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

OPINION: I’m sure reading the title the majority of people who’ve 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 women and men. Kind one decide to never earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor other people can answer that whenever looking at speaking to the mass.


The Armed Forces are suffering from the opportunity meet individuals all walks of life. In the Air Force (i am sure it’s precisely the same for those branches), everyone’s story differs. Maybe you enlisted with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and after this you’re seeking to strengthen knowing about it. Or maybe you honestly should just check a box for professional development. In line with the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only account for 1.8% of master’s degree when compared to the 46.3% of these officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those who find themselves enlisted vs officers.

So why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect to never pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everybody, but just a mere snapshot of the items I’ve experienced both personally and throughout your eyes of my peers. Usually, essentially the most challenging obstacle is time, specifically duty schedule for shift workers. Nearly all active duty members having benefit of educational benefits may attend online classes because of an unpredictable schedule. Depending on your learning style this will likely become another barrier when compared with traditional learning environments. With time being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, including having a family, households where both mom and dad serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but you will always find challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and i also had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, taking out deployments. Each assignment provided a unique struggles; including times when I had been scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or opposite. Another hurdle for Education members may be the uncertainty of continuous inside their current industry post service. There are many career paths that take advantage of permission or certification as opposed to a graduate degree. Or simply one joined the plan to avoid an official educational setting, but are necessary to be involved in traditional learning environments greater than expected.

Why you ought to

Just like I gave you reasons why service members elect to never continue their education (at least put up a battle), there are just like a number of, if not more, why they must. Personal growth can be acquired through countless platforms but let’s tell the truth if it’s not documented through the right institute the validity of one’s degree or certification declines. There’s not just adding your reputation to a certificate; it’s gaining the technical knowledge of your respective field. It’s another matter of proving your dedication by subtracting the excess step, letting others know you take yourself seriously and are heading to the executive level.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to expand their knowledge inside their dedicated field associated with preference? There is a very common assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really view the particulars of the part. The expectation is that you have a fantastic grasp on how things be employed in their current field, advanced schooling provides the possibility to view a different side of the industry. No matter 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 tasks are not what they was previously. So why wouldn’t you make use of education being a roi – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Just like the majority of service members I’ve faced precisely the same obstacles discussed. I’ve been through eight assignments and diverse deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Community . was difficult, it was both your own choice and accomplishment I was thinking I can not achieve. My ambition came from planning to set the bar for my family, and prove to myself I can complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I want to to grow professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching a professional level in my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving inside the military the ability to juggle both roles of student and Airman is crucial. While serving being experienced with your employment will be the key focus. Depending around the push from each one of the branches leadership will drive how rapid members move towards pursuing education while serving. When the world is conflict school may take a backseat. Because of high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is a thing one must consider when deciding to pursue an extended education. Like anything, the resolve for a graduate degree is ultimately the choice of the people who would like to develop their particular educational path.
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