Air War College Stuff?

[AlbieF15]

Bros,

I NEVER thought I'd be even asking a question like this--but I am about to start doing AWC. Here are a few questions for you old farts who've bitten the bullet and done it or you fast burners (defined as anyone younger than me!) moving up who are currently knocking it out...

A. Correspondence verses seminar pros and cons? I've done everything else by correspondence, but that doesn't mean its the most painless way...

B. Dirty purples? Any idea where to find some good, current study guides for current classes?

C. Options to wiggle into school? Any part timers found a way into any of the courses offered at the schools?

D. Anything else I'm missing?

I'm about 2 paygrades ahead of where I EVER thought I'd end up, but I'm still enjoying serving and there might be some good options down the road IF I get this knocked out. Currently an O-5 but if I could swing O-6 might stay for 24/28/30 years. Any thoughts from those who've been there/done that are appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[YeOldeProp]

Hey...I'm 2+ years off of active duty (and opted not to do the AWC side of the house), but had a few friends that did. I believe the majority preferred the correspondence side, merely because their bosses got in the way of the weekly meeting for seminar. Better explained: they were encouraged to sign up for seminar because the Col's liked it, but when it came time to give up 3-4 hours during midweek to attend, then work was more important than their PFE. Also, our deployment schedule was fairly hectic and they couldn't honestly believe that they wouldn't be deploying somewhere in the year. I believe their rules went along the lines of: you miss 3 seminars, you're booted from that side and have to start all over via correspondence. But, those who didn't deploy had a good time with it.

I believe if you get out in the Google/search engine world you can find a variety of dirty purples. I know the SOS and ACSC correspondence guys were pulling them off the web fairly regularly. And from what I've been told from those that did their AWC...it's a "partial" re-hash of the ACSC stuff.

Anyway, best of luck. I'd be really surprised if the ANG/Reserve side of the house didn't have a huge binder set up somwhere in the unit that paved the road a bit for ya...

 

[RampFreeze]

www.allpme.com

You can download a few files for free, then they require you to subscribe. (It used to be all free but times have changed...) Also, beware that AWC just changed their course (Now called Version 16, Senior Leader Course) It is new, so there isn't a lot of good gouge out there yet... (I'm trying to decide whether or not to subscribe myself right now)

One more hint- as you know 70% is what it takes to pass the multiple choice exams. (The 16th Ed has written work involved as well ) I had a squadron/CC who took every multiple choice test cold (no studying) and passed them all. Any amount of effort that gets you a score above 70% is wasted effort - there are no DGs in correspondence...

 

[viperdriver]

Albie do you get paid to do PME? Do you log it is a UTA or something? If so any pay difference between Seminar and Correspondence?

ViperD

 

[pkober]

It would be a stretch to get paid for PME at home. If your unit allows it more power to them.

We should get a bonus just for ordering the books.

CLAMBAKE

 

[AlbieF15]

Nope--no pay at all for PME. Nice time killer on layovers, however...

 

[Steeler Fan]

Nope--no pay at all for PME. Nice time killer on layovers, however...

I'm pretty sure you get points for it, though. Good luck Albie. Keep us posted, I'm about 1 year away from asking all the questions that you're asking right now.

 

[CCDiscoB]

Wow

...I am about to start doing AWC

Wow, I'm impressed. I don't think I'm going to do it, but things change. I don't see myself becoming an O-6. But then again I maybe taking mil leave for three years, DETCO job, and I didn't think I would do that either. The current DETCO here has the "purples." He got them off a web site.

 

[bssthound]

Holy Cow, Albie!!
Just a few short years ago we were scratching our heads together over ACSC dirty purples. Now I sit patiently waiting for my O-5 board this year and you're already clearin' a place on your shoulders to rest those silver eagles!! I'm bettin' on your becoming the first Guardsman Chief of Staff!!

Seriously, PM me. I'll ask around today.

 

[AlbieF15]

Guys--I appreciate the kudos but all I am doing is entering the lottery. Just like you have to buy a lottery ticket to play, you have to have AWC done to even BE CONSIDERED for promotion. Buying a ticket doesn't make you a millionare, and getting AWC done doesn't make you an O-6.

I orginally thought I'd be 20 and out...but...I've met some really neat warriors at FDX that have sort of inspired me to at least consider continuing. One guy is a 1 or 2 star guy who works at STRATCOM. Deals with issues and problems at the macro level that are incredible...and also is a widebody captain. Another guy is/was a Wing CC/Vice Wing who flew A-10s in the war in Afgahnistan. Both guys kind of got me thinking that being a citizen soldier DOESN'T have to stop just because you get to 20 years...

So...there are some opportunites as BRAC descends on us and new opportunites open up. I just want to be ready...in case...

Like CCDiscoB--I didn't think I'd be here at this point. However, things change, and I've learned it is best to not only not burn bridges, but don't even SLAM a door when you leave the room. You never know when you might want to walk back though it...