Joining Military Before College—Pros and Cons?

A bit torn here. I'm examining the idea of joining the military before attending college. Can anyone shed some light on the advantages or disadvantages of this? How would it impact my college admissions later on?

There are certainly both pros and cons to this decision, and it will largely depend on your personal circumstances and goals.

Starting with the advantages:

Deferring Costs: One of the major benefits of joining the military before college is the potential to have your college tuition paid for, or at least largely subsidized, through programs like the GI Bill. You could potentially graduate debt-free, which is a big plus.

Career Opportunities: The military also provides numerous opportunities for job training and career development. Depending on your role, you could gain valuable skills and experience that you could potentially leverage in your future career or during your higher education.

Personal Growth and Maturity: The structured, disciplined nature of military service can foster character development, maturity, and leadership skills which can all be beneficial in the academic environment.

Passage of Time: Serving a term in the military (usually 4-6 years active duty) allows some additional time to decide on your academic and career interests.

Regarding the potential downsides:

College Admissions: Although your military service won't negatively impact your college admissions and could even be viewed positively as a demonstration of leadership and commitment, applying to college after military service might mean a different process as a non-traditional student, and you will likely be older than your college peers.

Time Commitment: Military service can last several years. This is a significant time commitment, and it might delay the beginning of your career after graduation.

Physical and Mental Risks: There are risks inherent in military service. Depending on your role, you may risk physical injury or mental health difficulties.

Ultimately, this is a personal decision that will depend on your career goals, finances, and personal beliefs. Consulting with a military recruiter, talking with veterans, and researching college admissions requirements for non-traditional students could provide you with additional insight to make an informed decision.