Why does the army ignore relevant experience for Direct Commission?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:17:58 -0400

I was looking through the Direct Commission requirements, and was a little flustered that the Army would ignore any and all relevant experience for someone prior to their Masters for consideration in Civil Affairs. They are looking at a minimum of 4 years post Masters. For some of the ASIs, I fell this is ignorant.
One of the arguments will be: "You have a higher level of responsibility post Masters", and I get that to a degree. However, there are two things to consider.
Example 1: I have 8 years post bachelors work, at a high level, and am now going back for my Masters since work is paying for it. I have strong experience in VC and Tech work, and am near top of the game as a Partner in a fund (only way up is moving to a larger fund). I think I would be competitive on the Tech and Economic Dev ASIs.
Example 2: We have Johnny, who graduated a BS/BA program, went straight in to a Masters, and now has 4 years of working experience as an analyst in the same field.

My point is, it should all be relative, and looked at somewhat holistically.

Anyone have insight in to the why?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 28 at 2022 10:30 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:30:44 -0400

The Army doesn't "ignore" pre-masters experience. They just don't use it in the manner that you're wanting (i.e. as a substitute for post-masters experience). If you apply for a direct commission with the required post-masters experience, your pre-masters experience will make you even more competitive for a direct commission.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 28 at 2022 1:02 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:02:52 -0400

Do you think they are unknowing after direct commissioning folks for over 100+ years? I am sure they review the policy regularly, or Comm Officers would have to know Morse code, heliographing, and signal flags. So to be facetious I suggest two things= 1). It's their system and they know what/who they are looking for. 2). It is a good idea that they know more about what they need than a CPL, SGT, etc.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2022 2:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 14:56:31 -0400

Civil Affairs is a whole different animal to get selected into.

I did not know that Civil Affairs was accepting direct commissions. I thought they only looked at currently commissioned and fully qualified officers to branch transfer.

Now, if you wanted a direct commission for the sake of a commission then you can probably get picked up in Logistics with only a bachelors and a few years in service. Hell, that's what happened to me, I had a similar finance background, and they pulled me from Military Intelligence. QM/LG wasn't even my enlisted MOS.

************
I'm of the impression the Army is a giant lethargic bureaucratic system. Degrees are CHECK THE BOX requirements. 1000 semester units in specific course of study is still worth less than the 120 unit degree itself.

All the selection criteria is spelled out in MILPERs and the application processes.

CHECK
THE
BOXES

All applications that check the boxes get looked at. Those that don't "might" get looked at if the original batch of fully qualified applications is insufficient. Then they probably get ranked in order of those closest to checking all the boxes.

CHECK THE BOX is an amazing mantra. The power and weight of a box far outweighs the remarkableness a candidate might possess if it falls outside the boxes.

EXAMPLE of the box:

In the promotion points sheet for NCO's education maxes out very quickly with a degree. Having MORE degrees means nothing. SGT promotion carries more weight on soldier skills. SSG promotion carries more weight on professional development. So when one who had extra education points that maxed out for SGT they can pick up the use of some of those for SSG.

You can see the boxes shifting and changing for different roles at different ranks. Same goes for Officers.

The Army wants balanced candidates that follow a logical progression of development and they do not want them overqualified for the positions they are selecting for. It doesn't count against you, but if you don't check all the boxes someone who is lacking in your strengths but still checks all the boxes will get selected over you most of the time.

We see it in our equipment ALL THE TIME.

GOOD ENOUGH across all required parameters is the ideal.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 29 at 2022 8:19 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:19:57 -0400

I totally understand your perspective but it boils down to whether pre-masters experience is equal or better than post-masters experience. I don't think they are the same. Not just in this respective field but any. Experience is still experience and as LTC B stated if you meet the eligibility requirements your additional experience would be an advantage and would be looked at favorably. But with that said you still have to meet the eligibility standards as they are designed.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jun 29 at 2022 10:53 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 22:53:41 -0400

Army is not ignoring something, they simply have a method of how they want to obtain and fill needed spots. You either work to check those boxes and get selected or you dont.