Posted on Dec 8, 2013
LTC Jason Bartlett
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Seems unfair since all you really have to do is go to Wiki Answers and get the answers. The website seems like it is non-user friendly as well. 
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SFC Jim Neel
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I am not a advocate of the old saying, "if you ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin'." Its pretty disturbing that Soldiers are skipping the actual studying part and opting for googling the answers or looking at Wikianswers. Ultimately this is about people who may be in a position to make decisions that affect other's lives later on in their military careers.

Prior to retiring I completed SSD IV, and I found it useful. I learned a lot of stuff, and then there was stuff that I could proceed directly to the post test because of experience. But I doubt the integrity of the actual learning process in SSD when there isn't actual testing either on paper or on a computer that is offline with computer-based testing. I fear that the Army may begin to find a disparity between what level a Soldier has completed in SSD, and what they actually know when they show up at the parallel level of NCOES, because of the lack of integrity in testing. Assuming that the point of SSD is to bring an individual to a level where they can hit the ground running when they get to WLC, ALC, SLC, SMA.

I would want to see is continuation of the online learning experience, but with a testing program initiated by DA and officially administered within brigade level, where certified brigade testers go to the subordinate units and conduct the testing either on scantron answer sheets or laptops that have the test loaded (offline). What would make it really exciting and really single out individuals who wanted to excel is if the test scores were integrated into the promotion point worksheet and the score was a mandatory bullet on NCOERs. It would be reminiscent of the old SQT and SDT days.
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LTC Jason Bartlett
LTC Jason Bartlett
>1 y
Some great ideas. The SQT/SDT required some actual effort, with the SSD the Soldier has the ability to just cut and paste.
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SSD seems like it is down more times than it is up. It seems like it is up when I do not need it, but when I get around to try to work on it, the system does not want to cooperate.
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SFC Tac Nco
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I think that the information in the Structured Self-Development is really great!  However, the narrator is SUPER monotone!  The lessons are very dry and some of the practical exercise questions are not even totally revealed in the learning pages.  There is a lot of work to be done on these websites to really make them legitimate.  Also, some of the material although very useful information is way beyond the pay grade of the SM.  For instance, lucky for me I was a SGT or SSG when I completed SSD1 but the information in SSD1 is a lot about CNO/CAO duties and the Six-Sigma.  I feel that learning about the CNO/CAO duties is a really good thing to know and I appreciated the lesson but I will have nothing to do with CNO/CAO until I make SFC, why is it being taught to skill level 1?  And the six-sigma, where do I even start on that...unless a skill level one soldier is a supply clerk or something I do not see that even applying.  I deal very little with ordering things and budgets as a SSG Squad Leader, how much does the average Joe have to deal with that?  Overall I think the concept is good but the system is flawed and the material a bit advanced for the level.
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SSG Matthew Thomas
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What ever happened to NCOPD, SGT's time training, and mentoring? I believe the Army realized that this was not being done so they devised an online training course to help in the process. NCOPD was a much better way to train and mentor junior NCO's.
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SFC James Baber
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This is just the newest version of getting the necessary steps to getting promoted, this is not new, do any of the old-timers on here remember when your units used to have the floppy disks, cds or print-outs that had the answers to the infantryman correspondence course that were worth hundreds of credit hours that could get you up to 100 promotions points back in the day depending on what level courses and how many you took. The Army and Marines had the same courses for almost 2 decades and the answers were passed around during the 90s like it was a right of passage from E6 to E5 to E4 for so long it was common knowledge, so much so that PSBs didn't even question the point addition sheets when they came in for point adjustments.


This is supposed to be more and better controlled, but in reality it is just a newer version, I have seen the electronic versions at the schoolhouse @ Fort Lee for these courses for QM,OD, and TP for the last few years.

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SSG Claims Representative
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I think SSD is a great idea in theory but it comes down to the individual motivation of our soldiers.  Most of the Specialists I talk to think of it as a chore or something they don't look forward too.  Also the course software is very glitchy, as far as cheating NCO can always supervise the training of those on active duty.  For reserves we are on the honor system because if we relied on computers at the drill hall no one would ever be able to finish them.
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MSgt Program Analyst   Joint Certification Program
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I think time restraints and having the 'right' presenter might be difficult at times - but I believe it would be more beneficial for everyone to have these courses in a classroom type environment where personal interact can take place an ideas more properly instilled.


The only online courses I think are worthwhile on their own were the skillport e-learning ones that gave you actual college course material and ebooks allowing you to go through (what would be offered at a college) at your own speed and convenience. Which then gave you the chance to possibly either 'clep' out of a college course or be able to just go for a certification test (like for computer type ones).  

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SFC Marcus Belt
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Dissenting opinion: I did not Google the answers, I slogged through every bit of it, and I like learning, but this was beyond wasteful. I was a staff NCO when I completed SSD3, and while I can usually "dig in" and find something useful from just about anything, this was the most useless online training I've ever encountered.

No, I lie.

It's the most useless training I've ever done. Period.

Whoever thought of it and implemented it is secretly on Da'esh's payroll.
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SSG Instructor/Writer
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I feel that SSD is a complete waste of time. I completed SSD 1,3 and 4 within a one week period when they were available for self enrollment. There is nothing that makes soldiers have to actually try in the course. You can skip all the slides and take the test as much as you want so there is no incentive to actually learn anything from it. I feel that if the SSD tests only gave you a few chances to pass than it would motivate soldiers to actually pay attention to the training, but on the other hand how long did it take for people in your units to have a powerpoint with a screenshot of every question and answer that they could just pass around so everyone could just "Check the Bock" on SSD.
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CPT Technician
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One of the biggest problems in my unit is that we are given several NCOES slots and can't fill them due to incomplete prerequisite SSD. The CSM with the support of the commander has directed all E1-E5 to complete SSD 1 unless they are exempt (which is the case for some of the E5s). Most of my junior enlisted are either completed or near completion. The NCOs in our BN are encouraged, but not required to complete further SSDs, because it is incumbent on the Soldier to take charge of any further career advancement. Of course, those Soldiers who want to advance to the next grade will complete the required SSD.
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SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
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Check out ALARACT 104/2014 if you have E-4 and below they have time to complete SSD 1 dont let your Soldiers rush it.  They can be used to do OJT and CTT training instead of SSD 1 right away.  The Army has discontinued PFC and below entry into WLC.
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SGT Writer
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Leaders in my last unit were constantly under fire about the unit SSD tracker.  I believe if you want to be competitive, you'll find a way to complete it.  Otherwise, the Army is looking for cuts through UCMJ, APFT failures, Body Fat %, and RCP is just as important.  I say let the first line supervisors inform the SM and help in any way possible, but a lawful/direct order shouldn't be the way.
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1SG Brigade Security Manager
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SFC Jozwiak,

I agree with you to a point. As leaders are job is to get the best out of soldiers as possible. Now as a leader you know which soldiers you have to push to get the best results from. That is all I am saying some need a push to complete SSD.
V/R
1SG Haro
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SFC Career Counselor
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11 y
1SG you absolutely correct.
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SSG William Sutter
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SSD can lead to a stronger force. It shouldn't necessarily be forced but it should be highly encouraged. It was published in the last E7 promo board E6-E7 that is, all E6s that have not completed SSD 3 will not be looked at. Because of this, it should be highly encouraged for the E4 and below to complete SSD 1. I don't know who all has seen that one but the modules and training lessons in there number greatly. It will take a while to complete them all. Anyone who does not want to get promoted... There is a door, don't take up a slot that others could use to get promoted through. That and there is a massive force reduction going on right now, they could add themselves to that one as well. 
To step back to the more positive side of the house, SSD is self paced and structured for the Soldier to grow not for the Soldier to just do if he or she wants to. We still have a lot in our force who just want to do college and have fun. Well, if you want to have fun or do college then do what the Army wants of you. Both win. SSD does not hurt a Soldier. It improves them.
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SSG Ed Mikus
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I learned quite a bit from them, i took all of them just to see what they were all about. as with any set of classes some of them needed adjusting but over all i was very impressed and learned a lot from them. 
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SGT Team Leader
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In order to complete ssd you have to downgrade to Internet Explorer 9. You can't use anything else to complete the program. 

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CW3 Michael Danberry
CW3 Michael Danberry
>1 y
Here lies the problem I see with SSD.  Tell me where you can go and purchase a computer with IE 9 on it?  Unless you buy a used computer from someone you are getting Windows 8 / 8.1 with IE 10 or 11, or a Mac with Safari.  The programmers need to get on the ball and program it for modern web browsers.  I helped a Soldier the past 2 weekends get onto his SSD.  He had 1/2 of the level he was working on and it would not get past a intro video.  I ended up setting up Firefox for him to finish the class.  Evidently their "help desk" didn't know of this possible fix.  I only know due to the CAC support I do at https://MilitaryCAC.com
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SSG It Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
>1 y
You can use IE 10 in compatibility view SGT Watson.  I got that from help desk and it worked for me. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate and I was able to complete SDD1 without incident.
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SSG Daniel Deiler
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Edited >1 y ago
I think it's intent is great...however in an online form it stinks to high heaven. While in SLC, I had many classmates admit to just clicking through the slides and taking the tests multiple times until getting a passing score. They didn't learn anything. Someone somewhere chose to do this instead of going through the "phase 1" traditional classroom setting of each NCOES school to save money. I think perhaps the course content and testing should be proctored. This would help to insure that NCO's aren't just checking the block. Heck, they might actually learn something. 
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Hi, as a former officer, I am not as familiar with SSD and its evolution.  Can someone here elaborate on what the desired training goals are for SSD?  I see there are multiple phases, etc. -- are these for all NCOs, certain ranks, positions, etc?  Thanks, as I would like to learn more and understand everyone's points better.
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SSG Human Resources Specialist
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I completed my SSD-3 in 18 hours while I worked in the office working on records for the next board cycle. Months later I noticed some of my fellow NCOs were registered for SSD-3/SSD-4 and were given a week to complete the course.  It was hard to take this course serious when this self paced course must be completed in 3 yrs from date of registration and then directed to complete all the modules in a week. I would have enjoyed it more if it was on Blackboard/Adobe DCO and had interaction with my peers.
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SSG It Specialist
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I completed SSD1 early last year. I started before it was made mandatory and finished it after I got the email.  80 hours of instruction in two weeks. My eyes and ears were bleeding, but instead of taking the easy way out (wiki answers) I took notes during each module and used them during the quizzes. I didn't come from a military background and I didn't know anyone in the military when I enlisted, so I found the course informative.
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CSM Aircraft Maintenance Senior Sergeant
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Terrible. You nailed it when you said the website is non-user friendly and the doctrine has been rescinded or outdated for YEARS!
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