Becoming a member of the military is a big commitment. Some people are ready to take this step as soon as they graduate from high school.
Others are pursuing a 4-year college degree while participating in military activities as part of a Service Academy or Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit. Others decide they want to serve after completing their college degree.
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What options are available for those who wait until after college or even after another career to join the military? Are additional services offered?
Officer Track and Enlisted Track
Each branch of the military-Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard-are organized into Officer and Enlisted service members.
Strictly speaking, Officers are superior to Enlisted, but the two paths are designed to work side by side and each brings different skills and focus.
Military members do the hands-on work of the military. They often receive special training and become technical experts over the course of their careers.
Senior Enlisted Members are responsible for managing personnel and mentoring Enlisted and Junior Officers.
A 4-year college degree is not required to enlist in the military, although there are numerous ways to get a degree once you serve or after you've completed your time commitment.
Military officers lead groups of enlisted and fellow officers, with size and level of responsibility increasing with experience.
Their training and job performance evaluations focus on leadership and increasingly complex decision making to influence overall policy and mission direction.
To join as an officer, you must have a 4-year degree. Those seeking a degree may be able to become part of an officer training program while attending college, like ROTC.
There are limited opportunities for senior members to become officers or serve as warrant officers, limited duty officers or in another capacity.
These individuals bring the technical expertise and professional experience of enlisted ranks to the overall strategy of the officer corps.
What to expect in the recruiter's office
Anyone interested in joining the military will most likely start in the recruiter's office. A recruiter is someone currently serving in the military whose job is to educate the public and get suitable candidates to serve.
There are separate recruiters and officers, so it is important to have an idea of which path you are interested in before you visit.
The recruiter will talk to you about what future you want in the military.
Each branch has its own recruitment office and program, so they can only be informed about paths within the service industry they represent.
Questions your recruiter can ask:
- What kind of job do you want in the military?
- What is your family situation?
- What level of schooling have you completed?
- Would you like to pursue a college degree or higher?
Questions to ask the recruiter:
- What are the options for repaying student loans?
- What specialties are available that match my skills and education?
- What service time commitment does each trail require?
- What further training opportunities are available?
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There are many financial benefits to education that come with joining the military. Some are available to all, while others apply only in certain situations.
Make sure to ask your recruiter about available programs BEFORE you join. Some require that you join under certain circumstances in order to be eligible to.
Once you join, you must complete some version of introductory training. For enrolled members, this is mostly basic training.
Officer candidates complete a similar course, officer candidate school.
Each service manages its own program, which your recruiter will explain in detail.
All courses are designed to teach you what is expected of members of the military and transition from civilian to service member.
College loan repayment
If you have taken out student loans for college, you may be able to have the military pay for you. Service-specific student loan repayment programs allow new military members to have their existing student loans paid by the military as an incentive to join.
Eligible student loans originated before the new service member joined the military include:
- Federal subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford loans
- Federal Direct Student Loans or Perkins Loans
- Federal Direct Consolidated Loans
- Federal Direct Parent Loans for Students
How much will the military pay back? There are limits and they vary depending on the service.
In total, the army and navy pay up to 65.000 US dollars. The National Guard and Coast Guard each pay up to 50.$ 000 resp. 30.000 US dollars. The Air Force pays up to 10.000 dollars.
Each service makes annual payments for the balance of the student loans.
Members must enroll as an officer for at least 3 years or earn a commission to be eligible for the program.
Some specialties receive higher amounts than others, which can be helpful when talking to a recruiter.
Using the student loan repayment program also impacts GI Bill benefits for new service members. Typically, military members earn tuition and living expenses to be used for future education under the GI Bill.
Those who take advantage of the student loan repayment program are not eligible to receive GI Bill benefits (which also have a service time requirement) until their first 3 years are completed.
College costs for medical professionals
Some of the best financial incentives for joining the military are for health care professionals.
With 4-year medical school costs ranging from $150,000 to nearly $400,000, it's no surprise that newly graduated medical students are looking for programs to help pay their medical school loans while having rewarding and challenging experiences.
Program for repayment of loans for health professions
The Health Professions Loan Repayment Program offers loans to medical students or residents in the 4. Year earning a specialty to join the military and have some or all of their existing student loans paid off.
To be eligible to apply, potential military members must be currently enrolled in an approved program, agree to serve for a specified period of time, and be in a health profession required by the military.
If approved, participants will receive up to $40,000 annually for 3 years. It is important to note that 25% of this amount is withheld for taxes, which may be granted as part of a tax refund by the IRS.
There are also a number of bonuses for those in much needed medical fields. These are often practitioners with highly specialized skills that require advanced training, but it is worth discussing with the recruiter whether you are eligible.
Scholarship program for health professions
Those interested in the Army, Navy or Air Force may be eligible for a scholarship to attend medical or dental school.
The scholarship includes full tuition, health insurance reimbursement, other school-related expenses and even a monthly living stipend.
If you want to pursue a career in medicine and join the military, this is a great option to take full advantage of the financial incentives that come with this path.
The program is open to individuals with a bachelor's degree who are applying to medical or dental school, as well as individuals who are currently enrolled in medical or dental school.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Another option for those with a college degree who want to become military health professionals is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.
The school's mission is to "educate, train, and comprehensively prepare uniformed health professionals, scientists, and leaders to support the military and public health systems, the national security and defense strategies of the United States, and the readiness of our uniformed services."
Doctoral and master's degree programs are available in a variety of fields. To be admitted, students must have completed a 4-year degree, but do not currently have to serve in the military.
While many new students have prior military service, it is not required for admission.
While at USU, students are on active military duty and are compensated appropriately.
Students pay no tuition, but are required to complete 7 years of service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or U.S. Public Health Service after graduation.
Accelerated promotion
If repaying student loans or tuition isn't enough for a degree in health professions, the military also recognizes the increased level of responsibility and skills that newly commissioned officers possess in certain specialties.
Those who have an advanced degree in health services or law, even if they have not taken advantage of another incentive program, may be eligible for accelerated promotion.
For current medical students and residents
Medical students who use the Health Services Scholarship Program or attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences serve as second lieutenants in the Army or Air Force or as midshipmen in the Navy.
Once they graduate and join the rest of the service, they are automatically promoted to captain in the Army or Air Force or lieutenant in the Navy.
For fully licensed physicians
If you complete medical school and residency and join the military as a licensed physician, you will typically join at the rank of captain or lieutenant. In some cases, individuals with more experience may be able to join an even higher rank.
Accelerated promotion means more responsibility, more authority and a bigger paycheck from day one.
There are also a variety of signing bonuses for licensed physicians when they join the military. Bonus incentives vary by service, specialty, and time commitment.
For practicing attorneys
Attorneys who choose to join the military through the Direct Appointment Program begin at the rank of first lieutenant in the Army or Air Force, lieutenant in the Marine Corps, lieutenant junior grade in the Navy, or lieutenant in the Coast Guard.
The promotion path for each service varies, but attorneys in the Air Force, Army and Navy can expect to receive their first promotion within their first year of service.
Other paths to becoming an officer
How do all of these options compare to other paths to the military?
Since the majority of those who join the military with a 4-year degree will choose to become officers, I have listed some other commissioning programs below.
- Officer Candidate School: those with a 4-year degree who are not interested in repaying student loans can join the military and pursue one of many specialties. They will attend the Officer Candidate School OCS in order to complete their initial military training and to further their education in their chosen field of study.
- Reserve Officer Training Corps: prospective and current college students have the opportunity to participate in military training while in college through the Reserve Officer Training Corps or ROTC program. ROTC programs are service-specific and not all universities have ROCT units on campus. ROTC participants who take advantage of ROTC scholarships commit to serve in the military after graduation.
- Higher Military Education: some institutions include more rigorous military training as part of their curriculum, such as The Citadel in South Carolina or Virginia Military Institute. Students attend the ROTC program but have more military training integrated into their experience.
- Service Academy: each branch of the service has a designated 4-year undergraduate institution that prepares students to become officers in their branch of service. Students attend 4 full years and participate in summer training. The service covers all tuition and fees. All graduates are commissioned as officers on graduation day and fulfill a minimum service obligation in their respective service. Schools include the U.S. Naval Academy, West Point and the Air Force Academy.
Further study options
If you join the military with a completed 4-year degree, you may believe you've exhausted your educational benefits, especially if you qualify for a student loan repayment or scholarship program.
But the military offers a number of opportunities to pursue higher degrees at no cost. Many even pay you to attend!
- Graduate Education Voucher: through the GEV program, the military pays for graduate courses that active military members take on their own time. A limited number of quotas open each year for currently serving members to pursue a degree in a field they will be able to use in their military career.
- Naval Postgraduate Dental School: students at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School can pursue one of many specialties while studying at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Residents graduate Board Certified dentists in their specialty to become.
- Naval Postgraduate School / Air Force Institute of Technology: active duty service members from all branches can earn a master's degree from NPS or AFIT while serving in the military. While attending, they are paid according to rank and do not pay tuition or other fees. A limited number of doctoral programs are available for certain specialties.
- Funded legal education program: this program provides current serving officers a pathway to pursue a law degree in the military. The program pays for in-state tuition while participants earn a law degree.
There are numerous ways to become a member of the U.S. military.
If you are joining with a college degree, you may have the opportunity to take advantage of financial incentives, accelerated advancement opportunities, or the opportunity to earn an advanced degree as part of your military service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to join the military before or after college?
This depends heavily on a number of factors, including your long-term goals, financial situation and future work. Learn more about how to make that decision here.
What is the best branch of the military to join after college?
Each branch of the military has its pros and cons, so there really isn't a 'best' one to join after college. It all depends on your long-term goals as well as other factors. Learn more about which branch of the military is right for you here.
What are the downsides of being in the military after college?
Among many other reasons, some of the disadvantages of being in the military right out of college include: reduced social life, extremely stressful duties, and you can't just leave the military if you're unhappy. Learn more about it here.
Should I go to college or join the military?
Both clearly have their advantages, and it is really a matter of personal choice. If you have any doubts at all about joining the military, you probably shouldn't join. More info here.