question for any military people...

[GLax]

i know this is very off topic.. i was wondering what your opinion on going to college while in the military is. would it be easier to get it out of the way b4 you go in or would it make no real difference other than taking longer to get your degree... i only ask because i have an oppurtunity to get my associates degree in 3 semesters but i also plan on joining the Army. (infantry) thx for ur help...

[James]

I would encourage you to get the AA and continue to study while on active duty. My path was a little different - 2 years as an undergrad, 4 years active duty, then 2 more years of school and a BA. I was USMC infantry. There are a lot of opportunities for higher education while serving on active duty, but being in the infantry can make it difficult sometimes. We would often find out on a Friday that we were going to the field the following Monday and wouldn't be back for ten days. Our SNCOs were usually not very sympathetic about someone having a midterm. That said, the schools these guys went to were very understanding, and would let them make up a test later, have more time for assignments, etc.
Anyway, those are some things to consider.

[ibstolidude]

go before unless you too wish to be on the "4 term college plan"...
bush, clinton, clinton, bush...

(Beowulf, your screwed!!! lol )

[GLax]

thxfor the help guys.. the whole infantry thing was what i was worried about because thats what i plan on doing and they probably train more than anybody. i dont me to sound like a complete flag waver, but i would feel guilty if i went to college while there was something of a war going on. the fact that i would be safe at home while other guys my age are sweating it out in the desert kind of bothers me...

[Duke]

There's a previous thread on this question.
The military encourages civilian education during enlistment with several programs. I don't know the exact names of Army programs, but I'm sure we have exactly the same programs. They include:
(NONROTC)
-YOU recieve regular pay and additional allowance (just enough for PT enrollment), inturn YOU must pay for any in additional costs of college.
-MILITARY sends you to any college you are accepted. MILITARY pays. SOME PERSONNEL MUST major in a particular subject--NURSING.

As for going to school prior to enlistment, I would advise to go to school. For the reason that any enlisted personnel who grads from Boot with 60 college credits or an AA is automatically an E-3. In turn, not only do you have additional pay, but one hell of an arguement to the powers that be that you should complete your Bachelors.

[Chris1]

Tip, Education first, career afterwards.
You don't know what is going to happen a few years down the line. **** up your education and you're cleaning bins for the rest of your life if something goes wrong.

[Apogee]

I have to throw my two cents in here and just remind you that the Academy is always here.

[tally]

School bro, the military is not going anywhere. The more school you have prior to going in the more opportunities you will have once your in. The military is a hierarchy, why not go in on top of most people? Become an officer. Sure you can go to school in the military, but it is not as easy as it is when your a civilian, unless you get into one of the programs Duke was talking about.

Since your in school, why not just do what most people don't do, thats finish your degree. Many people in the military wish they had a college degree, so they could have a little pull, and not be on the bottom all the time.

Do you want more opportunity in life? Get a degree or two.