Army Instructor Course

2015-04-07T13:50:30-04:00

What have been some of your experiences? Is it a course that one should focus on getting into or would you classify it as that "waste of time" course? I have not been and am seriously considering going. I feel it would open up more options for me career wise.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 2:00 PM

2015-04-07T14:00:23-04:00

SSG Marcelain,

If you're talking ABIC. Go for it, is a great course to have.

Response by CPT Laurie H. made Apr 7 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-04-07T14:04:53-04:00

I haven't been, but I've had it recommended to me multiple times from both superiors and subordinates. If you're interested and think it will open doors for you, go for it!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 7 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-04-07T14:11:06-04:00

If you are going to put the basic instructor course to work, to make yourself & the unit better, get enrolled and take advantage! As a Platoon Sergeant SFC Private RallyPoint Member, you will continue to teach and instruct small group instructions as well as platoon level training....it's a course similar to a college "basic public speaking" course however, tailored for the military.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 7 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-04-07T14:23:17-04:00

Jessica, I have attended the Fort Leavenworth Faculty Development Course to teach. You should take the instructor course, it will provide you communication tools that you can use everyday and will help your professional experience.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-04-07T16:23:28-04:00

Being Navy, and having a slightly different set of rules when it comes to instructing, the basis of being an instructor is the same: YOU are THE Subject Matter Expert. Even if you end up teaching some obscure course (or something completely outside your MOS specialty), it'll give you more knowledge in certain areas. Where I work (Gulfport, MS), Seabees assigned to instructor jobs can do everything from MOS-specific courses, to something completely outside of their assigned rate (MOS). Take myself as an example. My rate is Utilitiesman (big ol' word for 'Plumber'), but I've taught everything from basic combat skills and land nav, to convoy operations and MOUT, to crew-served weapons and Primary Marksmanship Instruction. Overall, it benefits troops that I've trained, and myself. Not to mention, the teaching Naval Enlisted Classification (NEC) of Instructor, 9502, gets put on my SMART transcript and is worth 6 total credit hours, 3 upper and 3 lower.

If it's the same for my Army Brothers and Sisters, it could put you that much closer to a degree and would reflect on your fitreps/evals. Just one word of advice if you do decide to do it: know your stuff, and don't try to bluff your way through. Troops can smell BS a mile away, and you WILL lose credibility as an instructor.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-04-07T18:39:52-04:00

I agree with all others. Going through a formal instructors course for crewmembers, many of the same elements were there. These kind of courses are very beneficial in the way you get to interact with an audience beyond just murdering them with power point. Having the identifier also carries a little weight when you come across an opportunity to sway branch in a certain direction for duty assignments, and of course holding a broader variety of positions around a unit. Not a waste of time at all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 7:16 PM

2015-04-07T19:16:14-04:00

I have no issues with public speaking. I just went to ABIC about a month ago. I learned a great deal while in the school. The school did nothing in terms of my ability to instruct or speak to crowds, though it did give me insight into various methods. The big problem with the school is that there isn't enough time to thoroughly develop yourself in terms of instruction flexibility.

Never pass up any opportunity!!