Hows does a Masters Degree help in promotions

[DimndDave14]

I know that there was a thread that dealt with the Navy. I tried to get some info in the Navy thread but never recieved and responses. My question is with the MARINES; what is the skivy when it comes to being MARINE (speaking towards the aviation side) with a Masters Degree and advancement? Does it matter what type of degree you have for example, a MBA, history or something like an engineering degree? Also does the college or university you earn your degree from affect the weight it pulls? What is the process like for attending one of the War Colleges, and what kind of effect does that have on a career? One last question how do these attributes affect your career after the military? Any and all comments and information will be useful in taking my career to its fullest potential.

 

[KBayDog]

I'll let those with heavier brass on their collars answer the specifics, but it is a safe bet that more education will never hurt you - as long as getting that higher degree does interfere with your duties as a Marine. (Hence why there are so many programs that will give you time to get advanced degrees in exchange for more obligated service.) The attitude in the military these days is that if you are not seeking some sort of education - whether it be college, MOS skills, PME, or even simply reading a book - you are WRONG. We need nothing short of the best and brightest America has to offer.

One thing that is true in the Marines - and every other service, for that matter - is that you are primarily promoted based on your proven performance and leadership abilities (and potential), and NOT primarily on how much sheepskin you have hanging on your walls.

 

[mmx1]

My take on it is that you shouldn't think of education as another checkbox on your resume, but something to help you be a better officer and improve your performance.

To quote The Marine Officer's Guide:
"The professional officer continually seeks education and increased levels of qualification. Unlike other professions where a lengthy period of initial education qualifies a practitioner for life, the military professional's initiation merely suffices for the apprentice years. Thereafter, the officer returns to school frequenly for specialist, technical, command, and staff courses. Perhaps up to one-fifth of an officer's career will be spent studying, expanding one's experiences, and preparing for greater responsibilities. This amount far exceeds the preparation for law and medicine. In additional to formal courses, the officer reads relevant periodicals and books and seeks out ideas and innovative methods in an ongoing process to acquire knowledge and extend abilities."

 

[Brett327]

My take on it is that you shouldn't think of education as another checkbox on your resume, but something to help you be a better officer and improve your performance.

To quote The Marine Officer's Guide:
"The professional officer continually seeks education and increased levels of qualification. Unlike other professions where a lengthy period of initial education qualifies a practitioner for life, the military professional's initiation merely suffices for the apprentice years. Thereafter, the officer returns to school frequenly for specialist, technical, command, and staff courses. Perhaps up to one-fifth of an officer's career will be spent studying, expanding one's experiences, and preparing for greater responsibilities. This amount far exceeds the preparation for law and medicine. In additional to formal courses, the officer reads relevant periodicals and books and seeks out ideas and innovative methods in an ongoing process to acquire knowledge and extend abilities."

Despite your ideal, which I happen to appreciate, for the most part, any branch of the military deals in absolutes, so a degree will ultimately just be another check in the box for most of us. No selection board is going to examine the minutiae of your degree and how it applies to your work. Bottom line, when it comes to getting any kind of degree, pursue something you like and are interested in, in favor of something you think the service might like because the service, for the most part, really couldn't care less.

Brett

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Despite your ideal, which I happen to appreciate, for the most part, any branch of the military deals in absolutes, so a degree will ultimately just be another check in the box for most of us. No selection board is going to examine the minutiae of your degree and how it applies to your work. Bottom line, when it comes to getting any kind of degree, pursue something you like and are interested in, in favor of something you think the service might like because the service, for the most part, really couldn't care less.

Brett

Concur on all poiints.

 

[Schnugg]

It can't hurt you...unless you get a bunch of NOBs getting it.
Almost seems to be a pre-req for O-5 and command.
r/
G

 

[A4sForever]

The only thing a Master's can do for you is ... what ??? Make you smarter?? I got one just to prove to myself that I had the "grey matter" to travel in the circles of higher education that I was "moving" in at the time .... it was amazing how -- increased years -- increased my ability to B.S. and have it make "sense". Experience???

The Navy/USMC is not the sum of your whole life --- with or without 'em pursue higher education if you can --- do it.

 

[phrogdriver]

It can't hurt you...unless you get a bunch of NOBs getting it.
Almost seems to be a pre-req for O-5 and command.
r/
G

Definitely not a prereq in the MARINES, though maybe with the Navy (check which forum you're in).

It helps a tiny bit, and may open some doors for you. However, you have to be sure you aren't shorting your billet to accomplish the masters. That's why I'd recommend doing it in conjunction with resident PME, e.g Cmd and Staff (Maj) or War College (Lt Col). My father in law left the Marines with 2 masters degrees that way. If you don't do resident PME (me, for example), you've got to scramble on your own time for it.

The type of degree won't really matter if you're doing it on your own time. If you're looking for an in to a certain program, you'll generally get service-specific PME. For example, there are Naval Postgrad courses for acquisitions, for guys going that route. There's also a postgrad program in aerospace engineering for some test pilot types.