Now that the Army is downsizing what do think will happen to the amount of broadening assignments available?

2014-03-26T13:13:58-04:00

Given that we are moving back to a time in the Army where we make do with less and we are downsizing our forces, where does the rest of the community think that the direction of broadening opportunities and assignments will go? I know we have Training with Industry, Degree Completion, Advanced Civil Schooling, a bunch of different scholarship opportunities, and lets not forget special assignments currently available but as we move more back to basics will we see a decrease in the amount of these programs or just a more selective rubric for selection? Your thoughts please.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Mar 26 at 2014 2:21 PM

2014-03-26T14:21:00-04:00

I believe that there will be a much more stringent selection process. I also believe that if there were any exceptions to application criteria for any of those programs, they will go away. I see this occurring not only in the broadening assignments, but also in the traditional nominative type assignments. It is going to become a much more competitive Army for both assignments and promotions.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 3:39 PM

2014-03-26T15:39:49-04:00

Mr. Rapp,

I believe funding for educational programs for enlisted and Warrant Officers will drop as it did in the 90's, at the same time funding was maintained for Officers as a whole.

Assignment opportunities will still be there, although the availability will be slightly more limited. TWI opportunities will correlate in conjunction with contract support; as overall contractor workforce support waxes or wains so shall opportunities to train with industry.

My worry is that educational benefits will become more restrictive and the retention incentives of certain assignments will become more lucrative as other benefits and opportunities are salvaged to transfer funding into other areas. Right now it appears that weapons development and projects are becoming a priority over personnel. While not at that point yet, there are trends I am personally interpreting as an overall reliance on hardware and civilian employees to augment (in reality replace) certain portions of the military workforce.

Respectfully,

CW2 Jason Hurst

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 3:47 PM

2014-03-26T15:47:53-04:00

I don't know that we will se a huge reduction in the amount of broadening assignments. There will always be those special assignments, but I think that some of the assignments they talk about as broadening assignments pertain to getting tactical experience in a division, spending time in a TRADOC location, and having strategic experience (if your MOS calls for it). When all else fails, there are assignments like recruiting (and Drill Sergeant for NCOs). I think the downsizing is going to hit those who stay stagnant throughout their careers without ever trying for anything different, or those who refuse to go to schools, etc. Once we "trim the fat," I could see us scaling back other non-essential programs as well.