Posted On: June 4, 2010
Just because you are serving in the military doesn't mean choosing between service and a college education. These days, you can do both. In fact, the military is a great resource to help fund and expand your education and gives you unique advantages in college and career. Regardless of your career goals a civilian education can be an asset in the future and the military has numerous opportunities available right now. Earning your degree can give you an edge in meeting the Promotion Point cut off, advancing your military career and career pay, and setting you apart at the NCO (non-commissioned officer) boards.
Civilian education and degrees can make a big difference in earning your Promotion Points. You can earn up to one hundred promotion points by your civilian course credits; a bonus for you in and out of the military. This works vice versa, you can earn four semester hours of college credit simply by completing Initial Entry Training, otherwise known as "Basic Training" or "boot camp." It's not difficult to manage your advancement, there are Service-members Opportunity Colleges (SOCs), which are comprised of over a thousand colleges, universities, and technical schools that allow you to transfer your credits school to school without missing out as you move to new duty stations. This flexibility allows you to manage your service and school time.
One of the great advantages of seeking an education in the military is you have numerous education benefits available to pay for your schooling. Each service has unique programs that can help with tuition for anything from a high school diploma to a graduate degree. Armed Force Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill combined can help cover the difference between your cost of your tuition, books, fees and other living expenses. They even apply to online programs, so there's no reason you shouldn't be able to enroll while maintaining your military lifestyle. These programs are designed for your benefits, don't let them go to waste.
A college education helps you stand out, not only to future employers but even to those interested in serving with the military full time. Your college education earns promotion points, which helps your placement in the NCO board. A well-rounded education is a valuable asset for those aspiring to leadership roles. The commitment and dedication required to earn a degree reflects a driven, focused individual capable of taking on multiple responsibilities. Being in the military and going to school allow you to earn more because your education and experience qualify you for top tier positions.