US Army Education programs

[Argyll]

I hear a lot of stories of how some folks just join up to get college degrees,funded by the Military.
How do these education programs work for enlisted men/women?
Where do they find the time to do such programs?

In the British Army Education only starts when you're nearing promotion to the level of Sergeant,and is a 6 week course,or it used to bemi do not know what the new criteria is .

Education was for advancement in rank only in the British Army

[marktigger]

From what i could gather from reservists i met in the Gulf there are funds available to help pay college/university fees for reservists with a pay back time. I sure the Americans on here will give us the details. It does sound an interesting Idea.

[11F5S]

http://www.goarmy.com/army101/benefits.htm

http://www.earmyu.com/

http://www.pwcglobal.com/extweb/industry.nsf/docid/70DD8583B9CC0983852569D2004D6F71

[Argyll]

That is very interesting,I'd assume the merits of having this type of educational system benefit both the army and the Soldier in question?

Does a soldier ask for an education package when he joins?
Does he/she serve in a unit but do this on their own time,or during Army time?

Do they have to commit a length of service to see them through thes programs?

The only thing I see wrong with this,is that in the Army you'd be a soldier 1st and foremost,and a student lastly?

Does it have any effect on morale when kids join up for educational reasons,other than proffesional and patriotic reasons?

It sounds like a great deal for those who wish education

[WARPIG]

There are so many programs.. I don't know where to start. For the most part... providing sources for soldier's to educate themselves has been an enormous benefit to the Army and to the soldiers. Soldiers who would not otherwise enlist because the seek education, join with knowledge that they can take some limited courses during their tour of duty... benefit from the military training, and gain experience while earning money for college. This benefit is there at the soldiers request, and is there at their pace. This benefits the Army by growing the individual soldier, growing their technical, organizational, and learning skills. It also opens many more doors of opportunity to the Commisioned Officer Corps. The Officer's corps gains Officers who normally would not have any tactical or combat experience.
Yes there are a few soldiers that seem only to care about what they can gain from the Army while doing the least. This is not a substantial problem though. The education program is one of the major factors that contribute to the professional and diverse skill pool that is growing into the Army of today.

[11F5S]

It doesn't matter what a person's motivation for joining is, it's how they perform their job that matters.

I joined the Army to avoid the draft...I joined SF to avoid the Army.

IMO soldiers who value education make the best soldiers.

[Argyll]

Nice answer there 11F5S :D

So how do these programs work in relation to a soldiers working day?

For example our day in an Infantry battalion was weapons training ,PT,Drill ,and Miscellaneous other lessons such as Signals and Map reading.

Where does the US Army education slot in compared to a regular traininfg schedule?

Do the ones on these programs get removed from their parent units to go to educational courses etc?,or do they do all their courses in house?

[11F5S]

Nice answer there 11F5S :D

So how do these programs work in relation to a soldiers working day?

For example our day in an Infantry battalion was weapons training ,PT,Drill ,and Miscellaneous other lessons such as Signals and Map reading.

Where does the US Army education slot in compared to a regular traininfg schedule?

Do the ones on these programs get removed from their parent units to go to educational courses etc?,or do they do all their courses in house?

They are done on the soldiers own time.....many don't use the benefits till after they leave active duty......just as many civilians do, some soldiers manage to finish a degree while working a full time job (soldiering). It's very hard but not impossible to do this when employed in combat arms.
I earned a second BA degree while in.


Today distance learning makes it easier for both civilians and military personnel to do both.

The Army Green to Gold program is another option for soldiers to earn a degree and a commission at the same time.

http://www-rotc.monroe.army.mil/scholarships/green/

[basket of soft kittens]

are their any such programs for the marines? if so what are the specifics. p-) thanks

[SeanAshi]

I'm going to graduate from college then join up, and I'm almost done. My tuition went up 30% in one semester! and its going up again. $14,500 for one semester.