SFC Jeremy Boyd 58052 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am just asking the opinions of all of my brothers and sisters in arms about their takes on SSD. I personally see it more as a check the block type training myself, but my bias is based on having been grandfathered into SSD 4. I had already graduated MSLC prior to SSD going into effect, so levels 1 through 3 were no longer required on my part. Based on feedback from my subordinates and peers, much of the information covered in the earlier SSD levels is still covered in WLC and ALC Common Core. Many fellow Sergeants First Class that I know are merely rushing through SSD 3 in order to be eligible to attend MSLC or SLC, and rushing through SSD 4 in order to be more competitive for the E-8 board, while not gleaning much from the actual training. Thus I pose the question to you, Rally Point members: vital training or "Check the block?" There are no wrong answers here. 2014-02-15T20:18:13-05:00 SFC Jeremy Boyd 58052

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am just asking the opinions of all of my brothers and sisters in arms about their takes on SSD. I personally see it more as a check the block type training myself, but my bias is based on having been grandfathered into SSD 4. I had already graduated MSLC prior to SSD going into effect, so levels 1 through 3 were no longer required on my part. Based on feedback from my subordinates and peers, much of the information covered in the earlier SSD levels is still covered in WLC and ALC Common Core. Many fellow Sergeants First Class that I know are merely rushing through SSD 3 in order to be eligible to attend MSLC or SLC, and rushing through SSD 4 in order to be more competitive for the E-8 board, while not gleaning much from the actual training. Thus I pose the question to you, Rally Point members: vital training or "Check the block?" There are no wrong answers here.

2014-02-15T20:18:13-05:00 2014-02-15T20:18:13-05:00 SFC James Baber 58064

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My honest opinion, I think it is a waste of real training, while we are advancing in the so-called digital age, we are moving farther away from the true brick and mortar training that is what most Soldiers need, the digital training doesn't give the real hands on and true experience and knowledge that is garnered from senior NCOs and other SGLs that teach or have taught at BNCOC/ANCOC/ALC/SLC. This is part of the problem with many of the NCOs that we have serving today as they are not receiving proper training, instruction or mentoring to be able to take over for their predecessors that are retiring or getting out.

2014-02-15T20:31:57-05:00 2014-02-15T20:31:57-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 58085

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's become a check the block. Do they gain something out of SSD? Maybe. Right now, andyone we can find with SSD1, passing APFT, passing HT/WT....is being sent to WLC because we have slots. <div><br></div><div>I think that this should be a 1SG run program within every Company. It should be part of NCODP, and it should be able to address the needs of the NCO or SPC that is being considered for the next level of development. </div><div><br></div><div>I would present that SSD should be a guideline and a bit of a checklist for NCODP and the 1SG to identify those who should be sent to the next level of NCOES. It should be a hands-on developmental program within each Company where those that are sent to NCOES are developed for their growth and accurately accessed. </div>

2014-02-15T21:02:12-05:00 2014-02-15T21:02:12-05:00 LT Private RallyPoint Member 58137

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I believe the answer to your questions is simply, yes.  It seems to be vital training, yet it is ineffectively executed as a "Check the block" program.  Trying to do SSD is like drinking dehydrated milk.  The info is all there but you choke on the dryness.  I agree with the other responses that it should be converted to hands on training administered by NCO's, preferably SGTs train SPC on SSD1, SSG train SGT on SSD2, etc.

2014-02-15T21:55:59-05:00 2014-02-15T21:55:59-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 59337

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I just finished SSD1 and it was a ton of work for essentially little if any "new knowledge". As a refresher i suppose it was O.K. However, it added me to the slot I saw mentioned below where I am now up for WLC as noone really wants to complete it. I felt that I needed to be above the curve, even though i got my promotion prior to it being made a requirement for said promotion and decided to complete it regardless. Brick and mortar, as SFC Baber mentioned, is dead and gone now. Its all power points and mainly focuses on repeated classes about sexual harassment and resiliency training. That my friends,......is where the REAL problem lies today...not SSD.....4 classes a year on how its wrong to look at women but ok to look at men......might get flagged for this....but its a fact.<br><br>

2014-02-17T21:20:16-05:00 2014-02-17T21:20:16-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 59440

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Its check the box.  We are missing the boat with SSD.<br>

2014-02-17T23:59:39-05:00 2014-02-17T23:59:39-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 66212

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SSD has unfortunately turned into check the block trainig.  I have seen brand new Soldiers, straight out of AIT, given 30 days to complete SSD1 once they arrived to their first unit.  I was told to finish my SSD 3 before I was ever considered for a slot for ALC.  This isn't helping anyone.<br>

2014-02-27T20:26:17-05:00 2014-02-27T20:26:17-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 66223

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was in Ft Bliss when this all started with SSD.  I was already a SSG. Being at Bliss it was big since it was being run out of there. I completed SSD1,SSD3, SSD4 with in 3 months because they said its the next hottest thing. This was when you can register for all SSD on your own.  Looking back now I'm glad I got them out of the way, because I see everyone now rushing trying to get them done to go to the board or for there look at SFC or MSG

2014-02-27T20:40:29-05:00 2014-02-27T20:40:29-05:00 CSM David Hopkins 72409

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SFC Boyd, the short answer is not that easy.  I believe it is vital training, but most are treating it as a check the block.  The current design of the SSD program does not really get after what the concept is, continual learning by enlisted Soldiers.  I have personally completed all levels of the SSD so I know what it entails and the issues the junior Soldiers are having with it.  It was mentioned by one individual as not very useful because he already knew the content, but SSD 1 for example, is designed to be completed by Soldiers that are not preparing for the Sergeant promotion board, but the more junior Soldiers.<div>     Where the program misses is the fact that you can complete any of the levels in a weekend if you wanted to.  I personally do not see how this produces a continuous education.  It does provide a sort of bridge between the institutional training Soldiers receive though.  Having completed all levels, there were some topics I learned at the Sergeants Major Course, I wish I knew earlier, or was at least exposed to earlier in my career, and the SSD program does that in levels 3 and 4.  There are four main modules in each level (at least when I completed them), so maybe the answer is a to stagger the ability to complete different modules after certain amount of time has passed.  Just a thought.</div><div>     In general though, I think the program is a step in the right direction in educating our enlisted force.</div>

2014-03-09T13:29:24-04:00 2014-03-09T13:29:24-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 76756

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I personally gained very little from completing SSD 1-4 or ALC Common Core. SSD 4 is the only training that had material that I was not familiar with. In my mind, it's all "check the block" training of little value. Mind you, I completed all the SSD module in 2012 when you could self register. ALC Common Core is even more of a waste than SSD modules due to the black board discussions and practical exercises that truly are "check the block" training that serves no purpose other than to create a black log for Soldiers trying to complete it but can't due to class size restrictions. Talk about fraud waste and abuse...<br>

2014-03-16T01:12:57-04:00 2014-03-16T01:12:57-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 83866

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SSD can be useful in some aspects,  but I prefer the "brick and motar" training of the school house.  To me, SSD has become nothing more but a "pre-test" to the actual NCOES.  I did SSD-1 and WLC,  and I got more out of WLC than I did from SSD.  SSD is pretty much a "check the box".  Nothing can ever replace one on one time at the school house

2014-03-24T13:31:33-04:00 2014-03-24T13:31:33-04:00 2014-02-15T20:18:13-05:00