Is it important for a senior NCO to have a Bachelors or Master’s degree in order to fill the highest ranks/ duty positions?

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:04:26 -0500

Response by CSM David Heidke made Nov 17 at 2015 10:07 AM

CSM David Heidke — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:07:38 -0500

I think that the degrees help the Senior NCO gain credibility with his officer counterpart.

Nominative CSMs will have a much better time if they have an advanced degree.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 17 at 2015 10:21 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:21:14 -0500

My PERSONAL opinion, No. HOWEVER, with that being said, it certainly cannot HURT to have it. I think that as you move up into the senior level positions, those degrees (if they are well chosen and not just a degree for the sake of a degree) could add a level of understanding and options/critical thinking skills that would otherwise not be as readily available. Benefit, yes, but only if done right. Required? not so much in my opinion.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 10:35 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 10:35:49 -0500

What is the world coming to. SO now to be competitive one has to go get some bullshit degree from Phoenix or National Universities, that are worthless outside the military, eat up a large chunk of your take home pay and all this to get promoted. Since when has being a effective battlefield leader who can locate, close with and destroy the enemy not been enough? There are enough squirrelly E-9's running around still screaming about shined brass instead of combat marksmanship. This will never end. SEL job is to maintain the pulse of the enlisted ranks. The CG job is to command.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 11:15 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:15:22 -0500

If you need a degree to do a job then you should have to be an officer.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Nov 17 at 2015 11:52 AM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:52:12 -0500

I said yes to this for two reasons - 1) it conveys the importance of education to the younger troops since in today's world education opens doors that would otherwise be closed (so you are setting the example), and 2) it demonstrates the enlisted force is just as capable as anyone else (which they are).

Is it a "must" to get a degree - no. Is it a good idea - yes. Will getting a degree separate you from those who don't - I think it would. Just my humble opinion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 3:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:08:05 -0500

I think certain prerequisite courses should be taken before you can get into upper level staff positions. Formal education is a very poor metric by which to gauge occupational proficiency. For some positions, like as a clinic NCOIC or a Division G2/ACE NCOIC, college classes should be mandatory. For the clinic NCOIC, having some broader understanding of certain subjects could probably help when you're looking at overseeing multiple medical disciplines. For the S2 NCOIC, having some sort of training in language and cultural proficiency in the countries in which the actual ground forces are operating would help with defining the operational picture. For other specialties like infantry, I don't think this should be implemented. By most accounts, formal education doesn't go as far as actually being an experienced NCO in that area. That's not something that can be taught in a classroom setting like proper writing, cultural history, and anatomy and physiology.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 3:13 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:13:37 -0500

Unless the degree is related to the job what is the benefit?

Do those with degree or advanced degree out perform those without? Perhaps in some cases. But, I believe there are probably those with no degree who are very high performers.

As to example set - unless you publish the fact that you have a degree who knows you do?

Necessary? I don't think so. Helpful - probably, but certainly not universal.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Nov 17 at 2015 7:34 PM

CPT Catherine R. — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 19:34:34 -0500

Yes higher education is always important.
A basic command of the written English language should also be a pre-requisite. It always frustrated me to see senior level NCOs who are supposed to be epitome of professionalism who couldn't string together a coherent sentence and felt the need to curse their way through everything.
I don't think that a Masters is necessary but at least some education (civilian) should be.
I have a hard time believing anyone who says they don't have time. People make time for what's important for them. If education means more money then it will become more important.
A degree is almost a pre-requisit to hiring in the civilian sector now also. You aren't going to walk out of the military into a high paying position without something to make your resume stand out and I promise that (unless you know the hiring manager) they are looking to ensure that you are teachable. A degree says that you are able to learn AND stuck with something through to completion.

Response by MCPO Brian Legg made Nov 19 at 2015 2:36 PM

MCPO Brian Legg — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:36:22 -0500

I had a few degrees when I retired, but my answer is no. A degree will not replace military experience or judgement.
The argument that a degree should be required to motivate junior enlisted is a fallacy.
If education is required to take on a more senior role then the military organization should provide that education, not require an arbitrary education through a random college.