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If you are a junior service member or NCO with a college degree, do you feel that you should be paid more than a service member that does not have a degree? If so, should you get paid more for a bachelors than if you have an associates? Should you not get paid for an associates at all? What's everyone's thoughts?
Soldiers
NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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If any soldier earns a degree they do get paid more as it leads to promotion and potentially positions of greater responsibility and opportunity. That's how the system works and it works very well
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SGT Kristin Wiley
Sir,
On paper it leads to promotion and great responsbility, unfortunately reality is quite different. There's a strong lack of personal character amongst military leadership, which has made the promotion system based on personal relationships more than anything.
On paper it leads to promotion and great responsbility, unfortunately reality is quite different. There's a strong lack of personal character amongst military leadership, which has made the promotion system based on personal relationships more than anything.
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LTC (Join to see)
The Human element has always been in play SGT Wiley; that's why its the cornerstone of Mission command. I have heard that things are too political; and you have to be political to get ahead in the Army; in a sense that is true; however in hindsight; you have to be agile and adaptive and sometimes that comes out as political in our service. That is an unfortunate by-product of our business; but having the credentials is a great way to overcome some of those barriers and mitigate the obstacle of patronage and the good ol' boy and girl system that is prevalent in the services; and anything that has the human element.
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They pay you more when you're selected for promotion based on the increased promotion points you received based on your degree. Considering the number (neither large nor small) of "bought" degrees (transforming your military experience into college credits directly) and/or crap degrees (why should the military care if you have a degree in literary arts); I don't see this happening soley on degree.
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CSM Maynard summed it up very well. One additional note, new enlistees with at least 48 credit hours DO get paid more since they start as a PFC.
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Getting a degree should not be viewed as a way to get paid while in the service. We as officers do not receive additional pay when we get advanced degrees. You should however view it as an opportunity to advance your knowledge. As I am in the process of transistioning from the military to cilivilian job market I can say that you will have a very difficult time finding a job without at least a bachelors degree. You should strive while you are in to accomplish the highest level of education you can. Tuition Assistance is a great yet underutilized program. Enlisted and NCO costs you nothing to use. WO and RLO owe 2 years per class. I used it for my bachelors degree and then used my GI Bill for my Masters and Ed.D. Don't view degrees as "bonus" pays, view them as a way for you to advance quicker than your peers hence being promoted quicker, which in turn = more pay.
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If it is the pay that you are worried about then go to OCS. You acheived that degree for you. I am also sure that you used the G.I. Bill or tuition assistance to get it. If the Army paid for your college that should be sufficient enough.
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I do not think I should get paid for having a degree. I don't thinl Commissioned Officers (CO) get paid to have a degree either however, having a degree is a requirement for being a CO. I have a BS and a MS in Criminal Justice and I will get enough pay when it helps me make SFC or higher if I dare stay in that long.
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I enlisted with a Master's degree. I did get paid more, as having that many credits allowed me to come in as an E-3 and not an E-1. I wasn't any better than any other E-3 though, and paying your dues is part of the process.
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TSgt (Join to see)
I too have an associates, a bachelors and a masters. The Lt and I are in the same unit. I am an NCO, and proud of it. I like the job I'm doing in my unit, which wouldn't be available to me if I were an officer. While more money would be nice, of course, that's not why we do what we do. The money will come when/if I am selected for further promotion over someone who didn't pursue their education. Until then, I'm happy to have the education because of what it does for me outside the Air Force.
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Capt (Join to see)
TSgt (Join to see) accurately describes our squadron overall, and the Reserve perspective in general. Education and degrees are prevalent amongst our members, enlisted or officer. I might outrank someone, but they might also be making significantly more money than me in their civilian careers in a senior level position. Many of our people do their jobs because they enjoy them, not because of the financial gain.
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I'll echo the thoughts and responses of some here. If you want to get paid more for having a piece of paper, go be an officer. All a degree is to me is something that qualifies you to speak at length about a certain subject.
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CPT (Join to see)
Sgt Joshua Anderson, it may seem that way... but my Degree's have been quite useful over the years. My IT Degree increased my knowledge regarding technology and the MBA/Project Management Degree truly opened my eyes on why such large organizations have a difficult time managing certain projects and responsibilities. Even the Doctoral Degree (half way done) has allowed me to understand on how to conduct objective research, I have a better understanding of the world. A degree may only be a piece of paper, but it's really worth how much effort you put into it. Overall, it doesn't make a person smarter or a better performer, but demonstrates making a personal sacrifice to improve one's knowledge.
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No, but I do think the military needs to provide more opportunities for moving up in the ranks if we have education. A great soldier with a Bachelor's degree and excellent performance is not going to stay in the military without proper incentive. The military currently doesn't provide the incentive, which has led to an epidemic of bad leaders staying in, and good troops getting out.
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In my mind...just my thoughts... If medical personnel get paid bonuses for their specialty why shouldn't say an IT person with a Master's degree in Information Systems Security not get paid more? Officers come into the Army with the same Degrees as some E-4's but make A lot more money. Why shouldn't having a degree earn you more money? This is still America.
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