Should you Pursue your Master’s Degree from the Military?

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OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title the majority of folks that have not served will assume it’s a no-brainer. I mean the military is paying for your education. Organizations like Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) have thousands of lobbyers advocating for service people. Kind one decide not to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor anybody else can answer that when you are looking for speaking for your mass.


The Soldiers are suffering from the opportunity to meet individuals from all of areas of life. In the environment Force (that we guarantee it’s the identical for many branches), everyone’s story is different. Perhaps you enlisted together with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and today you’re looking to strengthen your understanding. Or perhaps you honestly just need to check a box for professional development. Based on the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only be the cause of 1.8% of master’s degree compared to the 46.3% of the officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those people who are enlisted vs officers.

Why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect not to pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everybody, but just only snapshot of the We’ve experienced both personally via the eyes of my peers. Usually, probably the most challenging obstacle is time, specifically duty schedule for shift workers. Virtually all active duty members taking advantage of educational benefits may attend classes on the web due to an unpredictable schedule. Depending on your learning style this will likely become another barrier in comparison with traditional learning environments. After a while being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, including having a family, households where both parents serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but you will always find challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, excluding deployments. Each assignment provided a unique struggles; including when I was scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or even the opposite. Another hurdle for Graduate members will be the uncertainty of continuing within their current industry post service. There are many career paths that make use of permission or certification rather than graduate degree. Or maybe one joined the intend to avoid an elegant educational setting, but find themselves necessary to be involved in traditional learning environments more than expected.

Why you need to

Equally as I gave you explanations why service members elect not to continue their education (or at least set up a battle), you’ll find just as many reasons, or more, why they must. Personal growth can be purchased through countless platforms but let’s boost the comfort if it’s not documented through the right institute the validity of your degree or certification declines. There’s more than just adding your business to some certificate; it’s gaining the technical understanding your respective field. It’s also a a few proving your dedication by taking the additional step, letting others know you adopt yourself seriously and they are heading to the executive level.

Why wouldn’t anyone desire to expand their knowledge within their dedicated field of choice? There is a very common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience enables you to really comprehend the nuances of the role. The expectation is you have an excellent grasp on how things be employed in their current field, higher education provides the opportunity to see a different side of an industry. Regardless of what field you’re in, people that get a degree in higher education set out to be noticeable and they are considered the expert. Let’s admit it, post-service jobs are not what you used to be. So why don’t you make use of education as a roi – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Similar to the most of service members We’ve faced the identical obstacles discussed. I have already been through eight assignments and numerous deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Community . was difficult, it was both an individual choice and accomplishment I figured I could not achieve. My ambition originated from attempting to set the bar for my family, and influence myself I could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I want to to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching a professional level inside my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving within the military to be able to juggle both roles of student and Airman is essential. While serving being familiar with your work will always be the main focus. Depending for the push from all the branches leadership will drive how quickly members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is within conflict school might take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select job areas, scheduling is one area one must consider when choosing to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the commitment to a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the baby who desires to formulate their particular educational path.
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