OPINION: I’m sure looking at the title many people who have not served will assume it’s a no-brainer. I mean the military is purchasing your education. Organizations like Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) have thousands of lobbyers advocating for service women and men. So why would one decide not to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will explain now, neither I nor other people can answer that whenever you are looking at speaking for the mass.


The Armed Forces allow us the chance to meet individuals from all areas of life. Being in the environment Force (which I am certain that it’s exactly the same for many branches), everyone’s story differs. Perhaps you enlisted along with your associates or bachelor’s degree already and after this you’re seeking to strengthen knowing about it. Or you honestly should just check a box for professional development. Based on the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only take into account 1.8% of master’s degree compared to the 46.3% of the officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between those people who are enlisted vs officers.

Why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect not to pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for anyone, but simply a mere snapshot of what We have experienced both personally and thru the eyes of my peers. Usually, one of the most challenging obstacle can be time, specifically duty diary for shift workers. Many active duty members who take good thing about educational benefits may attend online classes due to an unpredictable schedule. According to your learning style this might become another barrier in comparison to traditional learning environments. With time being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, for example creating a family, households where both dad and mom serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there are always challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, taking out deployments. Each assignment provided its struggles; including occasions when I became scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or even the opposite. Another hurdle for Army members is the uncertainty of constant inside their current vocation post service. There are some career paths that make use of permission or certification rather than a graduate degree. Or possibly one joined the intend to avoid an elegant educational setting, but are necessary to participate in traditional learning environments more than expected.

For you to

Equally as I gave you reasons why service members elect not to continue the amount (at least placed a fight), there are just like a number of, or maybe more, why they ought to. Personal growth can be purchased through countless platforms but let’s tell the truth if it’s not documented through the right institute the validity of your respective degree or certification declines. There’s not just adding your name into a certificate; it’s gaining the technical expertise in your respective field. It’s and a few proving your dedication if you take the extra step, letting others know you’re taking yourself seriously and so are maneuvering to the chief level.

Why wouldn’t anyone wish to expand her or his knowledge inside their dedicated field of? There is a type of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience lets you really view the how to go about the role. The expectation is always that you have a fantastic grasp on how things be employed in their current field, degree provides the possiblity to see a different side of the industry. No matter what field you’re in, people who get yourself a degree in degree begin to stick out and so are considered the expert. Let’s face the facts, post-service tasks are not what they was once. So why wouldn’t you use your education as a roi – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Similar to the majority of service members We have faced exactly the same obstacles discussed. I have already been through eight assignments and diverse deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Although it was difficult, it turned out both a private choice and accomplishment I believed I could not achieve. My ambition originated wanting to set the bar for my family, and prove to myself I could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I wanted to cultivate professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level in my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving from the military the opportunity to juggle both roles of student and Airman is crucial. While serving being proficient in your work will be the primary focus. Depending on the push from each one of the branches leadership will drive how quickly members move towards pursuing education while serving. If the world is within conflict school might take a backseat. Due to high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is a thing one must consider when determining to pursue a continued education. Like anything, the commitment to a graduate degree is ultimately your choice of the person who desires to develop their unique educational path.
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