Did you earn your college degree to specifically become a military officer? If not, what made you decide to enlist after obtaining it?

There was a recession and I was out of work. Not the only reason, but the one that drove me to take that final step. I stayed enlisted for a couple of years when the Battalion XO asked if I was interested in OCS since I had a Degree already. I thought that I could do it better, so I went. Missed being close to the squad, but it gave me a lot of opportunities to do things that I would have gotten to do enlisted.

Honestly? Yes. I decided at a very young age that I wanted to spend my professional life as a military officer... try seven years old. Pretty much every decision I made regarding extracurricular activities, dating (i.e. not dating), etc. over the next decade revolved around that choice. I spent my junior and senior years of H.S. largely filling out paperwork, going through physicals, PRT tests, and interviews to get one of a handful of slots for a Congressional appointment and selection to the Academy. Once there, I chose my major based not on what I wanted to "do" professionally... but what I felt I could earn the highest QPR (translate-GPA) in towards service assignment. I wanted to fly... and I did eventually get my shot... and a degree in History to accompany it.

I didn't make it to winging.

I didn't end up serving the "thirty years" I expected. I ended up working on a construction crew making about $8/hr after serving a few years, mostly deployed at sea. I begged, pleaded, and did eventually get "back in"... went to Afghanistan...ended up being unable to get a permanent billet anywhere afterwards, and finally packed it in after about ten total years. I worked hard, and eventually climbed the ladder a bit in civilian life-my degree being more a liability than a benefit. At forty, I'm finally back where I might have been professionally and financially had I been able to stay on active duty... but I'll never get it back the pride, satisfaction, and purpose of wearing the uniform and leading the finest people on the planet.

My advice? decide what's more important to you; the degree, or serving in the Military. If the latter is more important, research what steps you can take to remain viable long-term, even if it means staying on the enlisted side. Education is important, and there are many ways to skin a cat... but the commissioned side is very (understandably) competitive, and few make it to full-retirement.

I obtained my degree and the came in direct commission. I thought about ROTC but it would only cover tuition and fees no housing or food. Since I had to work my way through school I would have found myself with ROTC requirements as well as a part time job. I decided I did want a Military experience so I came in direct commission, as an Army Nurse! Loved my time in service!