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

OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title most people 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 tens of thousands of lobbyers advocating for service women and men. Sort of search one decide never to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will show you now, neither I nor other people can answer that after you are looking for speaking for your mass.


The Defense force are suffering from the chance to meet individuals all parts of society. Finding myself the Air Force (i am certain that it’s precisely the same for many branches), everyone’s story is different. You may enlisted along with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and today you’re trying to strengthen knowing. Or perhaps you honestly simply need to check a box for professional development. Based on the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only take into account 1.8% of master’s degree when compared to 46.3% of their officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between people 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 everybody, but simply just snapshot of the items I’ve experienced both personally and thru the eyes of my peers. Usually, the most challenging obstacle turns out to be time, specifically duty diary for shift workers. Virtually all active duty members having advantage of educational benefits may attend classes online on account of an unpredictable schedule. According to your learning style this will likely become another barrier in comparison with traditional learning environments. As time passes being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, for example developing a family, households where both mom and dad serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there will always be challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and I had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, excluding deployments. Each assignment provided its very own struggles; including occasions when I was scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or the opposite. Another hurdle for Masters members will be the uncertainty of constant inside their current industry post service. There are several career paths that take advantage of a license or certification instead of a graduate degree. Or maybe one joined the intend to avoid a formal educational setting, but are necessary to be involved in traditional learning environments over expected.

WHY YOU SHOULD

Just like I gave you main reasons why service members elect never to continue their education (or otherwise put up a fight), there are equally as many reasons, or even more, why they ought to. Personal growth can be had through countless platforms but let’s boost the comfort if it’s not documented from the right institute the validity of your degree or certification declines. There’s more than just adding your reputation to some certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge of your respective field. It’s also a few proving your dedication through the additional step, letting others know you adopt yourself seriously and they are going to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone desire to expand his / her knowledge inside their dedicated field associated with preference? There is a type of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience enables you to really comprehend the ins and outs of the role. The expectation is always that one has a great grasp on how things work in their current field, college affords the chance to see a different side of an industry. No matter what field you’re in, those that get a degree in college set out to stand out and they are considered the expert. Let’s be realistic, post-service efforts are not what they had been. Filter systems takes place education as a return on investment – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Just like the tastes service members I’ve faced precisely the same obstacles discussed. I’ve been through eight assignments and various deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Community . was difficult, it absolutely was both an individual choice and accomplishment I was thinking I really could not achieve. My ambition originated in attempting to set the bar for my family, and prove to myself I really could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I needed to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level within my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving in the military the ability to juggle both roles of student and Airman is essential. While serving being experienced with your work will almost always be the primary focus. Depending for the push from all the branches leadership will drive how rapid members move towards pursuing education while serving. In the event the world is within conflict school usually takes a backseat. Due to 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 resolve for a graduate degree is ultimately the choice of the individual who wants to produce their own educational path.
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