Are there any active duty Army or Navy officers who completed an on campus doctorate degree while serving? Is it even possible?

2021-02-21T21:02:53-05:00

What was your experience and how long did it take you to actually complete your degree?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2021 9:06 PM

2021-02-21T21:06:37-05:00

That would be near impossible. The only way you would be able to do is if you were to into a military program that lets you go to school but then you return to the Army. I know a lot of medical officers do this and then they return to the Army as a medical officer with a hefty commitment.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 21 at 2021 9:17 PM

2021-02-21T21:17:10-05:00

I'm not active duty anymore, but I did complete a PhD when I was on active duty. I was selected through a competitive board process, and I had a PCS assignment to attend school (that was my duty assignment for three years). I completed all of the coursework and my comprehensive exams during my three years on campus, and then finished the dissertation at my follow-on assignment. In total, it took me ~6 years, but I know a number of officers who completed it in a shorter time frame. The key is going into the doctoral program having a good idea of what you want to do your dissertation on, and then having access to the necessary data. Also, I was in the Army Medical Department. Civilian schooling is one of the best-kept secrets of the Army Medical Department, but other branches also have great opportunities.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 21 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-02-21T21:33:44-05:00

A now deceased friend was a McNamera selectee for a PhD degree while serving as an Air Force Officer. Stationed at Wright Patterson, he would check out an airplane and fly to research destinations as a qualified 0-6 pilot. Jack was a Navigator early on in WW II and only needed to complete 25 missions to return CONUS - for good; he did not have to return to Britain for a second tour.

Response by CPT Dahn Shaulis made Feb 22 at 2021 8:54 AM

2021-02-22T08:54:35-05:00

Might want to contact Service2School?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2021 10:10 AM

2021-02-22T10:10:46-05:00

Don't know about PhD, but I do know that the military officers bachelor's and master's level benefits, but there are usually strings attached. I believe the Army's GRADSO program will pay you on AD to PCS to a college and get your master's, but you have an obligation of two or three days for every day you are in school. They also require the degree you are pursuing to benefit the military in some way, and usually want it to be fairly specific. (i.e. if you're an Infantry officer, don't expect them to GRADSO you to get a master's in English)

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 22 at 2021 1:28 PM

2021-02-22T13:28:02-05:00

I'm not an officer but I'm completing my doctorate and several of my dissertation resources were completed by active duty doctorate candidates.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2021 4:26 AM

2021-02-28T04:26:15-05:00

Army Medical Department has several programs that grant a PhD leading to specific AOCs. It may also depend on the institution's program; such as those in physical and life sciences that require full-time attendance to work in the lab, serve as TA, and other academic requirements.

Response by COL Greg Graves made Mar 14 at 2021 10:38 PM

2021-03-14T22:38:02-04:00

The Army sends officers to graduate school on campuses around the country every year. I completed my masters in 2 years and my PhD in 3 years in two separate assignments at Texas A&M University. My job was to go to school. I was selected to go for my masters when I was a captain and for my PhD when I was a major. Both graduate degrees were in industrial engineering which aligned with my career field which was operations research / systems analysis. Officers who are selected to teach at West Point are sent to grad school as preparation for teaching academic subjects to cadets.