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Dec 17 at 2018 12:22 PM

2018-12-17T12:22:14-05:00

You are lucky if your command lets you get any school time. You can Re-up for school and not get it. Like me I re-uped two time with the six month school opt. Then I get orders. Too bad NEEDS of the Army. It is just the way it goes. Sad to say this is one of the resions people that where going to stay in left the Army. Or you are in a unit that sends the SHIT BAGS to school just to keep them out of the way. Anther reion Good people leave the Army. It is esaier if you are in a support unit to go to school be cause you do not speed the amount of field time as Combat arms. for the most part, Not always. I geuss I should have asked did your command say yes in writing for you to go ? with class date's ? If yes then you should be given the reguired time needed.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Jun 13 at 2019 9:20 AM

2019-06-13T09:20:23-04:00

Mission First.

Response by SGT Thomas Seward made Jun 17 at 2019 12:23 AM

2019-06-17T00:23:06-04:00

Mission comes first!

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jun 17 at 2019 3:06 PM

2019-06-17T15:06:15-04:00

Mission first. Period. I know education is important, but in the grand scheme of things, the army gets what the army wants. That goes for your commander, they get what they want.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2021 10:50 PM

2021-05-29T22:50:54-04:00

I seem to remember a certain oath one... No All swore too! Remember it and that you are a Soldier first!

Response by SGT Jon Mullins made Aug 24 at 2021 4:16 PM

2021-08-24T16:16:24-04:00

I went to school while on active duty and it sucks doing homework in the field, but you gotta be a disciplined, responsible adult in the military. Do they not teach you this in the reserves?

Response by SFC Dennis Rodriguez made Aug 27 at 2021 3:38 PM

2021-08-27T15:38:49-04:00

You're in the military to work not to go to school. Going to school is a privilege.