Educational and Career Enhancement Opportunities for Enlisted Soldiers

SFC Lamont Womack — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 08:06:30 -0500

Every other day I receive emails from S1 NET with good information about the Army. However, I get frustrated every time I see all of these educational opportunites or fellowships for Officers to advance their careers. I saw one today where Officers have the chance to earn a Master's degree learning another language in a different country. Where are the opportunities for Enlisted Soldiers to participate in these programs? I think any Servicemember, Officer or Enlisted that meet the requirements for these programs should be allowed to apply for them. What are your thoughts on this?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 17 at 2013 8:13 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 08:13:34 -0500

Here you go!

Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP)
http://ocll.hqda.pentagon.mil/confellowship.aspx

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 8:47 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 08:47:41 -0500

It may have something to do with, we as enlisted, are not required to have a college degree for advancement. Officers however are required to have a 4 year to pin CPT and Masters or higher for LTC. I have never looked these facts up so if you're in a discussion about this topic at Drum I would recommend a bit of research first. The CFP appears to be a great opportunity but remember it has a huge ADSO. I have a few friends in the program now. Some enjoy it, others not so much.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Apr 27 at 2014 2:47 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:47:23 -0400

I came into the Army at 41 as an enlisted into Aviation Branch. 2 Bachelors under my belt. Aeronautical Engineering and Industrial Design. I can somewhat understand the frustration as I was (and still am) too old to go Green to Gold or Flight School even though I was a pilot for the Chilean Air Force.
Even with my 2 bachelors, I am still not eligible for a lot of career progression opportunities due to my low rank (SPC).

I understand some programs are better suited for career personnel that have specific experience in whatever the program is about, but at the same time, some opportunities should be open to anyone regarding of rank, if the requisite is education alone.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Apr 27 at 2014 3:45 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 15:45:57 -0400

SFC Womack,

I brought this issue up years ago and it was mentioned in the NCO Journal. I think the Army is coming around, as of now before a CSM is allowed to work for a 1-star or 2-star, plans are being developed for those to attend something similar to the Army War College or ILE type of training to better place those E-9's. I was hearing that a few select NCO's are being selected for ILE at Leavenworth but that is few a far between, I am interested in hearing others on this topic.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Dec 23 at 2014 4:44 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:44:58 -0500

I agree. When I look at the opportunties available to enlisted they come with an obscene amount of requirements. Pre-Medical Program, minimum of 36 years extension, must apply for Army Medical School program, additional 4 years, plus residency and fellowship training. Oh, and if you fail at any point in the above you'll revert back to your previous enlisted rank to serve out your obligation.

I am limited in my opportunites by my rank and status. I cannot attend ALC until I'm promotable or an E-6 (MOS specific). I cannot become a Master Fitness Trainer, EO Rep, Resilency Trainer, etc until E-6. I have already earned my Bachelor's degree and attended all the professional development courses made available to me. So while I sit here hoping to get promoted, my options in furthering my professional development are extremely limited. I take on collateral duties, but these have minimal effect on my promotion potential.

I would love to have opportunties clearly identifed, especially without a large amount of stipulations.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2019 10:03 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 10:03:29 -0500

ARSOF offers 2 Graduate degrees and one graduate certificate for soldiers. National Defense University, and Naval Postgraduate School, as well as the Joint Special Operations University (all free, not TA required, so they can use TA for second degrees/certs). There are more slots for enlisted in these programs than officers. For those SMs without any college, upon graduation from a Qualification course, they need to take only 17 credits with Fayetteville Tech to be conferred an Associates, and our courses translate to usually 24-30 credits towards a Bachelor's at many universities - so we basically make you a 4th year college student.
On top of that we will teach the SM a language.