Joining the military is a great way to live. But if you’re not planning on staying in the military till retirement, then you might have to make some plans about how you will live your civilian life.
Otherwise, you might end up working a small-time job right out of the military without a solid plan for your future.
That’s why many people look into studying college while they are on active duty. It may have been impossible at one time, but it is more than possible these days if you are willing to make the effort.
If you can make the effort, here is how you can get a college degree while still serving your country.
Pick the Best Option
For starters, you need to think about the studying options available to you while you’re still serving your country. Basically, you might have three options, which are:
On Base
If you prefer going to class and learning in person, then on-base might be a great option for you. The classes are smaller, so you can get more attention in class. Not to mention, you can easily put it on hold if you have to relocate. But, you might not find a suitable program and schedule to meet your needs.
Satellite Campus
While some colleges have satellite campuses in different areas of the world, they don’t offer all their programs in those classes. You can check them out as well to see if there are any good options around you.
Online Classes
The most convenient option for active military personnel is online learning. You can have an incredibly flexible schedule, and even take recorded lectures if you miss the live classes. Moreover, you have access to a lot more programs than with on-base or satellite campuses. No matter where you are, you can join online colleges for military personnel with a computer and an internet connection.
Check for Military Benefits
When you’re serving your country, your country offers you some benefits to help you improve yourself. To start you can look into getting tuition assistance from the military to help pay for the college program. Then, you can look into scholarships and college resources for active military personnel.
When you’re studying while in the military, you can have an added benefit. As you become more educated, it can be easier and faster to get promotions than your peers.
Does The Program Fit Your Needs?
When you’re picking a program, you need to look into two important things. They are:
Flexible Scheduling
The first thing your program should have is flexible scheduling. If you have a strict class schedule, then you might have trouble taking classes because anything can happen when you’re on active duty.
If the classes are strict, but they offer recorded lectures that you can take at any time, then you should still consider it.
Military Friendly
There are plenty of military-friendly colleges around. They are military-friendly if they are willing to make accommodations and put your education on hold to meet your needs. Additionally, these colleges offer credits to active duty military or veterans along with resources and support to help them get an education.