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

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


The Military are suffering from the opportunity to meet individuals from all areas of life. Finding yourself in the environment Force (that i am sure it’s exactly the same for all those branches), everyone’s story is different. You could possibly enlisted together with your associates or bachelor’s degree already now you’re trying to strengthen knowing about it. Or maybe you honestly should just check a box for professional development. In line with the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only be the cause of 1.8% of master’s degree when compared to 46.3% of these 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 to never pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everyone, but simply only snapshot of what We’ve experienced both personally and through the eyes of my peers. Usually, the most challenging obstacle proves to be time, specifically duty schedule for shift workers. Many active duty members who take benefit of educational benefits will most likely attend online classes because of an unpredictable schedule. According to your learning style this could become another barrier compared to traditional learning environments. After a while being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, for example creating a family, households where both parents serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there will always be challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and that i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, taking out deployments. Each assignment provided a unique struggles; including times when I became scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or the opposite. Another hurdle for Navy members could be the uncertainty of constant within their current vocation post service. There are many career paths that reap the benefits of a license or certification rather than a graduate degree. Or simply one joined the service to avoid an official educational setting, but find themselves forced to take part in traditional learning environments more than expected.

Why you ought to

Equally as I gave you explanations why service members elect to never continue the amount (or otherwise placed a battle), there are just like many reasons, if not more, why they need to. Personal growth can be obtained through countless platforms but let’s be honest if it’s not documented by the right institute the validity of your degree or certification declines. There’s more than simply adding your company name into a certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge 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 are on the way to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to expand his or her knowledge within their dedicated field of? There is a very common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really view the particulars of the function. The expectation is always that you’ve got a great grasp about how things work in their current field, degree affords the possibility to go to a different side associated with an industry. Regardless of what field you’re in, those who get a degree in degree set out to be noticeable and are considered the expert. Let’s be realistic, post-service jobs are not what you was previously. So why wouldn’t you make use of your education as being a return – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Like the tastes service members We’ve faced exactly the same obstacles discussed. I have been previously through eight assignments and diverse deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Although it was difficult, it had been both a private choice and accomplishment I figured I possibly could not achieve. My ambition originated planning to set the bar for my family, and prove to myself I possibly could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I want to to develop professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level inside my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving in the military a chance to juggle both roles of student and Airman is vital. While serving being experienced with your employment can be the primary focus. Depending around the push from each one of the branches leadership will drive how fast members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is within conflict school will take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is one area you need to consider when deciding to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the commitment to a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the person who would like to develop their very own educational path.
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