Is a college degree required to become a command sergeant major in the army?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 21:04:16 -0400

I’m just wondering if it’s possible to become a CSM (E-9) in the army without a degree.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 9:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 21:29:01 -0400

I have known several SGM/CSMs without a degree, if you are asking just for general knowledge. If you are asking because you want to make E9 someday, you should probably get a degree. Times have changed; some senior officials have been calling for it to become a requirement. Even though it isn't mandatory now and may never be, anything that makes you stand out positively against your peers can only help you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 9:57 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 21:57:02 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I agree with CPT Private RallyPoint Member. Obtaining a degree will be helpful in your military and civilian careers. I served four years and afterwards, I worked full time and went to school full time. Once I obtained my degree, I started a 33 year career at my dream job.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 19 at 2020 10:20 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 22:20:58 -0400

Unfortunately, no.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 11:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 23:07:08 -0400

Absolutely not. In fact, I know several CSMs who were working on their Associate degree while a CSM. However, it will make you much more competitive towards being selected for SGM and CSM, ahead of your peers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2020 11:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 23:28:00 -0400

It won't hurt...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 12:19 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:19:09 -0400

It's not mandatory but highly encouraged. Plus if you plan on staying in until you can make CSM, you have plenty of time to earn a degree

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 20 at 2020 7:20 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 07:20:23 -0400

There is no requirement. However, there has been a huge push in the last 20 years to start on education earlier and earlier. An associates is fairly easily attainable prior to E8. After that a Bachelors/Masters is really on the individuals motivation and available time. In any case it would make one more competative to have some sort of degree prior to being eligeable for even E8. Once selected for E9, there are multiple ways to increase education while attending the Academy.

Response by 1SG Marion "Ron" C. made Jul 20 at 2020 9:04 AM

1SG Marion "Ron" C. — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 09:04:27 -0400

Many years ago you would find most SGMs/CSMs without degrees. However as SFC Blount mentions, times are different now than they were then. If you want to set yourself apart from your peers, by all means get the degree. It also depends on your MOS. Some on the promotion boards may not view having a degree as a necessity, while others may. Look at this way, you have one promotion slot remaining, two Soldiers have made the "cut", all things are very similar between them with regards to experience and being the right positions needed for promotion except one Soldier has a degree and the other does not, who would you choose? Additionally, in the civilian sector that degree will help you tremendously. Take this from personal and professional experience. I did not have my degrees while in the Army, but after I retired I now have a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. The Master's in my new career field puts me not too far ahead of my colleagues. If you want to get promoted, do the best job you can and seek to improve yourself everyday. This is not just for your immediate future, but for the long term too. Also, consider this, if you are active duty why not take advantage of the tuition reimbursement that allows you to get your degree at a much more reasonable cost without student debt like those in the civilian sector? I hope this helps if you are contemplating whether or not to take the advantage of college.

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Jul 20 at 2020 9:25 AM

CSM Eric Biggs — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 09:25:17 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member, as many have already stated the answer currently is no. However like they said things are changing.
There are educational things in the works through the enlisted Professional Military Education (PME). BLC (new name for PLDC or WL ) feeds ALC ( new name for BNCOC), which feeds SLC ( new name for ANCOC), which feeds MLC ( new name for 1SG course). Each one builds on the other both with military knowledge and college coursework. The plan is for you to earn a Bachelors degree when you graduate MLC. I believe this plan was fully implemented last year, but I have yet to see the results.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jul 20 at 2020 2:21 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 14:21:13 -0400

Back in the day no, but considering Senior NCO's are getting more involved with policy and sitting on all sorts of committees for change I would recommend getting a degree or two, this is coming from someone with a good enough diploma and a semester of college. To be honest getting any education that beers you as a person can only be a plus as a CSM.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 2:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 14:33:40 -0400

I agree with the other comments here. You have a unique opportunity now to start working on a degree. It took me a long time to get my Associates, but I got eventually. When I started there were no online classes, now there are. I would strongly suggest you start now. It will pay off in the future, especially if you choose to get out before retirement or choose to go for a commission. It’s your future you’re planning when you go for the degree. Best of luck whatever you choose.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Jul 20 at 2020 11:10 PM

1SG Brian Adams — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 23:10:47 -0400

No, but should have at least an undergraduate degree by the time they get selected to E-9

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2020 11:26 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 11:26:01 -0400

It is not required, but the days of getting promoted without an education are coming to an end. It is competitive making SFC, more competitive to MSG, and infinitely competitive to CSM. Any way you can find to distinguish yourself is going to give you a better shot at getting promoted, including education, PT, assignments, deployments, and more. Start working on it now and get out in front of your peers!

Response by SSG Daniel Brewster made Jul 22 at 2020 11:14 PM

SSG Daniel Brewster — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 23:14:16 -0400

I joined the army to pay for college 35 years ago. And I never finished, despite good intentions. It worked out ok for me, but I’d never suggest going without a degree to my kids. I did well in the Army and made E5 when I was AD and E6 in the reserves. I got out of the reserves once I started advancing in my civilian role - a sales job. Had I only realized at the time how important a degree was. Pretty soon I was woking, paying bills, and then had a family. I didn’t have the time to dedicate to a degree. Or so I thought. Pretty soon I got to the point where I was doing ok financially and figured I had done ok without a degree. And I had, and I was definitely l.u.c.k.y. Having said that, there were layoffs in my civilian career from time to time, and other folks that were younger and had less time than I did were getting promoted ahead of me. Honestly, that lack of promotion velocity probably cost me a million bucks over the last 25-30 years.

If I could do it over, I would have used all that free time I had in the peacetime army to get multiple degrees. It’s easy to look back with regrets, and I’m not doing that as my life turned out pretty good and I’ve got a great family, great kids, very successful kids in college, and recently retired to live near the beach. So, yeah, things worked out ok for me. But I’m definitely an exception. Had I to do it over, I’d have knocked out as much schooling while I was in the army (heck, I mighta stayed in, would have for sure done the officer route) and I’d save money.

If you’re not deployed and have any semblance of free time? Don’t screw around, go to school. It’ll pay major dividends later in life - in or out of the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2020 10:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 22:42:03 -0400

No it’s not. But many CSMs get degrees for promotion points. Degrees like “weapons of mass destruction” from AMU. Very useful degree to have in the workforce I tell ya

Response by SGT Stephen Rowland made Feb 23 at 2023 11:20 AM

SGT Stephen Rowland — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:20:46 -0500

I would hope that it never became a requirement. If one could major in Patriotism with a history minor but we know that would never be offered. Experience is the great equalizer versus a degree. Ask any Limited Duty Officer ( Mustang ) ?

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Apr 20 at 2023 5:44 AM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 05:44:17 -0400

Not that I know of. However, if you have aspirations of becoming one yourself, a degree won't hurt your chances.