The Active Duty College Student
For Davila, getting into a college program was one thing, balancing all his responsibilities was quite another. Corporal Davila quickly found that pursuing an education while remaining on active duty was a significant undertaking. Thankfully, his Marine Corps training and his natural talents have allowed him to thrive under the pressure and manage the grueling workload.
Sure, Im an active duty Marine, explains Eduardo, but our military education center has me going to school all day and I continue to build my skills. Im at work by 7 am every day, working with six other Marines to provide ground support for the aviation wing. Were really busy. But the Marines Corps is giving me the time and flexibility to pursue my classes while doing my job.
At the same time, Davila has been working diligently on his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems degree at National University. The program links business and technology and focuses on the crucial information systems needs of corporations: data communications, systems analysis, system development, database management system, project management, enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure and IS strategy, management, and acquisition.
The ability to take classes online and the highly flexible nature of the month-long class schedules available through National University have permitted Corporal Davila to manage his Marine Corps duties, his ongoing technology training, and his educational pursuits.
Can You Go To College While Serving In The Military
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
If you serve in the military and are thinking of moving forward in your education, then it is possible to pursue a degree while continuing your service. Online programs and military-friendly schools offer flexibility to help active military students balance higher education and service obligations.
Online College For Navy Service Members
If youre in the Navy and looking for a college program, youve come to the right place. Trident offers military education grants, that help reduce tuition so sailors like you can earn fully online associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. Beyond the grants, we offer many benefits and support to navy students. Were considered a top military-friendly college because we truly strive to help our military students succeed.
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What Should Active Duty Military Students Look For In A College
Experts recommend that students who are serious about pursuing a degree at a military-friendly college look for schools with programs explicitly tailored to active duty service members and veterans. After identifying the major that interests them, students should do some research into the individual resources in place for members of the armed forces.
Schools should have active supports in place that help military students feel like an essential and welcome part of the campus community, as well as the academic and financial assistance needed to help them succeed in their studies. They will also want to ensure that the University provides additional resources to help them as they transition through graduation and move into their chosen careers. Talking to other Veterans on campus can be especially helpful when it comes to making the right choice.
Make It Work With Online Learning
Working toward a degree or certificate while in the military isn’t something new. In the past, service members attended whatever school was nearby and were limited to that school’s course offerings and schedules for the program they were studying.
Online learning has changed all that. No matter where you are stationed, you have options. You don’t have to study psychology when what you’re interested in is a business degree.
But perhaps even more important is the fact that online learning makes pursuing an education while serving workable. One of the hallmarks of online programs is their flexibility. You can take courses on your own time, nights, weekends or even before you start your workday. You can take classes in your own space, in the barracks, at the mess hall, or anywhere with an internet connection. And you can learn at your own pace.
But BEWARE: Not all online schools are alike! It’s important to know what to look for when choosing a program. Here are some guidelines:
Look for a school that is experienced in online learning. More and more schools are offering online programs these days, often out of necessity. Because many of these schools are still refining their programs, you might find yourself subject to some growing pains.
Look for a school that is military friendly. Some schools put a premium on taking care of active-duty members and veterans alike. They understand that you are in a unique situation and help guide you through the education process.
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Be Flexible With Your Work Schedule
I was a C-130 maintainer, which required around the clock maintenance. The school offered evening classes, so I had the choice of working 0800-1600 or midnight to 0800. I chose to work the midnight shift because it gave me the opportunity to attend classes. Its also much easier to get the mid shift than the day shift. I was able to remain on the mid shift for 2 years .
Not everyone has the opportunity to work a range of shifts, so try to be flexible and work with your supervisor. Many units and supervisors will support your educational aspirations if you are willing to work with them. See if you can come in an hour or two early, stay late, or volunteer to work an occasional weekend shift if necessary.
Become A Stronger More Effective Leader To Advance In Rank Or Move Into An Officer Position In The Military
If you intend to stay in the armed forces for the foreseeable future, earning a college degree can greatly benefit you in helping to open doors to advancement. To become a commissioned officer in most of the branches, active-duty military personnel are required to have a four-year college degree. This designation can help you increase your salary, job responsibilities, and future opportunities within your branch and upon entering the civilian workforce.
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How Does The Va Calculate Post
About Ryan Guina
Ryan Guina is The Military Wallet’s founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Illinois Air National Guard.
Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then. He also writes about personal finance and investing at Cash Money Life.
Ryan uses Personal Capital to track and manage his finances. Personal Capital is a free software program that allows him to track his net worth, balance his investment portfolio, track his income and expenses, and much more. You can open a free Personal Capital account here.
Featured In: Ryan’s writing has been featured in the following publications: Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine , Military Influencer Magazine, Cash Money Life, The Military Guide, USAA, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications.
Navy Olmsted Scholar Program
This program allows active duty officers the chance to learn a foreign language in two years of graduate-level education at the expense of the Navy. The program aims to turn out officers who are fluent in foreign languages, appreciate other cultures, and learn about different regions through overseas travel. Sailors do not have to have a background in foreign languages to apply.
- Award amount: This program will cover the cost of tuition. Sailors are still considered to be on active duty for the duration of their education, so they will receive their regular paychecks and benefits.
- Eligibility: Officers must have served on commission for at least three years but cannot have served more than 11 years of federal service by the time of candidate selection. They will need to provide their scores on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and the GRE, official transcripts, an essay on why they want to be part of this program, and a letter of endorsement from their commanding officer. Sailors will incur a service commitment three times as long as their participation in the program.
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Navy Education Programs For College
Whether you are in the United States Navy or looking to join, there are a few different ways that the Navy can help further your education. There are schools and programs to further educate yourself and work towards the career you would like to have. Here are some of the Navy Education Programs to help you achieve your career goals.
Navy College Program And Navy Tuition Assistance
With the Navy College program, you can receive academic credit for the training you receive and work that you perform while you are serving on active duty. This would include classes and coursework completed remotely when youre deployed which would include being on ships and submarines.
With Navy Tuition Assistance they will pay up to 100% of the cost of the courses you take. You will need to attend an accredited college or university, on your own time, and while you are on designated as off-duty.
Both of these programs are available to enlisted sailors and officers but usually geared towards enlisted service members that dont already have a degree.
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Going To College While In The Military
Always a curious kid, Eduardo Davila temporarily left his family without the use of a camera. Carefully wielding a tiny screwdriver, the 8-year-old removed the cameras casing then proceeded to painstakingly disassemble the intricate mechanics found within. Meticulously arranged across his bedroom floor, the array of sensors, lenses, and circuit boards presented a puzzle. Just how did the push of a button evoke a group of pixels to capture a soccer game or birthday party? How did the thing work?
Davila recalls his early fascination. I grew up in a rough neighborhood in Yonkers, New York. My parents came to the United States from Mexico before I was born. We didnt really speak English in the house and we struggled financially. I fell in love with computers, probably as an outlet. I knew I wanted to do something big. I wanted to contribute and I saw technology as the way to do that.
Davila eventually figured out how the apparatus functioned and returned the reassembled camera to his parents. But the exercise didnt satisfy the boys inquisitiveness. Rather, it just bolstered his love of all things related to technology. Its a passion he has nourished over the years, seeking every opportunity to further his understanding of computers and software.
Navy College Program Moving Online
The Navy is shuttering its brick-and-mortar Navy College offices and moving the entire enterprise online as of Friday.
The transition to the Navy College Virtual Education Center for sailors looking to get some extra education proved itself in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shuttering of physical offices at overseas locations, according to a Navy release announcing the change.
The online education center allows sailors to receive counseling and tuition assistance support, while offering call-in and live chat with counselors during certain hours, according to the Navy.
Civilian schools with offices onboard Navy bases in the United States and overseas will remain in place.
The Navy closed its stateside Navy College offices in recent years, and Fridays change will affect overseas locations at Rota, Spain, Sigonella and Naples, Italy, Misawa, Yokosuka, Atsugi, Sasebo and Okinawa, Japan, Guam, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
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Increase Your Chances Of Post
Many companies across a number of industries often consider military veterans for positions over applicants without military service. But if you also add a college degree to your resume, this combination of service in the military and college education can be tough for prospective employers to pass up.
Thats why you can increase your chances of finding gainful employment in a field you will enjoy. To further this point, the number of job interviews youll have to do should also be a bit less than what it might be for those without a college degree.
Getting A Degree While On Active Duty
Each military base has an Education Office, who have arranged for colleges and universities to conduct college courses on-base, leading to various degree programs. And even for those who don’t work a traditional schedule, distance-learning has changed the face of getting an off-duty education.
In addition to taking courses off duty, each of the services has programs which allow some enlisted to remain on active duty and attend college full-time, receiving full pay and allowances. Some of these programs lead to a commission as an officer some do not. Most require that you commit yourself for a longer hitch in the military. Most require that you obtain some college on your own, first, and all of these programs are extremely competitive. There are many more applicants for these programs than there are available slots each year.
Enlisted members who do obtain a college degree while on active duty can apply for a commission through Officers Candidate School . Again, there are generally many more applicants each year than there are available slots.
The Army and the Coast Guard are the only services in which an enlisted member can obtain a commission without having a four-year college degree. Enlisted members of the Army can attend OCS and be commissioned with only 90 college credits. However, they must complete their degree within one year of being commissioned, or they risk being reverted to their previous enlisted rank.
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Navy Community College Update
There are plans to open the Navy Community College in 2021. This college would be flexible for the needs of sailors and marines, and allow them to earn a free associates degree. In addition, they would allow them to earn college credits that would be easily transferred to accredited colleges in the future.
Degrees could be earned in subjects such as computer science, or data analytics and use their time in military service to further their education.
During military service, completing a degree can be challenging due to the requirements of the job. With the creation of the Navy Community College, gaining an education will become easier for those serving in the Navy and Marine Corps.
The Military Will Likely Cover Most If Not All Of Your College Education
If youre an active-duty member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, you are entitled to tuition assistance from your particular branch.
Theres a chance your branch might pay up to 100 percent of your college tuition expenses incurred toward earning a degree. If the full amount is not covered by this tuition assistance, you might be eligible to use the GI Bill as well. This scenario is known as using the top-up program. This additional funding often covers the difference on any remaining tuition amount for college coursework.
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Active Duty And College: College While In The Military
If you are active duty military and want to further your education, you have options. You can take classes online, go to a local college or university, or you can attend classes at your duty station. Here were exploring options for college for active duty military on base.
The option to attend college at your duty station can be the right one. But if you want to explore all your options, try our College Search tool to find the right school for you.
Duties & Tasks Of A Navy Officer
A Navy officer may specialise as:
- Aerospace Engineer – maintain Navy helicopters and associated systems, specialising in either Aeronautics or Aircraft Electronics.
- Navy Pilot – fly Navy helicopters, leading search and rescue missions, evacuating medical emergencies from the scene of natural disasters, and intercept vessels engaging in illegal activity.
- Navy Lawyer – practice military and discipline law, civil and administrative law, and international and operations law in order to assist boards of enquiry appear before court martials and provide legal aid to Navy personnel.
- Navy Doctor – responsible for the general health of all Navy personnel and provide high standards of care under challenging conditions and with minimal medical support.
- Nursing Officer – responsible for the medical needs of all personnel and may become involved in specialist areas like perioperative or emergency care.
- Training Systems Specialist – responsible for developing and monitoring the design, quality control and delivery of training in the Navy.
- Electronic Engineer – lead a team that works on and maintains complex technologies on ships or submarines including radar, sonar, communication, navigation, combat and weapons systems.
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Does The Covid 19 Epidemic Change Anything About The Admissions Process
The uncertain nature of the Coronavirus pandemic has forced many schools to alter their admissions processes. The changes primarily affect on-campus activities as opposed to online signups. In fact, because of many of these changes, more online portals and resources have been developed that may even make the process easier for those students who are pursuing their education remotely.
Because each college is adapting to the crisis differently, it is recommended that prospective students reach out to their own admissions office to determine the best course of action. However, the admissions process itself remains largely the same. Students in the military should focus on highlighting the transferrable skills and knowledge they have gained through their experiences in the armed forces, elaborating on the places they have been, and any opportunities and challenges they have overcome.