College Credits in the Military?

I've heard some folks in the military might've earned some college credits but didn't complete the degree, can anyone provide some insights on this? What percentage of military personnel have some level of college education?

Yes, the military values education and offers ways to earn college credit outside of traditional classroom settings. This can happen through professional military education (PME), specialized training, and job experience. Depending on the branch of service and the specific training, these credits may transfer to civilian colleges and universities. Understandably, the applicability of these credits depends largely on the institution to which one plans to transfer them.

In terms of your second question, regarding the percentage of military personnel with some college education, the National Center for Education Statistics reported in 2019 that about 37% of service members have some college education but no degree, while roughly 36% hold an associate's degree or higher.

However, one note of caution is that while some credits earned in the military can be transferred to a civilian institution, it's important to check with the institution to understand how these credits align with your intended degree program. While some credits may translate directly, others might not, and this can affect your educational progression and timetable.

In conclusion, military service can provide significant educational benefits, although navigating the transfer of credits can be complex. Many service members have taken advantage of these opportunities and have earned college credit or degrees.