college courses that are useful to the army

[coisithe]

Too old for the cadets , I think i've chosen a course in hr, just have to nail down all the details, thanks for all your help everyone.

[Snacker]

a) I'd reccommend doing your Leaving Cert/whatever language if you haven't got one already and trying for a cadetship.

b) If you have that done definately something along the lines of resource management / HR. Stay away from technical stuff like Engineering, Medicine, Computers if you want a Commission that will get you command positions.
And defo do something online. you can do it in work while on guard; BST; oseas; or just a normals days hiding avoiding the CS.

[coisithe]

Well I'm a cpl in the Irish army, PDF

[DeV]

I am a Corpral the Infantry .... also i would have to be able to do the course in ireland or online or by way of distance learning.

Ie he is in the DF (doesn't matter if he is PDF or RDF).

[SwiftandSure]

He didnt specify the BA either. One would assume as this is an Irish board his question would pertain to the Irish Army.

The course wasn't specific to the BA, just uniformed services in general, civil or military.

Either way, don't do it, waste of time. Personally I'd go for something like a computer science degree myself, if I were to do it all over again.

[CS Gass]

Out of interest any other board members starting the MA in Military History and strategic studies in NUI Maynooth this September?

Should be a reasonably useful course for potential soldiers.

[apc]

Well considering the OP didn't specify whether he's regular or reservist, there's scope to assume he could study abroad.

He didnt specify the BA either. One would assume as this is an Irish board his question would pertain to the Irish Army.

[Goldie fish]

They don't exist in Ireland for the DF, there are some short garda preparation courses (2/3 days).

There is a security studies and Business Management course in the College of commerce in Cork that markets itself as preparing its sudents for a career in the Gardai or Defence forces, or Private security industry(go figure).
I ended up serving in the GS with 4 from my class in the college... out of 55.
John Hayes was one who didnt go on to apply to the GS..

[SwiftandSure]

They don't exist in Ireland for the DF, there are some short garda preparation courses (2/3 days).

Well considering the OP didn't specify whether he's regular or reservist, there's scope to assume he could study abroad.

[hedgehog]

Engineering

Computers

Law

HR

Supply Chain Management

Electronics

Political and public communication

languages- Arabic- Russian- Pashto etc

Medicine

Counselling- Career guidance

[coisithe]

what are peoples opinions on a certificate course in event manegment, alot of the cylibus can be easily made relevent to military ops and training

[coisithe]

Thatnks for all the good ideas troops, definitely food for thought, keep them coming ;-)

[DeV]

It was a course designed to prepare you for working in the Army / Police / Fire service etc. It was good for keeping you fit and active if you are looking to join up, but not worth a wánk to any employers outside the public service.

They don't exist in Ireland for the DF, there are some short garda preparation courses (2/3 days).

[RelaxTheBody]

Human resource management is a good start as was previously mentioned. It is concerned with effective man management, dispute resolution, training and education, implementing directives from superiors, disciplinary procedures etc, all of these will of course be learned from a business perspective but the principles are the same. When you go for your comission from the ranks you want to be able to talk about why you are suited to the job and discussing your education in areas like this will give you some thing tangable to blab on about. Also college gives you further examples of "times when" you showed leadership, discipline, work ethic etc that they will ask you about in your interview.

There is much more room to be specific then if you choose to do a masters degree. Alot of colleges now have courses in international relations, international conflict, war studies etc. Things that are actually very job specific with modules on peace keeping and inforcing, terrorism and the likes.

It all depends on what you want to do though. College is a pain in the arse at the best of times so you should try pick something that interests you as im assuming that by your initial post that you will be studying part time. This is harder again in my book so i think pick a course that might interest you (as long as it is not jam making or basket weaving) and go for that. Alot of it is about recruiting people that can demonstrate an ability to absorb information rather that to actually use their degree if that makes sense

[RoyalGreenJacket]

hi coisithe,

we have the University Short Course Programme (USCP) which forms part of the wider strategy of the Services to contribute to the improvement of the general education of Service personnel. Based upon the philosophy of Lifelong Learning, the USCP intends to help Service personnel make a more effective contribution to Service life by developing their knowledge and personal skills. This is achieved through personnel having the opportunity to address matters of current importance and research and development within an academic environment. Naturally pertinent for current situation, these courses are not intended as pre-deployment courses, they are designed to stimulate thinking on a wider educational context. The aim of the USCP is to meet the broad educational needs of
Service personnel of all rank levels.

here is the latest prospectus for University Short Courses that are available to the British Army / Royal Air force / Royal Navy:

www - Tri-Service USCP Prospectus 2010/2011

these are courses with a mostly military / command theme that may help you in deciding what you wish to do, you probably have a similar scheme yourselves. i've known a few lads commissioned from the ranks who have attended some of these courses.

good luck mate.

Points issued - keep to the thread!