Posted on Feb 7, 2018
Is education a big deal in the Army and Marine Corps?
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One of my biggest gripes about the Air Force is how much emphasis there is on education. I mean, I guess I should've expected that when I enlisted given the nature of the branch, but I definitely wasn't expecting to be told basically that I'll be kicked out after my first enlistment if not doing some sort of schooling. I understand that school is important and I probably should go but I just truly don't want to go and have no interest in it. Even if it is free.
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Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 23
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An axiom I learned early in college - the day you stop learning is the day you start dying.
During the time period I was in, civilian education was not pushed that hard for enlisted Marines. Continuing education through Marine Corps courses (little red books) was highly encouraged though. Building a habit of learning is probably the one best thing you can do as an individual. And you certainly do not have to keep it in one vein.
I will be 60 this year and I have several books that I read from every week, several sites I visit and many you-tubers I follow. Add to that Ted Talks and other similar sources and I easily spend 8-12 hours a week learning. The subjects vary widely: Finances, Marriage, Relationships, Leadership, Self Improvement, Physics, Astronomy, emerging technologies around GRIN (Genetics, Robotics, Intelligence, Nanotechnology), Medieval Fighting techniques, off grid living, and so much more.
While I was in I took correspondence courses for my MOS and supporting MOS' as well as NCO and Staff NCO Leadership. How am I to operate if I have no framework to operate within? How am I able to advance the mission if I don't know what else can be done, has been done, outside of the very basic training I already had. Field computers were brand spanking new to the Corps at the time. Our CO wanted it field ready and able to connect back to mainside while in the field. So, field modem, field laptop (a luggable), slash wire, a radio repeater setup and 16 hours of trial and error we came up with how to fulfill the mission *before* the manuals came out.
So, again, the axiom - the day you stop learning is the day you start dying. Especially true on the battlefield! And more permanent.
During the time period I was in, civilian education was not pushed that hard for enlisted Marines. Continuing education through Marine Corps courses (little red books) was highly encouraged though. Building a habit of learning is probably the one best thing you can do as an individual. And you certainly do not have to keep it in one vein.
I will be 60 this year and I have several books that I read from every week, several sites I visit and many you-tubers I follow. Add to that Ted Talks and other similar sources and I easily spend 8-12 hours a week learning. The subjects vary widely: Finances, Marriage, Relationships, Leadership, Self Improvement, Physics, Astronomy, emerging technologies around GRIN (Genetics, Robotics, Intelligence, Nanotechnology), Medieval Fighting techniques, off grid living, and so much more.
While I was in I took correspondence courses for my MOS and supporting MOS' as well as NCO and Staff NCO Leadership. How am I to operate if I have no framework to operate within? How am I able to advance the mission if I don't know what else can be done, has been done, outside of the very basic training I already had. Field computers were brand spanking new to the Corps at the time. Our CO wanted it field ready and able to connect back to mainside while in the field. So, field modem, field laptop (a luggable), slash wire, a radio repeater setup and 16 hours of trial and error we came up with how to fulfill the mission *before* the manuals came out.
So, again, the axiom - the day you stop learning is the day you start dying. Especially true on the battlefield! And more permanent.
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Thank you very much, I suppose I could maybe try and substitute with a vocational school? I hope they'll accept that.
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I don't have an issue with learning new things or things related to the job, I meant more so the having to go to college for a degree so I don't get booted out. I should have clarified better. Is going to college and getting a degree a huge thing in the Army and Marine Corps? Thank you everyone for your answers so far though! Very insightful information.
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