Joining the Military with a College Degree

Okay, so here's a scenario: If I manage to get my degree before joining the military, how does that change things for me? Would it impact my rank or responsibilities in any way?

Absolutely, pursuing a career in the military with a college degree can open up more opportunities for you. Typically, individuals who join the military following college graduation are able to enter as commissioned officers, as opposed to entering as enlisted personnel without a degree.

Commissioned officers generally have greater responsibilities, leadership roles, and higher pay compared to enlisted members. The exact rank you start at can depend on your chosen branch of the military and the degree you obtained. For example, in the U.S. Army, individuals with a Bachelor's degree typically enter as a Second Lieutenant.

Additionally, if you have a professional degree, such as in Medicine or Law, many branches of the military offer direct commission programs, allowing you to come in at an even higher rank. Bear in mind, though, regardless of degree, every branch of the military has its distinct training programs which you would still have to complete.

Joining the military with a degree also might offer access to additional benefits, such as the ability to apply for loan repayment programs or other forms of educational benefits. Each military branch offers different types of such programs, which can be rather helpful if you have student loans.

Of course, the specifics can vary greatly depending on the branch of service, so I would encourage you to reach out to a recruiter or do some further research for the specific military branch you are considering.