Should Soldiers receive some type of compensation for having a degree?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 03:18:21 -0500

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2013 3:22 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 03:22:55 -0500

SFC McKinley, I believe that you do by getting promotions faster. Getting my degree is what is holding me back from getting promoted.

Response by SGT William B. made Nov 25 at 2013 7:38 AM

SGT William B. — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 07:38:04 -0500

SFC McKinley, I don't believe so. The Army already pays a substantial amount of money through the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, the Student Loan Repayment Program offered as a bonus, and easy credits through degree programs tailored to specific career fields. I try to take a business outlook on it, which leads me to ask what the Army receives from soldiers going to school without the intent of taking a leadership position (i.e. commissioning.)

Personally, I think soldiers using Tuition Assistance should incur the same service obligation that ROTC students do: every year of using Tuition Assistance should incur another year of obligatory service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2013 8:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 08:26:40 -0500

I think the Army (speaking for Soldiers only) has compensated immensely as they are footing the bill for us to go to school. I believe that is enough for me and asking for compensation for having a degree could come off as wanting more than what we've already been given.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 25 at 2013 9:02 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:02:10 -0500

Why? Didn't the Army already pay for you to get that degree?

If otherwise qualified, that Soldier can apply for an officer producing program.

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Nov 26 at 2013 8:46 AM

SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:46:13 -0500

Negative! The Army has too many resources for Soldiers pay
for college. You should feel a sense of pride once you complete your degree(s).
The Army will take care of you when comes time for promotion and other career enhancing
opportunities. Continue to lead from the front.

Response by SFC Michael Boulanger made Nov 26 at 2013 9:01 AM

SFC Michael Boulanger — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 09:01:19 -0500

No because you already do, that is what tuition assistance and the MGIB is.

Response by SFC James Baber made Nov 26 at 2013 1:48 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 13:48:26 -0500

No, because they were compensated when the Army paid for them to get the degree, now if we are talking about when a Soldier first comes in, most are by receiving E4 from the start if they have a degree as well, so anything else is above and beyond by the military.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 3:25 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:25:44 -0500

I think it's interesting to get the different point of views that other SM have when it comes to this issue. I had a Soldier who had earned his degree, but due to the Army changing requirements for OCS, was unable to apply. Now that Soldier is stuck with a degree and want to get paid for his hard work. What a lot of people fail to realize is that getting a degree in the military and staying enlisted may get you a promotion, but the pay increase is so little compared to officers pay increases and what you could earn in the civilian world based of the credentials you have. Thanks for everyone's response.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Nov 26 at 2013 4:20 PM

CPT Mike M. — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:20:46 -0500

Only if the degree has something to do with the servicemember's job. A lot out there go get a degree because just having that piece of paper (diploma) does open doors. If we're going to provide financial incentives, it's got to serve a purpose. We pay people with language skills, ability to fly, etc because it has to do with the individual's service. If someone works in a Pentagon think tank and has a degree in international relations then sure. If a mechanic gets a degree in mechanical engineering then sure. If a public affairs individual gets a degree in English then yes. But if an infantryman gets a degree in accounting, I don't think providing financial advice to Soldiers in his unit is enough to warrant giving additional pay for the degree.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 5:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 17:28:48 -0500

No you should not get paid more. It's been my experience that most soldiers get a degree in something that has nothing to do with there job. So in my eyes all they are really doing is wasting money that could be used to give them classes that make them better at there job.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 5:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 17:50:53 -0500

As a staff sergeant with a master's degree, yes. For those that say "that's why we have officers", you either don't have a degree or you don't value the amount of education you have. I feel that I should be paid more. The reason I'm not an officer is because I LOVE BEING AN NCO!

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Nov 26 at 2013 6:59 PM

SFC Gary Fox — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 18:59:19 -0500

I don't think a soldier should receive extra pay because he or she has a degree. One of the benefits of being a soldier is TAP. I remember when I first enlisted in 1974, the Army only paid 75% of your tuition under this program. It was the same during the 80s. Many soldiers enlist for the primary purpose of getting the GI Bill and using TAP.

If a soldier earns a degree while in service, then they should apply for OCS or WOC.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 26 at 2013 7:47 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 19:47:04 -0500

Yes they should receive tuition assistance. (Pay for my school then pay me for my degree? Really?)

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Nov 27 at 2013 12:14 AM

CPL Jay Strickland — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:14:17 -0500

I think degree compensation would be beneficial to retention. Far too many great NCOs earn their degree and head to the civilian world. I am not suggesting anything massive just $100 dollars a month for a BA/BS that moves up to 150 a month for masters or higher.

Response by CPT Keith Steinhurst made Nov 27 at 2013 7:29 AM

CPT Keith Steinhurst — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 07:29:04 -0500

Yes, for the most part we are called - wait for it - 'officers' - and generally, the pay, billets. and chow is better . . .

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2013 12:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 12:51:49 -0500

No. Being a prior service Soldier - I knew what I was getting myself into when I enlisted back in the day. I also knew that I was entitled to the MGIB & Tuition Assistance to get some college knocked out When you signed your enlistment contract - was there a clause in there that stated "if you get your degree, you will receive an extra $$X per month"? Don't think so. I loved being an NCO - but applied for a Green-to-Gold Scholarship and received one, in order to better provide for my family in the long term.

If you are of the opinion that you should get paid more money just because you have a degree - become a WO or Officer. Plenty of opportunities to do so. If you don't want to do that - then accept the facts of life as they are and be proud of yourself for putting in the extra effort to better yourself by advancing your education.

Response by MAJ George Hamilton made Nov 27 at 2013 2:36 PM

MAJ George Hamilton — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:36:47 -0500

Absolutely not.

There are a number of programs that already allow all ranks to pursue continuing education at varying levels, and getting what amounts to a free education is compensation enough.

Response by SGT Gary Frank made Nov 27 at 2013 2:41 PM

SGT Gary Frank — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:41:28 -0500

There already is compensation program in place, it's called Promotion Points.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2013 2:09 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 02:09:49 -0500

No extra pay for simply 'having a degree' as far as I'm concerned. While this does seem to be mostly an Army-centric thread (the details of which I'm not completely familiar with), I'll give my AF slant on it. When I volunteered to enlist in the AF, I knew the contractual pay structure...for both enlisted and officer. I certainly didn't enlist to make money; I enlisted to serve my country. I was, however, thankful for the educational benefits available once I did enlist, and fully took advantage of them to better myself. Once I completed my 4-year degree, I knew I had a choice: discontinue service and make more money on the outside, or continue to serve (either officer or enlisted). I chose to go officer not because of the higher pay scales, but to give more of myself in the roles & responsibilities offered to officers. When I decided to complete my master's degree, it was to better myself again...without expectation of recognition in the form of extra pay. Yes, earning degrees may help with promotions up the ranks (enlisted or officer), but I disagree with attaining a degree for the sole purpose of 'checking the box' or to fulfill some perceived requirement. One's higher education is a privilege, should be personally fulfilling, and sought after to prepare himself for better service in the present and future (post-service)...thus, no extra pay during his voluntary service. Once money becomes the objective of a service member, it's time for him to leave.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2013 10:39 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 10:39:40 -0500

As an enlisted soldier, having a degree will max out your education based promotion points. That can help expedite advancement early on. As a Sr NCO, a degree can help set you apart from your peers for advancement as well. There are many benefits to having an education, but I don't think your level of education should directly impact your paycheck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2013 7:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:24:40 -0500

I don't think so. The degree will help you after the military but personally I don't think a degree makes you more valuable to the military at all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 11:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:30:40 -0500

I just wish OCS didn't have a TIS limit, (I see the reasoning behind it). Been working on my degree for years and now that I am 3 weeks from completing it I have 11 months too much TIS. Dang new Army and their downsizing.

Response by SSG Alexander Shulman made Mar 6 at 2014 1:26 PM

SSG Alexander Shulman — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:26:50 -0500

I think the quorum is pretty solid - Education benefits the Army provides are payment enough.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 1:38 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:38:12 -0500

SFC Keith, After completing a degree you receive promotion points once you have turned it in and it is processed. You are also able to have the military pay for a portion if not all of the education you received. My question in return is what further compensation are you looking for?