How do you conduct individual professional development?

I suppose this would really tailor to the person. In such ways the form of profession development may not be one that is general enough to apply for all officers. This can really be a tricky situation if you not sure what to do. I have took this approach to my professional development. I would find the most successful soldiers in the positions in which I aspire to attain, as in a Battalion Commander. I will try to see what courses or education that they have. A lot of the time you will see the same schools for most field officers or courses. I will try to attain all of those schools or put myself in a position where I would be the most likely person to send to such a school. Right now I am going to Ranger School. For an infantry officer this is my first goal of professional development. This is not needed for an National Guard officer but will place me on a higher level than my peers. After this I will be gunning for my Captains Career Course. Along the way I will try to attain any other schools or opportunities that I can find along the way.  

My question deals with unit level training particularly with the Army but am very interested in other Branches.

We used to have “SGT’s Time” at least 1X weekly, ‘hip pocket’ training, BN CSM & 1SG’s met with NCO’s, and we had OPD’ at the Company & BN levels. We also had routine team training and PLTLDR’s and the CO participated. We viewed everyday and every encounter as a training / learning opportunity and it was not a downward process; LT’s, CPT’s, Majors, 1sg’s; everyone learned from E1’s up.

What sort of training takes place now?

Read, take online courses (JKO, Lynda, edX, etc), seek feedback and criticism.