Posted on Jul 4, 2019
To my senior NCOs, how are you able to balance career progression and plt/squad integrity?
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I'm planning on going back to school to get my Associates, and then my Bachelor's degree, but how do I do that AND put my future soldiers' needs before my own?
Military Career
Progression
Platoon Sergeant
Squad Leader
Team Leader
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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SPC,
Before you ask that question, where's the conflict of interest? Your goal is to become to best leader you can be, becoming stagnant does you no good. Your future soldiers are going to be impressionable in some way, shape, or form....if you don't manage your career, you can't expect them to do the same.
Before you ask that question, where's the conflict of interest? Your goal is to become to best leader you can be, becoming stagnant does you no good. Your future soldiers are going to be impressionable in some way, shape, or form....if you don't manage your career, you can't expect them to do the same.
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SPC (Join to see)
In my thinking, I figured I would have to allow my soldiers to work on their education first, and in doing so, wouldn't allow me time to do what I needed to continue my own, as I would be constantly making sure they're needs are met.
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see)
While education is certainly desirable, it's not a need. This objective isn't going to be accomplished at work during the duty day, so there's no requirement of you to check on their progress. However, you should be able to provide guidance on the resources that are available for soldiers.
While education is certainly desirable, it's not a need. This objective isn't going to be accomplished at work during the duty day, so there's no requirement of you to check on their progress. However, you should be able to provide guidance on the resources that are available for soldiers.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) Thank you Sgt, I will be sure to educate myself on my new unit's resources, and the Army's in general.
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Your aiming point should be focused on a Bachelor’s degree. Skip meeting requirements for an AA that will consume time.
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SPC (Join to see)
I am currently 64 credit hours away from my AA, and was thinking that by then I would know where I wanted to go with it to complete my BA. In this regard, I'm flip flopping between Green to Gold and WOCS.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SPC (Join to see) Taking classes whose credits will transfer for credit towards a Bachelors will save time.
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SPC (Join to see)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 I will be sure to keep that in mind, thank you.
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There is no one else who is going to help you progress in YOUR military and civilian education. Just like your team leader and squad leader should have done is give you guidance, purpose and direction. It is up to them or yourself to take that advice and either go with that advice or add to. There will be some long nights since you will have to do that on your OWN TIME to better yourself. I would tell your leaders you are planning on furthering your civilian education but just know that will be on your time. They can work with you but if you don’t let them know that you want to better yourself then they can’t really help you.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you for the advice, Sgt. I will definitely take those "long nights" on my "own time" to heart
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I learned the mantra: Mission, Men, Myself. Mission is first, always. Then worry about yaking care of your Soldiers. Once your Soldiers are taken care of, than you worry about you. Doesn't mean you don't or shouldn't take care of yourself, just that you make sure you have ytaken care BBM of the mission and your Soldiers, first.
Now, you never know when taking care off mission or your Soldiers is going to take a random night of not going home to 2300. For that reason, I recommend self-paced and/or online courses. I also cannot recommend CLEP tests highly enough. Study on your own, no coursework, and take a test when you are ready - BAM! 3 credits. Also, don't tru to be a hero. Take them one at a time. Slow and steady wins the race.
Now, you never know when taking care off mission or your Soldiers is going to take a random night of not going home to 2300. For that reason, I recommend self-paced and/or online courses. I also cannot recommend CLEP tests highly enough. Study on your own, no coursework, and take a test when you are ready - BAM! 3 credits. Also, don't tru to be a hero. Take them one at a time. Slow and steady wins the race.
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SPC (Join to see)
I appreciate your advice, Sgt. I attempted to take college courses around this time last year, and was given a brief introduction about CLEP tests. Will be sure to look more into them once I get settled in my new unit.
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You have to make the time, no one will care about your career more than you. You will probably only be able to take one or two classes at a time. Plan your classes around training cycles. Those high tempo events make schooling difficult. You also have military training you need to attend this stay competitive, dont put it off. Take that vacation and go to your school. I call it a vacation because you're not in charge of anyone at a school.
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SPC (Join to see)
I was on Bgde Rear D last year and the Acting Bgde CO's focus was PT, Weapons Qual. I drafted up a semester plan of college courses and had a one on one with my LT, who signed off on everything. I was later told that I couldn't continue school because "the mission comes first." I was confused about what "mission" they were talking about since we weren't doing any overnight field training, but they shrugged it off as something important. I was taking one one-seat college course at the time, and was pulled from class during my final exam; I didnt pass.
When I arrive at my next duty station, I'll be sure to pace myself with these courses, as well as make sure they don't interfere with our plans to take Atropian soil.
When I arrive at my next duty station, I'll be sure to pace myself with these courses, as well as make sure they don't interfere with our plans to take Atropian soil.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) sometimes decisions are made. I dropped two college classes for Ranger School. Just keep trying.
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You are not an NCO yet, ensure you balance your duties with your course load. When you become an NCO you continue on that path. However, there may be semesters that the mission load will be to great for you to do both and you must choose your Soldiers and duty over personal goals. Thank you for your service.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you for yours Sir, as it is people like you who paved the way for soldiers in my generation.
And thank you for your advice, I will be sure to be on the lookout for those opportunities
And thank you for your advice, I will be sure to be on the lookout for those opportunities
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Work is work, your time is your time. Sometimes work spills over to your time but it comes with the job. Taking care of your soldiers and taking care of your education will most likely not mix with each other. Don’t over think it.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Sgt. I will try not to let work gr tthe best of me.
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Well.. I decided to not overload myself and do one class at a time. Now it will take me about 6 years to finish a bachelors but mind you I retire in 12 so it really isn’t an issue as long as I’m still in.
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SPC (Join to see)
I've been looking at correspondence courses during CQ and SD shifts. Hard to tell which ones are worth points anymore. Worked on the CBRN course for half a year before my NCOs told me it's a waste of time and wasn't worth any points.
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