In what order would you prescribe young service members conduct certain career progressing activities?

2017-11-26T18:46:47-05:00

As far as controllable opportunities for advancement go, young service members can conduct military education (i.e. SSDs or correspondence courses), professional schools (airborne, air assault, etc), and civilian education (associate's, bachelor's, etc). In what order would you advise young service members to perform these various activities in order to set them up for success?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 7:25 PM

2017-11-26T19:25:34-05:00

Always work on civilian education while knocking your SSDs and NCOES out simultaneously. Degree's take the longest so you should always be pursuing those regardless of what else you have going on.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 7:35 PM

2017-11-26T19:35:38-05:00

One thing I have seen people do is to forget their number one priority. That is do you job and do it well. Even do a little extra if possible.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 7:44 PM

2017-11-26T19:44:41-05:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson Before determining a path to follow, I would advise the young SM to identify an objective - 1 year, 5 year and then career targets. That will help to pick the proper pathway. BTW - I didn't, and wish now that I had. Great topic, and one that leadership should keep in mind while managing/mentoring/supervising new troops (and those along the career track as well).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 8:18 PM

2017-11-26T20:18:07-05:00

It really depends on their goals. If they plan on sticking around for a bit they'll need a bit of each for promotion points when it comes time for their E-5 board. Of course for the "life on the outside" it's always good to have a little civilian education and "technical certifications", for lack of a better term, in areas relevant to their field. Unfortunately much of our military specific training doesn't seem to transfer very well to the civilian sector. I'm pretty new to the officer side of the house, but I've been told to strike a balance between "hooah schools" like Airborne or Air Assault and our officer development courses like the Captain's career course. As a medical professional I also have to work in professional certifications for my particular field. Without these I'll never make it past CPT.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 26 at 2017 8:48 PM

2017-11-26T20:48:04-05:00

The DA PAM 600-3 is the commissioned Officer Development Guide. Each branch has a career map that lays out windows for certain experiences and career gates. In between those you can plug in between them education and training gals and start laying out a 5 year plan. As an example, the Logistics Officer Map is on p374.

DA PAM 600-25 is the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Guide. It is less graphical, but it lays out professional development by CMF, MOS and rank, including PME, schools, and SSD. Page 95 is the start of CMF 19 as An example.

Once you have the doctrinal template, you apply your situation to it. Officers routinely have to build a "baseball card" with this information and integrate their family's goals and situation along your time line. You use this to sit down with your rater, senior rater, or mentor and figure out the way ahead.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2017 11:02 PM

2017-11-26T23:02:10-05:00

SGT Joseph Gunderson Knowing your MOS and being squared away are the first steps. Obtaining a degree will pay dividends while serving and after military service. Opportunities to display leadership skills should be embraced.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2017 11:17 AM

2017-11-27T11:17:17-05:00

it depends on how motivated they are. I personally push for SSD to be done asap so they can progress.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 27 at 2017 11:31 AM

2017-11-27T11:31:12-05:00

Your most important job is the one you have now, so do things that will improve your performance in that job first. Take whatever training is available to increase your technical proficiency in your MOS or AFSC. Next, take the leadership courses required for advancement.

The follow-on choices depend on your mid- and long-term life goals. If you plan to do "4 and out", then start education to prepare you for what you want to do after your military service. This could be technical school, skill certifications, or academic courses leading to an associate or bachelors degree. If you plan to stay for a career, look carefully at what your Service tells you they want you to do for promotion. Sometimes the Service will tell you outright what they want, but often it's more subtle. You may know that certain leadership courses must be completed for promotion to leadership positions. For example, promotion statistics may indicate E-7s with a bachelors degree are promoted at a higher percentage to E-8 than those who don't have a degree. Same goes for other types of schools and training and assignments. Your first sergeant or CSM may provide some insights as to the best things to do to get promoted.