Do you think officers should have MOS-specific degrees (e.g. Aviation, Ordnance)? What are your thoughts?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 21:55:31 -0400

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 10:32 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 22:32:27 -0400

What would an infantry degree be?

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 10:44 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 22:44:39 -0400

Kind of hard to major in Armor, Infantry, Cavalry, etc. So no, I do not. College shows that they are educated and are able to learn more. The military will train them in what is necessary.... But I would recommend majoring in something in your field (Mine would be CS or Informatics).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 11:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 23:01:32 -0400

Some officer fields do require MOS specific degrees. Ever spoken with a Cardiologist in the Army whose actual major is liberal arts with minor in basket weaving?

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 11:02 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 23:02:34 -0400

For my more serious, non commissioned, non non-commissioned officer opinion no I do not think so. Officers aren't supposed to be technical experts so I believe such a requirement misses the point of what they do. They're leaders, organizers, planners etc.

Requiring related civilian education would severely limit where you can place these officers as you can only put them in capacities related to what they studied in college.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 13 at 2016 12:07 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:07:24 -0400

No. Keep in mind the Commission is as an Officer. Not as an MOS Specific Officer. Just because someone starts out in Armor doesn't mean they will stay there. Additionally, because of the way selection works (people don't always get their first choice), it becomes significantly more difficult to make assignments if you make the requirements more stringent than absolutely necessary.

Some fields should have specific degrees like Law or Medicine (which they do), while others will acquire advanced degrees and PME over the course of their careers.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Sep 13 at 2016 1:06 AM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:06:27 -0400

We already have Warrant Officers, and Medical and Jag and nursing, to ask for more its just dangerous.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 7:10 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 07:10:18 -0400

What MOS should a history degree have then? Or what degree should a MPF officer have?

In some instances this is absolutely appropriate. I want a doctor who has a medical degree. Or a lawyer who has a law degree. But what degree should the Infantry officer have?

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Sep 13 at 2016 8:10 AM

SFC Bill Snyder — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:10:59 -0400

Pretty good replys. I once served under an officer whose branch was Infantry. His degree was in Botany. He was a good Commander. My son is a Major,(retired)Corps of Engineers; his degree is in Accounting. Sometimes mismatches turn out well.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:18 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:18:01 -0400

Some MOS/ AOC are degree specific Medical, law etc. The main thing to look at here is that education is important no matter what degree you have or get

Response by 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 9:27 AM

1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:27:04 -0400

As a Staff Weather Officer, let me share what is happening in the AF.

Recently, it was mandated that all Weather Officers MUST have a meteorology degree. Not only this, but it has to be obtained from a list of approved schools. There are no more waivers accepted either. The result? A huge shortage in officers in weather. I have several members of my unit that would make excellent officers. But they will not be weather officers due to this rule.

A big mistake in my opinion

Response by COL Thomas F. made Sep 13 at 2016 10:11 AM

COL Thomas F. — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:11:19 -0400

I would have to agree with SGT Aaron Kennedy up top. Graduating with a certain degree does not determine what career field you are assigned too. I have a Bachelors in Instructional Technology but the Army made me an MP. Go figure, right? Yes, some professions require a professional degrees (doctors, lawyers, professional engineers). So remember, the degree is basically a signal to those around you that you have certain skill sets: knowledge in that area, ability to research; problem solve; communicate both verbally and written. Yes, some people are better then others in one or all areas. I just guess a more appropriate question is should an Officer be required to go for a Master's in their field or function area? Masters degrees are definitely a delineation as we go higher in rank. More of us have them. As a Simulations guy, I have the opportunity to put info a Master's in Simulations for a few universities. As an Engineer, I could also get a Master's in Engineering while attending the EN Captain's Career Course from a local school. At CGSC, I have the option in completing a Master's in Military Art and Science. Plenty of opportunities like Advance Civil Schools (ACS), SAMS and even AMSP for a PhD if you are a super brain. You can then ask, should General Officer's be PhDs? Should it be in their career field? Not everyone is a brain surgeon or rocket scientist. Not everyone has the time, energy or resources to tackle these lofty goals. Plus, the Army isn't going to pay for everyone to go. So guess who fits the bill? (you guessed it...). I'd just be happy that my Lieutenants graduated with the ability to get their point across (communicate), learned some social skills while in school (lead), and maybe did some sports (physically fit). End state, I would like to see more enlisted Soldiers jump at the chance to go to college and earn an associate, a bachelors, or even a vocation certificate. That would be a bonus in everyone's book.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 13 at 2016 10:46 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:46:42 -0400

Certain MOS will require a specific degree (ie: JAG, Doctor, maybe Criminal Justice for MP's) but what degree would an Armor or Infantry officer complete?

Officers are supposed to be "Jack of All Trades, Masters of None" as their primary role is leadership, guidance, and organization. NCO's and WO's are the technical experts. Perhaps it would be more logical to require the Sergeants and Warrants to have MOS specific degrees (as applicable).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:57:11 -0400

I don't think it should be required per se. But I do think it should gI've them extra points on the OML if their degree aligns with their top choice. So if an engineering major wants to be an engineer they should get an advantage over a journalism major who wants to be an engineer, etc.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Sep 13 at 2016 11:33 AM

CPO Bill Penrod — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:33:00 -0400

The Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) Program major could be anything.
The Marines had art and music majors flying fighter planes and they were damn good at it too...............

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 13 at 2016 3:19 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:19:54 -0400

The AF used to look at undergraduate degrees to guide initial officer assignments. An engineering degree could help you get an assignment to materiel or systems command. On the other hand, my pilot training class included people with degrees in music, political science, engineering, business, and others. Tech school and a couple years experience levels the playing field.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 13 at 2016 5:26 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 17:26:46 -0400

Outside of the technical fields (medical fields, law, chaplains. and to some extent engineers, aviation and MPs) there are no degrees that would correspond to the majority of officer MOSs.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 13 at 2016 6:05 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:05:56 -0400

No...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 9:06 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 21:06:06 -0400

I think "MOS-relevant" degrees are a good idea for Limited Duty Officers in the Navy and Marine Corps...maybe it should be required for selection to LCDR/Major.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:52 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 22:52:14 -0400

It's a "nice to have" but should not be a requirement (except in the medical services, where it is a requirement). Officers are "generalists" not "specialists". Yes, we are trained in a specific area, but there is no guarantee and should be no expectation that our assigned job will be necessarily related to our training.

Response by SSG Steven Smith made Sep 14 at 2016 10:26 AM

SSG Steven Smith — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:26:21 -0400

No. You lose too many motivated people by doing that.