Would you choose the residence or online version of the Sergeant Major Academy? Why?

CSM Eric Biggs — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 02:57:40 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2017 3:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 03:48:55 -0400

CSM Eric Biggs all depends on what you can get and what is going on your life. SMA is a long course and I you do not have the time/ability to leave your civilian employer than the choice is made for you. If you are able to move is it worth moving your family for a year in order to avoid being home and just online the whole time?

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Apr 1 at 2017 10:58 AM

SGM Barry Kindred — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 10:58:54 -0400

If your an operator take the nonresident course. If you need a break, go resident.
I chose nonresident

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Apr 1 at 2017 11:47 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 11:47:43 -0400

I would choose non-resident version. In the end, you don't get anymore points for going resident and it will have less of an impact on your civilian job. With your civilian career, I imagine that getting time off for military duty can be trying at times. Best to save that time for something more important than attending the SMA.

Being a Reserve, I attended most of my NCO schools non-resident for the same reason. Plus, in the AF Reserve its very difficult to get the slots. It was easier and faster to go non-resident. However, some in the AF say the non-resident course is tougher than the resident course. I don't know if its the same for the Army.

However, if you need a break from your civilian life. Taking the resident course is a good way to get away for a couple of weeks and immerse yourself back in the Army for a bit.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 2:37 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 14:37:39 -0400

Eric (1SG Biggs),
Given the opportunity, I would choose the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA) over USASMA's resident and non-resident courses. I'm a graduate of USASMA class 55, however, retired as the Commandant of JSOU's Enlisted Academy which oversees JSOFSEA. I don't know you or your background. With the talent management process effected by the Army, my hope is you have Senior Leaders in your CMF who are looking 5 years ahead at your career and developing your path. If JSOFSEA is not an option for you due to your CMF, I recommend the Resident course. Here, you focus on two things only. Family and curriculum. Nothing else. Ft. Bliss has turned into an incredible location supporting the military family. Plus, if I'm correct, USASMA also incorporates spouses into various activities which prepare them for roles as spouses of SEL/CSELs.

Please stay in touch as you move forward. Congratulations on your selection to this institutional pillar.

Response by SGM Mark Magnussen made Apr 5 at 2017 7:52 AM

SGM Mark Magnussen — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 07:52:07 -0400

Having done the non-res while working as the Operations NCO for OCAR RTD, and going to college, I definitely would do the non-res again. It gave me better time management skillls and taught me to focus on the task at hand.

Response by SGM Kathy O'Dell made Sep 1 at 2017 2:29 PM

SGM Kathy O'Dell — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:29:07 -0400

I wasn't aware of an online course. I attended the academy, class 39.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2020 12:42 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:42:37 -0400

Resident until DL is accredited. DL offers SM to complete tenure/experience ahead of peers but does not feed into degree program.