Should I attend college before joining the military?

I'm currently a junior and I've been considering two different paths after high school: military or college. I was wondering if it would be more logical to go to college first before joining the military? I've heard there can be benefits to this approach, but I'm not entirely clear on what they might be. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Your approach will largely depend on your personal and career goals. There are indeed benefits to both paths and here's a little breakdown to consider:

1. Enlisting after high school: Enlisting straight out of high school allows you to gain hands-on training and valuable experience in a wide range of fields. The military provides an opportunity for steady income, benefits, and potentially, specialized training in a field of interest. Importantly, many military programs will pay for college education, either during service or post-enlistment, meaning you could potentially earn a degree without incurring the debt that many students face.

2. Attending college before enlisting: This route offers you a distinct advantage: the potential to join the military as an officer, rather than an enlisted soldier. Officers are typically given more responsibilities and have higher pay grades than enlisted personnel. They're also typically the ones in leadership roles. To join the military as an officer, one usually needs a bachelor's degree. Another route is through Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs offered by many colleges, which combine military education with college study.

It's a very personal decision, and what might work best for one person might not work best for another. You should consider factors like your career ambitions, financial situation, and whether you're eager to start your career immediately or if you're more interested in a traditional college experience first.