Myth Buster: Does it hinder your chances of being picked up if you do not have something in your military education every year?

2015-12-07T03:51:01-05:00

I heard some NCO's say that you want to show the board that you are growing by having some sort of training in your military education section of your ERB every year.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 5:38 AM

2015-12-07T05:38:50-05:00

Yes. I've seen people with bachelors degrees get passed over for someone with the next highest PME completed. True story.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 7 at 2015 9:43 AM

2015-12-07T09:43:38-05:00

Don't know about the Army, but I attended 4.5 years of professional and technical training. In my spare time completed over three dozen correspondent courses. Advanced to E-9 at 18 years. Evaluations of top 1/5 % didn't hurt. In summary, any efforts in improving your education WILL help.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-12-07T09:49:36-05:00

I think that may be true if you have room to grow. So if you don't have a bachelors degree and you have not taken any classes it could hinder your chances. There are also military schools listed on your career map which you should focus on to increase your chances.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Dec 7 at 2015 9:23 PM

2015-12-07T21:23:05-05:00

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member No it doesn't hinder your chances. There are just times in a career where it is not possible to do it. There were many years when I was not able to get any military education. Boards look at what units you were assigned to and other circumstances which would hinder you from getting any military education (deployments, exercises, NTC, ETC)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 8:03 AM

2015-12-08T08:03:42-05:00

I would say no because my wife made MSG without that or a BA. I had a BA and a Masters and it didn't matter. However it can hurt to show effort every year.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 8:48 AM

2015-12-08T08:48:11-05:00

I agree with that line of thinking but I'd take it a step further. If you're going to go to an MOS immaterial course you should also expect to work in that capacity. For example, if you go to the EOL course or the retention NCO course, work those jobs at the company or BN level. As a leader I'd much rather send my troops to those courses and have them work in that role. Education is good, but adding experience to education is great.