I am currently a BM1 and my long term goal in the Coast Guard is to be a Warrant. My question is will a College degree or passing the OIC review board help better to make BOSN. I've heard both from different warrant officers and was just trying to get a little more advice. Thanks for your help.
Along with education and professional development, volunteer for as many collateral duties that you can handle. Additionally, off duty volunteerism is a plus as well.
Your question to yourself might best be to reverse that question:
"What would HURT more, not being qualified to be a BMCS by not showing the initiative to be qualified to take on the responsibility of command or not having a college degree?"
I think to answer that question you need to look at your longterm goals. Do you plan to do 30 years? If so, go for the OIC qualification. If you plan to get out at 20 is that OIC qual going to help you as much on the outside as a college degree? The Warrant boards look at different things for different specialties. I know for the ISM specialty the top 5 people on last years list ALL had degrees. Of course ISMs don't typically have OIC qualifications so for you that qual may be as good as a degree when it comes to a BOSN board. Questions that only you can answer.
I think the truth of the matter is you will never know what they are looking for. Each panel is differant and each panelist will have their own take on what they are looking for. The more you do the better, give substance to your resume. I wasn't on the E-8 list and I had no college behind me when I made it but I stayed very busy at the job I was currently in.
The board changes ever year, two things that will help every year are: (1 a degree and (2 OinC's competencies. After making warrant the OinC's qual will give you credibility with BMCS's and BMCM's who are OinC's.
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