OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title most people who may 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 tens of thousands of lobbyers advocating for service men and women. So why would one decide to not earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will show you now, neither I nor anyone else can answer that whenever it comes to speaking for your mass.
The Armed Forces allow us the chance to meet individuals from all areas of life. Being in the environment Force (that we am sure it’s exactly the same for those branches), everyone’s story differs. You may enlisted using your associates or bachelor’s degree already and after this you’re looking to strengthen knowing. Or perhaps you honestly just need to check a box for professional development. In accordance with the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only account for 1.8% of master’s degree in comparison to the 46.3% of their officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those people who are enlisted vs officers.
So why NOT
Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect to not pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everybody, but just snapshot of the items I have experienced both personally via your eye area of my peers. Usually, probably the most challenging obstacle proves to be time, specifically duty schedule for shift workers. Nearly all active duty members who take benefit from educational benefits may attend online classes on account of an unpredictable schedule. Determined by your learning style this may become another barrier when compared with traditional learning environments. With time being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, such as creating 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 and that i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, excluding deployments. Each assignment provided its own struggles; including when I became scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or perhaps the opposite. Another hurdle for Tuition Assistance members is the uncertainty of continuing in their current career field post service. There are many career paths that make use of a license or certification as opposed to a graduate degree. Or simply one joined the service to avoid a formal educational setting, but wind up necessary to participate in traditional learning environments over expected.
Why you need to
Just as I gave you logic behind why service members elect to not continue their education (at least offered a fight), you can find equally as various reasons, if not more, why they should. Personal growth can be purchased through countless platforms but let’s boost the comfort if it’s not documented from the right institute the validity of the degree or certification declines. There’s not only adding your reputation to some certificate; it’s gaining the technical expertise in your respective field. It’s another a few proving your dedication by subtracting the extra step, letting others know you take yourself seriously and are heading to the executive level.
Why wouldn’t anyone want to expand their knowledge in their dedicated field of preference? There is a common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience enables you to really view the nuances of the part. The expectation is you have a great grasp about how things are employed in their current field, advanced schooling increases the chance to go to a different side associated with an industry. Regardless of what field you’re in, those that obtain a degree in advanced schooling set out to be noticeable and are considered the expert. Let’s be realistic, post-service jobs are not what they used to be. Filter systems use your education as being a return on investment – of yourself.
WHY DID I?
Exactly like the tastes service members I have faced exactly the same obstacles discussed. I have been through eight assignments and various deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Though it was difficult, it was both a private choice and accomplishment I was thinking I could not achieve. My ambition came from looking to set the bar in my family, and prove to myself I could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I desired to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level in my potential industry.
Ultimately, while serving from the military the opportunity to juggle both roles of student and Airman is important. While serving being experienced in your work will be the primary focus. Depending on the push from every one of the branches leadership will drive how rapid members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is in conflict school might take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select job areas, scheduling is something one must consider when determining to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the resolve for a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the people who desires to formulate their own educational path.
For more info about Tuition Assistance have a look at our new site: this