Benefits Of Going To College While On Active Duty

One of the benefits of attending college later in life is having the life experience to know myself better than someone just graduating high school. At this point in my life I already know my skill level, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the learning process for education and career planning.

Returning from a life in the military to life as a civilian trying to complete college is vastly different and can be challenging transition for many.

     The Army National Guard is one of the fastest ways to make it to college. In today’s competitive work place, employers stress a college degree, which means it’ll be an asset regardless of when it’s earned. The Guard can help pay for college undergraduate or graduate studies with the Montgomery GI Bill and Tuition Assistance. Many states offer their own educational incentives, some as much as 100% free tuition to state schools. Here are some of the figures:

Two of the biggest disadvantages are the mental illnesses and substance abuse that occurs. There are many mental illnesses that veterans can suffer from once returning but the primary one is PTSD. PTSD is post-traumatic stress-disorder which occurs when veterans unforgettable memories from war (“FAQ About Veteran Homelessness”). When veterans return, they are most likely a different person than when they left for war which can be hard for family and friends to adapt to the new person that the veteran has become. Some veterans turn to alcohol and drugs to try to get rid of their memories of war. Numerous veterans suffer from alcoholism to cope with their PTSD, which leads to them being rejected by other people including friends and family. Most veterans who return home do experience much loneliness. They have lower marriage rates, higher divorce rates, and 1 in 5 veterans live alone which is not good for their mental health (“Veteran Homelessness Facts”). Another disadvantage that veterans have is that their military skills and occupations are sometimes not transferrable to the real world jobs. This results in shortage of money and not able to pay for the essential items that they will need to live a happy life. Because of the importance of money in today’s world, not being employed might just be the worst situation to be in making it an even bigger reason why veterans need some kind of training to get a job. The best thing for a veteran is to come back from war to a place they can call home that is safe and drug free so that they can live a healthy life (“FAQ About Veteran

Volunteers looking to become students and attend college for free may be interested in serving in the military for at least four to five years. The government covers the free education provided under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. In the article “Service Members in School: Military Veterans ' Experiences Using the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Pursuing Postsecondary Education” the author Jennifer L. Steele explains that the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act became enforced on August 1, 2009, allowing for better educational benefits for the veterans” (Steele 1). Having the opportunity to go to college is becoming a necessity to succeed in today 's society. In

But who is say that one day, I might not be discharged from the Navy. What do I do then, what options, will I have, yes, I will have a trade, with no certifications or validation that I can complete the tasks I claim I can do. In the article "No Degree, and No Way Back to the Middle" by Timothy Egan, he states that a man with a college degree will make 81% more than someone who did not attend college (106). This actually scares me, that without a degree, I would not be able to maintain the way of life I have grown accustomed to. Hence why, I have returned to college and get my degree, I want to provide stability not for just myself and but my child and without a degree I fair that is not

Furthermore, fewer than 40% of veterans had a high school education or less. The number of disabled veterans with less than a high school diploma was less than civilians, 6% to 13% respectively. The majority of disabled veterans aged 18 through 65 are working in the labor force with lower participation than the non-disabled. The non-disabled male veterans’ participation was 88%, whereas 73% among disabled male veterans who left the service after September 2001 and had their disability determined by the DoD or the

Paying for a four-year degree is not worth it because you could join the Military and get a free one while doing your job or they can pay for a college degree after you have served your commitment. Branches of the US Military have great educational opportunities. Such as the Air Force. The Military has many educational opportunities but one example is technical training. Whenever you graduate the basic training for the air force you will be sent to technical training.

After years of admirable service, many veterans choose to make the transition back to civilian life. During their enlistments, they’ve learned invaluable skills that are highly sought after by employers. For these individuals, the experience was a powerful and empowering experience, but it’s time for a new chapter in their lives. Each year, more than a million veterans take advantage of resources that are provided specifically for current and former military personnel. Just as there are many reasons why these men and women decide to go back to school, there are many resources to aid veterans in the process.

Unfortunately, many veterans are without employment. Veterans who joined the military right after high school are at a disadvantage when competing for civilian jobs. Veterans often don’t have skills and the experience necessary to obtain jobs after deployment from the military (Foundation for the Carolinas, 2012). Additionally, they lack a college education necessary for obtaining decent paying jobs. Because of their lack of work experience, veterans are being subjected to employment discrimination (Weissman, 2014). Veterans are in need of greater employment opportunities and financial assistance. Furthermore, many veterans don’t receive military benefits or receive an insufficient amount to support themselves and/or their families (NASW, 2012).

On September 11, 2001 I was on active duty deployed to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands constructing a new office and laboratory building. I certainly put my engineer skills to work that year. The nation changed a lot that year, and will never be the same again. However, there was something positive that came out of 9/11. Because of the terrorist attacks a new education program was erected. In 2008, the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, was signed into law. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill, provides education benefits for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept. 10, 2001. My active duty time before 9/11 does not count towards this education benefit; however, now I will be able to attend college

David Wood of the Huffington Post writes that 88% of student veterans drop out after only two semesters. They just can not concentrate and blossom as a normal college student, which is a

Since, 2001 there are approximately over 2,000,000 student service members/veterans using their G.I. Bill benefits and it is estimated that the number will increase in the next couple of years (Barry, Whiteman, Wadsworth 2014). With the number of student service members/veterans increasing, there has been a couple of universities that have help ease student service members/veterans transition from the military lifestyle to the student lifestyle.

Why go to college is a question many people debate with. The majority of people are not aware of the substantial benefits of attending college. With the rapid shift in today’s economy having a college degree is a major key. According to article written by Fatou Faal, “The United States has been transformed from manufacturing-based economy to an economy based on knowledge, and the importance of a college education can be compared to that of a high school diploma education forty years ago.” The benefits of college prepare and shape you for today’s world.

A college education is an essential step towards a successful military career. To some enlisted members, continuing or starting a college education may seem difficult to do. My decision to continue a college education was easy. Being stationed at an Air Base for a year has given me an opportunity to do so without being sidetracked by some of life’s daily responsibilities. Since it is an unaccompanied tour and I have no choice but to live in dorms, going to college is much easier then back in the states. Being stationed here has given me great opportunity to dedicate all my free time towards a college degree. After going to the Education Center I was very pleased. Right now the Air Force will pay one hundred percent of my college tuition