Everyone wants free college. Do you think they can pay for it?

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:26:57 -0400

I don't really have anything to ad. The meme says it all. Do you agree?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 9:44 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:44:40 -0400

Sir, sorry if I may sound harsh but those wanting free college just can't see further than the top of their nose. Same for those advocating one should join the military to go to college for free. Not directly paying for something doesn't mean it's free.

What this country really needs to implement is "affordable" education.

I worked for my scholarship and I've come a long way to serve but I believe no one should have to put his life on the line for education.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 9:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:46:57 -0400

Mine wasn't free in the military, but, it was VERY cheap. But, then I could not party after duty hours. I went to school instead.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Jun 5 at 2016 9:47 PM

TSgt Alex Benningfield — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:47:13 -0400

I would agree, especially with the new generation. They want want want but are not willing to work for it. Of course this is a generalist if identification of all college age individuals. The fact remains, it appears this new generation wants to be handed every thing and believes they are entitled to receive it without regard to those who came before. Perhaps it is our fault for without remembering how we and those before earned their education. If we don't realize how great we have it to get free college for serving we won't appreciate 1. Our education, and 2 the sacrifices made so we can enjoy it. I am a great example earned 2 associates a bachelor's a master's and working on. Second masters...maybe spend 2-3 grand out of pocket.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 9:51 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:51:43 -0400

I too do not want to sound harsh. But if college becomes free many will not appreciate it and the next thing will be how do I get this degree without studying?

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 5 at 2016 9:56 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:56:05 -0400

19 trillion dollars in debt and everyone wants free stuff... I get it... actually there is a warped sense of logic. But I think there needs to be a realistic solution. Military service for all? The fact is not everyone is cut out for military service.

Instead go with a community service concept. If you want 'free' college, you must put in 40 hours a week for the summer before and in between semesters and one summer after graduation. During the school semester 15-20 hours a week. This can be based on the needs of the state and local community. It should only be for state level colleges, trade and technical schools. All tuition paid, all books, and such. A small salary could be included (small). If you choose to go to a private or out of state university it is on you. If you choose to not do the community service all cost are on you.

Now how do we pay for this? Simple cut/reduce foreign aid, and other welfare programs. Fix the tax system, encourage job growth and development in the USA, remove the restrictive regulations that is killing industry, negotiate trade deals with America's best interests. Cut the size and scope of many of the federal/state government agencies.

Get people educated and working, we won't need the welfare. The more people working the more fresh tax revenue can be generated and put towards the debt and other priorities. (What do I mean by fresh tax revenue? If you have 25% or more of your population getting government assistance, the tax money collected from that is just recycled, does nothing to benefit the nation. It is like daddy works, gives his son a dollar who buys lemonade from his sister's stand who then gives it to her daddy to buy more lemonade mix... who then gives his son a dollar who buys more lemonade...)

Response by 1SG Patrick Burke made Jun 5 at 2016 10:23 PM

1SG Patrick Burke — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 22:23:51 -0400

This will be a never ending cause. By this I mean, back in the day you were educated if you had a High School Diploma, never mind a college degree. If college is free, than the college degree becomes the new High School Diploma and after time, employees will look for more from potential candidates to separate them from the rest of the pack and when this happens, we are back to the original position we are in. If people think an undergraduate degree costs a lot, wait till they enter into a graduate program. I have never been a believer in giving things for free, especially when this country is mired in debt. I am not sure military service is the answer based on the CBA, the amount it takes to train and maintain a Soldier for however long and then the government gives them more for college. I do believe in working for things that you want and an education should not be any different. Mr. Flemming has a great point about community service. This approach would have a less economical impact on the government and would actually serve the kids in a positive way by getting them away from the Xbox and teaching them about giving back. Just my thoughts..

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 10:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 22:30:29 -0400

CPT Jack Durish When I was discharged, I started working full time and started going to school full time using the G.I. Bill. My degree paved the way to my dream job. Hard work and determination does pay off.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 6 at 2016 1:34 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 01:34:26 -0400

Yes I do. I think that in order to get most financial aid you should have to do some form of public service. Not just military, but some form of public service work, like teachers aid or hospital orderly. That education should have to be earned, or paid for by student or family. I have ZERO responsibility to pay for anyone to go to college that does not send me a Father's Day card, call me Daddy, or share my DNA.
Higher Education should be EARNED.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 6 at 2016 7:16 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 07:16:35 -0400

Work now a days is the worst four letter word you can use to some of this generation.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 7:17 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 07:17:57 -0400

Members of liberal/progressive community forget there are programs that will provide college, medical care and job training. They just need to serve their country. Its pretty simple.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 6 at 2016 8:41 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 08:41:13 -0400

May seem like a good idea at first with our future being invested in us, may cause problems in the future. Unlike some other countries, we are able to choose what we want to do and pay for it as we desire. Some countries (North Korea), the government chooses your future for you, then invests in your education (training) for that field. I don't see us reaching that point anytime, but it is an example of the system going too far. While free education would be nice, I think most of us would rather have affordable education.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 10:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:57:26 -0400

Nothing is free. Has to be paid for in some fashion. Blood, sweat and tears. Not everyone is ready or willing to write that check.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 8 at 2016 11:24 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:24:29 -0400

Personally, it's been my experience that the people who go to college without having to earn it are the ones who waste their time the most. Before the military, I went the college route. I was working 2 jobs at the time to make tuition and balancing my class workload. I could easily spot the difference in the caliber of students from the ones who were having their tuition paid for by their parents. Personally free college is the biggest joke in the world. Some type of sacrifice should be made in order to earn the education. That's the only way you can guarantee it won't be a waste. But like you said... the meme says it all.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2022 8:22 PM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:22:25 -0500

NO. I do not agree. Maybe that's the Army way of thinking, but if college was an option for Marines, the word (scuttlebutt) certainly did not get around to everybody. Let me clean that up a bit. Off base, and college courses were offered at near by bases. Also and schools. Problem was Marines were on 24 hr. alert at all times. Closest I came to a full term was at Kadina AFB. OK, They still paid for my education. I guss that would count as a freebee. Just had to get that out.