In the event you Pursue your Master’s Degree in the Military?

OPINION: I’m sure reading the title the majority of people who have not served will assume it’s a no-brainer. I mean the military is purchasing your education. Organizations like Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) have hundreds of thousands of lobbyers advocating for service people. Kind one decide to not earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor anyone else can answer that whenever you are looking at speaking for that mass.


The Defense force allow us the chance to meet individuals all parts of society. Finding yourself in the Air Force (i guarantee it’s the identical for all branches), everyone’s story differs. You may enlisted along with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and today you’re trying to strengthen knowing about it. Otherwise you honestly must 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 compared to the 46.3% of the officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those who are enlisted vs officers.

Why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect to not pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everybody, but just snapshot of the I’ve experienced both personally and throughout the eyes of my peers. Usually, one of the most challenging obstacle can be time, specifically duty agenda for shift workers. Virtually all active duty members taking benefit of educational benefits will more than likely attend classes online because of an unpredictable schedule. Depending on your learning style this may become another barrier in comparison to traditional learning environments. After a while being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, like having a family, households where single parents serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but you will always find challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and that i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, eliminating deployments. Each assignment provided its very own struggles; including occasions when I became scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or perhaps the opposite. Another hurdle for Navy members may be the uncertainty of constant inside their current industry post service. There are a few career paths that benefit from permission or certification rather than a graduate degree. Or perhaps one joined the want to avoid a proper educational setting, but wind up necessary to participate in traditional learning environments greater than expected.

For you to

Just as I gave you logic behind why service members elect to not continue their education (at least offered a battle), you can find just as many reasons, or more, why they should. Personal growth can be had through countless platforms but let’s be honest if it’s not documented from the right institute the validity of one’s degree or certification declines. There’s more than just adding your name to a certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge of your respective field. It’s additionally a few proving your dedication if you take any additional step, letting others know you are taking yourself seriously and so are going to the chief level.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to expand her or his knowledge inside their dedicated field of? There is a very common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience enables you to really comprehend the nuances of the function. The expectation is that you have an excellent grasp on what things are employed in their current field, advanced schooling provides the opportunity to see a different side of an industry. Whatever field you’re in, those who get yourself a degree in advanced schooling begin to stand out and so are considered the expert. Let’s admit it, post-service tasks are not whatever they had been. So why don’t you takes place education as a return – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Similar to the most of service members I’ve faced the identical obstacles discussed. I have been through eight assignments and various deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Although it was difficult, it had been both a personal choice and accomplishment I was thinking I possibly could not achieve. My ambition originated in wanting to set the bar in my family, and influence myself I possibly could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I desired to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching a professional level in my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving from the military the ability to juggle both roles of student and Airman is vital. While serving being experienced in your employment will be the primary focus. Depending for the push from all the branches leadership will drive how fast members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is at conflict school might take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select job areas, scheduling is something you must consider when choosing to pursue a continued education. Like anything, the resolve for a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the individual who aspires to formulate their own educational path.
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