Does your degree plan affect your promotion at DA boards?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:42:31 -0500

I currently have an associates in General studies and I am working on my bachelors in human resource management. I am a 68w and question whether degree plan affects promotion in certain MOS's.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 10:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:47:12 -0500

I do not think the plan makes much difference. The progress already made is what they look at if I understand it correctly. They do not look at which classes you are taking, but the credits you have earned.

Response by SSG Scott McIntyre made Feb 5 at 2016 10:50 AM

SSG Scott McIntyre — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:50:34 -0500

No way.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 10:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:53:27 -0500

Have you ever read the board AAR notes?
One of the comments that consistently comes out every year is that the board favors a completed degree, such as an AA/AAS over a large volume of credits.
In fact, if I remember correctly, the board can't even view what your degree is in. It only says degree level completed, unless they look at your transcripts.
Of course, most college transcripts have watermarks, making them nearly impossible to read after being scanned.

Response by SFC Justin Scott made Feb 5 at 2016 10:53 AM

SFC Justin Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:53:58 -0500

There is no reason for your degree plan to impact your enlisted promotion. As long as you are meeting all CE and Military Education requirements for your MOS, what you decide to get a civilian degree in is your choice. I actually know a 68W whose civilian education (outside of her CE requirements) had nothing to do with the medical field. She actually just completed her MBA. She's had zero negative impact to her promotions (made E-8 in the last board).

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 5 at 2016 10:56 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:56:51 -0500

Your degree plan has nothing to do with your promotion. It helps to show you are diverse and still challenging yourself to go above and beyond your duty as a soldier, enhancing yourself to be a better leader.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 12:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:06:32 -0500

I got selected this board and I have no degree. Outside of being a mechanic, I have had rear detachment and training nco NCOERs. It's your DA photo, military records(OMPF), ERB, and how your NCOERs are written that will get you selected.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 12:53 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:53:07 -0500

The Army doesn't seem to care what your degree is in, just that you have one. Look at the Officer side for an example...how many of them do you know where their branch matches their degree?

The degree shows that you are capable of learning and have the discipline to do so, and that is what the Army looks for. The Army is willing to train you in whatever they want you to do, they just need to know you're capable of receiving and retaining said training.

Response by MSG Wally Carmichael made Feb 5 at 2016 2:54 PM

MSG Wally Carmichael — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 14:54:22 -0500

As others have stated, the plan makes no difference. What matters is the completed degree. Credits don't matter, they want to see a completed degree, if at all. I've found the most important thing is that your ERB is completely updated and what's on your ERB is reflected on your NCOERs. Schools attended must be reflected on NCOERs as you doing the job related to the school. At the end of the day, always remember, the board is mostly subjective. You have to network and get your name out there, in a good way.

Response by MSG Don H. made Feb 5 at 2016 3:44 PM

MSG Don H. — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 15:44:03 -0500

A degree is a degree. If you look at what some of our top generals had degrees in you'd see what. Do you think Colin Powell's degree in geology helped him at all as an Infantry officer or as Sec of State? Patton was a lawyer. I know a lot of 18 series soldier tend to seek degrees in Psychology. A friend of mine that works at the Defense Intelligence Agency told me that they did a survey of degrees in their office, they found a mix of academic majors, some arts and humanities, four had degrees in Physical Education and two had degrees in Mortuary Science. In the end it is your degree, do you want to be a paramedic for $15 dollars and hour or do you want to work in the corporate world in an HR department making a whole lot more?

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Feb 5 at 2016 6:29 PM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 18:29:28 -0500

I can't answer your question. But I will say that I have never met anybody who regretted getting a degree. Press on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 7:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 07:49:41 -0500

Hey Battle,

Based on some of the conversions my superiors have with, degrees is want we need. It set us apart and it's the direction of the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 2:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 14:58:28 -0500

It depends on how comparative your MOS is. I know for 56M, it sure do help. It also shows you are well rounded and knowledgable.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 6:34 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 06:34:49 -0500

Some degree plans may offer certifications that would qualify for additional points. Check http://www.cool.army.mil to see which certifications apply to your MOS. As a medical specialty, yours shoyld have plenty.

Gateway Error

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 6:47 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 06:47:42 -0500

When i a enlisted Soldier i worked for EREC (Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center) and watched 3 years of boards happen. Your Degree plan has no affect on your promotion. The Senior Soldiers looking at your records aren't only Human Resource Management, they are Signal, Infantry and all other MOS's who really and probably dont know what your degree plan should be. Hope that helps.

Response by 1SG George Endicott made Feb 17 at 2016 9:58 AM

1SG George Endicott — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:58:49 -0500

It does not. Now, if you are taking classes that directly relate to your job, they can (and should) be referenced in your NCOER which may possibly make you stand out, all other things being equal. For example, if your 4-year degree was in healthcare management or healthcare informatics, as you take courses they may be referenced as (possibly) directly improving your technical competence. Once you achieve the degree, it MAY catch a board member's eye when trying to rank your record "everything else being equal" *(this is a key point). First, it is not likely to ever be a "tie-breaker", (even subconsciously, as it would have to be) and second: getting a 4 year degree from an accredited institution in anything is an incredible achievement for an NCO. Worrying about what your major is in should not be a real concern. I will caution here however: exercise some judgement about what you want to use your degree for once you leave the military. The Army cares like, a little bit, that you got a 4 year degree. When you get out, civilian employees will care A LOT about it, and there are considerations of what you will do with your GI Bil when you get out. Will the 4 year degree facilitate continuing your education in a field in which you would seek employment? Big question...even bigger than the one you are asking now. I got out after 24 years with a 4-year and a Master's degree as an enlisted combat medic. Tough road I went down as I served in deploying combat units for all but 4 years (including my last year in...I was able to finish a Master's degree while going through my MMRB and PEB before I was medically retired). I am now 47 and I am a second-year PhD candidate (I passed my comprehensive exams to become a candidate last month) and I started with using my GI Bill. I know it is easy to be thinking of the next SFC board and how to make yourself competitive...and you should...but I am living proof that there is a "long game" involved here. Hope this helped.