Posted on Dec 25, 2014
Structured Self Development (SSD): Does it meet the intent it was designed for OR is it another form of "death by powerpoint"?
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I'm curious as to what the opinion from the "field" is on Structure Self Development (SSD). The Army message was put out reminding all SGT(P)s (all Sergeants who are promotable) that they have until 8 January 2015 to complete SSD-2. As of 9 January, all SGT(P)s who have failed to complete SSD-2 will be removed from the promotion standing list. They'll have to complete SSD-2 and then reappear before the promotion board again. The Army is synchronizing the SSD with NCOES; this is the next step in the synch process. What are your views/opinions on the SSDs?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
SFC Toby Northen Prior to retirement, I completed SSD IV. The modules were arduous, the material good, but not always well presented, and the exams were challenging. I don't agree with the requirement of SSD for promotion if we are to maintain the current NCOES system. If this is a replacement for the "common core" phase of NCOESs then perhaps, but the SSD courses should be shortened. I read that SSD was also replacing the 1SG course. Personally, I never agreed this was not an NCOES course and I do not agree with it being discontinued.
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SFC Toby Northen
SSD-2 did, in fact, replace common core. I believe the effective date of that was 1 Oct 14.
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I personally think that the SSD's should not have replaced the common core. I think it should have been in addition to, the common core training. Now, I know or at least I think I know, its one of the many ways the Army is attempting to save money. If the Soldier actually had to go to the Common Core phase of an NCOES school, the Army will be spending money on the common core portion of that particular school. Whereas, now the SSD's is online all the Soldier have to do sign up log in and start the course. Now, here's the dilemma, how many Soldiers are actually learning anything from the SSD's? I'm pretty sure Soldiers are finding other ways of actually getting the answers to the test, without having to pay any attention to the online material. Whereas, if they were in a class, they could ask and answer questions pertaining to the different subjects petaining to common core. Now, when it comes to Army Soldiers, it is very important that we educate each other properly. Given the fact that some of us has been promoted very quickly through the ranks. We (The Army as a whole) need to stop and take a real good look at the dynamic of ranks, and decide what would be the BEST way of teaching our Soldiers of today, not the most cost efficient way.
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It seems to me just another way to remove the Jr NCO from his soldiers and doing his job as a first line supervisor. While I agree that one can never stop learning or can never get to much education, the Sgt should have matured enough to get something like this done in their down time.
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1SG (Join to see)
SSG (P) Ryan Petersen
You already did IV? Were you able to take it before you went to SLC? If you have not gone to SLC, how were you able to register. I ask only because I want to get level IV out of the way ahead of school while I have some down time.
You already did IV? Were you able to take it before you went to SLC? If you have not gone to SLC, how were you able to register. I ask only because I want to get level IV out of the way ahead of school while I have some down time.
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SFC Toby Northen
SSG William Squires,
Not speaking for SSG (P) Ryan Petersen, but he may have completed it when it first came out; back before it was linked to NCOES and locked by ATRRs.
Not speaking for SSG (P) Ryan Petersen, but he may have completed it when it first came out; back before it was linked to NCOES and locked by ATRRs.
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CW2 (Join to see)
SSG William Squires
I had already completed SLC...I was enrolled pretty much as soon as I got selected for SFC in March.
I completed WLC in 2008, so I never had to take SSD I. I was enrolled in ALC Phase II in 2011; just before Phase II I was auto-enrolled in ALC Phase I, so I did them simultaneously. While Phase II is MOS-specific, my Phase II shared some of the content with Phase I. Since I completed both phases of ALC, I never had to take SSD II. The second I got back to my unit from ALC I had an auto-enroll email for SSD III. I put off SSD III until I realized it was required for selection to SFC and my first look was coming up; knocked it out in a couple of shifts. I completed SLC here in November 2014 and it was the same story; as soon as I got back from SLC I had an auto-enroll email for SSD IV. Since I had the time I just went ahead and knocked that out in a couple days as well.
My understanding is that SSD supplements in-class courses:
Basic/AIT/OSUT -> SSD I -> WLC -> SSD II -> ALC -> SSD III -> SLC -> SSD IV -> MLC? -> SSD V -> SMA
I had already completed SLC...I was enrolled pretty much as soon as I got selected for SFC in March.
I completed WLC in 2008, so I never had to take SSD I. I was enrolled in ALC Phase II in 2011; just before Phase II I was auto-enrolled in ALC Phase I, so I did them simultaneously. While Phase II is MOS-specific, my Phase II shared some of the content with Phase I. Since I completed both phases of ALC, I never had to take SSD II. The second I got back to my unit from ALC I had an auto-enroll email for SSD III. I put off SSD III until I realized it was required for selection to SFC and my first look was coming up; knocked it out in a couple of shifts. I completed SLC here in November 2014 and it was the same story; as soon as I got back from SLC I had an auto-enroll email for SSD IV. Since I had the time I just went ahead and knocked that out in a couple days as well.
My understanding is that SSD supplements in-class courses:
Basic/AIT/OSUT -> SSD I -> WLC -> SSD II -> ALC -> SSD III -> SLC -> SSD IV -> MLC? -> SSD V -> SMA
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SFC Boots Attaway
Both PNCOC and BNCOC were one month in residence schools. BNCOC was just one phase but more classroom oriented (about 70%). I think that type of academy is more productive. IMHO
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In theory it is a good idea. So what winds up happening is it is tolerated and ran through as fast as possible. Nothing gets learned and the money the army put into it gets wasted. In my opinion we should be teaching each other one on one.
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I think it is good that the Army is finally standardizing professional education. There was a lot of confusion with the different phases of ALC, SLC, etc.
I did SSD1 as soon as it was available while I was in Afghanistan. It took me 3 weeks to complete it because we only got one day a week off, and the software was so buggy that it would "forget" entire blocks that I had already completed. The slow link between the states and A'Stan made it even more frustrating. But I recognized that SSDs would become important and I got it done.
I did go through each module and yes, I took notes in my waterproof notebook, which I still have and refer to. So, yes it helped me to learn and understand more material that is indeed important.
I do have to admit though that I did not pay as much attention to SSD2 because the modules were more "death by PowerPoint" and I wanted to get through it as soon as possible.
A lot of Soldiers do just click through the modules in order to get it done, but I try to have them actually read the information, when I can do so. I fear though, it has become like the SkilPort classes, where Soldiers just click through to get it done.
I did SSD1 as soon as it was available while I was in Afghanistan. It took me 3 weeks to complete it because we only got one day a week off, and the software was so buggy that it would "forget" entire blocks that I had already completed. The slow link between the states and A'Stan made it even more frustrating. But I recognized that SSDs would become important and I got it done.
I did go through each module and yes, I took notes in my waterproof notebook, which I still have and refer to. So, yes it helped me to learn and understand more material that is indeed important.
I do have to admit though that I did not pay as much attention to SSD2 because the modules were more "death by PowerPoint" and I wanted to get through it as soon as possible.
A lot of Soldiers do just click through the modules in order to get it done, but I try to have them actually read the information, when I can do so. I fear though, it has become like the SkilPort classes, where Soldiers just click through to get it done.
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I picked no opinion, simply because I don't know what the Army would have in it's place, if we didn't have it, and I don't know what it would be instead. Even though I would like to see improvements to the course.
When soldiers who will never get sent to WLC are being required to take SSD1, so that battalion or company can report 100% of SPCs have SSD1 done, there are going to be a lot of soldiers reporting that they didn't learn anything. Of course they didn't.
I honestly didn't think I had learned a lot from it, didn't remember anything when I was done. But then I went to WLC, and realized that I had learned more than I thought I had. I think of SSD1 as a familiarization. If you don't learn a thing out of it, at least when you get to WLC the concepts won't be brand new.
When soldiers who will never get sent to WLC are being required to take SSD1, so that battalion or company can report 100% of SPCs have SSD1 done, there are going to be a lot of soldiers reporting that they didn't learn anything. Of course they didn't.
I honestly didn't think I had learned a lot from it, didn't remember anything when I was done. But then I went to WLC, and realized that I had learned more than I thought I had. I think of SSD1 as a familiarization. If you don't learn a thing out of it, at least when you get to WLC the concepts won't be brand new.
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I don't agree with it only cause its to easy to cheat. Especially with NG they push guys through it just to make numbers so all the privates go together and pass the different test questions and answers to each other. I've also seen it done with the NCO's. If that issue could be fixed i think would be great.
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I don't agree with SSD, in theory it is a great source of information, in practical terms no one is going to read nor retain all that information. Everyone who has done SSD1 is trying by any means to get it over with as quickly as possible, and stop the mind numbing experience. I'd imagine the next few levels are the same. Although I do not agree with SSD, I do it because it is a box that needs to be checked to keep my life simple. Honestly, I hope SSD sticks around because the Army has not done well in creating systems for awarding, PT, or promoting.
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