New Change? Bachelors Degree for OCS

[AmPat]

[QUOTE]I think that beyond adding the degree component, the GPA component is vital as well. AD requires a 3.0 GPA and full degree accreditation prior to OCS. I would contend that even a 3.0 is too low a standard, but that's just my opinion (since I had a 3.5 GPA undergrad and 4.0 GPA masters).[/QUOTE]

The whole thing is so arbitrary though. Some coursework is so much more demanding than others. To pull a GPA of 3.5 in physics, you are going to be spending some long nights at school working through differential equations, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, etc. I did all of that and graduated 3.42. You want to get that in art or business, yes you are going to have to put forth a noble effort, but not nearly as much time, sweat and frustration.

At some point, you should be able to say, if you can't achieve x.y GPA, no matter what your major, you simply were not trying. But there is such a vast grey area that it would not be fair to disqualify lots of good people on such arbitrary grounds.

[7011USMC]

[QUOTE=AmPat]The whole thing is so arbitrary though. Some coursework is so much more demanding than others. To pull a GPA of 3.5 in physics, you are going to be spending some long nights at school working through differential equations, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, etc. I did all of that and graduated 3.42. You want to get that in art or business, yes you are going to have to put forth a noble effort, but not nearly as much time, sweat and frustration.

At some point, you should be able to say, if you can't achieve x.y GPA, no matter what your major, you simply were not trying. But there is such a vast grey area that it would not be fair to disqualify lots of good people on such arbitrary grounds.[/QUOTE]

I agree. GPA's are nice; Getting the yellow cord, and the seal on your diploma is gravy. However, in the end it is just personal achievement.

A scientific vs. arts degree hands down no question. Military is a different animal than working for a fortune 500 company. Nothing better than (molecular biologist or physical education major) LT leading a platoon of grunts into combat Hooah!

[RLO]

Caution on putting a stronger appreciation on degree A vs. degree B, however. Just because a degree might appear fluffy to some, I find often we have no clue what goes into it and there's a darn good chance they require just as much intelligence and skill than the one we thought superior.

[cyall]

We should absolutely take care of our soldiers. I wasn't trying to imply that we shouldn't have high standards, but as stated above a GPA isn't really a great a metric. A degree indicates you should be minimally competent as an adult. Then the Army likes to train people in its own way; BOLC A is the beginning of that for officers.

The problem of less qualified people getting promoted over others is a problem in most organizations. Tush kissing is a tried and true method of advancement the world over. I don't know if soldiers can be properly compensated for the sacrifices they must make. As it is, the pay isn't bad. The benefits are good, and one of the few ways to beat the retirement plan is to get elected to congress (100% of salary/benifits for life after one term).

[cyall]

[QUOTE=RLO]Caution on putting a stronger appreciation on degree A vs. degree B, however. Just because a degree might appear fluffy to some, I find often we have no clue what goes into it and there's a darn good chance they require just as much intelligence and skill than the one we thought superior.[/QUOTE]

I can read the course catalogue and get a good idea. Thus, I reserve the right to appreciate engineers more than social workers. Plus, the former isn't a blight on the earth.

[RLO]

Perhaps I can state that differently, though my main point does not change. I have a degree in music education, and am currently pursuing my masters in the same while working for my officer commission. There is often a misperception that music is some sort of easy degree, that we don't really learn anything. I can assure you this is far from the truth, especially with the education component. I am fully capable of any other degree I would have chosen, including any engineering or scientific degree, but I chose this.

Realizing this might not be what was being implied, I don't believe we can look at the degree and necessarily say that person will/will not succeed in any other venue. It is very often dependent on the individual.

Fun topic though. Rarely am I tempted to post more than once in six months, much less an evening.

[show_stopper999]

Ha! I'm just waiting another year or so. I'm being moved to Aberdeen Proving Ground under BRAC. For those of us who are military or government employees, have a TS/SCI clearance and maintain a 3.0 GPA on undergraduate, we can enroll in the National Defense Intelligence College at the DIA.

They have an "executive" program (nights and weekends) and get a Masters of Science in Strategic Intelligence.

That's my plan. I meet the quals and it's just a matter of time.

[Marine2Guard]

[QUOTE=RLO]Caution on putting a stronger appreciation on degree A vs. degree B, however. Just because a degree might appear fluffy to some, I find often we have no clue what goes into it and there's a darn good chance they require just as much intelligence and skill than the one we thought superior.[/QUOTE]
I agree 100%,
I have a BFA, and can testify it is as difficult as a BS. As an architect I have to be able to understand the science of a structure and all the forces applied to it.

[Chaplain4me]

I've come to the conclusion that no matter where you go to get your education people are going to judge you.

"You can't make everyone happy."

Big named schools are overrated. Indeed some are better than others but research shows that a person from a less known school will do just as well.

The degree may get you the job but it's your performance that will keep you there.

Similarly, the saying goes, talent will get you there integrity will keep you there.

Of'course my experience has been in divinity schools. I have no desire to have a divinity degree from any of the ivey league schools.

My point is that whichever school you go to as long as it's accredited by CHEA, it really doesn't matter.

It's all about resolve, I just finished LTG Boykin's book, "Never Surrender." He held several diffenert commands, and was involved in Panama, Iran hostage, hunting down drug lords, Bosnia, and Somalia.

How he was selected for Delta? They gave them a map and set them off by themselves in the mountains of North Carolina, told them to march, and march, and march.

Eventually they marched 40 miles with a 70 pd ruck sack and weapon.

They just wanted to see who was mentally and physically resolved. Nothing fancy about map reading and walking.

So no matter where you go to college, you have to have resolve.

Two dogs meet in an alley to fight, everything being equal, which one wins? The one that wants it the most.