Does having a college degree influence my military rank?

Hello, I'm planning on going in the military after I graduate college. Would having a degree affect my rank when I join? Could anyone explain how this works?

Yes, having a college degree could indeed influence your military rank upon joining. While it is certainly possible to advance within the military ranks without a college degree, completion of a degree can position you to start at a higher rank, such as an officer.

When you enlist in the military with a high school diploma or GED, you typically enter as a private (in the army), or the equivalent rank in other branches. However, if you have a college degree, you have the opportunity to become a commissioned officer after going through Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School, depending on the branch of service. This means you could start your military service at a higher rank such as Second Lieutenant in the Army, or its equivalent in other branches.

Officer positions often come with additional responsibilities and leadership roles, and they also typically have higher pay scales than enlisted ranks. Remember, different branches have different requirements and processes for becoming an officer, so I would recommend getting in touch with a recruiter in the branch you're interested in to get the most accurate and detailed information.

To put it into perspective, imagine two individuals enlist at the same time, one with a high school diploma and the other with a college degree. The one with a high school diploma may start as an E-1 (in the army, for example). The one with a bachelor's degree will have a chance to start as an O-1 after completing their training, which is a significantly higher rank.

But do note that military progression isn't solely dependent on education. Leadership skills, performance reviews, and experience are incredibly important factors in advancing your military career.