Professional Military education...should there be an alternate?

Maj Chris Nelson — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:58:39 -0500

In the Air Force Officer Corps, there is PME (professional military education) that must be taken before going from captain to major....SOS (Squadron Officer School) or at least that was the old name... ACSC (Air Command and Staff College) between Major and LTC, and Air War College to put on Col.

If you are selected to do in-residence for ACSC, you are given a Masters Degree (although I am not sure what it is in, and I can't think it would have much worth...). Do you feel that if a military member gets a Masters Degree IN their career field that the PME should be waived? An example would be in the Nurse Corps.... I have no use for ACSC. I will NEVER be allowed to command combat/line units, if I become a POW, I will NEVER be camp commander, even if highest ranking. I took all the coursework for my Masters Science of Nursing....do you think the ACSC should be able to be waived?

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Feb 20 at 2014 9:43 PM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 21:43:14 -0500

Sir,

I would have to disagree that you don't need ACSC as a Nurse Corp officer. I have a good friend (LTC in the Nurse Corps) who ended up on staff at the Office of the Surgeon a General and needed the skills he learned at CGSC/ILE. Now it would be or greater benefit if they created an AMEDD specific CGSC.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2014 12:37 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:37:24 -0400

Maj Chris Nelson , I know the opinion of a non-Intermediate Level Education completed Army CPT will only go so far in this discussion, but I think it is still important. Even in the medical or legal field, you could still find yourself serving on a joint staff somewhere as a medical planner or SJA. PME helps build those basic staff skills and better understand the needs of the commander's we support while on staff.

However, I think it would be great if the DOD sent a lot of Nurses or Docs to a civilian health care management masters level course or even an MPH as well. It is good to cross pollinate with civilian health care TTPs I think.