What happens if you join the military after getting an Associate's degree?

Hey gang, trying to plan my life here. My current plan is to get an Associate's degree and then join the military. Does anyone know what happens if you sign up for the army with an Associate's degree? Like, are there any privileges or benefits that they provide? Thanks in advance.

Having an associate degree when you enlist in the military can offer several benefits in terms of job placement, rank, and educational opportunities.

One primary advantage is being eligible for certain military jobs or specialties that might require more education. Your associate degree could qualitatively enhance your application when seeking these specialized roles.

Additionally, the degree may help you enter the military at a slightly higher rank. For example, in the U.S. Army, a recruit with an associate degree typically starts at the rank of E-3 (Private First Class), whereas those with a high school diploma typically start at E-1 (Private).

Another advantage to consider is future educational goals. Once enlisted, there are programs like the Military Tuition Assistance Program (TA) that can cover a significant portion of your tuition costs if you decide to continue your education while serving. For instance, you could use this program to complete a bachelor's degree, given that you already have an associate degree.

Finally, consider potential benefits after your service, the GI Bill, which can cover a significant portion of college expenses, also supports graduate degrees. The fact that you already have an associate degree puts you closer to more advanced levels of education should you choose to take advantage of this benefit.

Keep in mind, however, that military life and regular college life can be incredibly different. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of your choices, and try speaking with a military recruiter and a college counselor to help make an informed decision.