Can the army order a PFC to take a college course?

PFC Gerry Britt — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:18:54 -0400

It was a "voluntold" sort of thing. If he balks, is he throwing away a golden opportunity? (Edited 2355hrs 3/11/19 to protect the inferred identity of the PFC in question...Thank you for all your replies up to this point!)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 8:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:31:42 -0400

To me it sounded like a strong suggestion, but it came from a SGM who knows that they're talking about. I wish I had my SGM or even my PL tell me to go. The Army will give you TA to go to to school. I would take his/her advice or suggestions and go to school. Not only will it help your career in the Army and in the civilian world later on!

Response by SSG Kasius McCall made Mar 11 at 2019 8:35 PM

SSG Kasius McCall — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:35:00 -0400

No, you cannot order a soldier to take college classes. HOWEVER, I highly suggest it. I must mention it to my Joe's every other day. It's free and if he wants to get promoted in todays Army, hes gonna need it.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 8:48 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:48:54 -0400

Once he's enrolled in the Distributed learning Course (DLC), which replaced/is replacing Structured Self-Development (SSD), he'll already be taking college courses. If he wants to be an NCO, he'll have to complete them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 8:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 20:49:30 -0400

Mentoring, not an order.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 9:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 21:31:13 -0400

Not a legal order nor can it hinder him in future promotions until he hits the points based system however they can set goal for future progression and have college be a part of him receiving the waiver as that is based purely on command discretion.

Response by CW3 Jared Hickox made Mar 11 at 2019 9:41 PM

CW3 Jared Hickox — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 21:41:19 -0400

It looks like the CSM is using a bit of "command influence" to suggest your son begin taking classes. If your son wants to make a career out of the Army, he will need a degree to achieve any significant progress in that career... regardless of MOS. The Army has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years. Enlisted and Warrant leaders are now required to educate themselves both through military and civilian education. Plus... it's free.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 11 at 2019 10:10 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:10:46 -0400

Order, no. But highly encouragement definitely!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2019 11:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 23:34:51 -0400

The CSM is trying to take care of your boy, he needs to jump without even waiting to ask "How high?"

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Mar 12 at 2019 2:33 AM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 02:33:55 -0400

so as your answers have come... the real answer is no, but then again, it's a very heavy "motherfucker, get that ass in the seat and earn them grades..." Not so hard to understand. Why would you NOT go to a college class? If it'll help your career, why not

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 12 at 2019 10:10 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:10:44 -0400

I’ll add my voice to the many others on this string. Order: no. Encourage: yes. Try it. It’s free and will be goog for you. You might even grow up to be a CSM or COL!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 11:32 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 11:32:59 -0400

No, the army can't do that. The decision to attend civilian college is outside of the realm of the army's authority, just as other matters such as which religious services you want to attend or which political party you want to vote for.

However, depending on how competitive your MOS is, you may need some college credits to get promoted to E-5 and above. You'll certainly need a bachelor's degree if you ever want to commission as an officer.

Response by PFC Gerry Britt made Mar 12 at 2019 2:44 PM

PFC Gerry Britt — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:44:47 -0400

Thank you for all the comments. The PFC in question now sees the mentoring going on and the benefit of college courses.

Response by PO3 Jake Lucid made Mar 12 at 2019 3:17 PM

PO3 Jake Lucid — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:17:50 -0400

While you cant MAKE a service member attend college- i have seen classes and distance learning courses strongly urged...even used as carrots on a stick to motivate a member the officer cadre/command staff saw potential in. That member was gently harassed and some good old peer pressure used to motivate them to take the course/es to help them advance. But no one was willfully forced.