Did you complete your doctorate while on active duty?

2023-02-28T16:58:09-05:00

Would love to hear from the rare few who have accomplished such a feat. I am interested in continuing my education, but like any other, doubtful of finding the time to do so at the doctorates level until my career on active duty would be complete.

Response by CPO Millard Thompson made Feb 28 at 2023 5:26 PM

2023-02-28T17:26:53-05:00

I have completed my doctorate, but it was not during my enlistment of 24 years inclusive of reserve (4 years), and active duty of 20 years day for day. I tried to start it on active duty using the University of Maryland program that was available to me even when we were underway, but that dd not work out. As soon as I got out I went to work and did not even anticipate it. I then got a taste of school again on my job with National Semiconductor Corp. and the rest is history. I obtained my associate degree, Bachelor of Science degree (in business), Master of arts degree in Management, and subsequently My Doctorate in Information Technology with a minor in Business. It was not easy, but the benefits of it manifest themselves daily. I completed everything by age 64, and I will never look back. It was truly worth it. There are many opportunities for you to attend the University of Maryland courses while you are on active duty to fill in all of the holes that you can while on active duty, but I chose to do it after I retired from the Navy. Full speed ahead if you are willing. Nothing but respect for you even inqiuring.

Dr. Millard A. Thompson SMC(SW)

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 28 at 2023 6:12 PM

2023-02-28T18:12:10-05:00

I did, but it was through a fully funded program where attending my doctoral program was my actual duty assignment. I couldn't imagine trying to complete a doctorate while doing a regular assignment and dealing with deployments.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2023 4:10 PM

2023-03-01T16:10:24-05:00

I have only known a very few. TA will not cover it. I am working on my masters currently with Troy University now. I don't think I will go that far in my education but most programs require a prolonged studies that would not be ideal with the military life style. I am deployed again and I was in the middle of an online class when I started it.

Response by CW2 Victor Munoz made Mar 1 at 2023 6:38 PM

2023-03-01T18:38:26-05:00

I did my BS and MBA while on active duty. Had the support of my Commander abd the Chief. It was not a walk in the park. Even my girlfriend of 43 years supported me. I was going to start my PhD but I was in Panama when General Noriega started up all that ruckus abd that my fellow soldiers when I had to stop. Note, my studies for the BS and MBA were all in a classroom environment. Working time and many nights to include Saturday and Sundays is how I did it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2023 8:59 PM

2023-03-01T20:59:24-05:00

I'm a reservist, but I completed my doctorate while working full-time (travel job). If you make it a priority, it can be done...as long as you're looking at a program that doesn't in-person attendance other than conferences or limited seminars.

Response by SFC Bob Chapman DEng made Mar 15 at 2023 1:10 PM

2023-03-15T13:10:44-04:00

I got lucky.. I started college after I retired, with VEAP ($225 a month while I went to school), graduated in 3 years, the last year I was able to convert to the GI BILL.. Started work as a Comp Sci supporting the Navy and Marines. Between the Navy (Civ) and GI Bill they paid for my Masters, and most of my Doctorate. No way would I have been able to do any of it while on Active Duty.

I have had several Veterans come work for me, and I've all but required them to go to school. Can't be an engineer, or make engineer money with a HS Diploma, and while going to school Full Time (3 classes a semester??) they get tuition, a stipend for books, AND a Housing Allowance.. all money they have earned with their service, and if you don't go, it's like writing a check to the Gov't for $50 -100K.. I've had many go on to a Masters Degree (we have an excellent program with John's Hopkins), and only a few that have pursued a Doctorate.. again great local programs provided close to work.

Bob (DEng)

Response by LTC Charles Puchon made Mar 15 at 2023 3:32 PM

2023-03-15T15:32:53-04:00

Express your interest in obtaining a doctorate with your assignment officer or career branch. If the opportunity exists you stand a good chance in your career, based on the needs of the service, in obtaining one. In my case I did that and was later assigned as a Captain to the University as a full time doctoral student. After completion, I was then assigned to Washington DC in a utilization tour. Good luck!

Response by Lt Col Michael Hills made Mar 17 at 2023 7:28 PM

2023-03-17T19:28:10-04:00

I did it through the Advanced Academic Degree Program...fully funded and was my duty assignment. Even with that advantage, the three year time line was incredibly demanding and took everything I had to finish on time.

Response by MSgt Keith Morreira made Mar 22 at 2023 11:24 PM

2023-03-22T23:24:13-04:00

Yes, once I completed my assigned duties, I worked on my research and papers.

Response by 1LT Willis Johnson made Apr 2 at 2023 8:02 PM

2023-04-02T20:02:08-04:00

Used the GI Bill to complete mine after completing my Vietnam tour in June 1970. Had to take some additional required courses and teach two years in my subject area. So I didn’t get all of the courses plus my research completed until July 1974. Could never have done it without the GI Bill.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2023 10:52 AM

2023-04-19T10:52:45-04:00

I actually completed mine when leaving active duty and transitioning to the Reserves. While you can use the GI Bill to pay for it in either case, the GI Bill only pays you a housing stipend if you are not on active duty. Doing the doctorate when in the reserves allowed me to treat it as a second job and to supplement my civilian income (nearly every civilian job I looked for paid less than active duty pay+benefits).
As far as time commitment, a doctorate is very different than other degrees. You'll need a lot of uninterrupted writing and reading time. Tests are rare, your grades are mostly related to the quality of lengthy writing/research assignments. Depending on the program you find, much of that may also be group work to prepare you for academia in which there are multiple authors writing a single paper. It may be very hard to find that time in an active duty unit in which you are subject to mobilizations, field problems, and the whims of commanders, but you know your situation better than me.
Check with yourself and see if you really can commit to 15-20 hours per week, no BS. Unlike military courses or even Masters courses that give such estimates, there is still the unacknowledged reality that there are a lot of click-through classes and tests that inflate the number. A doctorate program is very different and the time sink is real!

Response by CH (CPT) Jerry McGowin made Apr 22 at 2023 7:41 AM

2023-04-22T07:41:06-04:00

I did my doctorate after I retired. But knew of others who was given an assignment to complete a doctorate. A big portion of doctorate work is reading and writing. Depending on what area you are working in would play a large role. But with a laptop and internet it is doable, but again depending on your field of study as each field of study requires different tyoes of work.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2023 12:14 PM

2023-05-08T12:14:18-04:00

I graduated this past weekend, PhD in Cyber Operations (link: https://dsu.edu/programs/phdco/index.html). I had 12 college credits when I first joined the Navy (22 years ago), I now have a BA in Psychology, an MA in I/O Psychology, an MS in Computer Science and my PhD. It was a SLOG. When I started the program, I was in a relatively laid-back job and had some flexibility. This past year and a half (working primarily on the dissertation and publications) was brutal, working a department head job overseas - and that's coming from a guy who's been working on homework almost my entire adult life in my spare time. Would I recommend it? Only if you're completely unfamiliar with work/life balance and you're convinced that sleep is for the weak. But now I'm one of the rare few - so there's that. Best of luck!
B~

Oops! - Dakota State University

Response by SP5 Jesús Zamora made Jun 24 at 2023 4:00 PM

2023-06-24T16:00:13-04:00

I had my Master’s degree when i started my military career and I received an early release after which I started my quest for a PhD. I did so working full time, with a young family, and with travel requirements on the job. I used the GI bill to fund my tuition and fees etc. and earned the doctorate in five years. It was not easy! It required prayer, encouraging parents, a supportive wife, focus, time management, and discipline. Despite the challenges, sacrifices I would do it again. Thankfully I had a career in education as a teacher, supervisor, high school principal, director of instruction, and CEO having worked at the local , regional, and state education agencies over 38 years.