What advice would you give to a person enlisting with a college degree?

2017-04-25T13:05:52-04:00

To be more specific, the person has a finance degree if that matters and wants to enlist (open to all branches). do you have any advice for someone coming in at a higher rank with no military experience compared to someone that does have military experience and is the same rank.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 25 at 2017 1:07 PM

2017-04-25T13:07:17-04:00

Great question know what rank you will enlist as. Go to AR 601-210

Response by PVT Angelo Velez made Apr 25 at 2017 1:12 PM

2017-04-25T13:12:20-04:00

I understand for the Army, it is a Specialist. The Navy and Air Force, someone will come in as an E-3 and the Marines is an E-2 I think. This question is always asked for non-prior service O-1s that are coming to the military so I was wondering if anyone has specific advice for E-4s or E-3s with a college degree and no military experience.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 1:13 PM

2017-04-25T13:13:39-04:00

One can enlist at E-4/SPC with a college degree. I even got a $6000 bonus (~$4300 after taxes) for doing so. The ACASP (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program) will also allow certain people with verifiable civilian skills (that translate to Army MOS) to enlist at E-4/SPC.

I know the Army Reserve can direct commission people who have in-demand skills.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 25 at 2017 1:20 PM

2017-04-25T13:20:26-04:00

I once had to make a presentation to a group of newly minted captains (doctors) who apparently purchased uniforms to fit their new station in life without instructions on how to wear them. As I looked out over the group I was appalled to see that they had mixed and matched pieces from different uniforms according to their taste. After determining that I wasn't the object of a Candid Camera hoax, I simply chose to be offended. Who the hell thinks they can make someone an officer without any orientation whatsoever? This led me to consider the whole idea of rank among highly specialized individuals. Pilots, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are given rank to induce them to enlist (I suppose), without considering the consequences. I am eternally grateful that I eschewed a direct commission in JAG and earned my commission after a year at Infantry School. Although I still had much to learn, I had at least a modicum of respect for military tradition. So, if you are placed at a higher rank than other new recruits, especially if commissioned, please get someone (preferably an older NCO) to help you dress yourself before you appear in public.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 1:22 PM

2017-04-25T13:22:28-04:00

Don't worry about the rank that you enlist as, if you enlist in the Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard for instance I know they give you E-4/ SPC rank with a degree. It's GREAT for the paycheck in comparison to E-1 (obviously). But just because you wear Specialist rank doesn't mean that people in your unit will expect anything more from you in terms of MOS knowledge. They may expect you to have a higher maturity level and self discipline given that you are older than most new PVT's and have a degree.

In terms of the degree being finance, you could certainly pursue an MOS that corresponds with finance such as 42A in the Army, or do something entirely different, it doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things. Pick an MOS that you think you can be happy with for at least the duration of your initial contract!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 1:24 PM

2017-04-25T13:24:42-04:00

Just because you have a degree doesn't mean you know everything about the world, life, or the military and it definitely doesn't make you better than anyone else. In the military, your rank classifies you. Don't try to act like you're above it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 1:48 PM

2017-04-25T13:48:18-04:00

Someone with a degree that joins and my advice? Welcome to the Military. Do NOT throw that degree in people's faces. That degree will NOT give you automatic experience in the Military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 2:00 PM

2017-04-25T14:00:39-04:00

Back in 2005, I was called up off reserve duty and sent down to Ft. Jackson for 2 years to work BRM. The number of specialist in those ranks was really high. I would say each platoon had 5 to 7 spc. So I guess it depends more on what they want out of it. Not that uncommon.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 2:22 PM

2017-04-25T14:22:01-04:00

You will decide not to remain enlisted. Trust me.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 25 at 2017 2:26 PM

2017-04-25T14:26:14-04:00

Personally, I think you should look at commissioning through OCS. Any reason why you're not?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Apr 25 at 2017 3:03 PM

2017-04-25T15:03:04-04:00

Why are you not considering commissioning?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 24 at 2019 3:47 PM

2019-05-24T15:47:11-04:00

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

Look at this....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 24 at 2019 3:49 PM

2019-05-24T15:49:39-04:00

It'd help to know associates with major if any, grades, GPAs, specific STEM and non-STEM course titles, which svcs have been looked at or have an interest in, where to be assigned, grad school stuff, esp MBA or law, whether the genel and/or subject GRE has been taken yet, the GMAT, or the LSAT. the more specifics you can give, the more I and others here can suggest, honest, I have an interest in career/educ stuff, that's what I generally suggest sending in beyond an initial question of that type, honest, I'm here if you wanna yak more, OK?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 26 at 2019 1:29 PM

2019-06-26T13:29:28-04:00

Tell him to watch and listen as he will catch up with his peers. What I want to know is why is he enlisting with a college degree?