masters degree

[phrogpilot73]

So if you had to choose only one, are you a pilot or an officer?

Quite simply put - I was both. Do I need an advanced degree to be able to be an effective Company Grade officer and pilot? Nope. Would some of the more advanced degree classes probably benefit a grunt more than me? Perhaps. Honestly, the point I was trying to make was that at the tactical level, a working knowledge of higher level policy and IR, etc... (think H.S. Civics versus B.S. in PolySci) is much more beneficial than some high level, in-depth Masters in International Relations.

 

[mmx1]

Honestly, the point I was trying to make was that at the tactical level, a working knowledge of higher level policy and IR, etc... (think H.S. Civics versus B.S. in PolySci) is much more beneficial than some high level, in-depth Masters in International Relations.

This is where we differ. I think the implied assumption is that a M.S. is more of the same B.S., to excuse the pun. It isn't. The content of most liberal arts B.S/B.A programs is very abstract and generally not very applicable to any job.

But in both disciplines I've experienced firsthand (Math and IR/IA/Security Studies; whatever you care to call it), the Master's programs are very practical and designed to send the student out with skills directly applicable to their field of work - it isn't just a stepping stone to a doctorate, which is a different can of worms.

Nobody with just four years of work experience is going to be an uber-diplomat or entrusted with that sort of responsibility(which was about the average level for the Master's students). But I will wager that in the International Security arena, across that strata of people with 4-8 years work experience, whether they be in State, the military, a thinktank, or the UN, the person with the most influence is that grunt Captain, particularly the Marine.

I recall looking around at my classmates, most of whom would return to pencil-pushing jobs writing reports, hoping to influence their superiors with the decision-making authority. And I realized the one person in the room who'd actually be able to go back out and employ the lessons we were learning, was the Army Captain. And then arriving at TBS and seeing how we're trying to duplicate that sort of practical education ad-hoc at every level, it's a shame we're not utilizing assets that already exist.

I agree that there are other, more pressing concerns for a CGO, and time is a huge problem. Of course the wing side is a whole different beast. But I think there's a lot of illusions being held about the utility and purpose of a Master's that are biasing the cost-benefit calculation.

 

[bert]

Not necessarily. I think you may be referring to non-observed FITREPs in naval aviation.

Steve is right, I was only talking about aviation. As long as you aren't missing a ticket somewhere else it is looked at as a positive by SWO/Subs.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Quite simply put - I was both. Do I need an advanced degree to be able to be an effective Company Grade officer and pilot?

Hold up there. You were criticizing the relevance of a graduate degree as it applies to the cockpit.

Remember this:

critical thought and understanding of a country's culture is really not needed in the cockpit.

I agree with that statement as it applies only to the monkey skills involved in flying. That's why I wanted to know whether you saw yourself simply as a pilot (a one trick pony) or an officer (one who has various skills, abilities, and flexibility). What I don't agree with is the statement's implication that you are only a pilot and that critical thought isn't a fundamental component of being an officer. Hopefully by the time someone has their bachelor's degree, they at least have fundamental critical thinking skills. A graduate degree in IR, national security studies, etc will (should) help refine your critical thinking skills and expose you to a wide range of literature on the subject matter. No, this doesn't make you a better officer (yet) or give you skills to perform better in your day job.

To put it in aviation terms, you learn how to land before learning how to fly on instruments. You learn how to land on the boat in the day before you do it at night. The same applies to formal education. A graduate degree is helping you train your mind to think critically even further beyond what you did in your undergraduate studies. A graduate degree should expose you to new ideas and ways to think about things. How can this be bad for anyone?

 

[phrogdriver]

How can this be bad for anyone?

It's not a matter of being "bad." It would be a great thing if every officer had an advanced degree. It's a matter of best employing one's resources. Why should the government spend big money and time getting masters' degrees for company grade officers, except in exceptional circumstances? Most will go back to fleet jobs. In those jobs, well designed PME will do them a lot more good. Many will get out, and the investment will be mostly for naught.

On the other hand, spend that money getting that degree for a major or above, and it will be used. I think more officers should get civilian advanced degrees. Some of those in this thread are just coming at it from a wrong angle.