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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SGM Matthew Quick
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SSD forces Soldiers to SELF educate...whether they decide to short-cut it (by Googling answers) or actually try to learn something, is on them and their career development.
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SFC Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning System Operator
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>1 y
SSD is good for simple knowledge but how do we get troops to start thinking about application. I know that recently boards have shifted to a more scenario/situation focus. I would like to know what your ideas MSG, on this (in my mind) more vital professional development.
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CW2 Special Agent
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I know a SPC who is on SSD-4, and how is that logical? It should be available when you hit the respected rank that requires said SSD course to promote. To respond to your original question Sgt., it is too easy. Maybe an actual course with leaders/teachers could actually teach the lessons instead.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Matthew Quick
>1 y
SSDs are no longer self-enrollment but auto-enrolled based on career milestones.
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CW2 Special Agent
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>1 y
Great to hear that MSG, thats how it should be!
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SFC Michael Hasbun
>1 y
Is there such thing as being too educated?
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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Sir, it is a good genuine system, but with flaws e.g, it took me 7 months to complete my SSD because of the system being down and on going changes. I feel it is a newer SQT version, but never can replace the orginal system, because it dealt with MOS related task/skills.
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SFC Tac Nco
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Agreed...I would like to see SSD more MOS related
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SFC Counterintelligence (CI) Agent
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Sir, you asked how we feel about it.  

To put it lightly, I feel that the ALMS system is a dinosaur and needs a radical overhaul to be brought more into line with major educational venues with its layouts and course accessibility/function.  The current design is inefficient and not user-friendly.  This is a major problem.

To directly address the SSDs themselves?  I can see the underlying principle the Army is trying to achieve by implementing a "fill-in-the-gap" style self-teaching method, but the reality is, not many personnel gain anything from those slide shows.  I just completed SSD3 recently and I can honestly say about 75% of it already went out the window.

I don't know.  I think the program is a step in the right direction, but we need to review its implementation and what kind of content is actually being pushed out to the force.

10/10 would not take again.
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SSG Chuck H.
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I had compatibility issues depending upon which level I was working on. I did level I for knowledge and a refresher since I had already completed WLC before it was released. I use chrome routinely and didn't understand why it wasn't working so I tried IE and voila' it worked.
Since I had erroneously enrolled myself into level III initially I decided why not complete it as well while I had the chance. Since I had used IE for level I I naturally thought I would be required to use it also. Wrong again, I needed to use chrome to access things properly and IE was completely useless.
In overall terms yeah lots of user friendly issues with each level I took. I can't speak for level IV or V but I will presume they are not without issues of their own. I figure if *I* thought they were dry and lacked imagination what will a young Soldier half my age think?
As far as the content I learned and relearned several things while going through the lessons. And yes I actually went through them rather than cheating and checking the block. I figured all I'd be doing is cheating myself if I did it that way. My problem with this among other things is my own comprehension of the minor details. I am not normally able to spout off information off the top of my head about things I read about two years ago. Instead, I used the lessons and wrote down the references in my "book of cheat sheets" so I know where to go should the question arise. 
BLUF: All was not lost on me with SSD I or III but there are many tweaks that could be done to improve content as well as compatibility. 
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1SG Corrections Officer
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I am not a fan of the SSD in general, some of the subjects they cover, you will recieve more formal training for. (ie, as an E7 my SSD covered Casualty Assitance Officer, I dint need to waste time at home, because if I'm assied CAO duties, I will have to go through the official Course.  However, as a NG Soldier, it can be used as a tool, as those who want to learn and be promoted, they will complete this on thier own time.  That shows dedication and self improvement, virtues of a leader.
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SFC Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning System Operator
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SFC Blagojevich, I understand your point, what would be the skills that you would like implemented in the SSD 3 instead?
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MSG Human Intelligence Collector
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It is a complete waste of time.&nbsp; The thing that kills me about the whole program is that someone at a very high level blessed off on this whole program.<br>
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MSG Career Counselor
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SFC Thomas.  What changes would you make to the course?  Or, would you scratch it all together.  If you scratch it, what would you replace it with?
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MSG Human Intelligence Collector
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I'd scrap it all together.  It has been a year and a half since I completed SSD IV, which I completed in 24 hours while on BDE staff duty.  The subject material covered was IMO, not terribly relevant to anything a senior NCO is likely to do and I've dumped all the information I "learned" (read, control F'ed, etc) in a matter of weeks.  I wouldn't replace SSD at all, even for junior enlisted.  The subject matter in SSD level one is general Army knowledge that should be taught in-house to joes when they arrive to their unit, or in WLC.  Our senior level NCOs who are at the highest level today didn't have to take these courses to advance, and I don't think they are any worse off for it.

SSD was the answer to a question no one was asking.

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1SG Corrections Officer
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11 y
I'm with you Battle! SSD is a waste of time.
You will only learn what they covered n SSD4 is thru doing it. And I your a TDG (Traditional Drilling Guardsmen)or a TPU Soldier, your not using ATTRS or DTS , etc. I am familiar with everything here and that's because my wife is AGR (BN S-3) and I have spent a few yrs on ADOS orders. Some Lt or CPT probably needed a bullet comment for their OER and came up with this crap.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
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Edited >1 y ago
I think of SSD as being the latest block to check.  I don't need to know how many days after leave I may request a band.  SSD 4 appeared to be a lot of stuff, like D&C, that if I really needed to know it, I could reference it.  Do I  need a quiz on how to run a funeral?  Is that what's going to make me an effective war fighter?
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SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
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Your right and the problem is I enrolled years ago in its infancy and am now in middle of SSD 4 what will I gain if I never work with host nations, FST's, DMETL's, JST's, Staff Planners, or even basic governemental level interaction.  From what I have seen so far its allot of Washington politics classes and etiquette(i think i spelled wrong); to boot most of the courses outlined will only present itself in a useful fashion if I am assigned a position that would allow me to interact with dignitaries or be involved with war planning and peace keeping missions.  This course really seems geared toward Division level and above NCO/Officers.
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LTC Latin Teacher
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I can only speak to A) My Soldiers' experience, and B) my experience with DL for my Captain's Career Course. 

Army DL is crap. Plain and simple. On top of that, it's not the best conduit to learn the information. The programs rarely work efficiently, and the "help" that is out there hasn't been very helpful...for both me and those with whom I've talked about this. 

 I understand that's all about saving money, and I don't hate the Army for that. However, don't pee on my leg, and tell me it's raining. The change wasn't for my benefit; it was for their benefit. 
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
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My biggest issue with SSD are the typos and misspelled words. It may seem minute but it blows my mind these official, DA required courses were published without being proofread. 
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