Do you prefer to attend resident Military courses or distance learning Military courses if available?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:14:21 -0400

What are some of the benefits and tradeoffs of both options?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 30 at 2015 11:16 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:16:28 -0400

I've always preferred resident as the demands for time anywhere near work just made the learning more difficult.

Synergy is much better and getting to know others in the field at the watering hole doesn't hurt either.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 11:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:16:49 -0400

I think resident courses are better since you can go there and actually focus on what you're supposed to be doing. Distance learning, while convenient and beneficial, tends to open you up to constant distractions.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jul 30 at 2015 11:23 AM

CSM David Heidke — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:23:04 -0400

Resident, you can network, and you can ask instructors real time for clarifications.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 30 at 2015 11:25 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:25:19 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member When you are a resident to get to do some networking with your peers.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 30 at 2015 11:38 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:38:33 -0400

Yes CW4 Private RallyPoint Member resident training is much better for all involved than correspondence training especially when the training and curriculum involves different branches and/or military services. I went through Resident training for basic and advanced infantry and was able to work with officers from many nations in the process - we even heard a "discussion" between at Egyptian LTC and an Israeli LTC who fought on opposing sides during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Even if you are in the Reserves, resident including regional training team provided courses is the way to go. I went through U.S. Army Command and General staff School (CGSC) which is a multi-discipline and branch course with members of many different branches. We were able to cross-pollinate and those of us who were combat arms were able to train the doctors, lawyers and others [no Indian chiefs though :-)] without tactical or operational experience on what we had learned through training and experience.
Another benefit to resident training is that students can help train the trainers by sharing their experience in operations and with equipment or materiel with the class and the trainers.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 30 at 2015 11:41 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:41:28 -0400

Resident. Do you remember the old correspondance course shenanigans when multiple people took the same paperback classes and shared answers? All we need is more computer saavy cheaters and hackers being promoted faster than they should be. I have become very suspicious and untrusting in my old age.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 30 at 2015 11:47 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:47:38 -0400

ANYTHING that would have gotten me out of the office!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 12:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:00:26 -0400

I prefer Resident courses. Better Q&A opportunities, networking capabilities, and better structure IMHO.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 12:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:05:44 -0400

I've not had an opportunity to participate in online courses (other than SSD). I can see where certain administrative classes could work in this environment (PMCS, military writing, etc.) but for the most part find that participation, real time feedback, and networking are necessities of military training.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 12:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 12:10:53 -0400

I would much prefer the resident. Going resident allows you to focus strictly on the educational aspects of the course so you can get the most from it. Trying to do things distance learning (DL) or split satellite/DL (such as the new method for ILE) allows for all sorts of different distractions. I had coworkers trying to complete their DL portion of ILE at the same time they are trying to perform and complete their key developmental assignment at the same time. There is only so much time in a day and something is not going to receive the focus and effort that it deserves. I am fortunate a slot opened up for resident ILE and that I did not have to take it through the satellite/DL method.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 30 at 2015 1:52 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:52:28 -0400

Resident. If you do a military course online, you'll have to fit it around your regular job. At least attending one in residence allows you to focus on the course "as" your job, rather than "in addition to" your job.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jul 30 at 2015 2:08 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:08:03 -0400

Resident, Get more out of it! There are things the instructor passes on that a computer can not!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 2:49 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:49:42 -0400

I think in general (definitely true for me) we pay more attention to resident courses. When I am in a classroom I am focused on the task at hand. When I am completing any distance learning course I tend to be multitasking and not getting as much from the material.

I do like the flexibility of distance learning but learning most definitely suffers at least for me.

Response by CPL(P) Bret Farritor made Jul 30 at 2015 5:24 PM

CPL(P) Bret Farritor — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:24:12 -0400

Resident!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 8:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 20:16:18 -0400

I would do resident. I only want to focus on that. In the Guard we do just about all of our Captain Career Courses distance learning. I don't think it is anywhere near as good as the resident course. I think it shows. It is not DL is bad but there are things you can't learn. Like when you are in class and you have side bar conversations about their tricks of the trade.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 31 at 2015 9:52 AM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 09:52:42 -0400

I have done both but prefer resident as it gives saturation learning.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 1:01 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 13:01:41 -0400

I prefer distant courses. it allows me to work and in free time I can do the course, that may be because of my work area. there are only about 4 of us at any given time and on being gome makes a bigger load for everyone. I personnaly don't like leaving for 2-3 weeks to do a course especially one that I don't believe in very much (such as Corporals course or Sergeants course) and leave my brothers hanging picking up slack that I left behind.