What's the process for enlisting in the military with an associate's degree?

I recently completed an associate's degree and am considering joining the military. How does an associate's degree influence my enlistment options, rank, or pay? Are there specific roles I should explore?

Joining the military with an associate's degree can certainly provide some advantages. In general, having an associate's degree could open up more opportunities and give you a higher rank upon enlistment.

For instance, in the U.S. Army, when you've earned at least 24 college credits (which is roughly equivalent to an associate's degree), you can enter as an E-2 Private Second Class instead of an E-1 Private. Similarly, in the U.S. Air Force, with an associate's degree, you can likely enter at the E-3 Airman First Class rank, bypassing the two lowest ranks.

As each branch of the military has individual policies regarding education credentials, it's worthwhile to research and request information from the specific branches you're interested in to clarify their rules. Remember, this is a high-level overview and is subject to change as military policies can vary year by year.

As for the roles, having an associate's degree could potentially open up more specialized roles that might require some level of college education. For example, roles in technical fields, health care, or administration might favor applicants with some college education. Be sure to ask the recruiters about the potential roles that would value an associate's degree.

Finally, do note that having a degree could influence your starting rank, which has a direct impact on your starting pay. Higher ranks receive higher pay, and thus you may start with a higher income from your military service than a high school diploma holder.

However, military compensation involves more than just base pay. Factors such as housing allowance, special duty pay, health care, education incentives, and retirement benefits can also form a substantial part of military compensation. It would be beneficial to discuss this in detail with a recruiter.

Remember, the military is not only about starting rank or pay. It's a significant commitment, and factors such as interest in the role, physical fitness, and willingness to serve should also be major considerations in your decision.