Balancing College and Military Commitments

Quick ask, I’m trying to wrap my head around the logistics of attending college and serving in the military at the same time. Anyone have any insights, pointers on how to make it work? Do colleges provide support for such cases?

Definitely, there are numerous ways you can balance both college and military service at the same time. Many students opt to join the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), National Guard, or reserves of a branch of the military. This allows them to take their classes while also getting military training.

ROTC programs are available on many college campuses, and in exchange for a few years of active duty service after graduation, these programs often come with hefty scholarships. You'll be expected to take military science classes along with your regular coursework and participate in weekly drills.

The National Guard and military reserves also allow you to serve while studying, usually expecting one weekend of service per month and a two-week training period each year. The commitments may sometimes get in the way of your academics (for example, if your annual two weeks fall during your finals week) and additional obligations can arise in case of emergencies. But many of these branches provide educational benefits too, moving some of the financial stress off your shoulders.

As for your concern about college support, colleges are typically accommodating for active-duty military or National Guard students. They may offer priority registration, special housing options, extensions on assignments when military duties conflict, and sometimes even military-specific academic advising. It's recommended that you connect with the campus' veterans affairs department or the Dean of Students office, as they can guide you regarding the services available.

Still, balancing these commitments takes strong time management. And it's helpful to keep your professors informed about your commitments, so they understand why you might have to miss class occasionally or turn in an assignment late.

Example: A friend of mine in college did the Army ROTC program while studying engineering. He had to wake up really early for physical training and take military science classes on top of his normal course load. Despite his busy schedule, he graduated on time with minimal student loans due to the scholarship from ROTC. Given his military commitments, he had to be extremely disciplined with his time, but he said that the experience was well worth it.