Posted on Dec 29, 2020
What are some options for a college graduate to serve, given no prior military experience?
20.9K
157
45
13
13
0
Rally Point Community,
I have a question regarding the best post-bachelors degree route for a person interested in serving. I have considered serving in the past. But, I decided to finish my bachelor's degree first. I've seen posts on here from several years ago, and I apologize if this is redundant. I figure standards adjust annually. I did not realize GPA was so important. I had a 2.0 when I graduated on December 12th, 2020. I am 26 years old.
For context, I had a challenging family issue to resolve and worked for two and a half years before returning to finish. I received A's/ B's once I returned. Would this context matter to a recruiter? Does anyone in the community have any recommendations or advice? I want to serve and experience the good and the bad. Build my leadership, communications, and other skills. The branch doesn't matter to me as long as I can achieve and become better than I am today. Given all of the above, do I have options, or should I just remain a civilian?
Thanks for any help,
Malachi Kirkpatrick
I have a question regarding the best post-bachelors degree route for a person interested in serving. I have considered serving in the past. But, I decided to finish my bachelor's degree first. I've seen posts on here from several years ago, and I apologize if this is redundant. I figure standards adjust annually. I did not realize GPA was so important. I had a 2.0 when I graduated on December 12th, 2020. I am 26 years old.
For context, I had a challenging family issue to resolve and worked for two and a half years before returning to finish. I received A's/ B's once I returned. Would this context matter to a recruiter? Does anyone in the community have any recommendations or advice? I want to serve and experience the good and the bad. Build my leadership, communications, and other skills. The branch doesn't matter to me as long as I can achieve and become better than I am today. Given all of the above, do I have options, or should I just remain a civilian?
Thanks for any help,
Malachi Kirkpatrick
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 24
Get accepted to OCS, OTS, then you enter as an officer. Go to tech school. I went to ICBM school then to a missile wing. 4 years pulling alerts, 1 year Codes Division. Then to NSA to program manage my missile system.
(0)
(0)
I had a college degree but went the enlisted route because I wanted to do the actual job not supervise. I worked in intelligence for 8 1/2 years and would not change a thing. I was discharged and went directly into a major insurance company working as the equivalent of an Attorney with a law degree because my military training as an analyst prepared me for it. In three years I increased my pay by $20,000 a year because my military training equiped me to do the job better than a law degree would have. I looked at legislation in a totally different way because of it.
My advice to anyone with a degree is to make sure you go into a job that will teach you things you can never learn in college. Working in intelligence was the best job I ever had. If I hadn't had a child I would have stayed in the military until I retired or worked for NSA as a civilian until retirement. I spent four years there. It was the best time of my life.
My advice to anyone with a degree is to make sure you go into a job that will teach you things you can never learn in college. Working in intelligence was the best job I ever had. If I hadn't had a child I would have stayed in the military until I retired or worked for NSA as a civilian until retirement. I spent four years there. It was the best time of my life.
(0)
(0)
Doesn’t matter what grade you have as long as you have a bachelors ( C’s get degrees)! I would say commission to whatever branch you choose to fit(Go Air Force) whether active or reserve
(0)
(0)
Rally Point Community,
Based on the excellent advice and recommendations provided here, I have decided to enlist in the United States Navy. If I choose further down the road to make the military my primary career, this will allow me the most flexibility and give me the most significant opportunity for growth. I wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to provide me with advice and recommendations.
Best regards,
Malachi Kirkpatrick
Based on the excellent advice and recommendations provided here, I have decided to enlist in the United States Navy. If I choose further down the road to make the military my primary career, this will allow me the most flexibility and give me the most significant opportunity for growth. I wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to provide me with advice and recommendations.
Best regards,
Malachi Kirkpatrick
(0)
(0)
Read This Next

Advice
Service
Military Career
Bachelors Degree
