Think you can't earn a college degree while being on active duty? Think again!

RallyPoint Team — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:30:33 -0500

Sometimes, when people reminisce about where they’ve been and where they’re headed, profound thoughts that are so simple, but so powerful, will emerge. About a year ago, while Alan Arnold, Master Gunnery Sergeant for the United States Marine Corps, was preparing for Grantham University’s commencement program, he dropped one of those gold nuggets of truth.

“I tell everyone,” he said, “do one of two things, join the military or go to college.”

Then he paused and added, “And if you’re lucky, you can do them both.”

What a remarkable goal: Be a part of the greatest fighting force the world has ever known and earn an online college degree at the same time.

Arnold isn’t the exception to the rule, but rather part of a group who has found the solution that helps service members do both: a 100% online degree program.

Consider another Grantham alum. Staff Sergeant Kevin M. Murphy, US Army, Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies – stopped by to give his perspective on pursuing a degree while in the military.

Q1: What’s it like earning an online college degree while serving active duty for your country?

If you want it that bad, you can make it happen. With the help of the discussion posts and teachers with good hours, it comes together and you find out it isn’t as difficult as you would think going into it.

Q2: Why do it? Why work so hard for a degree while on active duty, whether you’re deployed or not?

Preparing myself now to transition to the outside world will make that transition that much smoother. Knowing that I have the military experience and a degree from Grantham sets me up that much more for success. It also doesn’t hurt that while I am in, earning a degree is something the Army is looking at more and more for promotions.

Q3: What does a degree do for your career?

The Army is drawing down from the battle rhythm of multiple deployments. Being deployed every other year is no longer an excuse. They are more focused on who has taken the time, in conjunction with what is going on at work, to earn a degree and not stop at just one, but continue to earn it as long as they can. Why stop at an online associate degree when you can earn a master’s?

Q4: Do you have tips for military service members considering pursuing a degree on active duty?

At the end of the day, just get your degree. I have known soldiers in all different situations, duty stations, jobs and so forth that have been able to earn a degree. It’s a matter of how bad you want it. There are so many ways to get your degree - even if it is one class at a time, you’re earning it.

Do more than be inspired by Kevin's story. Do something about it! Check out Grantham today.

Learn more about Grantham University!: http://rly.pt/GranthamUniversity

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 3 at 2015 3:42 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:42:45 -0500

Really appreciate hearing Kevin's story here. These are great questions to hear real answers to. With the GI Bill and TA, I think higher education is on everyone's mind within the active duty community. Especially the USAF. I've seen degrees masked and unmasked on performance reports several times. If personal time allows, it's a great option to knock out a degree in parallel with service and be ready for the transition whenever that day comes. One thing to consider is the commitment length that goes along with TA. Typically 2yrs after last paid credit. Unless this has changed over the last few years.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 3 at 2015 4:55 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:55:41 -0500

My story is this, after graduating from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course I had the opportunity to get a degree ( Boot Strap) going full time. I got my degree and it help me to get further promotions. great program.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 3 at 2015 5:09 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:09:56 -0500

Getting a college degree while on active duty is one of the hands down SMARTEST professional decisions a service member can make. No question about it. Looking back on my time, I feel like I implicitly let down some of my subordinates by not pushing them harder toward getting a college degree.

This quote from the piece stuck out to me most: "...you find out it isn’t as difficult as you would think going into it." Think of all the crazy difficult things we do while we are in the military -- physical, mental, and emotional challenges that we overcome because we believe in one another and believe in ourselves. Getting a college degree while you're wearing the uniform is just another positive challenge, and one that will often reward you greatly BOTH inside and outside the military as years go by.

I would shout this from the top of a hill if I could -- If you are a service member right now, please do yourself a huge favor and at least pause and consider what a college degree could do for you professionally. There are ways to get it done. Treat it like a mission. You must always complete the mission. Make this your mission and you will exceed even your loftiest expectations of yourself in the classroom. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for the military brothers and sisters to your left and right!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 3 at 2015 5:16 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:16:25 -0500

I can honestly say I tried to do both but with deployments and shift work it became nearly impossible. I was finally able to get my Bachelors after I ETS'd.

Response by SSgt Kevin Chavez made Feb 3 at 2015 5:16 PM

SSgt Kevin Chavez — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:16:58 -0500

I basically did the same thing while I was in back in 2002. My first 6 years in the Marine Corps it was difficult trying to go to school while in the Grunts or on Embassy Duty. There was distance courses sure, but it was all paper and booklets, no online programs to think of. When I finally got back to CONUS and stationed at MCRD SD, I had a Master Gunny tell me he was almost finished with school and that I was in a perfect place to do the same. So I marched on down to the education office and looked at all their programs.

I settle on Southern Illinois University. I did my lower level classes at the local community colleges and my Upper Level at SIU located on the 32 Naval Base, I knocked out a 4 year degree in a little over 2 years. Now full disclosure, I received 22 credit hours for Military experience and I was able to sneak in a couple of classes while in Okinawa.

Tuition assistance was around 2500 - 4000 a quarter, not sure what it is now, but this was back in 2001-2003. I basically paid for my degree with only TA and I never used my GI Bill. That worked out great because when I got out, I used my GI Bill for my MBA. I will always be thankful for the USMC and its education program. I counseled all my Marines to do the same, some took me up on it, others did not. I highly recommend that every active duty service member make an effort to better themselves for a future after their service. S/F

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Feb 3 at 2015 7:48 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:48:59 -0500

It's very feasible if soldiers get their heads out of their ass and use their time responsbility. So many soldiers have told me thay don't have time for school, and then use all their free time to drink and party. You don't have time or you don't want to make time?

Response by MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA made Feb 3 at 2015 8:09 PM

MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:09:16 -0500

I was able to complete my entire MBA in 2 1/2 years through Liberty University's online program (LUO). They offer $250/hour for all levels of degree to military members, veterans, and their dependents! Courses taken on the campus in Lynchburg, VA are NOT discounted. There is a book voucher program for military undergraduate students, which one of my guys took advantage of. They have a dedicated military affairs office that fully understands TA. I did not use my GI Bill benefits, but I suspect they understand that program as well.

A regionally accredited school, I found the coursework at LUO to be educational and challenging. I wrote MANY papers. I did not deploy during this period, but I did go TDY quite a bit. Sometimes that meant I never saw anything except my duty station and my hotel room. On one project one of my partners was an F-16 pilot in Japan, and the other was an F-16 pilot in the AOR. In my case, I believe the sacrifice of free time versus an education that only cost me books, was a great deal.

Fifteen years ago I did the last year of my bachelor's degree using TA in a more traditional classroom setting. Back then TA was capped at 75% of the hourly rate, not to exceed $250. Even though I exceeded the annual TA cap and had to take student loans to pay the rest, I certainly still consider it money well spent. I managed seven TDYs during the 18 months I was in that program and through careful planning only missed one night of class. There were times I went directly from the airport to class and vice versa.

The bottom line is, if you are willing to dedicate the time, and you have a supportive supervisor, attaining a college degree (or two) is certainly possibly in many cases while on active duty.

Response by MSgt Tim Craig made Feb 3 at 2015 11:49 PM

MSgt Tim Craig — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 23:49:04 -0500

Funny when I was 18, I meet a couple of Army guys on an Amtrak train and after talking and drinking (yes drinking age was 18 back way then :)) they both told me to join the Air Force and to take college classes; I joined the Air Force one month later. I believe that anyone can accomplish anything they put their mind and hearts to and the military is an awesome way to accomplish getting your degree from work and study experience. Just like Kevin, I continued my college in the military at the first base I was assigned to in Okinawa with Embry Riddle Aero University extended campus; while working 14-18 hour days on the flight-line fixing F15 Jets; and starting a new family. Although it did take me 8 years to complete my 2 associates degree; and another 4 years to finish my bachelors; and another 4 years for my MBA; that was 16 years of my 21 years in the military; with multiple overseas stations and 2 war and contingency campaigns; co-parenting 2 wonderful kids; and three career changes in the military; Flight-line to Front-line combat to rear-line communications.

I say go for it!! Join and go to college!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 4 at 2015 1:19 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:19:32 -0500

Many of the RallyPoint "mega-contributers" have earned their masters degree online and some spent the majority of their career to do it. Talk about a gut check! Multiple schools, deployments, marriage, kids, and retiring with a masters degree. RESPECT!!!

Response by SPC Michael Stanko made Feb 4 at 2015 2:28 PM

SPC Michael Stanko — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:28:12 -0500

When I was on Active Duty one of the guys in our platoon was attending college. When we were deployed overseas he keep up with his studies and made sure to make it to whatever classes he could. If I remember correctly he was also on a pilot program in which the Army gave him a laptop to completed his studies. If he made it work I do not see why anyone else couldn't.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Feb 4 at 2015 3:54 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:54:28 -0500

I finally got a set schedule in Cherry Pt. I cleared school with my NCOIC and OIC. Two weeks into school, after I paid my tuition, they scheduled me for riffle qual, NBC, and a few other things. I was dropped from class for attendance.
Good luck for getting time to attend.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 15 at 2015 3:28 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:28:52 -0400

I thought I had replied to this thread - must have been a related one.

I got my BS degree through ROTC (the only E to O program with college available at the time; now you can stay on A/D while doing this). I got my MEM on A/D with tuition assistance.

On top of that, MGIB benefits helped pay for my two MA's from Gratz College AND my first year of Seminary.

Military/Veteran education benefits are the real deal, in whatever form they are. Everyone should take advantage of them. Not everyone is destined to get a college degree, but everyone who serves honorably can get more education, skills training, etc....

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Mar 15 at 2015 3:38 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:38:20 -0400

I shall not pretend it is easy to complete your education goals while on active duty. However, just like anything else, if you want it bad enough it is possible. I spent my kid's childhood telling them that I would support them in any pat they picked to travel in life, as long as said path traveled through college. Once they had both followed my advice I found myself in an interesting situation. You see, I had not done so myself. I simply could not live with the fact that I had to look a hypocryt in the mirror every morning. I am due to separate from active duty in a few weeks now. I completed my Associates in General studies in 2013, and I have one more class to finish up my Bachelors in International Relations. I will manage to finish up before either of them.

While I did this for a very non-traditional reason, there is no doubt it helped make this unexpected transition a much less painful experience.

Response by SFC Jack Dilbeck made Mar 15 at 2015 10:46 PM

SFC Jack Dilbeck — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 22:46:13 -0400

I was able to earn a bachelors in business and an MBA with a concentration in. Management while on active duty in the Army. Doing so was hard but one of the best decisions I ever made. For me it began as a desire to earn a good living for my family upon retirement. I didn't know when I started but soon after I began discussing what it took to teach in college. One of my professors told me to earn a master's degree with at least 18 hours in the discipline I wanted to teach in. He also told me to get a couple of years business experience and apply to teach part time at a local college. I followed his advice to the letter and two years after retirement I obtained my first full time college teaching position. I advanced quickly into administration and the college sent me to get my Ph.D. . I subsequently changed colleges for a position of higher responsibility.

The moral of this story is members of the military are highly skilled, highly intelligent people that company's are looking for. The biggest trick is to figure out what you want to do after retiring or separating. Find people that are willing to help you and develop a plan of attack. Follow that plan and success will follow. One last thought. A college degree is kind of like a ticket to ride a roller coaster. The ticket will get you on the ride but during the ride you will be twisted, turned, jerked, pulled and might even throw up. It can be scary and fun at the same time. Just remember to hold on and enjoy the ride

Response by SFC Charles S. made Mar 16 at 2015 1:55 AM

SFC Charles S. — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 01:55:20 -0400

Getting a College Degree while on duty is totally possible. I'm not the typical example but I did earn 3 college Degrees on while on Active Duty. Two Associates Degrees and a BSBA. I completed all in 22 months. I took a full load of courses each semester for two years. Associate of Science in Leadership, Associate of Science Computer Science, Bachelors of Science Business Administration in Computer Information Systems all from Hawaii Pacific University. It is a commitment and it is dedication to completing your Mission First then Hitting the Books. Both take their toll but it has totally paid off in the long run. I owe my Job to having these degrees and the Experience I gained while on Active Duty.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 28 at 2015 7:38 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:38:49 -0400

For everyone that earned a degree while in Active Duty. When your potential employer asks you "what is the most difficult thing you have ever done?"

You can use your degree story to answer with a STAR story (Situation, Task, Action, Result) about how you earned your degree despite long hours, family separation, deployments, early wake-ups and so on. You are communicating perseverance to accomplish the impossible and your desire for learning.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 22 at 2015 3:48 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 15:48:48 -0500

Great article.
The opportunities to obtain a degree while serving have never been more abundant. As with anything in life, if it is important to you, you will find the time, energy and commitment to get it done. Yes it will be challenging, yes it will be frustrating (at times), yes there may be st backs and obstacles (deployments, exercises, duty shift rotations, etc...), yet in the end the result will be worth it.

There are many examples in every service of those who succeeded in obtaining their degree while serving. Several of my comrades did it, and not just at the Associate and/or Bachelor level.

An SFC I worked with attended Law School at night.

A CW2 completed his BS and MS,

A young PFC earned his BA in 18 months and started grad school.

I competed three degrees on active duty:

I joined in 1975 and completed the following...

Emergency Medical Technician certification (National and Illinois) 1977 on active duty
AS in General Studies (with Hinors) in June 1978 - Attended courses nights and weekends in AD
BA in History in May 1981 (via ROTC Scholarship) full time student for 2 years
MS in International Relations in August 1985 - Attended courses at night on AD
EdS in Curriculum and Teachung in December 1993 - Attended courses at night and on weekends on AD

(it did take me nearly four years to earn my AS), after that it seemed easier. All of these examples occurred in the days before online classes.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Nov 24 at 2015 11:09 AM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:09:03 -0500

Many years ago when I was in the Army on tanks(1980's), it was normal to be envious of "the army with the women in it" , those people could do college courses/classes even while "in the field". Just went to show how easy the rear echelon had it compared to the combat arms. And the Air Force was the epitome of being able to do college classes while in.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 4:25 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 16:25:39 -0500

I misread the topic and was about to rant. I read it as think you CAN earn a degree.

I assure people that yes you can earn a degree in while on active duty in the military.

I entered a program at Arizona State University with 32 others. 30 of us completed our degree. About half returned to finish their masters as their first assignment as a 2LT. Three went on and completed their PhD.

I am proud to have served with this group of people.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 24 at 2015 6:55 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:55:01 -0500

I listened to those that had retired before me, they said "make sure you get your education before getting out." So I essentially set aside fun and free time to pursue my BA that was nearly 100% funded with Tuition Assistance. That left all of my GI Bill to take advantage of once I retired. Extremely glad I committed to earning the degree before retiring, that has to be one of the smartest decisions I made and am thankful to those that provided the advice.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Nov 25 at 2015 6:19 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:19:19 -0500

My own platoon sergeant was a 19K with 13 rotations at NTC. He received his undergraduate degree shortly after pinning 1SG. It was an honor to be at his graduation and take him out for a drink. That moment when he received his degree is what inspired me to work on my own degree. It took him about 5 years. He did not quit.

Response by SGT Ryan Lawson made Jan 29 at 2018 5:23 PM

SGT Ryan Lawson — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 17:23:56 -0500

Argosy University Twin Cities gives life experience credits, takes JSTs, accepts VA benefits, and gives 20% deal for active, reserve, or vets. Has accredited 100% online too! Associates-Doctoral.

Response by SSgt Paul Mulwitz made Apr 12 at 2018 9:29 PM

SSgt Paul Mulwitz — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 21:29:22 -0400

I earned a college degree while on active duty. I had completed nearly three years of college before enlisting in the USAF. The short story: I went to school part time at a local college while stationed at SAC HQ and working full time as a computer programmer. I earned my bachelor's degree just as I left that assignment for my next one.

I took one class at a time and earned straight A's while working full time. It was easy to do with such a light class load. I attended all classes and did all homework assignments. That is the secret to success as a student.

I got a lot of support from my supervisors. My work schedule never interfered with my class schedule. The USAF paid most of the costs through "Tuition assistance".

I could have applied for a commission through OTS but I decided to get out two years later. The experience as a programmer and the college degree made it easy to find jobs..