If I go to college and then join the military, would my degree boost my pay in E3 rank? Do they take your education into account when determining your pay in the military? Would really appreciate some clarity.
Yes, having a college degree does potentially influence your pay scale when you join the military, but it might not directly affect your pay at the E3 level. In general, your specific job, experience, and time in service are the primary factors impacting your basic pay at E3.
However, having a degree could allow you to enter the service at a higher pay grade. For instance, if you join with a bachelor's degree, you could enter as an officer (O1) instead of an enlisted soldier (E1, E2, E3), which comes with a significantly higher base pay. It's also worth noting that officers have additional leadership and management responsibilities compared to enlisted personnel.
Besides base pay, there are also other forms of compensation in the military, such as housing allowance, food allowance, and various special pays. Having a degree might not directly increase these forms of compensation, but being at a higher rank (like an officer) could increase your total compensation.
I recommend talking to a recruiter or researching more about the path to commission as an officer if you're interested in learning more about how your degree can impact your military career and compensation.
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