The Army must link senior enlisted promotions to civilian education. The history behind the Army's desire for a more educated service dates back almost as far as the Army's birth. As early as 1778, the Army's leadership identified education as one key factor in producing better-trained and more capable soldiers. Soldiers became better educated as the Army improved education and introduced additional educational opportunities over the years. Eventually, the Army leadership attached value to higher education by tying civilian education to enlisted promotions. Enlisted soldiers earning college credits or degrees receive additional consideration and opportunities to advance within the noncommissioned officer ranks. Today, the statistics show that college-educated enlisted soldiers earn promotions more quickly than their peers who have no college education. However, civilian education is not, at this time, a requirement for promotion to the NCO ranks.

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