Structured Self Development (SSD): Does it meet the intent it was designed for OR is it another form of "death by powerpoint"?

You are your best career manager. Those of us that have initiative and drive will likely separate themselves from their peers.

The Army, and the services for that matter, wants folks who have potential. Potential is created through the seizure of opportunities!

A concern I have for SSD is it may be considered the one-size-fits-all answer to budget cuts while still continuing to train Soldiers to be NCOs.

Sometimes it just seems like the DoD's answer to everything is PowerPoint slides.

Someone mentioned in an earlier comment that everyone learns and retains information differently. ( http://thepeakperformancecenter.com/educational-learning/learning/principles-of-learning/learning-pyramid/ )
So if, based upon the learning pyramid, we only learn 5% by lecture, 10% by reading, 20% by audio-visual and 30% by demonstration (which SSD barely qualifies for audio-visual and demonstration) this means we're learning/retaining, at best, 65% of what is being pushed through SSD. I would submit it's more like 15%-35%.

Every Soldier is responsible for their own career. If you know you need it for promotion and to move up, then just do it. If you are happy where you are and wand to QMP, then that is okay too.

This is coming to the Officer side of the house as well, as "OSD-1" will be introduced to 1LT(P) and CPT's looking to attend their career course. I haven't seen a hard date as to when it is coming.

As I've never taken an SSD/OSD I don't have a real opinion of whether or not it is helpful, but my personal anecdotal experience is that there are very few things that are better than instructor to student face to face education.

I believe that SSD was a good idea it does for the most part does help bridge the gap, reinforce NCO values, and remind us as leaders to always continue to learn.

Sounds a lot like what the AF is doing with our PME.