College Degree Impact on Joining the Military

Hey all, I'm currently a high school junior planning on going to college, but after that, I'm considering the military as the next step. I'm wondering, does having a college degree affect how you join the military? Are there any advantages or opportunities that might be available to college grads as opposed to those without a degree?

Sure, good question! Having a college degree can definitely impact how you join the military, along with the types of opportunities that are available to you.

In many branches of the U.S. Armed Services, individuals who hold at least a Bachelor's degree have the chance to join as officers, as opposed to enlisted personnel. Officers typically have higher pay scales and increased leadership responsibilities when compared to their enlisted counterparts.

For example, in the U.S. Army, a person with a college degree has the ability to join through the Officer Candidate School (OCS), which consists of 12 weeks of rigorous training. Once that training is complete, candidates are commissioned as second lieutenants.

Similarly, the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps have programs like Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Officer Training School (OTS), where college graduates without prior military experience can earn a commission.

There are also specialized career paths that may require a degree. These include areas such as engineering, medicine, law, or aviation, where having a degree can give you opportunities in specialized roles that wouldn't be available otherwise.

It's worth noting that these pathways might require additional training or qualifications. So, joining the military with a degree could lead to more responsibilities and leadership roles earlier in your career, compared to joining without a degree.

Finally, tuition assistance and student loan repayment are benefits offered by many branches of the military, so you can also consider these factors when making your decision.

However, it's always a good idea to do further research and speak with a military recruiter to get more personalized and in-depth information based on your specific interests and career goals.