Posted on Nov 5, 2014
Should a potential soldier be able to enlist as SPC rank because of a college degree?
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More and more enlistees are doing so after college these days. With the Advanced Enlistment Program, qualified enlistees can come in at E-3 and E-4 paygrade.
For many MOS's, TIG will be met by the time these Specialists get to their first unit. A little over two years later and they may be boarded for SGT? Is that enough time to develop within the army and unit culture? Does it matter if the 36 months TIS all occurs as a SPC, instead of doing time as a private?
I am just curious what others think.
For many MOS's, TIG will be met by the time these Specialists get to their first unit. A little over two years later and they may be boarded for SGT? Is that enough time to develop within the army and unit culture? Does it matter if the 36 months TIS all occurs as a SPC, instead of doing time as a private?
I am just curious what others think.
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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1SG (Join to see), I think your question (proposal?) is a good one. I would say that a four-year degree does warrant starting out as a Specialist. And the concern that the individual won't be ready for SGT when he/she is eligible will be answered by the individual's leaders, the chain of command, and the promotion recommendation and board process.
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1SG (Join to see)
Actually, Chief, this is the current policy. I am questioning if it is a good idea or not. But, at the same time I have not seen a Private (1-3) In years due to the types of Reserve billeting I have received.
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CW5 (Join to see)
Okay, then I stand by the second part of my answer. I think it is a good idea, and the concern that the individual won't be ready for E-5 when their time comes can be addressed at that time by leadership and the recommendation/board process.
I can relate to your comment about not seeing the lower ranks. For a lot of my active duty career I served in strategic counterintelligence units, and while there probably were lower enlisted in those units, typically the lowest rank I would see in my immediate vicinity was E-5.
I can relate to your comment about not seeing the lower ranks. For a lot of my active duty career I served in strategic counterintelligence units, and while there probably were lower enlisted in those units, typically the lowest rank I would see in my immediate vicinity was E-5.
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MAJ Chris Ballard
When I enlisted in 1997 after college I came in as a SPC and went to OCS as a college option. Opinions vary, but I think I did pretty okay.
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1SG (Join to see),
A 2nd Lieutenant may come in with a degree and have even less military training than the SPC (E-4) in your example, yet he may immediately become a Platoon Leader. Therefore, I wouldn't have any concerns about a Soldier who comes in as a Specialist (E-4) and is boarded for Sergeant within 2 years... he can't do nearly as much damage as that 2LT.
A 2nd Lieutenant may come in with a degree and have even less military training than the SPC (E-4) in your example, yet he may immediately become a Platoon Leader. Therefore, I wouldn't have any concerns about a Soldier who comes in as a Specialist (E-4) and is boarded for Sergeant within 2 years... he can't do nearly as much damage as that 2LT.
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1SG (Join to see)
ROTC provides some military exposure during the college years through reserve units and AT as well as military science elective coursework,
I admit I am on the fence with this, perhaps because I went through the life as a private.
I admit I am on the fence with this, perhaps because I went through the life as a private.
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LTC (Join to see)
That 2LT does come in with the same college degree that the potential SPC would, but the 2LT has gone through additional training of some sort (ROTC, West Point, OCS)....
I would offer the opportunity to come in as a specialist, but keep the TIS requirement the same all enlisted to reach SGT. I also to k we should expand the TIS from 2LT to CPT as well, so our lieutenants can have time to grow as leaders, just as these specialist would.
I would offer the opportunity to come in as a specialist, but keep the TIS requirement the same all enlisted to reach SGT. I also to k we should expand the TIS from 2LT to CPT as well, so our lieutenants can have time to grow as leaders, just as these specialist would.
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC Thundercloud....I saw your response, but not sure where it went on here. Here is what I would offer with respect to the amount of training each receives.
Depending on the method the 2LT commissioned, they received either 4 years of training (ROTC / West Point) in college tailored around the military, plus training during the summer. If they contract straight OCS, then they still received the same Basic Training as the SPC, plus an additional 2 months of OCS. After that, the 2LT receives on average 5-6 months of OBC (Officer Basic Course) which is similar to the AIT the Soldier receives. So, I would argue both entry level ranks receive about the same amount of training.
Again, I think there is an advantage to awarding Soldiers who enlist with a college degree, but still think the time to become a SGT should not change.
Depending on the method the 2LT commissioned, they received either 4 years of training (ROTC / West Point) in college tailored around the military, plus training during the summer. If they contract straight OCS, then they still received the same Basic Training as the SPC, plus an additional 2 months of OCS. After that, the 2LT receives on average 5-6 months of OBC (Officer Basic Course) which is similar to the AIT the Soldier receives. So, I would argue both entry level ranks receive about the same amount of training.
Again, I think there is an advantage to awarding Soldiers who enlist with a college degree, but still think the time to become a SGT should not change.
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E3 is the highest the AF will give you even if you have a Masters Degree.
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