Joining the Military with a College Degree: What's Different?

So I've been thinking about the military as a post-college option. If I already have a college degree when I enlist, what's different? Can you get higher rank or better positions? Or is it mostly the same?

While the specifics may vary depending on the branch of service, one of the primary differences when enlisting in the military with a college degree is the opportunity to enter as an officer rather than an enlisted service member.

Officers are essentially the managers of the military. They are responsible for leading enlisted members, planning strategies, and making key decisions. Oftentimes, they also specialize in certain areas such as engineering, medical, legal, or aviation. The position requires more leadership and decision-making skills compared to the enlisted service members who are typically responsible for carrying out the plans made by the officers.

In the military, the officer's rank is generally higher and they have more responsibilities compared to the enlisted members. This usually translates into higher pay and better benefits. So, if you join the military with a college degree, there is an opportunity for you to start off at a higher rank (as an officer) compared to someone who joins straight out of high school.

Certain branches of the military may even offer loan repayment or forgiveness programs for their officers, especially if you're in a specialized field like medicine, law, or engineering.

However, becoming an officer is not automatic because you have a degree. It also requires you to complete Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS) after enlistment to learn leadership skills, military policies and practices, and to get physical training.

Ultimately, the potential for advanced rank and roles largely depends on branch policies and your chosen career field within the military. It would be good to research and reach out to recruiters of the branch you are considering for the most specific and up-to-date information. I hope you find this initial overview helpful!