Posted on Dec 17, 2013
Educational and Career Enhancement Opportunities for Enlisted Soldiers
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Every other day I receive emails from S1 NET with good information about the Army. However, I get frustrated every time I see all of these educational opportunites or fellowships for Officers to advance their careers. I saw one today where Officers have the chance to earn a Master's degree learning another language in a different country. Where are the opportunities for Enlisted Soldiers to participate in these programs? I think any Servicemember, Officer or Enlisted that meet the requirements for these programs should be allowed to apply for them. What are your thoughts on this?
Education
Military Career
College
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 6
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I agree. When I look at the opportunties available to enlisted they come with an obscene amount of requirements. Pre-Medical Program, minimum of 36 years extension, must apply for Army Medical School program, additional 4 years, plus residency and fellowship training. Oh, and if you fail at any point in the above you'll revert back to your previous enlisted rank to serve out your obligation.
I am limited in my opportunites by my rank and status. I cannot attend ALC until I'm promotable or an E-6 (MOS specific). I cannot become a Master Fitness Trainer, EO Rep, Resilency Trainer, etc until E-6. I have already earned my Bachelor's degree and attended all the professional development courses made available to me. So while I sit here hoping to get promoted, my options in furthering my professional development are extremely limited. I take on collateral duties, but these have minimal effect on my promotion potential.
I would love to have opportunties clearly identifed, especially without a large amount of stipulations.
I am limited in my opportunites by my rank and status. I cannot attend ALC until I'm promotable or an E-6 (MOS specific). I cannot become a Master Fitness Trainer, EO Rep, Resilency Trainer, etc until E-6. I have already earned my Bachelor's degree and attended all the professional development courses made available to me. So while I sit here hoping to get promoted, my options in furthering my professional development are extremely limited. I take on collateral duties, but these have minimal effect on my promotion potential.
I would love to have opportunties clearly identifed, especially without a large amount of stipulations.
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I came into the Army at 41 as an enlisted into Aviation Branch. 2 Bachelors under my belt. Aeronautical Engineering and Industrial Design. I can somewhat understand the frustration as I was (and still am) too old to go Green to Gold or Flight School even though I was a pilot for the Chilean Air Force.
Even with my 2 bachelors, I am still not eligible for a lot of career progression opportunities due to my low rank (SPC).
I understand some programs are better suited for career personnel that have specific experience in whatever the program is about, but at the same time, some opportunities should be open to anyone regarding of rank, if the requisite is education alone.
Even with my 2 bachelors, I am still not eligible for a lot of career progression opportunities due to my low rank (SPC).
I understand some programs are better suited for career personnel that have specific experience in whatever the program is about, but at the same time, some opportunities should be open to anyone regarding of rank, if the requisite is education alone.
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SFC Lamont Womack
SPC Rojas I agree with you. I think the Army should open up these opportunities to any Soldiers who meet the requirements.
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It may have something to do with, we as enlisted, are not required to have a college degree for advancement. Officers however are required to have a 4 year to pin CPT and Masters or higher for LTC. I have never looked these facts up so if you're in a discussion about this topic at Drum I would recommend a bit of research first. The CFP appears to be a great opportunity but remember it has a huge ADSO. I have a few friends in the program now. Some enjoy it, others not so much.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SGM Wagenbrenner,<br><br>It's only a two-year (up to four years), post-fellowship service obligation. Not nearly a huge amount of time for the degree completion/experience attained during the assignment.
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CSM (Join to see)
I have read MILPER message 13-227 and spoke to SGM Wilder who works for SEN Isakson. He completes the program in April 14. I learned that he did nearly 2 years of schooling (6 months over-lapping the fellowship) then approximately 18 months in fellowship (6 months of night school). Upon completing Fellowship he then was assigned to work by the Office of the SMA. This could last as long as two years. He believes the SMA will allow CFP participants to compete in the CSL while in that last assignment and if selected they would only work from the Office of the SMA for 1 year. Then you are to return to the active population to impart your newly acquired knowledge of our government back out to the force. I believe this puts us at 6 years retention. 4 year ADSO after completion of the Masters program. Not a bad gig, if you are under 20 years service time. If you're over that, I would argue against it.
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