Although many choose to enlist and serve in the military after high school, some college graduates can leverage their education and enter the military at a higher rank with leadership opportunities.
There are advantages to each approach, and both offer an invaluable set of skills and experiences that will serve you in your post-college and post-service career. Joining the military after earning your degree could be a strategic and rewarding decision that provides a strong foundation for a successful military career and future civilian endeavors. We put together a list of some of the key benefits of joining the military with a college degree:
- Gain a Competitive Edge as a Military Leader with Your Education
- Enjoy a More Structured and Stable Career Path While Helping Your Family
- Experience a Smoother Post-Service Transition
1. Gain a Competitive Edge as a Military Leader with Your Education
One of the key advantages of joining the military after college is the eligibility to enlist as an officer, whether by joining the military through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Officer Candidate School or by meeting the educational requirements of obtaining your degree.
Because commissioned officers are required to have a bachelor’s degree, this path gives you an opportunity to assume an immediate leadership role as well as command a higher salary and benefits during your service. As a student who enrolls in military studies or related disciplines, you’ll gain a strong foundation for a leadership role in the military and learn the history and infrastructure of modern military practices. Military Studies is a multidisciplinary program which covers a range of topics including military history, strategy, tactics, military-civilian relations, leadership, and personnel management.
Financial Assistance for Education
Student loan debt is a significant concern for many college graduates and fortunately, the military offers several programs to help reduce this burden. Service branches have College Loan Repayment Programs (CLRP) which will repay a portion of your student loan debt as long as you are serving. These programs are structured to pay off your debt by percentage depending on the number of years of service; for example, the Army CLRP will pay 33.3% of your loan per year of service, up to $65,000.
Additionally, active-duty service members can take advantage of military tuition assistance, the Graduate Education Voucher, or other programs, which help cover the cost of graduate programs and other forms of continuing education. Other service branches offer different structures, so it is important to research the numbers if this is an important consideration for you.
2. Enjoy a More Structured and Stable Career Path While Helping Your Family
Although a college degree is valuable, many graduates face uncertainty in the job market. Enlisting in military service is not only a great way to learn great leadership and collaborative skills, but it launches a service career with a structured progression path right after graduation. Military training and service is a full-time job, and you will be paid consistently in a way that’s commensurate with your rank.
Service members also receive comprehensive benefits, including housing, healthcare, food allowances, and education assistance as previously mentioned. These benefits extend to family members, providing financial and domestic security.
3. Experience a Smoother Post-Service Transition
If you attend college, you’ll gain social benefits that include making connections with others that will serve you when your military service ends. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that there’s an adjustment period for veterans post military service. Resources such as a Veterans Employment Toolkit educate others about common challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service into civilian life help the process.
You may have already started a civilian career while in college or have a clear idea of what you want to do because of your education, and your professors and friends can help you get settled, start work, and find your footing as a civilian. Earning a degree and joining the military afterwards equips you so that you’ll have an educational background and professional network to support your next career move.
Learn More About Military Studies at Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University provides high-quality degree programs tailored to meet the needs of military personnel and veterans. Our online classes, flexible scheduling, and deep familiarity with military service members make us an ideal choice to start your journey.
Learn more about our military degree programs and resources available in our College of Military Studies and Leadership.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth
Any reference to United States Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, products or services does not constitute or imply endorsement by the DoD. Paid ad. No federal endorsement of advertiser(s) intended.
