SGM Matthew Quick 11262 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you were a promotion board member, in your opinion, what would carry more weight for promotion potential and why?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;- Competing/winning an NCO of the Year/Quarter/Month board&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;- Completing a college degree (this can be an 2-, 4-, or higher degree)&lt;/div&gt; 2013-11-25T09:14:05-05:00 SGM Matthew Quick 11262

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you were a promotion board member, in your opinion, what would carry more weight for promotion potential and why?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;- Competing/winning an NCO of the Year/Quarter/Month board&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;- Completing a college degree (this can be an 2-, 4-, or higher degree)&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-25T09:14:05-05:00 2013-11-25T09:14:05-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 11264

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think the degree would be more important.<br><br>A board victory shows that the soldier displayed discipline and motivation for a few months(for Soldier of the year).<br><br>A college degree shows several years of commitment.<br>

2013-11-25T09:21:35-05:00 2013-11-25T09:21:35-05:00 SFC Rich Carey 11267

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>What would benefit you in the long run? Why not both?</p><p>I think it would depend on how many classes you are taking and what level. If you are starting out in college and you are just taking a class, for a 8 week period, you would have time to study. If you combined your class with your study for the board, like American Military History, then you would have a good fit.</p><p> </p><p>The one major item is what is the board looking for in an NCO? That target seems to move year to year. Look at the profile of your peers, do most of them have a two year degree? Or are they getting promoted with some college. The next question is what are you going to do after the military? That is the bigger question.  </p>

2013-11-25T09:31:43-05:00 2013-11-25T09:31:43-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 11282

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>NCO's competitons...the outcome is solely based on the overall potential of the competeing leader...  A college degree now days is about as useful as toilet paper... A good friend of mine said that we have some of the smartest military dummies in the Armed forces.... They have a degree in whatever engineering, math, education, basketweaving...  That's great but guess what leaders dont know how to read a map, live off the limited environment, road march more than 12miles, navigate obstacles, live with nothing and then be asked to live longer in that area.  Serious flaws since 9/11 have emerged for the next battle tomorrow.  As we kill off(relieve military personnel) military leadership due to fiscal hazards; we set ourselves up for an inevitable problem that will cause cataclysmic failure.  We will have the smartest dumb LEADERS; leading Junior Soldiers in combat that won't know what to do without a computer, joystick, or someone else's help because of the reliance on technology and the unwillingness to train without it.  A NCO or Officer with a wellrounded approach to military tactics and fielding will ensure his Unit survive and overcomes the battles in the future I do not forsee allot of potential in the Leader that was soldierless for 4yrs and only concentrated on his/her own well-being.  Making E-7 in 7 years or 0-6 in six years has been a faltered message sent before even the 9/11 attacks.  I think the weight of a promotion should be the overall potential of what a leader provides to the battle not what he learned outside the military.  I deployed for 59months (OIF I, OIF III, ODS, OEF 9-11, OEF 11-12) total overseas all combat tours and I can tell you from experience there is a tremendous difference in senior eschelons schooled military or schooled civilian.  I want and educated leader that can honestly do both...

2013-11-25T09:58:10-05:00 2013-11-25T09:58:10-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 11311

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Degree: An education lasts a lifetime and helps you outside the military

2013-11-25T10:51:25-05:00 2013-11-25T10:51:25-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 11321

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>SSG Gorman,</p><p>No one is arguing the level of commitment between military service in general and a college education BUT, your military service and commitment will get you only so far AFTER the military! Try getting a good job after the army with only MOS knowledge and experience and no degree. There are kids graduating college and unable to get a job. This is especially difficult if you have an MOS that doesnt transition well to the private sector (like most combat arms MOSs). A civilian education is about bettering yourself and making yourself a complete package. I use skills honed in college all the time when writing evals, and awards, where its obvious others dont! As LT Hooser said, this is from someone who has done both, and I'm currently enrolled in college and wishing I had started sooner in my carreer.</p>

2013-11-25T11:04:09-05:00 2013-11-25T11:04:09-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 11329

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>MSG Quick</p><p> </p><p>Many NCO of the Y/Q/M boards I am familiar with include APFT, Road March, Warrior Tasks.</p><p> </p><p>I think it would depend on the level of the board. Promotion to E5-E7 NCO of the Y/Q/M would mean more to me sitting on a board. They had to show the skills required of our First Line Leaders and leaders at these levels. As an E5 - E6 if you are doing it "right" you do not have time for a degree IMHO. Your time is spent training Soldiers, checking on them during off duty hours, doing extra PT or mock boards with them to help make them better.</p><p> </p><p>For E8 and above I feel more weight would go to a degree. You will need to know how to write effectively to do your report on a specific country for the SGM Academy, assist Platoon Leaders  and Commanders in developing plans and creating policy.<br><br>Just my 2 cents</p><p> </p><p>Respectfully,</p><p> </p><p>SFC Weems</p><p>(working on the Degree - 4 courses left)</p>

2013-11-25T11:10:00-05:00 2013-11-25T11:10:00-05:00 CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member 11353

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree that you could have both. A degree shows you are growing both personally and professionally. While completing/winning board shows that you have a professional side to the military. Having both of these makes a well-rounded soldier.

2013-11-25T11:51:59-05:00 2013-11-25T11:51:59-05:00 MSG Brian Breaker 20754

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would have to say the NCO of the year would carry more weight for promotion potential in my eyes. In the Army Reserve it can be difficult to get Solder's to compete in NCO of the year boards. Most are in school or have full time jobs. If they take the time to study and compete in an NCO board I will hold then in high regard.

2013-12-14T03:21:33-05:00 2013-12-14T03:21:33-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 72014

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>2 year degree and NCO of the quarter/year would be the same.<div>4 year degree I would put in its own level, especially if it was done all while on active duty</div>

2014-03-08T12:52:46-05:00 2014-03-08T12:52:46-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 122559

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would say every case is different, examples from my experience:<br />- When I was a soldier/NCO I have seen that NCOs who have been in BN for a while were scored better during the NCO of the Year/Quarter/Month board (it was just because everyone knew them/liked them);<br />- I have met officers/NCOs with 'University of Phoenix online' type degrees (which do not teach you anything);<br /><br />As for promotion potential in my opinion only NCO of the year award could carry same weight as associate degree.<br /><br />I won multiple boards in the past and earned multiple degrees - it takes few weeks to learn everything for NCO of the MONTH board, but it takes years of studying (at LEGITIMATE institution!) to earn a degree.<br />But again it depends.

2014-05-09T11:32:57-04:00 2014-05-09T11:32:57-04:00 SSG (ret) William Martin 162044

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG, I vote college because it takes discipline and dedication to complete a degree but having both is a plus.

2014-06-23T22:59:42-04:00 2014-06-23T22:59:42-04:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 169098

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Gotta add my .02<br /><br />Boards are wonderful motivators. It's gives the soldies, sailor, airman, marine something to shoot for in competition within your unit.<br /><br />I've never seen anyone hired outside the military based solely on that former SM having been designated as a "winner" of a board. Unfortunately, there are very, very, very many ex-military and only very few board "winners". Earning that college degree displays the ability to take a mission (get that degree) and see it through. Most employers don't have a clue what work is necessary to earn that soldier of the year award, but they certainly know what that degree means.

2014-07-02T09:14:38-04:00 2014-07-02T09:14:38-04:00 SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau 169175

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>College degree hands down. It has actual benefits in the real world, not just the military. Also, it is much more of an accomplishment then winning a board of any type.

2014-07-02T10:29:00-04:00 2014-07-02T10:29:00-04:00 1LT Private RallyPoint Member 169558

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>College degree, by far!

2014-07-02T18:33:47-04:00 2014-07-02T18:33:47-04:00 Cpl Private RallyPoint Member 169578

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree with many responses here outlining that a degree would be more the more important consideration for a military promotion board. Because an individual has to set a long term goal, which is not guaranteed to succeed, forcing the member to exercise budgeting and negotiating, with time management an absolute necessity. I think all of these things make a far better leader than a short term something of the quarter for who knows what reason. Earning a degree tells the reviewer that this individual can see things through and complete those long term goals which necessitated numerous short term objectives. A degree does not necessarily mean that an SM is the right person for a promotion and there are undoubtedly highly qualified individuals who do not have a degree. But I think in general having a degree gives you an insight into the business acumen of the individual.

2014-07-02T18:58:10-04:00 2014-07-02T18:58:10-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 192716

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>For the sake of the Soldier I say college. My 2 time NCO of the year status, awards, accomplishments and military schooling are doing absolutely nothing for me now that I've left AGR. Lots of "wow, you have done so much and should be so proud of yourself...BUT...) Everyone wants a degree and I don't have it so I'm stuck making a 25% of what I was and leave work in pain every day. Who cares what the boards think, take care of yourself and your family because when you get out no one else will.

2014-08-02T19:01:05-04:00 2014-08-02T19:01:05-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 192753

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If the individual in question has a college degree that is relevant to their MOS, the I'd look at the college degree. <br /><br />However, if I were looking at, for example, two 31Bs, one with a degree in liberal arts and one with NCO of the Year/Quarter/Month, I'd take the latter because they're proficient in soldiering. If one of the individuals had a degree in Criminal Justice or something of the sort, I'd look at that over the Board win.

2014-08-02T19:37:21-04:00 2014-08-02T19:37:21-04:00 CPT Steve Pock 192821

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You are not always going to be in the Army. This is a fact. Whether you do 4 years or 20+, eventually you have to get out. A degree will get you a better job when your separate or retire. While a NCO board will help your current career, a degree may help your current and definitely help your second one. When I was commissioned I was planning on a 20 year career as an RA officer. 2 years in I realized it was not for me and my family, so I starting planning for when I did. I was not planning on using my education, but had it to depend on. Always have a plan a few years out.

2014-08-02T21:14:10-04:00 2014-08-02T21:14:10-04:00 SGT Kristin Wiley 202790

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have a Bachelor's degree and was enlisted person of the quarter this year, and am up for enlisted person of the year for my unit; however, my unit will still not send me to the promotion board. My answer is a Bachelor's degree holds more weight, because if you are in a unit with poor leadership like mine then you can easily be prevented from being NCO/Soldier of the Quarter/Year. I was pulled from my initial Enlisted person of the quarter board by our Chief of Staff with no explanation given to me or my chain of command. When I did win Enlisted Person of the Quarter, they refused to tell me when the board was and only notified me of it's occurrence 5 minutes after the board started. So I was forced to show up in ACUs and only won because I truly knew all the material and one of the NCOs on the board refused to compromise the board. I also attended a mock promotion board with the board members that sit on the real board and they said they'd pass me with flying colors. Still not being recommended to the promotion board, no counseling given, no IG action taken.

2014-08-13T15:28:01-04:00 2014-08-13T15:28:01-04:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 202795

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I completed two degrees while in the Air Force. Never once made NCO/ Sr. Technician of the quarter or year. When it came down to it after, I separated, the degrees mattered more than the awards.<br /><br />In my opinion, the awards mean little to nothing. The education sets you up for your inevitable departure from your military service.

2014-08-13T15:33:03-04:00 2014-08-13T15:33:03-04:00 SFC Mark Merino 216210

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Degree hands down.

2014-08-25T02:23:54-04:00 2014-08-25T02:23:54-04:00 SSG David Dickson 926190

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hands-down NCO of the Year. So many privates today come in with significant progress toward bachelor's degrees that it is almost uncommon not to have at least an Associate's. NCO of the Year projects a dedication to the Service. A college degree denotes self-improvement. This isn't my father's draftee-go-y-war-or-go-to-jail-high-school-diploma-optional Army, this is the All-volunteer proactive Army. It is almost expected that Soldiers pursue self-improvement. There are orders of magnitude more college degree holders in the Army than current or past Soldier/ NCO's of the Year.

2015-08-29T06:03:39-04:00 2015-08-29T06:03:39-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 4812785

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Degree all the way!

2019-07-14T18:02:51-04:00 2019-07-14T18:02:51-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 4815650

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It depends. One of the things we should be looking for in leaders is what they do over time, not just when they are under direct scrutiny. <br /><br />A college degree reflects work &amp; dedication over time (as long as it&#39;s not underwater basket weaving). However, I don&#39;t feel that someone should be punished for not attaining a college degree as that learning environment isn&#39;t for everyone. What I have placed more emphasis on is correspondence courses. These are free, require a commitment of time and effort and demonstrates initiative. <br /><br />I would place far less weight on NCO of the Month/QTR and more on NCO of the Year as it shows a higher time commitment, dedication over time, and a track record of success.

2019-07-15T15:08:46-04:00 2019-07-15T15:08:46-04:00 CSM Darieus ZaGara 4816268

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Both carry very different values toward selection. Most service members do not require degrees of any type. Nor are you required to pass boards other than promotion. The degree can separate one from another when in an statistical tie, frankly almost everyone can earn a degree. It is a very select few who will be NCO of the year. One ties directly to duties and responsibilities, the other lends toward soft skills that are valuable from time to time based on various duties. I will let you come to your own conclusion. Thank you for your service.

2019-07-15T18:17:41-04:00 2019-07-15T18:17:41-04:00 2013-11-25T09:14:05-05:00