Posted on Mar 5, 2014
Should the military grant a 4 year "General Studies" degree to soldiers whom have served in the Armed Forces?
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I am currently working with a LTC who is pursuing his PhD and at current, is posing a question for a research paper about the military partnering with higher education institutions with the question above.
In an economy with a financial crisis, and knowing that a four-year degree is starting to become the “standard” certification for employment beyond the military, should the military actively push this initiative?
I know from my experiences, working on the civilian government side, that it is virtually impossible to switch to a GS grade job without a degree. With all of the training and education that the Armed Forces provide for its SMs should that equate to an earned degree after service? If so, why? And how long should
the soldier serve before earning a “general studies” degree?
In an economy with a financial crisis, and knowing that a four-year degree is starting to become the “standard” certification for employment beyond the military, should the military actively push this initiative?
I know from my experiences, working on the civilian government side, that it is virtually impossible to switch to a GS grade job without a degree. With all of the training and education that the Armed Forces provide for its SMs should that equate to an earned degree after service? If so, why? And how long should
the soldier serve before earning a “general studies” degree?
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 119
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The Army PAYS for Soldiers to go to college...you want to just give this away without actually attending college and learning? We learn very little from our daily duties that would prepare us for a civilian career, much less than one that requires formal education.<br><br>How would one be 'granted' an accredited baccalaureate degree for basically 'life skills'?<br><br>This seems to just be another of societies 'everyone gets a trophy' scenario.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
Capt Christian Olson
Actually, an extended (post Secondary School) liberal education is very rewarding & useful in life, HOWEVER as a "formal Academic Degree," a needless certification.
Between Library Card, Internet ie search, YouTube, *"free" available online College Courses (to audit), Home Depot sponsored weekend skills classes, knowledge that can be acquired via Volunteer work, a great deal of education & experiences are available *"for free."
People often also overlook the value of *"life skills" experiences.
The typical homemaker & Mother are skilled in project time & resource management, supervision, budgeting & inventory, conflict resolution, etc.
Yes, it can easily translate into a Functional Formated Resume, after a little evaluation & thought!
Actually, an extended (post Secondary School) liberal education is very rewarding & useful in life, HOWEVER as a "formal Academic Degree," a needless certification.
Between Library Card, Internet ie search, YouTube, *"free" available online College Courses (to audit), Home Depot sponsored weekend skills classes, knowledge that can be acquired via Volunteer work, a great deal of education & experiences are available *"for free."
People often also overlook the value of *"life skills" experiences.
The typical homemaker & Mother are skilled in project time & resource management, supervision, budgeting & inventory, conflict resolution, etc.
Yes, it can easily translate into a Functional Formated Resume, after a little evaluation & thought!
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CPL Joseph Elinger
PFC Nicholas Mione
Document, list & log your acquired skills (used & when / where), Google as much info as you can read about the: Functional Resume.
Document, list & log your acquired skills (used & when / where), Google as much info as you can read about the: Functional Resume.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
SPC Robert Patrick
*Don't underestimate the knowledgeable & skills developed & needed over time by The Infantryman.
Seriously!
*Don't underestimate the knowledgeable & skills developed & needed over time by The Infantryman.
Seriously!
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SSG Roger Ayscue
This is very true Sergeant Major, however as a current college student, I have seen very little in most undergraduates that prepares them for the duties of the average private much less a commission.
I have said since the 1980s and maintain today that ALL Army officers, with the exception of West Point and perhaps VMI, and the Citidal graduates should do a minimum of two years of enlisted service prior to being able to apply for a commission. Most college students are like Alge on the pond of life, majoring in beer and bong resin.
I have said since the 1980s and maintain today that ALL Army officers, with the exception of West Point and perhaps VMI, and the Citidal graduates should do a minimum of two years of enlisted service prior to being able to apply for a commission. Most college students are like Alge on the pond of life, majoring in beer and bong resin.
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No reason to stop at the General Studies degree. We could just as easily grant everyone a PhD. Then instead of watering down what little credibility is left in an undergraduate degree, we could further undermine the meaning of "doctor".
Most Soldiers who do one term of enlistment will spend less than six months in training and the rest of the time will be spent doing their duty. As a former Infantry Soldier, I can tell you that doesn't help you develop a lot of "life skills". Many Soldiers will come out of the military much less prepared for the civilian world than they were when they enlisted. No need to reward them for this.
Let's keep degrees where they belong, in college. And let's encourage our Soldiers to get a degree while they are in service rather than sitting in the barracks playing X-Box.
Most Soldiers who do one term of enlistment will spend less than six months in training and the rest of the time will be spent doing their duty. As a former Infantry Soldier, I can tell you that doesn't help you develop a lot of "life skills". Many Soldiers will come out of the military much less prepared for the civilian world than they were when they enlisted. No need to reward them for this.
Let's keep degrees where they belong, in college. And let's encourage our Soldiers to get a degree while they are in service rather than sitting in the barracks playing X-Box.
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MAJ David Brand
Well said! If we award everyone any degree - it just cheapens it as you have shared.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I agree and while I was on active duty I added two years of college credit by taking courses three at a time Four days a week in My off duty time. Not soon after that I became a full time student and received My BS degree. i learned a great deal in the military but that and the added education prepared Me much more than the service alone would have. I never took a course online toward My degree, they were all formal in the classroom courses at fully accredited Colleges and Universities.
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Suspended Profile
<div>1LT P.</div><div><br></div>Unfortunately, no. Fortunately, no. GI bill provides a chance to get a real degree.<div><br></div><div>Why settle for unaccredited degree that will be instantly discarded as worthless??</div><div><br></div><div>Get real degree from real institution based on real coursework earning real units.</div><div><br></div><div>Warmest Regards, Sandy</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
Suspended Profile
Sgt Jennifer Mohler. Unfortunately . . . yes . . . particularly in new cost sensitive environment. Warmest Regards, Sandy
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I agree, unless the degree came from a college or University with full state and Regional accreditation it wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.
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