Posted on May 15, 2016
Has anyone completed a post command Gradso to obtain a Masters or Doctorates that can explain the process to me?
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Obviously I have a few years before I reach an opportunity at command and post command activities, but I like to plan far in advance. I am interested in attending grad school, and I have heard that after command you are able to submit a gradso request to do this. What all is involved in this process? Are they making this harder during budget cuts? All that I found on Google seems outdated.
Officer
Graduate School
Education
Master's Degree
Doctorate
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Follow the link and review the portion pertaining to GrADSO : http://www.usma.edu/gene/siteassets/sitepages/prospective%20faculty/link%20to%20acs%20sop.docx
Budget as always is what determines program availability, but as of FY16 I haven't noticed any drastic trends making admittance harder.
Budget as always is what determines program availability, but as of FY16 I haven't noticed any drastic trends making admittance harder.
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I'd recommend you look at all your options, not just the GRADSO. Many CCCs offer the opportunity to obtain your masters concurrent with the course.
I'm at CGSC now (resident) and there are multiple options to get your masters here as well.
Other programs you can apply for after KD CPT time include fellowships and internships; many of those will send you to grad school.
I worked at USMA as a tactical officer, and was sent to Columbia to get my masters.
Lots off opportunity; work hard in the next few years, let your CoC know your goals and keep doing your research.
Bottom line for ANY of these programs is you need to be a high-performing officer to apply, so work hard.
I'm at CGSC now (resident) and there are multiple options to get your masters here as well.
Other programs you can apply for after KD CPT time include fellowships and internships; many of those will send you to grad school.
I worked at USMA as a tactical officer, and was sent to Columbia to get my masters.
Lots off opportunity; work hard in the next few years, let your CoC know your goals and keep doing your research.
Bottom line for ANY of these programs is you need to be a high-performing officer to apply, so work hard.
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) Thank you for the information Sir. I did not realize how many different paths there were. After reading your post, I was able to find some CCC options within Logistics that I will look into further.
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I have done both my MBA and my PhD through this process, but it was through the Army Medical Department. Their policies won't apply to you, although it's a similar process.
In general, the Army sends out a message each year for specific schooling opportunities, and they are normally tied to specific follow-on jobs (so, to get the opportunity, you'd need to be willing to accept the assignment.). If you meet all of the criteria to apply, and if you have your command's approval, you can apply. The Army then convenes a selection board to pick the best candidates (I've actually sat on one of those boards). Once selected, the Army will PCS you to school, and that will be your one and only job for the length of time you're in school (go to class, study, and graduate on time).
You'll need a competitive service record, competitive grades, and a competitive standardized test score. The Army will select those officers a) most deserving based on their military performance and b) best equipped to successfully complete the schooling opportunity (normally in that order of importance, but you need both). The Army won't send someone with a mediocre service record and outstanding scores/grades. The last thing the Army wants to do is to invest heavily in someone who won't get promoted. The Army also won't send a high-speed officer who hasn't demonstrated the intellectual ability to be successful in graduate school. The Army won't send someone who will fail to accomplish the mission (i.e. graduate). You'll need both a competitive service record and competitive grades/scores.
COL (Join to see) has gone this route for both his Masters (to be an USMA instructor) and his PhD (ORSA), so he's probably better equipped to answer any specific questions about the broader Army process.
Best of luck to you!
In general, the Army sends out a message each year for specific schooling opportunities, and they are normally tied to specific follow-on jobs (so, to get the opportunity, you'd need to be willing to accept the assignment.). If you meet all of the criteria to apply, and if you have your command's approval, you can apply. The Army then convenes a selection board to pick the best candidates (I've actually sat on one of those boards). Once selected, the Army will PCS you to school, and that will be your one and only job for the length of time you're in school (go to class, study, and graduate on time).
You'll need a competitive service record, competitive grades, and a competitive standardized test score. The Army will select those officers a) most deserving based on their military performance and b) best equipped to successfully complete the schooling opportunity (normally in that order of importance, but you need both). The Army won't send someone with a mediocre service record and outstanding scores/grades. The last thing the Army wants to do is to invest heavily in someone who won't get promoted. The Army also won't send a high-speed officer who hasn't demonstrated the intellectual ability to be successful in graduate school. The Army won't send someone who will fail to accomplish the mission (i.e. graduate). You'll need both a competitive service record and competitive grades/scores.
COL (Join to see) has gone this route for both his Masters (to be an USMA instructor) and his PhD (ORSA), so he's probably better equipped to answer any specific questions about the broader Army process.
Best of luck to you!
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC Kevin B. I do not remember the name of the COL, just that he mentioned he works at Knox and oversees many of the packets submitted each year. He was a tall Caucasian male. I spoke to him after his Medical Services brief at branch day in July of last year.
CPT (Join to see) Congrats on being accepted into the program. I will reengage and seek out some more information on this to see if it is a possibility for me.
CPT (Join to see) Congrats on being accepted into the program. I will reengage and seek out some more information on this to see if it is a possibility for me.
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One more thing, if you decide to go the Army-Balyor route let me know and I will help you out in any way I can. The application process changed last year and talking to someone from classes before mine went through a whole other set of steps. It would be nice not only get some more prior service folks in the program, but to have some other folks in the program who were at least born in the same decade as me.
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LTC Kevin B.
CPT (Join to see) - Okay, then that's a different person. COL Scott Shaffer runs the PT program down at Fort Sam Houston. I know him, but I have no idea who that other COL is from Fort Knox.
CPT (Join to see) - Good luck in the DPT program. Once you graduate and have at least 4 years of experience, the AMEDD does have two other specialized orthopedic programs for PTs...one in Sports Medicine (based up at West Point) and one in Manual Rehab (based at Fort Sam). Those might interest you down the road.
CPT (Join to see) - Good luck in the DPT program. Once you graduate and have at least 4 years of experience, the AMEDD does have two other specialized orthopedic programs for PTs...one in Sports Medicine (based up at West Point) and one in Manual Rehab (based at Fort Sam). Those might interest you down the road.
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC Kevin B. - Roger, sir. I've had my eye on the Sports Medicine program for a while. I volunteered at Ft Carson's PT clinic last year and the clinic OIC/Section Chief there was an alumnus of the Sports Medicine program. He had nothing but good things to say about the program. He was also probably the best PT I ever had the privilege of working with.
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