Posted on Sep 14, 2014
What additional professional development and military schools should I pursue?
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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Professional Development
Leadership
Professional Development Leadership
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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What I have done is irrelevant CPT(P) (Join to see). 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.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
CMSgt, that is an excellent point. I planned on pursuing a Master's Degree immediately, just have get my financial plan set.
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CMSgt Robert Gates
Reply to 2LT Matthew Ripperger. Sir, during my career I have personally met several Air Force LtCol who did not complete required Professional Military Education (PME) because they did not think they would ever make Col (O-6). I led our Wing's Newcomer's Flight where I stressed PME for both the enlisted and officer ranks. You never know when that selection may come but not achieving the next promotion should not be because of the lack of PME. Good luck on your career sir.
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CPT(P) (Join to see) 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.
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.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
I'm filling a Sapper Platoon Leader position this December in the 3rd Stryker BCT, 2 ID. Its the opportunities, not the badges, that I'm after. After attending Air Assault School I have led a dozen Air Assault missions and I would like to progress my skills further with Pathfinder. Airborne will allow me more opportunities to transfer to different units after my time at Ft. Lewis.
As far as opportunities outside the combat oriented courses that is what I'm in interested in hearing about as I haven't been told very much about them yet.
Thanks for the input.
As far as opportunities outside the combat oriented courses that is what I'm in interested in hearing about as I haven't been told very much about them yet.
Thanks for the input.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT(P) (Join to see) that makes sense. I would suggest go for the hooah then while you are young and not old like me. Also, get the other schools as early as possible to make yourself more marketable to be able to write your own future. I try to get at least one school a year to professionally develop me. Sometimes it is a three day class sometimes it is a two weeks ASI school. Funding can stink sometimes so I opt for the online courses as well.
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Our esteemed colleagues here LTC (Join to see), CPT (Join to see) & 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!
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