Education Levels of Military Personnel?

I've always been curious about this one - what percentage of our military personnel hold college degrees? Does it differ significantly between different branches of the military or within the enlisted versus officer categories?

The educational level of military personnel does indeed vary based on whether service members are enlisted or officers, as well as among the different branches. Here are some general numbers, based on statistics from the Department of Defense:

Approximately 82.8% of U.S. military officers in 2020 held at least a bachelor's degree compared to 5.7% of enlisted personnel. Many officers have even higher levels of education, with 42% having advanced degrees such as master's, professional, or doctoral degrees.

These figures can also vary among the different branches. For instance, the Air Force has the highest percentage of officers with advanced degrees, followed by the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps.

Keep in mind, though, that these statistics can change year to year, and the specifics can depend on recruitment and retention efforts, changes in military policy, the state of the economy, and other variables. It's advised to check for the most recent numbers based on your specific interest. Also, note that this information does not account for education that military service members may pursue after their active-duty service. Many veterans pursue higher education after their service terms, sometimes with the help of benefits such as the GI Bill.