How Common is Joining the Military After Completing College?

This one's mainly out of curiosity: how common is it for people to join the military after finishing their college degrees? Are there specific roles or paths in the military that college grads tend to go into? Love to hear your thoughts on this.

Joining the military after completing a college degree is not uncommon, but it's also not the typical path that a majority of college graduates follow. According to data from the Department of Defense, as of 2019, about 17% of enlisted soldiers and 80% of officers hold at least a bachelor's degree. So, while most people entering the military do not have a college degree, a significant portion of the officer corps does.

College graduates who join the military often become officers, which is a leadership position that generally requires a bachelor's degree. Enlisted personnel usually have a high school diploma or GED, but not a four-year degree.

The path to becoming an officer typically involves going through an Officer Candidate School (OCS) or a similar training program. There are also Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs at many universities that allow students to train for a military career while earning their degree.

In terms of specific roles or paths, it varies widely depending on the individual's interests, degree, and skills. Some may pursue roles related to their field of study - for instance, those with engineering degrees might become combat engineers, or those with healthcare degrees might join the medical corps. Others may pursue roles unrelated to their degree based on their interest in a specific area of the military.

Of course, this is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Joining the military involves a significant commitment, and it's important to be fully informed about what it entails. Consulting with a military recruitment officer, speaking with current or former military personnel, and doing your own research can all be helpful steps in making this decision.