For Army Majors it is mandatory that you complete ILE-CC, or what is often referred to as CGSC (command and general staff college) to be eligible for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. As a Major in the Reserves or National Guard that usually means 18 months of correspondence courses, or if you are so deserving a seat at one of the satellite campuses or at Ft. Leavenworth. I was lucky enough to be selected to attend ILE-CC at Ft. Gordon, GA this July, and have decided to document my findings here.
Being chosen to attend was not only a good feeling but also reduced some stress, while increasing others. As a National Guard or Reserve Officer I hold down a full time job in addition to my military career. So for me to complete ILE it would mean fulfilling the average persons day of get the kids off to school, go work all day, get kids after school, make dinner, read books, clean the house, kids to bed, then attempt to sit down and complete my ILE correspondence courses. While workable, and many many officers complete it this way, it's very tough and time consuming. Plus you are not getting paid any extra money to spend the hours working on the course.
As a Major selected to attend the residence course I am afforded the opportunity to attend class all day, work on my homework at night, all while getting paid to do so and living on the Army base. Why that sounds much better it also induces some stress that not everyone probably appreciates. First, I had to leave my kids behind (in the care of my ex-wife), my house (who will take care of it), and my job (hope it is still there when I return). These all present stress that I know I share with my fellow active duty majors, well all except the job portion, as this school is now their job for the next 4 months.
The piece of stress that has me wondering every day now though is how do I stack up against these active duty officers? They all do this every day so their level of expertise in many areas is at levels high above mine, or so I think at this point. Their familiarity with the workings, words, Army daily routine, meaning, paperwork is all at a much more comfortable level than I. Then in regards to education, many of them have recently completed their graduate level work, while on Active Duty. A reservist would have to pay their own way to graduate school and do it while maintaining their full time job. So I find myself without a graduate degree and the last time I wrote a paper for school was approximately 12 years ago. I feel a bit behind the 8 ball as they are all much more in tune with the educational system and requirements.
So I am here. I have challenges and hurdles to overcome, but overcome them I will. It is the Army that has taught me in the past 22+ years that I can accomplish anything I put my mind on, and my mind is around this school. Completion of this course will put me in a position to reach a goal I set in 1989 when I first started Officer Candidate School, to become LTC Dilg.
I love a challenge and the Army has provided me the opportunity to attack another one. I am a bit nervous, feel challenged, and at times wondering what I got myself into, but I will achieve.
MAJ Ken Dilg
Student
Command and General Staff College
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the US Government.
