Howdy y'all! What's the highest military rank one can get to without going to college? I'm still weighing my college options but I want to understand how far I can realistically go in the military without a degree. I'm no stranger to hard work. Any advice from personal experience or what you've seen would be super appreciated!
In the U.S. military, the possibility of achieving a high rank without a degree depends on the branch of service, as each has its own requirements and path for advancement. In the enlisted ranks, it is indeed possible to ascend quite high without a college degree.
In the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, for example, you can reach the rank of E-9 (Sergeant Major in the Army, Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marines, Master Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force). These are the highest enlisted ranks and they are achievable without a four-year college degree, though it can be challenging and requires excellent performance reviews, leadership abilities, and sometimes specialized skill sets.
In the officer ranks, however, a college degree is often required. Officers typically start at the rank of O-1 (Second Lieutenant in the Army, Air Force and Marines, and Ensign in the Navy) after earning a Bachelor's degree and completing Officer Candidate School.
Where things can get a bit more complex is in the Warrant Officer ranks, which are specialty officers with authority that lies somewhere between enlisted members and commissioned officers. In the Army and Marines, you can become a Warrant Officer without a degree after reaching the rank of E-4 (Corporal/Specialist), but getting accepted into Warrant Officer Candidate School is very competitive.
Do note that these guidelines are for the U.S. military and might differ for military services in other countries. Always check with the specific recruiter for most accurate information. Keep in mind, while not having a degree does not necessarily limit your advancement in the military, having one may enhance your opportunities and increase your competitiveness for advancements or special assignments.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.