Posted on Dec 8, 2013
Does the current Structured Self Development course system efficiently promote Professional development?
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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.
SSD
Professional Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 80
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Waste of time, we cannot replace what should be institutional training with online software that never works, and when it does, it is more bland than watching infomercials at 1 am. I have yet to see any excitement or learning whatsoever from SSD. However, I am sure it looks great on someones NCOER/OER.
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I agree and disagree all at the same time. The Soldier should be allotted time and access to computers at work to complete the SSD. The completion progress should be noted in their performance counseling as it should be a goal or plan to complete.
However, I think that if a Soldier does not show the initiative or desire to do what is required of them to advance, well then maybe a bar to reenlistment should be placed on them for failure to advance, keep pace with peers, show leadership potential, etc.
The SSD DL is not that difficult and should not be that big of deal. You can even google all of the answers I am told.
Oh look, the army says I am required to do something if I want to stay in, advance, or attend NCOES, let me go ahead and do that so I am not viewed as a malingerer or someone who is just doing the minimums.
The mediocre thought process is what they are trying to weed out of the military these days. I want Soldiers who take initiative and go above and beyond in my formation.
Now the other side of me says: don't force them to do it, don't pressure them. Let the one's who do want to excel and be a part of the Army team advance over them. Let the one's who do not want to complete an Army requirement do their time and just get out. So I am torn between let it be and force them to do it. Either way, those without the initiative will be weeded out. Definitely should be no form of punitive action against them for not doing it at any rate.
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SFC (Join to see)
Exactly, 1SG. This years promotions lists are slim for us in part due to incomplete SSD and NCOES.
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SSD= Super Slow Development<div>I hate that website.</div><div>94 modules into it, I don't think I need the slide that forces me to learn to navigate through the site. I'm just saying.</div>
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SSG Robert Burns
That stupid "how to navigate slide" takes about 1 minute of your time between loading, talking, navigating, and loading the next slide.
SSD 3 has 25 lessons. That's 25 minutes of your life....gone....forever.
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You get out of it what you put into it.
If you want it to be a 'check the block training' and search for the answers instead of actually going through the material and LEARNING something, that's exactly what it'll be.
If you want it to be a 'check the block training' and search for the answers instead of actually going through the material and LEARNING something, that's exactly what it'll be.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
MSG(P) Quick,
Wouldn't their lack of personal responsibility and individual values make them, in fact, different and not equal at all?
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SSG Robert Burns
Humans are created, not Soldiers. Soldiers are trained and developed, and I think it's a fair statement to say they are developed unequally.
I've never seen a drill sergeant "create" a Soldier.
To put it simpler, if Soldiers were created equal, then we probably would have 100's of honor graduates per cycle.
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SSG (Join to see)
Not getting in the equality debate.
I do agree with you about the "going through the material" idea. But, I have heard this in almost every case pertaining to SSD 1: "You have one week to get that course completed and bring me the certificates". The time is not provided to the Soldier to complete it during operating hours so they "check the block". I did allow my Soldier to work on it during working hours and I think she learned something from it but probably not as much as the Army thinks.
I do think SSD is a waste of time. However, the proctored ALC Phase 1 was a better format for learning than SSD because it had live instructors and flexible homework (not multiple choice). I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it.
I do agree with you about the "going through the material" idea. But, I have heard this in almost every case pertaining to SSD 1: "You have one week to get that course completed and bring me the certificates". The time is not provided to the Soldier to complete it during operating hours so they "check the block". I did allow my Soldier to work on it during working hours and I think she learned something from it but probably not as much as the Army thinks.
I do think SSD is a waste of time. However, the proctored ALC Phase 1 was a better format for learning than SSD because it had live instructors and flexible homework (not multiple choice). I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
But it would be pretty cool, I mean, if they ever actually created a Soldier. Just kidding.
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Structure Self-Development is designed to be just that. Self-Development! It's all designed to "Bridge the Gap"; in between NCOES resident courses are SSD's which help which give us information about things we didn't think about needing to know. Such as SSD III: Role of Special Operations like PSYOPS or Civil Affairs and how they play a major role into YOUR mission... Or SSD IV: Organize a Pass and Review (Drill and Ceremony).. Great info that no one really thinks about needing to know but its there! The Army wants us as leaders and professionals to be educated and the only way to keep us constantly up to speed is to make us complete courses! And they Army Leadership is engaged by making it prerequisites for promotion! I'm all for it! Completed SSD 1, 3, 4... And believe it or not, as of this week there was still about 8,000 SSG's eligible for SFC that have not completed SSD III. Pure craziness!!
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MSG (Join to see)
SFC Hrabe, I agree with you about lack of job knowledge. But that is up to each individual CMF that prepares curriculum for MOS specific training. I filled out my portion in NCO 2020 survey. I was highly disappointed with my SLC, and I feel it should be tailored to Senior 91 series roles more in depth being that there are numerous feeder MOS's into 91X40. But then again, MOS proficiency is leader responsibility also. That NCO in the same field should be mentoring, coaching and teaching his/her subordinates how to master their job and help them understand the bigger picture of their field!
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Suspended Profile
In response to MSG Quick, I recently discovered today that AKO has a Career Tracker. The ACT. It shows courses that are currently being done and courses completed in ALMS as well as resident courses such as Combatives/Drill SGT School, etc. Soldiers can add their leaders as Mentors, and the Mentors can actually SEE their progress! I thought it was a pretty good idea. It would have been helpful earlier on because I had a fellow soldier lie and lie and lie about his progress on SSD I. He never completed it, the NCOIC didn't check, and now said soldier is an NCO with no integrity. (Who btw STILL hasn't completed it)
But when I am in a leadership position(as I am in an all NCO Section) I will make sure all of my soldiers are enrolled and have me added as their mentor/leader so I can check their progress as well as help them with their career goals.
CSM (Join to see)
Army Career Tracker is an excellent tool to tracks your soldiers progress in not only SSD courses but annual certification requirements as well. It particularly assists leaders like myself with a company of over 40 different MOS' with the career map portion and helps paint the picture of where each respective soldier needs to be within their CMF.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
For those who might say, "This is pointless. I've already learned this." Or, "This is for Privates." I would say, you're not going to fall in love with everything we do. Personally I wasn't too enamored with the course but if it's something I have to do to get to that next level I'll do it. If you already know the material, than it should be easy. If you don't, if you learn even one thing from it that you didn't know before, SSD was worth it.
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I for one am relieved that SSD III covered the burning question as to how many days after leave may I request a band. That's important stuff for a combat leader to know! Especially a squad leader or platoon sergeant! Can you sense my sarcasm?
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Suspended Profile
noted lol
SGT(P) (Join to see)
Think it is a waste of time and money. SSD1 should be getting taught by the Soldiers NCO and SSD3 and up should be getting taught in NCOPD. Don't even get me started about common core. Internet based training in the army just seems like a joke to me.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Think it is a waste of time and money. SSD1 should be getting taught by the Soldiers NCO and SSD3 and up should be getting taught in NCOPD. Don't even get me started about common core. Internet based training in the army just seems like a joke to me.
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its extremely difficult to work, most times it wont load and if it does its super finicky. Once loaded its super easy. the thought behind is good, but the classes are super easy and you can easily skip whole sections and still complete it. I honestly thought It was a joke, but since its required I completed anyways. anything online can be manipulated and cheated, the only real way to make sure things are getting done is to have required assignments, such as starting a discussion point and mandatory responses or something.
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MAJ Bartlett,
It is my opinion that the SSD curriculum should be taught by NCOs to their Soldiers, yet while this is ideal it doesn't happen when it should or as often as it should. In the last few years alone, I've seen the NCO Corps fill slots with personnel more focused on filling a billet, than training, mentoring and leading Soldiers. While this isn't the same for all NCOs in the E-5 and E-6 ranks by any means, it's prevalent enough we need to take a look at ourselves and the kinds of people we're setting up as the future core of the Senior NCO ranks.
With that said, I didn't get anything out of SSD1. PowerPoint makes us stupid and the only thing it's good for is providing a visual aid during training, yet many seem to think the training from looking at a piece of paper is just as valid as solid mentorship and training from a competent and motivated NCO to a motivated Soldier willing to learn from said training.
My $0.02
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I guess the short answer is "Yes" If you are not willing to complete the neceessary training for your current rank, or are not willing to promote, it is time to get out. My opinion only, not Army regs!
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SGT (Join to see)
no disrespect CSM. its understandable that the upper command would prefer soldiers strive to gain rank. but in the years in which i was in the service there wasn't very good guidance from the higher ranks to give the lower ranking individuals a list of tasks they should complete or assistance with finding the information to pass to them. for the paper trail side of the military.
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CSM Michael Poll
While I understand acknoleggment for no disresspect, My ONLY goal is the adancment of my NCO's It is imperative so I can retire with a clear concious that my ARMY is in good hands, not in the hands of the "entitlement" generation. I need Soldiers who will run this Army in the professional manner it was intended to be run. This is not an "Upper Command" philosophy. This is taking care of those that need it and requiring our Leaders to ensure that Military Doctrine and legacy is upheld and pushed to our subordinates. If you are here for "just a pay check" GO AWAY! I want the new generation of Soldier to adhere to the same Philosophies that I was taught and should be passed on through the next generation of Soldier. If you are here just to pad your own resume, you are in for the wrong reason.
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I originally enrolled in SSD IV only because it's a requirement for promotion. After taking the course, i would say it did provide valuable information with respect to the joint environment. I personally have not been assigned to a joint position, and so this course, along with the SEJPME course, have provided me perspectives of the joint environment.
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SSG(P) Jonathan S.
Other troops in my unit and myself have been experiencing technical problems with the system. However I feel the idea behind SSD is good just hard to use
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MSG (Join to see)
Technical problems, you betcha. People were wondering why is was so pissed working on this.
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