Should I stay in or go to college?

2018-04-29T20:01:17-04:00

Lately I’ve found my mind wandering. On one hand I love the military for how it challenges me, on the other hand I’ve come to realize I can do very well for myself academically if I get out. Anyone else have this impasse? My career is purely thankless and I worry that I’m sacrificing my future for nothing.

Response by CPT Griff Tatum made Apr 29 at 2018 8:03 PM

2018-04-29T20:03:00-04:00

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 29 at 2018 8:03 PM

2018-04-29T20:03:32-04:00

With what you have written, TSgt Private RallyPoint Member, I would go to college/a university; in lieu of staying Active. My opinion only.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 8:10 PM

2018-04-29T20:10:01-04:00

This is just me, stay in and go to college. What happens if you lose your job out there? It can happen. Will be nice to at least have a check each month that you earned after 20 years of service to fill that gap in income. Something to think aboit.

Response by SPC Jovani Daviu made Apr 29 at 2018 8:13 PM

2018-04-29T20:13:09-04:00

Both

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 8:13 PM

2018-04-29T20:13:48-04:00

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member Stay in and start college so you do not have time for your mind to wander.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Apr 29 at 2018 9:16 PM

2018-04-29T21:16:24-04:00

I think you already know the answer SSgt Mason Mackin.best of luck Brother

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 29 at 2018 9:55 PM

2018-04-29T21:55:02-04:00

On one hand you say you love your job, on the other you say it is thankless. Many earn degrees while serving and use that degree after retirement. If you feel as if you are better off going full time then by all means do it. Speak to people you trust, Family and military, in the end do what you feel is best for you. Thank you for your service.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Apr 29 at 2018 10:18 PM

2018-04-29T22:18:20-04:00

Do both! Stay and go to night school. I did. Used the GI bill. Was in class every night from 1600 to 2200 carrying a full college load. It helped me in my military career as well as aiding me in my second career. Yes, I missed classes here and there due to duty requirements. However, I willingly worked weekends for folks if they helped me during the week so I could attend classes.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Apr 29 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-04-29T22:39:46-04:00

Get the hell out, stay in the National Guard or Reserves. Get some education or go to a tech schoo. You can always go back in.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2018 10:42 PM

2018-04-29T22:42:55-04:00

I know exactly how you feel. I was pretty much in your shoes about 4 or 5 years ago. I was reaching my mid-career point and I was pretty much burned out. I'd taken a whole mess of college classes while in but to pursue the career I really wanted I really needed to attend school full time. It was a tough decision and I went back and forth several times. After a long conversation with my fiancé (now my wife of 4 years) I decided to get out and go back to school full time. After I finished school I applied to one of the Army's grad school programs and came back in as an officer about a year and a half ago. Like I said, it was a very tough decision, but it was definitely the right one in retrospect. I would suggest sitting down and making a detailed timeline,pro-con list, financial plan, etc for each route. It's obviously your decision to make, but at least make it a well informed decision.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2018 11:33 PM

2018-04-29T23:33:07-04:00

You'd need to elaborate...your goals, your ambitions, your objectives. Then, too, your family circumstances, could you afford to go, would you he able to to under benefits, how far did you want to go, undergrad? Masters? Doctors? What field? Do you want to go back in after? Senior enlisted? Warrant? Commissioned? Describe hobbies, reading, interests, how much college you've done thus far, associates? Bachelor's? Specific course titles, grads, GPA, so far as you'd care to say? The more you send in, he more can be suggested for you...are you due to get out? If so, when? Soon? Months? Years? Would you go to a school near where you are? Further away? What major? A STEM field? Meteorology? Some other science? What would you want for an MOS or SFSC if you went back in? Would you want Guard? Reserve? Guard tech? Reserve tech? AGR? Active duty? Take the time to really do a detailed, thorough bio sketch, preferably on a word processor where you can think it out, then paste it in here, I'd love to suggest things, I'd just need to know more, you know?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-04-29T23:36:39-04:00

And do you want flight at all? Space ops? Cyber? Pure science? Also, which svcs? Would you want USAF again? One of the others? Do you have any clinical interests, in which case I'd suggest USPHS...if pure science, maybe flight, I'd suggest the NOAA Corps...would you consider USCG at all? Army WOCS for helicopters? uSAF or USN flight, either pilot/aviator or Nav/WSO? Just so e further thoughts, you know? Comp sci (CS)? Engineering? Physics? Math? Chen? Bio related? Try to be as specific as you possibly can be in your description, OK?

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Apr 30 at 2018 12:19 AM

2018-04-30T00:19:36-04:00

I reached that impasse near the end of my first enlistment, even though I was already going to school part time. From that point I started going to school 3/4 time until I qualified for a commissioning program and they paid for my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Once I commissioned, I kept finding ways for the Air Force to pay for more college until they paid for my master's degree in computer engineering. I have a friend of mine who one-upped me and had the Air Force pay for his PhD in mathematics. I stopped at my master's degree, because I hit 20 years. I think if I had to do it again, I would stay in and have the Air Force pay for my PhD in computer science, and then retire.

Response by Cpl Adam Avitabile made Apr 30 at 2018 7:49 AM

2018-04-30T07:49:03-04:00

I find that many folks who stay in and knock out their degree are able to retire and get a decent job afterwards. You will be one step ahead of the other person who doesn’t have the degree. Further, you can use your GI Bill for other type of training. I always recommend that SNCOs get their PMP while they are still active as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 9:02 AM

2018-04-30T09:02:48-04:00

I’ve talked to so many people who ended up getting out because of one negative situation with either their command, a supervisor, or because of their duty station. After our conversation, they always say, “I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN”. Believe me, we all think that the grass is greener on the other side, but I’ve learned that the pros of a government retirement, the medical benefits, and most likely a check from the VA outweighs getting out any time soon.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 9:11 AM

2018-04-30T09:11:39-04:00

I'll put my vote in for doing both. Stay in and retire. Even if you do it through the National Guard. I had a retired SM recently tell me that if for no other reason, do it for the insurance you can get when you retire from everything. We rarely think that far down the road but the day is coming for all of us. I say this because it doesn't sound like you hate being in the military. If that were the case, I might advise differently.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 30 at 2018 10:17 AM

2018-04-30T10:17:25-04:00

Sure know how to P.O old NCO's don't you. Serving this Nation was never guaranteed to bring awards, riches, or thanks- if you think ser4ving it not rewarding, or that your future is more important- then leave. ( I'm not attacking- just my opinion). If you think you are not making a difference then try something else- tho academics are often underpaid, overworked and thankless as well.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 10:22 AM

2018-04-30T10:22:29-04:00

I completed my degree while on active duty. I entered the Air Force at age 17 right out of high school. You do not have to get out to complete your education.

Response by Susan Foster made Apr 30 at 2018 10:38 AM

2018-04-30T10:38:53-04:00

Can't you do both? Unless you know exactly what you want to do academically and why--then go for it.

Response by 1stSgt Mack Housman made Apr 30 at 2018 10:40 AM

2018-04-30T10:40:15-04:00

Do both!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 11:07 AM

2018-04-30T11:07:10-04:00

Stay in and continue your education. You'll have less debt, a somewhat stable cash flow and lifestyle, and besides a meager pension you'll be young enough for a second career after retirement.

Response by SSgt Nevin Kirkland made Apr 30 at 2018 11:52 AM

2018-04-30T11:52:06-04:00

It sounds like you might be burned out on active duty and my advice is not to use college as an excuse to get out because you'll likely regret that. Maybe switch to reserves and finish college, then decide if you want to switch back to active duty or jump into the civilian world.

Doing both is possible, depending on what you want to do. I obtained a Bachelor Degree while still in and planned to stay in. However, I decided I wanted to go to law school had to get out in order to be able to do that.

Response by Sgt Gabriel Rodriguez made Apr 30 at 2018 1:05 PM

2018-04-30T13:05:52-04:00

Go to college, focus on personal development, build or strength your interest personal relationships. Go do the things you always wanted to do.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-04-30T16:55:01-04:00

shift to reserves. Only go to college for stem or medical. Get commissioned and make a difference. Do NOT screw the 20 year retirement from yourself. Think strategy. Every gripe about the military you or anything else has will be magnified by the civilian world. Unlike your brothers in uniform the civilians are cut throat selfish scum suckers as par for the course. There are a few that aren't (usually vets), but that's the exception, not the rule.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 30 at 2018 7:02 PM

2018-04-30T19:02:24-04:00

Do both TSgt Private RallyPoint Member. Make the most of your career while you can. Trust me, it ends all to early as it is. My advice is to pick a degree path that has some meaning and value though. Lots of unemployed underwater basket weavers out here in Civilian Land....

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Apr 30 at 2018 8:35 PM

2018-04-30T20:35:08-04:00

If you really want the “challenge”, do both. I can vouch for the fact that this will squelch those voices in your head. That, or you simply lack the luxury of time to listen to them. The reality is that this will place you ahead of whatever life may toss your way.

Plan for your future, but prepare for the fact that plans change. I did my college while on active duty. We thought we were headed to Korea. Then we found out I was getting out unexpectedly.

When I did get out I was relieved I’d taken the time to continue my education. It enabled me to walk right into a great job... A job I found I really isn’t care for. I was not suited for the cubicle life, no matter how well it paid.

Now I work for me. My job has zero to do with the degree(s) I worked my ass off for. In the end, who really cares? Set yourself up for any and all curve balls that may be thrown your way. Throughout all the ups and downs, you will inevitably find what makes you happy.

In my case, that is a guy with a background in emergency management and anti-terrorism with a degree in International Relations, who now runs a roofing company. I never would have guessed.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 1 at 2018 9:39 AM

2018-05-01T09:39:35-04:00

Do both...that way you can get tuition assistance whil eon active duty to pay for your school and that willsave your GI BIll for a masters program downthe road should you want to do that. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater...one bad job or situation does not a career make. Everyone in uniform has faced similar situations and thought the same things but the ones that stayed with it it worked out. If you finish your degree, apply for OTS etc and get a commission and make change as an officer where you can. However, right now you are aSSgt and yo can effect change rightthere as well. If something isn't right fix it.

Response by TSgt David Holman made May 1 at 2018 1:38 PM

2018-05-01T13:38:28-04:00

IF you believe that your career is truly thankless, then I think you have answered your own question. I don't know how many years you have in, or what your AFSC is, but you might want to talk to your supervisor/chain of command about some professional development. Sometimes, just stepping outside of the career field for a short time can bring things back into focus.

That being said, if you decide to get out before you do, make sure you have a plan, and then a back up plan. I have seen many good airmen get out thinking "I can use my GI Bill and go to school full time" and forget about the other truths of life (car payment, housing, insurance, food...) and then struggle with school because they had to take two jobs just to get by.

The choice is ultimately yours, but I would recommend asking yourself why you want to make the choice, instead of just asking what choice you should make.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-06-18T14:12:45-04:00

Both - unless you are tired of serving. You have a support network in place. Utilize it and capitalize. It will pay off.