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

OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title many people who have 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 of lobbyers advocating for service people. So why would one decide never to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor anyone else can answer any time you are looking for speaking for that mass.


The Military are suffering from the chance to meet individuals from all areas of life. In mid-air Force (which I believe it’s precisely the same for those branches), everyone’s story differs. You may enlisted together with your associates or bachelor’s degree already now you’re planning 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 when compared to the 46.3% of the officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those who find themselves enlisted vs officers.

Why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect never to pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for all, but just snapshot of the We’ve experienced both personally and thru your eye area of my peers. Usually, essentially the most challenging obstacle turns out to be time, specifically duty schedule for shift workers. Nearly all active duty members who take advantage of educational benefits may attend classes online on account of an unpredictable schedule. Determined by your learning style this will likely become another barrier when compared with traditional learning environments. As time passes being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, for example using a family, households where both dad and mom 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, eliminating deployments. Each assignment provided a unique struggles; including when I was scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or perhaps the opposite. Another hurdle for GI Bill members will be the uncertainty of constant of their current vocation post service. There are several career paths that reap the benefits of permission or certification as opposed to a graduate degree. Or possibly one joined the plan to avoid an elegant educational setting, but end up necessary to engage in traditional learning environments greater than expected.

WHY YOU SHOULD

Just like I gave you main reasons why service members elect never to continue the amount (or otherwise put up a fight), you’ll find just like a lot of reasons, or more, why they need to. Personal growth can be acquired through countless platforms but let’s tell the truth if it’s not documented with the right institute the validity of your respective degree or certification declines. There’s more than simply adding your company name to a certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge of your respective field. It’s also a couple of proving your dedication by taking the excess step, letting others know you are taking yourself seriously and are on the way to the chief level.

Why wouldn’t anyone need to expand their knowledge of their dedicated field of choice? There is a kind of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really understand the nuances of the function. The expectation is always that you’ve got a good grasp on how things operate in their current field, college provides the chance to view a different side of an industry. Regardless of what field you’re in, people that get a degree in college commence to stand out and are considered the expert. Let’s face it, post-service jobs are not the things they used to be. So why not use your education as being a return on your investment – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Like the most of service members We’ve faced precisely the same obstacles discussed. I have already been through eight assignments and numerous deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Though it was difficult, it had been both a personal choice and accomplishment I figured I could not achieve. My ambition originated wanting to set the bar for my family, and prove to myself I could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I wanted to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching a professional level within my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving inside the military to be able to juggle both roles of student and Airman is crucial. While serving being experienced in your employment can be the key focus. Depending around the push from each of the branches leadership will drive how soon members move towards pursuing education while serving. Once the world is conflict school may take a backseat. As a result of high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is a thing one must consider when determining to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the persistence for a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the baby who desires to build up their particular educational path.
For more info about GI Bill you can check this useful web page: click site