All of the discussions I've read have their reasons to substantiate their ideals for why they can be called meteorologists. In short, somewhat re-quoting the AMS, the field of meteorology has and is becoming more broad and widespread. Thus, many people have their hands in all aspects of meteorology from operational forecasting for NWS and the military to T.V. news directors and GM's.
I am a member of the AMS and an Air Force trained weather forecaster. I strongly feel that having a degree in meteorology does not make you a meteorologist as having a law degree makes you a lawyer. It's in the practice, the hard and fast experience.
My 10yrs in Air Force meteorology, have proven to be worth their weight in gold. I transitioned into T.V. this year after interning for two years in a top 50 market. I agree with much of your views of the biz, and am daily deciding if this is what I want to be a part of in meteorology. I am very passionate about forecasting and constantly continuing the learning process.
However, I have seen some folks who are not interested in this at all, some who are in higher and lower markets than I. So as you have said in a round about way, it's all over.
Unfortunately for myself, the college community does not accept a great portion of the credits I received in the Air Force and I am stuck with a wealth of experience but no degree. My wife and I sat down and converted all the classroom hours of training I have had in the field of meteorology and it factored out to a Masters equivalency in terms of credit hours.
So do I consider myself a meteorologist, you bet I do. I work hard to get it right, constantly reading, learning and I would like very much to continue on and eventually get my degree, possibly that masters, mostly for my own satisfaction.
I did take one semesters worth of classes from MSU, and I found the materiel to be less than desirable. I have not signed up again and do not intend too. I will wait until I am in a locale that offers a credible degree program in meteorology. We have some MSU grads in our market, who quite frankly are terrible. But, in this biz, for that guy or gal who wants just enough to get them by, the MSU thing is worthwhile and I commend those who go for it on there own merits.
Charles R. Salser
Broadcast Meteorologist