Hey guys, I'm exploring my options for after high school, and I'm considering joining the military. I also want to possibly get a degree while I'm in service. Here's my query: which branch of the military tends to have the most members pursuing or holding degrees?
Each branch of the U.S. military offers education benefits and opportunities, which can cater to your plans of getting a degree while serving. However, these opportunities and participation rates can vary between branches.
In general, officers in all branches of the military are required to have at least a bachelor's degree. That being said, the branch that reportedly has the highest percentage of service members with a bachelor's degree or higher is the Air Force. This can be attributed to the fact that the Air Force often hires for positions that require a strong technical background and advanced education, so many members join this branch with the intent of furthering their education.
On the other hand, the Army and the Navy also offer formative educational aid programs. The Army’s Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) is a partnership between the Army Recruiting Command and over 1,900 participating colleges to mutually advance the goals of lifelong learning and postsecondary education for Future Soldiers. Also, Navy College Program and the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program provide 100% tuition assistance for college-level courses taken during off-duty hours.
The Marines offer the Leadership Scholar Program (LSP), which helps exceptional Marines who want to get a college degree to be accepted to their school of choice. They also offer the Marine Corps Tuition Assistance Program, which pays for voluntary off-duty education.
For a newer branch like the Space Force, currently it's being overseen by the Department of the Air Force and shares its educational programs.
Keep in mind that military service can be a great pathway towards higher education, but the commitment is no joke. You should weigh the commitment to service with your educational goals before deciding on your next steps.
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