Is the quality of officers in the service declining?

2015-07-27T13:01:42-04:00

http://fortune.com/2015/07/27/college-america-weaker-military/

The article from Fortune emphasizes the higher percentage of the population attending college as a detractor from quality of officers. Was having a college education enough of a requirement previously? Should we always have had higher standards? Has there been a noticeable decline in the quality of officers?

Blame higher education for America’s potentially weaker military

As more Americans pursue college degrees, it has become less of an obstacle to becoming a leader in the military, hurting their relative quality.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 27 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-07-27T13:03:17-04:00

Since I got out, you mean?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Jul 27 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-07-27T13:20:32-04:00

When I first read the question, I had already had an answer in mind (old habits die hard)... But decided to read the article anyway, and was quite surprised at what I read... The article would lead you to believe that the answer is "Yes", however, my experience has shown me that there are more educated enlisted in our military than before and the uniformed branches are capitalizing on that by increasing specialty knowledge and requirements, as well as responsibilities of our enlisted force as they progress, so it prompts me to ask, are the junior officers being adequately challenged or maybe relying too much on the enlisted? Thus the "lack" of wanting/needing to learn more during this phase in their careers? I know I'm probably not asking this correctly, but I think you get the gist of it...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-07-27T13:21:09-04:00

Sir, the article is nothing but a Blanket statement. Are they subpart Officers in our ranks? Yes we do! I will argue this can be the result of the higher promotion rate that we have witness in the last 2 decades. As we got engaged into OEF and OIF, the enlisted rank grew. Specialists/E-4s were promoted to the NCO without having any training, time in grade or the necessary tools to be an NCO and represent that Backbone of the Army. Without a stronger NCO corps, the new lieutenants if they are not self-motivated are doomed simply because the individual (PLT SGT) responsible for his/her training had no experience. As a new Lieutenant I had to train my PLT SGT. I was able to this because I commissioned into a branch I served in as an enlisted/NCO. Imagine that I branched MI for instance and the PLT SGT was good for nothing then, I would've be doomed or forced to look for help somewhere else.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 27 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-07-27T13:41:49-04:00

Having been out for a long time in not sure. I do know today's officers must be more political and politically correct. Knowing what I know I do realize there is a risk adverse culture in the military today.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-07-27T16:32:33-04:00

This article was frustrating because it assumes that universities and ROTC programs are producing lesser quality candidates due to the fact the number of individuals pursuing a degree has increased. Increased volume does not necessarily reduce quality. Quality of education depends partially on the faculty, the dedication of the individual student, and the actual content of the education the student received.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-08-11T16:54:13-04:00

I think it's a difficult question to answer because of the plethora of possible "examples" one could cite to make either case. What I do believe is that we are "losing our culture" due to changes in a society that is seeking ever more "squishy" definitions of ethics, character and leadership.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 11 at 2015 5:25 PM

2015-08-11T17:25:52-04:00

LCDR Nicholas Mulcahey, Several recent articles have touched upon similar studies re: quality of officers, one about the quality of Marine officers led the way for other articles.

The Opinion Section of The Wall Street Journal of Aug 11th, 2015 has an ex-Marine Lt's essay re: Military Officers Don't Need College Degrees. Mr Luxenberg denigrates the value of colleges degrees in general, those from lesser schools in particular. He feels a 4 year enlistment-(commitment), a high GCT score-(intellect, and passing of the U.S. State Dept's Foreign Service Officer Test-(general knowledge, ability to think and write coherently), would be sufficient qualification for appointment as an officer.

Response?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 11 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-08-11T18:05:08-04:00

This is misguided drivel. How do you get the average intelligence from WWII? I took the ASVAB but not an IQ test for entry.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Aug 11 at 2015 6:22 PM

2015-08-11T18:22:08-04:00

I can't say whether the quality of the quality of officers in the military today is lower than in the past. That's largely a subjective judgement. What I can say is that today's officer corps is stifled by political correctness and the ever-narrowing rules of engagement. When I was an officer 1966-1984--in the pre computer, pre-email, pre-social network era, decisions were made at the lowest level possible. NCOs and lieutenants made decisions now made by captains and majors. Perhaps the biggest attraction to military service is being a leader and taking responsibility. When that attraction is reduced, fewer top quality individuals are attracted to careers as military officers,