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Officers
may pursue full-time studies toward a master’s or doctoral degree
through either fully funded or partially funded programs or a bachelor’s
degree through the Degree Completion Program. Officers are encouraged
to pursue advanced degrees particularly when there is an opportunity to
do so in coordination with resident training such as CSC and SSC. Officers
with liberal arts undergraduate degrees should not be dissuaded from their
pursuit of graduate education in the sciences. Available education programs
are discussed in general below. (Specific civil school programs are governed
by AR 621-1.)
Fully
funded programs. Under these
programs, the Army pays all
tuition costs and reimburses officers up to $600 per fiscal year for textbooks
and supplies. In addition, the Army provides officers with full pay and
allowances and moves officers and their families to the college or university
of study. Normally, the period of schooling does not exceed 18 months.
Officers may not draw veterans’ benefits concurrent with fully funded
education.
(1)
Advanced
degree program. Selected officers attend graduate
school to meet specific Army requirements established by the AERS. On
completing graduate studies, officers are assigned to AERS positions
according to branch or functional area, grade and appropriate academic
skills. Utilization assignments are for 3 years. Officers can also expect
future utilization assignments to capitalize on the knowledge gained
through participation in this program. Primary zone of consideration
to normally attend graduate school occurs on completion of the Captains
Career Course, basic branch qualification, and 6 to 8 years of Active
Federal Commissioned Service (AFCS); but no later than the 17th year
of service.
(2)
Short
course training. Tuition funds allocated to organizations
are available for unprogrammed training that is needed for current job
performance when the training is less than 20 weeks and is in subjects
for which the Army has no in-house training capability.
(3)
Fully
Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). The Judge Advocate
General’s (TJAG) Funded Legal Education Program provides instruction
leading to a law degree at an approved civilian school at Government
expense (normally 3 academic years) for up to 25 selected officers each
fiscal year. Upon completion, the officer accepts an appointment in
the Judge Advocate General’s Corps for the period of the active
duty obligation incurred under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 27-1
and AR 350-100. The FLEP is the only approved program currently available
for Army officers to study the legal profession. Program participants
perform on-the-job-training duties under the supervision of a staff
judge advocate or legal officer designated by TJAG when school is not
in session for 5 days or longer. Program participants who do not finish
school, or fail to pass the bar exam after two attempts, return to service
in their basic branch.
(4)
Training
With Industry (TWI). This program provides training in
industrial procedures and practices not available through military service
schools or civilian education. TWI provides officers with vital knowledge,
experience and perspective in management and operational techniques
to fill responsible positions in Army commands and activities
that normally interface with civilian industry. It provides the trainee
an opportunity to grapple with real problems inherent to the business
environment. Currently, these programs are concentrated in the areas
of transportation, procurement, logistics management, research and development,
public affairs, banking, communication-electronics, advertising and
marketing, physical security, artificial intelligence and automation
systems. The programs are normally 10 months with a predetermined follow-on
assignment focusing on the experience gained. AR 621-1 provides information
on application procedures.
Partially
funded programs. Under these
programs, the officer bears
the cost of all tuition, fees and textbooks. Many officers elect to use
their in-service veterans benefits (if applicable) to help defray educational
costs. The Army provides officers with full pay and allowances and moves
officers and their families to the school location if the schooling is
20 weeks or more. Participants attending schools for less than 20 weeks
attend in a permissive TDY status. After officers are notified by their
branch that they are accepted into the program, it is their responsibility
to select and be accepted by an accredited college or university.
(1)
Degree
Completion Program (DCP) This program authorizes officers
up to 18 months of full-time civilian education to complete undergraduate
or graduate degree requirements. Officers who lack an undergraduate
degree are encouraged to pursue studies on their own; however, the Army
can assist by providing up to 1 year to allow completion of the degree.
Commissioned officers pursuing an advanced degree must agree to study
in an academic discipline that supports their branch or functional area
(or, in some cases, a designated skill). The primary zone of consideration
for the graduate level is the 5th through the 17th year of service.
(2)
Cooperative
degree programs. Selected students attending schools
such as the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), the Logistics
Executive Development Course (LEDC) at the Army Logistic Management
College, and certain Senior Service Colleges (SSCs) are offered the
opportunity to participate in various courses conducted by cooperating
civilian institutions. Attendance at these courses is concurrent with
the military schooling. After graduation, officers are authorized up
to 12 months to complete graduate degree requirements as full-time resident
students at the civilian institution. Those attending SSC normally pursue
studies during the summer school sessions immediately before and after
the military course. In all cooperative degree programs, officers pay
for educational costs.
Fellowships, scholarships, or grants. According
to AR 621-7 eligible
officers may apply for permission to accept fellowships, scholarships
or grants offered by corporations, foundations, funds or educational institutions.
Participation in such programs normally does not exceed 2 years.
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Above
information derived from Army Pamplet 600-3
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