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

OPINION: I’m sure after reading the title the majority of people who 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 thousands of lobbyers advocating for service men and women. Kind one decide to not earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will tell you now, neither I nor other people can answer that whenever looking at speaking for your mass.


The Soldiers are suffering from the ability to meet individuals all areas of life. Being in the Air Force (that i am sure it’s exactly the same for many branches), everyone’s story is unique. Maybe you enlisted together with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and today you’re looking to strengthen your knowledge. Or perhaps you honestly just need to check a box for professional development. In line with 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% 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 to not pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everyone, but merely only snapshot products I have experienced both personally via the eye area of my peers. Usually, essentially the most challenging obstacle is time, specifically duty diary for shift workers. The majority of active duty members who take good thing about educational benefits will most likely attend online classes as a result of an unpredictable schedule. According to your learning style this will likely become another barrier in comparison with traditional learning environments. Eventually being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, such as having a family, households where single parents serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there are always challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and I had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, not including deployments. Each assignment provided its very own struggles; including occasions when I was scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or even the opposite. Another hurdle for Graduate members will be the uncertainty of continuous inside their current industry post service. There are many career paths that reap the benefits of permission or certification as opposed to a graduate degree. Or simply one joined the intend to avoid an official educational setting, but are necessary to participate in traditional learning environments a lot more than expected.

Why you need to

Just as I gave you logic behind why service members elect to not continue their education (at least set up a fight), you will find just as various reasons, if not more, why they must. Personal growth can be obtained through countless platforms but let’s tell the truth if it’s not documented through the right institute the validity of your respective degree or certification declines. There’s not only adding your reputation with a certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge of your respective field. It’s also a matter of proving your dedication if you take any additional step, letting others know you adopt yourself seriously and they are maneuvering to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone wish to expand their knowledge inside their dedicated field of preference? There is a type of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really view the ins and outs of the function. The expectation is that one has a great grasp on how things are employed in their current field, higher education provides the opportunity to view a different side associated with an industry. Whatever field you’re in, those that get yourself a degree in higher education set out to stick out and they are considered the expert. Let’s be realistic, post-service efforts are not whatever they was once. So why not make use of education as a roi – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Exactly like the most service members I have faced exactly the same obstacles discussed. I have been through eight assignments and numerous deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Even though it was difficult, it had been both an individual choice and accomplishment I was thinking I possibly could not achieve. My ambition originated from looking 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 a professional level inside my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving inside the military the opportunity to juggle both roles of student and Airman is important. While serving being experienced with your employment can be the main focus. Depending about the push from each of the branches leadership will drive how rapid members move towards pursuing education while serving. In the event the world is within conflict school may take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select job areas, scheduling is something you need to consider when choosing to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the dedication to a graduate degree is ultimately the decision of the person who wants to develop their own educational path.
More information about Graduate take a look at the best web site: click now

Leave a Reply