Do you broaden or do you diversify?

2015-04-18T16:42:31-04:00

What are your opinions on broadening versus diversifying and the impacts of each on a Soldier's career progression? Are there any?

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Apr 18 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-04-18T16:50:04-04:00

Personally I would do broadening for the absolute least amount of time possible and then focus on diversifying. Anything more than 2 years holds you back in a broadening assignment if you do not have any Soldiers in my opinion.

Sometimes you get stuck and have to make due but 4+ years of rated time with zero Soldiers and the same job is terrible for your career.

If I could change my career I would have stayed on line as much as possible with time as a Drill Sergeant and that's it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2015 5:03 PM

2015-04-18T17:03:53-04:00

Can you tell me what defines broaden and diversify means within the context of a career.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-04-18T18:07:28-04:00

Great Question. I think if you go into it a bit more you might get more responeses.

With that bring said you will often find that both are usually used interchangeable. As you have stated in here that hey really aren't the same. For me a Boradening assignment could be taking an Armor Platoon or be a Movement Offier. When in relation to Diversifying I wouldn't step out of my common position as a Mech infantry platoon leader. I could take a scout platoon or a mortar platoon. It would only increase my skill to do either.

But I am also very wary of this. I have seen a Field Grade officer that was developed in a boardening assignment too much. He moved up and promoted as he was able to do these extra assignment but when it comes to his basic branch he is a bit lost. There are concepts that I used and understand as a PL that this field grade doesn't. The simple set up of a fire should be known to pretty much everyone in the army. If you are in a command of a unit that has a fire team you should really know it. You will be giving orders to units that you really don't understand what they are composed of. This is dangerous.

I am am fan of doing both but you first should master your basic branch first.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Apr 18 at 2015 6:32 PM

2015-04-18T18:32:59-04:00

I think that Soldiers need to look closely at what their individual board is looking for when promotions and assignments are being considered. Read the after action reports for the last few boards and it will become apparent. Different fields really define this differently and look for different things, especially since different things are possible (one reason they have representatives of each field on the boards.)

That said, I think in general they look for a mix of broadening assignments (don't stay in your 'comfort zone' - demonstrate that you can perform the full extent of your MOS in all environments), then get at least one diversifying assignment by the time you are at or looking for SFC. At the SGM level if there are limited CSM opportunities in your field diversifying is another way to open up new career paths to explore.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made Apr 18 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-04-18T19:35:25-04:00

OK, I got the "official" answer! The change, as of 3 December 2014, to DA Pam 600-3, Commissioned Officer Professional Development and Career Management, para 3-4 b (2) (f), redefines a broadening assignment. The definition seems to combine what I had been taught and seeing as broadening and diversifying assignments. The DA Pam is silent on diversifying assignments, so this may be the intent. Of course, we know that the enlisted corps may do things differently, and that practice may vary from the policy.

However, the official definition reads: " Broadening opportunities.Officers should view the concept of broadening as a purposeful expansion of a leader's capabilities and understanding provided through opportunities internal and external to the Army. Broadening is accomplished across an officer's full career through experiences and/or education in different organizational cultures and environments. The intent for broadening is to develop an officer's capability to see, work, learn and contribute outside each one's own perspective or individual level of understanding for the betterment of both the individual officer and the institution. The result of broadening is a continuum of leadership capability at direct, operational, and strategic levels, which bridges diverse environments and organizational cultures. The broadening process will be dynamic and variable across cohorts, grades, and branches or FAs. Opportunities will change in response to the Army's emerging missions, evolving structure and professional culture. Deliberate career management that carefully limits KD time to prescribed intervals, allowing exceptions only under limited extenuating circumstances is fundamental to the concept of broadening. Broadening opportunities may vary in scope, responsibility, and developmental outcomes and typically fall in four major categories listed below. "

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-04-18T20:58:52-04:00

The officers are more mobile in the sense after their KD jobs, they are given staff jobs within the battalion or brigade. Some staff jobs are in a completely different post doing something completely unexpected. I think the NCO Corps can integrate this methodology if they relegate it to senior NCOs, maybe E-7 or above.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-04-22T19:19:07-04:00

I think soldiers should maintain focus on their specific MOS so diversify, but after one year as a team leader or two focus should be on broadening the soldier preparing him or her for the role as a senior leader. After the focus of training new soldiers is complete the leader needs to start focussing on full spectrum management from squad leader you need to understand management of personnel which means learning outside the box of your specific MOS.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 8 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-11-08T15:22:58-05:00

I went from Machinist, Aviation, Tanks, Finance, National Disaster Preparedness and Relief, to Budget. I enjoyed the diversity, and my experience helped me to connect the dots