The Settings > Military > Q&A with an Author

Q&A with an Author -
Mary F. Bratton-Jeffery, Ph.D.

If a student wants to pursue a career in instructional design in the military, which concentrations and/or courses should a student take?

University of South Alabama has a strong program.  More distance and technology would be helpful.  Project management is important, working with a team, negotiation and facilitation.

What is the most rewarding aspect of a career in the instructional design in the military?

There are too many.  But primarily, knowing that your work makes a difference in the lives of the people who are defending our country.  The miltary values education opportunities.  They expect quality.

What are the military’s requirements for an instructional designer?

Requirements for ID:  go to opm.gov  type in 1750 - that's an instructional systems specialist.  You'll find the job announcements that detail the qualifications.  However, just about any of the 1700 series would fit, especially if you come into the program with an education background.

What areas of expertise in new technologies (e.g.: simulators, computer based training, distance learning, standardized learning) should an instructional designer have in order to be most competitive if he or he is seeking work in the military?

Solid understanding of the capabilities of the various delivery mediums. When to use the delivery methods and where.  Good understanding of blended or hybrid learning.  Learning management systems, alternate models, etc. You need a little courseware development, but not a high level skill. 

Do you have any information concerning the application of instructional design in the military that we could use to create case studies for future students of IDD?

One website and the information that goes with it is the ADL site.  I can't remember the specifics, but everything done in DoD must follow ADL guidelines and the SCORM.  Critical students be familiar with that information.

If the reader learns nothing but one thing from IDT in the military chapter you wrote, what would you like for them to know?

There are so many opportunities with the federal government and especially DoD for an instructional designer/technologist.  Everything from analysis to program evaluation.  The best thing is for a student to explore the Office of Personnel Management website:  opm.gov  and get the info of the job requirements.