What additional professional development and military schools should I pursue?

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:46:50 -0400

As a leader it is important for us to always be developing ourselves by taking risks and seeking out opportunities. Those opportunities can range from a wide number of schools that the military has to offer. I have been fortunate enough to attend the Air Assault School and am currently training for the Sapper and Ranger Leader Course. I hope that someday soon the Army will afford me the opportunity to attend Pathfinder, Stryker Leader Course, and Airborne School.
Now this isn't an attempt to be a "Badge Hunter", my previous experience was in a Engineer MAC Unit and my next duty station is as a Sapper Platoon Leader. So my career has been very combat oriented so far and these are the opportunities I've been encouraged to pursue, but I'd like to know what other courses I should pursue.
So I'd like to hear from the Rally Point Community of what professional development schools you have been to and what you suggest that I strive for?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 14 at 2014 11:54 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 23:54:38 -0400

It's admirable that as a 2LT you've been to so many schools, and certainly each one adds to your experience level. What have you had as far as unit assignments? I'm not trying to cut down what can be gained by attending schools, but I have to say that nothing you can learn in school will replace what you can learn by being a Platoon Leader.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 12:09 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:09:16 -0400

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member I will say what some may think. It sounds like you are badge hunting. Soldiers see this and let's face it they can despise the officer corps for it. Unless there is a necessity for it, ie. all Infantry officers go to Ranger school and if a Sapper PL then you should go to Sapper school. However, how often unless you are going SF are you going to utilize most of these skills? You will gain some awe from some, but some Soldiers will look at you and ask why you got all these schools, but not one slot to them. At least that is how it is in most units I have seen in the Army Reserves and have heard from other AC buddies. We did not have any slots or very very few slots that they had to fight to go get. Unless you actually in Sapper company you will most likely never even need or see these types of schools.

I would suggest instead go for items that do not go on your uniform but rather prepare you for your actual mission. If you want ASIs then go to COR and DPW QA course to get the W6 ASI which will help with any construction you may deal with in your career. Regardless if during your AC time you are actually in a construction unit you may have a Reserves or National Guard construction battalion or companies underneath you at some time for deployment. Work on a Master's Degree to set yourself above your peers. And then any additional qualifications or certificates (ie. PMP and PE for Engineers). These will help set you apart from your peers as will your OERs. It is about what you do and how you are rated, not what you wear on your chest that matters.

Lastly, branch out and try other schools that could assist you with your assignments. If you are going to be the unit movement officer go to that course. If you like helping others and connecting with others go to Master Resilience Trainer and come back and teach it. Go to OPSEC course and work in the S3. Go to train on new systems that are coming to your units, etc. Develop what you will do in your jobs or hope to do in your next assignments.

Do not be discouraged from going all Hoooahhhh. Just saying the best way to be developed is to be fully rounded and training that you will be able to utilize in your day-to-day operations and assignments. Degrees do not necessarily need to be within your branch, but could set you up for success for after your time in the service.

Just my two cents.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 12:21 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:21:23 -0400

Best of wishes to your ambitions. I would warn you to try not to be a "Badge Hunter" as most of them are worthless. A lot of schools really don't offer much but a badge and some cool points. If that skill is needed it is great to go but at times some schools are worthless.

But I digress. I have been to Airborne and Ranger as my major schools. A few in the middle here and there. I was a paratrooper when I was enlisted and then went to Ranger as that is my progression as an Infantry officer. I know that some school are greet for me but offer no value. I really have no ambition for Air Assault. I would never use anything of it. The only other course I am really shooting for is Bradley Leaders course as I am a PL in a Mech Unit.

You have a long wish list. Do you know where you are going as an Engineer officer. If you were to go to a vertical or horizontal Platoon. I think you would find that schools would be hard to come by. I can't say that I have seen many ENG officers going to Pathfinder. Not saying that it can. What schools do you see that field grade ENG officers have and what schools greatly affected their careers.

What I have found that is more appropriate is to find what are your dream assignments. Where would you be in a few years if you had a choice. If you were looking to specialize in a facet of engineering some schools were not help you. But if you were aspiring to transition to SF, which are my goals after I get back from my next deployment, most of those schools would help you. And RLTW.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 15 at 2014 3:47 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:47:34 -0400

Our esteemed colleagues here LTC Private RallyPoint Member, CPT Private RallyPoint Member & SGT Richard H. have already given you the sagest words of wisdom. All I can add is insure that you complete your career progression schools - captains career course, etc. in as timely a manner as you can. Don't fall behind. OJT is the best training you have and your senior NCOs should serve as good teachers. Experience, not badges = knowledge. Good luck to you in your new career!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 15 at 2014 3:53 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 03:53:11 -0400

What I have done is irrelevant CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member. My advice to you is to grab everything you can, whenever you can, for as long as you can. When your time in the service is up, and the uniform is put away, you will always have your memories. Never turn down a chance at a memorable life experience. As an leader, there is no such thing as too much experience.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 15 at 2014 7:08 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:08:22 -0400

I wish Big Blue has more "elective" schools like the Army.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 15 at 2014 10:01 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:01:38 -0400

Get something that aligns with your MOS and if you get the other cool guy schools more power to you. But I'll chime in with the others and say to go first for things that benefit your MOS.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 15 at 2014 10:07 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:07:26 -0400

I won't offer specific advice, but rather a different perspective.
What is your end-game for life? Backward plan from there.
If you haven't thought that far ahead, no big deal - most haven't. But I recommend you think about it and come up with 3-4 distinct COAs.
Make your choices things that will enhance one or more of those COAs.
(Unless you plan on going into Homeland Defense as a career, that degree is USELESS.... Other than helping you get LTC....)

But....at least know: What is your end-game for the Army?
Make your choices ones that enhance those COAs.
If you really want to have fun, play around combat arms, and retire as a MAJ/LTC (not sure how much TIS you have), get your tabs, seek out assignments in combat-focused units, and lead the heck out of your groups.

If you have a goal to be a decision-maker in the Engineer branch and later become a civilian engineer - either solo, contract, or with a larger firm, well you want to knock out your PE and pursue assignments that alternate between working with troops and progressively higher levels of staff and institutional duties.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 10:07 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:07:02 -0400

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member all I gotta say is that I hear what you're saying and right now I'm close to the same place. That is trying to get as many schools as possible. Seeing as I commissioned fairly recently I don't have a whole lot of advice to offer you but I can tell you that I was always told to take as many opportunities as possible and make yourself as versatile and "useful" as possible and that it is that hunger you feel right now that will pay off later. Sounds like you're already on a good path so i suppose all I have to say right now is good luck to you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2014 12:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 12:39:25 -0500

You should get the experience while you're motivated if it's a personal goal. Having been fortunate enough to be assigned to Fort Cambell I picked up Air Assault and Pathfinder. The battery commander would send a PL and an SGT/SSG every chance they got, and while occasionally the NCO may fail, the LT's knew that it would be their job if they did. Growing up at Fort Benning, Ranger school was a personal goal and I picked up Airborne while waiting to attend as a 2LT. I ended up getting denied from entering training due to a dental issue, so I reported to Campbell and deployed immediately for 12 months. I never gave up that dream even after the deployment and graduated after 124 days and three recycles. Some guys will wait until CCC if they missed their shot as a 2LT, but I'm glad I did not as I got injured in combat on my second deployment, and am not sure I'd be able to even pass the PT test now. You're perfectly right about it opening up positions, because at one point being the only tabbed FA LT in the brigade, I was the #1 pick for COLT PL. Also with the way the Army budget is now, HRC is going to pick a 2LT or CPT with wings to an Airborne unit before an equal officer that is not Airborne qualified. Keep yourself physically fit to attend these schols as they present themselves, but don't sacrifice PL time or a job you love for a badge.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 7:51 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 07:51:31 -0400

Sir, I think many of us join the military for high adventure and it is great that you have been afforded so many opportunities at an early stage in your career. My recommendation is to pay that forward and ensure you push for those same opportunities for your most deserving soldiers. I hope you pass the knowledge and skills you learn at those Badge/Tab producing schools to your soldiers- you don't need an air assault badge to learn how to sling load. You don't need a Ranger Tab to be proficient at patrolling.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 3:10 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 15:10:00 -0400

We don't need a CPT to be all badged out with the hooah schools. We need our CPTs to understand operations and be able to advise his/her LTs on effective leadership, rather than falling and rucking.
The generic idea of "leadership" schools is flawed - greatly. Ranger school is not leadership, it is patrolling. Jumpmaster is not leadership, it is safety. A CPT should be attending schools such as Operational Design, Joint Fundamentals, courses from other nations, NATO courses, and sending the SSGs and below (those who actually will be doing the fighting and needing "hooah" schools) to the cool/fun/high speed schools.
Education shows more than a piece of fabric, but not just any degree. Countless Officers have their BS in Criminal Justice followed by an MBA. We need Officers who study relevant material, not what is quick and easy.