What Does It Feel Like Enlisting In The Marines With A College Degree
If you go through the Officer Candidates School and become an officer in the Marine Corps, then you may have to deal with subordinates who doubt your competence or,
even worse, question your authority because of your perceived lack of military service experience.
However, your leadership training, character and the overall discipline of the Marine Corps will win out.
Enlisting as part of the other enlisted personnel will give you a different experience.
The experience will be greatly determined on whether people know you have a college degree or not.
Plus, how you relate with them matters a lot.
Understand that a lot of the enlisted persons only have high school diplomas,
so coming across as if you are more intelligent or better than they are is a sure way to get a nasty experience.
Be down to earth and never give your superiors reasons to feel intimidated by your degree.
Arrange For Transfer Credit
Most colleges and universities will accept transfer credit from courses you may have taken at other institutions, including community colleges. Military class credits may also transfer. At Northeastern, military veterans can transfer up to 60 credits from their college or military classes for most degree programs.
Ensuring that these credits are accounted for allows you to skip certain general education requirements when you enroll in your new school, and with enough credit, you may be able to graduate early as well. This can help you save time and money on your degree and begin your new career sooner.
Taking The First Step
Starting your new career as a college graduate doesnt start at graduation. It doesnt start with attending classes, or even with applying to your school. It starts when you make the personal decision that pursuing a college education is the right choice for you.
Northeastern is dedicated to helping veterans and active servicemembers who have made the choice to pursue a college education. Whether you have started a bachelors degree you want to finish, or youre looking to further your education with a graduate degree, Northeastern has the expertise and resources to empower you along your path.
To take the next step toward a degreeand your futureexplore Northeasterns bachelors completion programs or talk to an enrollment coach for personalized advice.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at .
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Not So Cool Jobs In The Army
As I mentioned earlier, your quality of life in the Army will almost completely depend on what MOS you choose.
Picking the worst job in the Army is very difficult, mainly because its completely subjective and everyone has a bias.
With that said, some of the more hated jobs in the Army include:
- Culinary Specialist
Keep in mind that, while some of these jobs arent the most fun, they do offer some pretty goo incentives after your service is up.
For example, retiring from the Army as a chef could have you working for a 4 or 5 star restaurant making upwards of $67K a year.
Same goes for plumber, which has an average base salary of $55,687 per year.
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Know What Credits Will Transfer From Your Military Experience
Veterans and servicemembers can use their military experience to earn college credits, possibly allowing them to reduce the time and money that it will take to earn a degree. But because every college is free to determine their own policies regarding transfer credits, its important for vets to understand what will carry over before they matriculate.
Another option is to take the College Level Examination Program , which are exams designed to test your understanding of college-level materials. Depending on how you perform, you could qualify to skip a number of general education or introductory-level courses and graduate faster.
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If You Dont Like Exercise
It should go without saying that the military is going to demand that you run, push, pull, sit-up, and climb on a regular basis.
While some jobs demand more than others, every soldier, , Seaman and Airman is expected to pass physical fitness tests.
You dont need to be a stud to succeed in the military, but if you really hated P.E. in high school, I dont suggest joining up.
The Military Or College Insight From A Veteran
Growing up, I never thought I could go to college. I was never very book smart and I was never a very good student. No one told me I could even go to college, in fact I was somewhat discouraged. For me, the military was not only a dream, but also my next logical course of action.
What you do after high school is a simple question, but with so many ways to answer, this simple question can feel completely overwhelming. Sometimes, it can lead to knee-jerk decisions which can change the course of your entire life.
Theres one option in particular Id like to address: join the military or go to college?
For full disclosure’s sake: I have been both a Sergeant in the United States Army and a college graduate. Using my own personal experiences, knowledge, and just some straightforward facts, I hope to help you make the best decision you can.
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Whats A Typical Day In The Navy Like
Like all of the other branches, a typical day in the Navy will depend heavily on what your rate is and where youre stationed.
For arguments sake, lets take the typical day of a popular rating in the Navy: Boatswains Mate .
Assuming he or she is on a ship, a normal day could look something like this:
0600 0745: Wake up, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast.
0745 0800: Muster. Youll gather around with your fellow sailors and discuss the days work ahead.
0800 1200: Go to work. For a BM, this can range from things like painting the outside of the ship, to standing watch on the bridge of the ship.
1200 1330: Eat lunch. Lunch times are considerably long, but the reason for that is lines are often very long. I.E. you could be standing in line waiting to get food stacked on your tray for 30 40 min.
1330 1700: Back to work, typically whatever you were doing that morning.
1730 Knock-off, which is Navy slang for stop working.
1730 1900: Eat dinner
Throughout the day, you may also be involved in ship maintenance tasks like sweeping, cleaning, and other assorted jobs.
Uniformed Services University Of Health Sciences Offers A Medical School Education Directly From The Military
If youre looking for a military medical career that puts you in a martial mindset from day one, then the Uniformed Services University might be your ticket.
This is a medical school located in Bethesda, Maryland, that is actually run by the military itself. Its accredited just like any other medical school and jointly administered by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Service.
If you are accepted into USU, you become a commissioned officer upon entry, with all the benefits and pay those positions accrue. And because you are a military officer attending a military school, theres no charge at all for your education just your commitment for at least seven years service in the branch you were accepted into.
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Cool Jobs In The Air Force
The obvious first choice for everyone here is easy: pilot.
However, with only 1,100 pilot slots available every year, competition can be stiff.
You should also keep in mind that 500 550 of those pilot slots are reserved for Air Force Academy graduates, and 350 450 spots are reserved for ROTC members.
As a result, your prospects of landing a pilot slot are very low.
With that said, there are a wide variety of great jobs in the Air Force that dont involve piercing through the sky at Mach 1.
Some of the best jobs in the Air Force include things like:
- Logistics planner
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If youre 100% set on becoming a pilot, then you should consider going the Air National Guard route.
Air Force National Guard units are essentially the military reserve force, as well as the militia Air Force, of each state.
They fly all of the same aircraft that the regular full-time Air Force does F-16s, F-15s, A-10s, and even large cargo planes like the C5 Galaxy.
The upside is, theres no full-time commitment.
You still have to go to basic training, but youll only serve in a part-time role.
Honor A Family Tradition
Maybe your Dad or Mom served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines, and you want to make them proud.
Sometimes, military legacies reach a few generations back. Following in the footsteps of a relative can instill a great sense of pride.
Additionally, your family members will be able to advise you on how to be successful while serving.
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Free Health And Dental Care
A program called Tricare Prime provides free health and dental care to all active-duty members. It is usually provided through an assigned primary care provider, typically located at the base. Veterans who have over two years of active service or a service-related disability qualify for lifetime Veteran Administration healthcare benefits. Members with a service-related disability can also qualify for over $3,000 worth of benefits each month from the VA.
Why The American Military Might Want To Pay For Your Education Before You Enlist
Many of the fields where the military most needs expertise right now are the same ones that are hot career prospects in the civilian world:
- Computer science and information technology
Those are hugely important roles in the modern military. You might find yourself running a high-tech Patriot anti-missile battery, protecting thousands of troops and civilians under dangerous skies. Or developing new counter-insurgency campaigns to undermine the population support for a terrorist group, winning battles without ever firing a shot.
But with the same skills, you could also be a hotshot game developer, doctor, lawyer, or psychological counselor in the civilian world.
Its a hard call for anyone who is just graduating with those degrees to make the choice to put on a 50-pound ruck and go humping through the desert for days on end instead of settling into a nice six-figure office job right away.
So, Uncle Sam understands that maybe a little incentive to join would be nice. Getting a college education today is an expensive proposition. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the costs of getting a bachelors degree in 2020 were 13 percent higher than they were a decade before. And the cost just seems to be going up.
Pre-service military college benefit options exist for both officers and some enlisted ranks.
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The Student Loan Repayment Program Covers Education Expenses You Already Accrued
The Student Loan Repayment Program, or SLRP, is an active duty program that is actually a kind of retroactive pre-service educational benefit. It is a commitment written into your enlistment contract to have the military take over loan payments on current outstanding student loan debt that you are carrying when you enlist.
That when you enlist part is very importantyou need to make sure you get SLRP terms written into your enlistment contract in order to take advantage of the program. Thats why were telling you about this in the pre-enlistment benefits.
Its not an automatic benefitinstead, its a kind of enlistment bonus, and recruiters dont hand those out like candy. Only certain specializations are eligible. On the plus side, reservists in those specializations can take advantage of SLRP as well as active duty members.
You may be eligible for SLRP repayments even if you have not yet completed your degree program.
Other SLRP qualifications include:
- Only federal student loans, such as the Stafford or Perkins, are eligible
- The loans must not be in default
- Youll have to commit to a certain commitment for service, usually six years or more
- You must meet a specific ASVAB score, typically 50 or above
- You have to agree to give up any possible Montgomery GI Bill® benefits you might otherwise have qualified for
Membership Into One Of The Worlds Oldest Clubs
Being a veteran makes you an automatic member in one of the worlds oldest clubs. It is easy to share stories and recollections with other members of this special group of people, and it can help you gain acceptance, join clubs, find employment and gain other benefits. Being a veteran is something no one can ever take away from you.
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Officer Candidate And Officer Training School
Officer Candidate School and Officer Training School offer opportunities for anyone with a bachelors degree. This goes for active duty, enlisted members of the military and reservists who have completed a four-year degree, as well as civilians with a bachelors degree . These schools last between 9 and 17 weeks, depending on which branch of the military you choose. The experience is intended to develop your leadership and management abilities while preparing you to deal with the mental, emotional, and physical stress that comes with being an officer. At the end of the course, you will commission as an officer and accept an active duty service commitment.
Individuals who complete Officer Candidate or Officer Training School will commission as second lieutenants or ensigns . These are the lowest commissioned ranks in each branch of the military. Promotions are given as officers gain more experience and time in service. The initial service commitment for someone who has completed Officer Candidate or Officer Training School is at least three years.
The requirements for Officer Candidate and Officer Training School do differ among the branches. More information is available at each of the links below.
Discover Your Program In Minutes
Some students weighing their options after high school may view joining the military as an alternative to higher education or something to be done before considering a bachelor’s degree. In this guide, however, learners are invited to consider the possibilities and benefits of joining the military once they graduate from college. Aside from looking at options such as receiving GI Bill® funding after leaving the military or participating in ROTC while in school, this guide will also look at joining the military after college without having first done ROTC. While data about student veterans can easily be found theNational Conference of State Legislatures found that nearly one million veterans and active military members used GI Bill® funding for education between 2000 and 2012 information for those who choose to complete a degree first is surprisingly lacking. The following guide exists to answer common questions and provide details for learners interested in taking this path.
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What Was It Like To Go Back To Thecollege World After Years Of Military Service
The transition to returning back to college after 26 years 4 months of faithful and loyal services for our nation was smooth. I was able to continue college part time while in the military, but now I am able to enroll full time being retired. I was prepared and I took mental notes while being active duty for the next endeavors of my life towards this bright incredible future.
Can You Go To College While In The Military On Active Duty
Yes! Many individuals worry that they have to choose between the military and college, when deciding their future path. The truth is, you can pursue bothand there are even benefits to doing so. First, it is important to find a school that can cater to your schedule and military obligations. This might mean finding a college where you can take classes online, for example, so that you have full flexibility in terms of where you are based or traveling.
One benefit of going to college while in the military, on active duty, is the tuition assistance available. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Defense provides eligible, active duty members of the military with tuition assistance if they enroll in college. While each military branch has the ability to set its own requirements and rates for tuition assistance, most will offer up to $4,500 annually for students. This makes going to college while in active duty much more attainable.
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Do Degree Holders Who Enlist In The Marine Corps Start At A Higher Rank
First, it should be noted that there is a difference between enlisting in the Marine Corps and commissioning.
Enlisted personnels have specific knowledge, abilities and skills required to perform specialized functions that are critical to the success of their missions.
Commissioned officers, on the other hand, are trained to plan missions and coordinate enlisted personnels.
While enlisting trains you to perform the functions of enlisted personnel, commissioning trains you to be a Marine Officer.
That said, degree holders are usually advised by Military Recruiters to consider commissioning as an officer rather than enlisting.
They are quite different and commissioned officers do not enlist. Candidates who join the Marine Corps with a college degree
and successfully complete the Officer Candidates School are graduated as Second Lieutenants .
It is the entry-level commissioned officers rank with command of a platoon consisting of about 16 to 44 Marines.
Second Lieutenants rank higher than all enlisted personnel and all non-commissioned officers.
Specifically, Second Lieutenants are the direct superiors of Chief Warrant Officer 5 and rank below First Lieutenants.
So degree holders who join the Marine Corps with their degrees and undergo officer trainings start at a much higher rank than their counterparts who simply enlist in the Marine Corps with high school diplomas.