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

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


The Defense force allow us the opportunity to meet individuals from all areas of life. Being in the environment Force (which I am sure it’s the identical for all branches), everyone’s story is unique. You may enlisted along with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and after this you’re planning to strengthen knowing about it. Or you honestly must check a box for professional development. According to the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only are the cause of 1.8% of master’s degree when compared to the 46.3% with their 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 everybody, but merely a snapshot of the We have experienced both personally via your eye area of my peers. Usually, one of the most challenging obstacle can be time, specifically duty agenda for shift workers. The majority of active duty members having benefit of educational benefits may attend online classes as a result of an unpredictable schedule. Based on your learning style this could become another barrier in comparison with traditional learning environments. With time being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, such as developing a family, households where both mom and dad serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there are always 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 its own struggles; including when I used to be scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or perhaps the opposite. Another hurdle for Education members could be the uncertainty of constant in their current career field 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 proper educational setting, but find themselves forced to participate in traditional learning environments more than expected.

For you to

Equally as I gave you explanations why service members elect to never continue the amount (or at least offered a fight), you will find just like various reasons, or maybe 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 company name with a certificate; it’s gaining the technical expertise in your respective field. It’s another a few proving your dedication by taking the additional step, letting others know you’re taking yourself seriously and are going to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to expand his / her knowledge in their dedicated field of choice? There is a very common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really view the particulars of the role. The expectation is that one has a good grasp about how things are employed in their current field, advanced schooling gives the possibility to visit a different side of an industry. Regardless of what field you’re in, those that have a degree in advanced schooling set out to stand out and are considered the expert. Let’s be realistic, post-service jobs are not what they was previously. So why not make use of education as being a return – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Exactly like the most service members We have faced the identical obstacles discussed. I have already been through eight assignments and numerous deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Community . was difficult, it had been both your own choice and accomplishment I thought I possibly could not achieve. My ambition originated in attempting to set the bar in my family, and prove to myself I possibly could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I needed to develop professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level within my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving inside the military the opportunity to juggle both roles of student and Airman is crucial. While serving being experienced in your employment can be the primary focus. Depending around the push from each one of the branches leadership will drive how quickly members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is in conflict school may take a backseat. Because of high operation tempos in select job areas, scheduling is one thing you have to consider when deciding to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the persistence for a graduate degree is ultimately the choice of the individual who desires to produce their own educational path.
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