When you Pursue your Master’s Degree in the Military?

When you Pursue your Master’s Degree in the Military?

OPINION: I’m sure seeing the title the majority of people who have not served will assume it’s a no-brainer. I mean the military is investing in your education. Organizations like Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) have thousands and thousands of lobbyers advocating for service males and females. Kind one decide not to earn their Master’s degree? Well…I will advise you now, neither I nor other people can answer that after you are looking for speaking to the mass.


The Military allow us the chance to meet individuals from all of avenues of life. Finding yourself in air Force (that i am certain that it’s precisely the same for all branches), everyone’s story is unique. Maybe you enlisted using your associates or bachelor’s degree already and today you’re seeking to strengthen your knowledge. Or you honestly simply need to check a box for professional development. In line with the Air Force Demographics, Air Force enlisted members only are the cause of 1.8% of master’s degree when compared to the 46.3% of the officers. This statistic emphasizes the varying education levels between people who find themselves enlisted vs officers.

So why NOT

Now, why would any serviceman or woman elect not to pursue traditional learning? Again these circumstances cannot speak for everybody, but only snapshot of the We have experienced both personally via your eyes of my peers. Usually, probably the most challenging obstacle can be time, specifically duty agenda for shift workers. Nearly all active duty members who take good thing about educational benefits will more than likely attend classes on the web because of an unpredictable schedule. Based on your learning style this will likely become another barrier when compared with traditional learning environments. After a while being unpredictable obstacles inevitably arise, like creating a family, households where both mom and dad serve, single parents, etc. All circumstances vary, but there’s always challenges along this rocky road.

Twelve years into my service and that i had (Permanent Change of Station) PCS into my eighth assignment, excluding deployments. Each assignment provided a unique struggles; including occasions when I was scheduled for duty sunrise to sunset – or even the opposite. Another hurdle for Marines members may be the uncertainty of constant of their current industry post service. There are several career paths that make use of permission or certification rather than graduate degree. Or simply one joined the service to avoid a proper educational setting, but end up required to take part in traditional learning environments greater than expected.

Why you ought to

In the same way I gave you explanations why service members elect not to continue their education (at least put up a fight), you’ll find in the same way a lot of reasons, or more, why they ought to. Personal growth can be obtained through countless platforms but let’s be honest if it’s not documented from the right institute the validity of the degree or certification declines. There’s not just adding your business to some certificate; it’s gaining the technical understanding your respective field. It’s and a few proving your dedication by taking the extra step, letting others know you are taking yourself seriously and are going to the manager level.

Why wouldn’t anyone desire to expand their knowledge of their dedicated field of choice? There is a kind of assumption that you’re “in the field” experience allows you to really see the particulars of the part. The expectation is always that you’ve a fantastic grasp on what things work in their current field, college affords the possiblity to view a different side of your industry. It doesn’t matter what field you’re in, those that obtain a degree in college set out to be noticeable and are considered the expert. Let’s admit it, post-service effort is not what you was once. So why wouldn’t you make use of education as a return on investment – of yourself.

WHY DID I?

Exactly like the most service members We have faced precisely the same obstacles discussed. I have already been through eight assignments and numerous deployments including Pakistan and Iraq. Even though it was difficult, it had been both a personal choice and accomplishment I thought I could not achieve. My ambition originated planning to set the bar in my family, and persuade myself I could complete my Master’s degree from Liberty University while serving. Lastly, I desired to develop professionally, expanding my knowledge and reaching an executive level in my potential industry.

Ultimately, while serving in the military the ability to juggle both roles of student and Airman is vital. While serving being experienced with your work will almost always be the key focus. Depending for the push from all the branches leadership will drive how quickly members move towards pursuing education while serving. In the event the world is in conflict school might take a backseat. As a consequence of high operation tempos in select career fields, scheduling is a thing you need to consider when deciding to pursue a continued education. Like anything, the resolve for a graduate degree is ultimately your decision of the baby who wants to produce their very own educational path.
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Tori Jensen

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