Should I go to college after military?

I’m coming up on the end of my junior year and I’m weighing different options for what to do after high school. I’ve been thinking about joining the military first, but I'm unsure if I should go to college afterward. Is this a common route? What should I consider when making this decision?

Absolutely, attending college after your military service is quite common and can offer numerous benefits, both from an educational perspective and in potential career opportunities afterward. Several military members choose to pursue higher education after their service to either venture out into civilian jobs leveraging their military training or develop expertise in a completely new field of interest.

One significant advantage of learning post-military is the potential financial benefits. The government provides service members with educational benefits, often covering the majority, if not all, educational costs. One such benefit is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can cover up to 100% of your tuition and fees at an in-state public school or up to a specified maximum amount for private or foreign schools.

You should also think about how your service experience and the skills you've developed during your time can contribute to your post-service career goals. For instance, leadership, discipline, problem-solving, cultural competency are some of the high-demand traits cultivated in the military. These transferable skills can be of great benefit in academic environments and in the civilian job market.

However, the transition from military life to civilian and student life can sometimes be challenging. Some veterans report having trouble relating to traditional students who may not have had the same experiences, and the academic workload and schedules can feel unfamiliar at first.Ultimately, the decision on whether you should attend college after the military is a personal one and based on your life goals, career goals, and personal preferences. It's essential you take some time to think about what you want to do in your post-military life and career, where your interests lie, and how a college education fits into that picture.