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

OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title the majority of people that have not served will assume it’s a no-brainer. I mean the military is spending money on your education. Organizations like Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) have thousands and thousands of lobbyers advocating for service people. Utilize this type one decide never to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor other people can answer that whenever you are looking for speaking for that mass.


The Defense force allow us the opportunity meet individuals coming from all walks of life. Being in mid-air Force (i guarantee it’s the identical for many branches), everyone’s story differs. You may enlisted together with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and now you’re looking to strengthen knowing about it. Otherwise you honestly should just check a box for professional development. In accordance with the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only are 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 never to pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for anyone, but merely just snapshot of what I’ve experienced both personally via the eye area of my peers. Usually, one of the most challenging obstacle is time, specifically duty diary for shift workers. The majority of active duty members taking benefit from educational benefits will probably attend classes online as a result of an unpredictable schedule. According to your learning style this might become another barrier compared to traditional learning environments. After a while being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, such as having a family, households where both parents serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there’s always challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, taking out deployments. Each assignment provided its struggles; including times when I had been scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or perhaps the opposite. Another hurdle for Army members will be the uncertainty of continuous within their current industry post service. There are some career paths that reap the benefits of a license or certification rather than graduate degree. Or simply one joined the want to avoid an official educational setting, but are forced to be involved in traditional learning environments over expected.

Why you need to

In the same way I gave you reasons why service members elect never to continue their education (at least set up a battle), you will find in the same way a lot of reasons, if not more, why they ought to. Personal growth can be purchased through countless platforms but let’s be honest if it’s not documented from the right institute the validity of the degree or certification declines. There’s more than just adding your company name to some certificate; it’s gaining the technical comprehension of your respective field. It’s another matter of proving your dedication by taking the additional step, letting others know you’re taking yourself seriously and they are heading to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone wish to expand their knowledge within their dedicated field of preference? There is a kind of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really see the particulars of the role. The expectation is that you have an excellent grasp about how things be employed in their current field, college provides the opportunity to see a different side of the industry. Whatever field you’re in, those that obtain a degree in college start to be noticeable and they are considered the expert. Let’s face the facts, post-service effort is not whatever they was once. So why not takes place education as being a return on your investment – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Similar to the most of service members I’ve faced the identical obstacles discussed. I have been previously through eight assignments and diverse deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Even though it was difficult, it was both an individual choice and accomplishment I thought I really could not achieve. My ambition originated attempting to set the bar for my family, and persuade myself I really could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I want to growing professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level during my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving from the military the ability to juggle both roles of student and Airman is essential. While serving being experienced in your employment will be the key focus. Depending on the push from all the branches leadership will drive how fast members move towards pursuing education while serving. In the event the world is at conflict school usually takes a backseat. Because of high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is one thing you need to consider when determining to pursue a continued education. Like anything, the commitment to a graduate degree is ultimately the decision of the person who desires to produce their own educational path.
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