Career Progression: Masters or No

There are other articles posted on this topic and how it helps or is become required in other services for promotion to Colonel. Not that I think it will ever become absolutly mandatory, but I think it is slowly becoming the unwritten rule.
Many of my classmates at CGSC were looking at ways to get their advanced degree in anything, just so when our LTCs board met it was not a discriminator against them.
So to answer your questions: 1. It can 2. As a Field Grade it is becoming more and more critical 3. Not unless you are in a specialized field like Chemical, Signal, or Engineer, in my opinion.

Lt, a masters will set you apart from your peers that will progress your military career. In addition it is a good reminder that the military is not forever and you want to set your self up for civilian life after the military. Set your self up now for both out comes and don't set yourself up for failure. Lastly, it is better to have it and not need it versuse needing it and not have it.

CPT (Join to see) in reality nobody knows. Each board is given different instructions that are never published. One year they may want someone with an Engineering degree and they have a BA and you have a MS in education. They get promoted you do not. It will help set you apart so if there is a "tie" in OERs, positions, ASIs, etc. you can be ahead of your peers. I had mine before I my board for CPT. I am working my PhD. Will that help me get promoted faster? In reality probably not, but hey it never hurts to try.

To answer the at what point? I think they the beginning of selections that gets harder (at this point in time) is MAJ where you have a true below the zone look. LTC and COL is where the degree would be more discriminating if you do not have it and others do. The field could help if you are in logistics or engineering or intelligence. In other fields there may not be a degree that matches up such as infantry and armor.

I recommend you look further and see what you want to do after you get out of the Army (retire, MRD, decide to get out, or get pushed out due to cuts or non-select) what will that degree do for you? I got my Masters in education as my BA is also in education and I will go back to teaching. That is my plan. Think long term as well. Just my two cents.

Echo all the previous comments; you need to start now taking at least a one class at all times until you eArn your masters. It will be critical at your Majors board and will give you more latitude with your time as you compete for special programs and assignments. Get a degree in something you can use later in life and not just a check the block. If you are lucky, strive to attain assignments that will afford a second Masters at a brick and mortar University(ACS, West Point Instructor, etc) so you can further distinguish yourself from your peers. Army is trending to Needing a Masters for your LTC board; and after two Masters look to earn your PhD to make you marketable for COL/GO or post Army positions. The roadmap is all in your hands and always keep learning and growing in your craft, art and leadership. There is no one right path, just a path of higher education throughout your military career and into a future civilian profession.

I separated from the Corps in 2002, earned my BA in 2003, MAT in 2010, and MA in 2013. I'm also still studying for a doctorate. My degrees are in philosophy, history, and education. Advanced education opens doors and separates you from other candidates in the civilian world, and I'm sure that it helps on military promotion boards, too. Get the master's degree, CPT (Join to see) !

In some branches it is an absolute must (my branch being one of them). In all branches it is a negative discriminator. If you don't have one, but everyone else does, guess who's not getting picked up.....

I would say yes. It is not about just getting a degree, it is about continued education. I started college as a PFC and have been going to school ever since. Why wake up knowing that you stopped caring to learn. Soon as I finished my Bachelors, I finished my Masters in under two years. Now I'm working on my Doctorate. Why? Why not? I still continue to learn. It develops me both professionally and personally. Right now I'm in the FA53 school trying to earn my CCNA and CISSP cert. Basically, why stop learning (even better when the Army is footing the bill).

It isn't a requirement, but as others have said, it can be a discriminator. Having certifications is also important. As an engineer, getting your PMP is very useful to the Army and in civilian employment. PMP and CISSP (computer security) are the two highest paying certs. One of my instructors had a 28 year old female with a masters, PMP, and CISSP, and paid her $189K a year. She was a high-speed low-drag person which also contributed to her success.

I spent 10 years thinking about getting my masters. I never acted upon it as I was concerned whether the school or the type of degree mattered. In the end, I decided it didn't matter significantly enough to keep me from getting a degree.

Labor stats show that you earn an average of $26K a year more with a masters. Also in my research I learned that if your degree is more than 5 years old it is not as relevant and therefore not as useful to you or the prospective employer. It does demonstrate you know how to conduct research and write which is the primary use of the degree unless you get a STEM type degree and then the dating of your degree becomes even more of an issue.

In the end, I used my hours from ILE (you receive 12 hrs of credit from most universities) and then took the other 24 hrs with Webster University and knocked it out with tuition assistance. I cost me $1600 total out of pocket to complete the degree.

I am glad I finally did it, but I have no idea if it is helping me right now or if when I get out I will take employment requiring it. Good luck!

Not necessary but mostly paid for so why not?  I am getting one and am getting out at 20.  It won't really do anything for my career, but there's no reason not to keep studying.  Also, it can't hurt when it comes time for a promotion board.  The Army offers several Masters programs of its own you might want to look into.

I cannot give a solid answer as an NCO, but from what I have discussed with Officers is that you are almost expected to either have a Master's or be working on one by the time you reach Major.  Even though there is no hard requirement like having a Bachelor's to get a commission, you are competing against your peers for promotions.  I am working on an MBA right now because I want to stand apart from my peers as much as possible when I get looked at for the MSG board in a couple years.