SSD removed from Correspondence Course

2014-01-10T19:19:29-05:00

Any thoughts to SSD not counting towards correspondence hours and how the hours and promotion points were taken away? Thats 80 hours of courses and 16 promotion points. Why did the Army feel that SSD shouldnt count?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2014 7:32 PM

2014-01-10T19:32:29-05:00

So after having read the MILPER Message (13-343), I have come to believe that SSD1 is no longer worth promotion points because it is now considered a pre-requisite in order to be eligible for promotion to begin with. Breaking it down, if you are not even able to be looked at for promotion to SGT without having completed SSD1, then you are not going to receive promotion points for it. All levels of SSD are getting tied in with the NCOES's and are a way of further educating our Soldiers. I understand that WLC does count for points but last I checked you could be a SGT without having it. In the end, I really think it is a way of weeding out the people who actually will take the extra time to complete it versus those who just want the additional money in their paychecks. Throughout my time in the military I have definitely learned that there are SGT's and then there are E-5's. Hope this info helped some.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2014 9:09 AM

2014-01-11T09:09:23-05:00

SPC,

The SSG is correct. All SSDs are now a prerequisite to a NCOES. The only exception at the moment is SSD5. Which I do not believe is completed yet. When it is however, I have heard two different beliefs for it as well. 1st SSD5 will be a prerequisite for any SGM/CSM to attain a Nominative Slating. 2nd SSD5 will be used for all SGM/CSMs prior to attending the CAPSTONE course. This is the final NCOES course offered to SGM/CSMs. I remember Correspondence Courses allowing the motivation of a self starting Soldier to stand out from their peers. If SSD program is now a prerequisite course of NCOES then every Enlisted Member must complete them. This tells me that if everyone MUST complete them to progress than why add points to them. It defeats the purpose of self starters going the extra mile for the recognition they desire. If you're the self starter that your (P) status suggests you will not let a little obstacle like this impede your progression. Just my thoughts.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jun 20 at 2018 12:09 AM

2018-06-20T00:09:44-04:00

I think they figured that the SSD was already counted in the score you get for NCOES completion.