What was your experience like returning to school after your time in the military?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:01:02 -0400

It has been ten years since high school and, with the exception of a short summer semester at a community college three years ago, I have not set foot in a classroom since. So far, I have noticed that, even though my courseload is much heavier than those of my classmates, I have been having an easier time with it than these young kids (17-20 y/o). I have high hopes for this experience.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2017 10:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:11:37 -0400

Similar to mandatory fun day that was actually fun and productive. Because of how much I knew in general, even when I struggled in class I still learned plenty that may be related but not covered in the classroom.

I'd recommend sharing some of your classroom discussions here at RP to get others' opinion from respective fields of study. I did that with a lot of topics that kept my attention and it helped my overall development. It also helped uncover professors' bias.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 31 at 2017 10:37 AM

AA Joseph Moody — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:37:35 -0400

For me on the social side of it I had some classmates who were VERY upset that I was getting "free" money for school due to having enlisted but....on a scale of 1-sjw I would give that about a 5.2 as far as the drama went.

But in general anyone who does a few years in the real world in a situation where you have to learn to prioritise and reach-deep will do very good in a college environment. One piece of advice I like to tell young people is that they should make sure they are familiar and intimate with the course material before they go into the classroom, because collage is the time to hone your skills not learn them from scratch. And if you don't believe me I want you to think about that concept of GPA and the effects that score has in your life.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2017 10:48 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:48:15 -0400

Hi, SGT Gunderson.

I was medically separated from active duty right after 9/11. As a product of my separation, the VA picked up the total tab for my bachelor’s degree through their vocational rehabilitation program. I started back to college in 2002 and graduated in 2006 with a BS in Management Information Systems.

College was easy compared to military service. Not academically; every written test I took in the AF was multiple choice, and I never had to write a 30-page paper (the longest one I had to write for my undergrad.) It was the mechanistic structure of the military that made it harder than normal life. You had to look and speak like everyone else, and you had to be on time and on target and on point 24/7. And that structure was absolutely what we all wanted and signed up for. College life was not like that. You have assignments and projects you have to deliver, and the onus to meet those deliverables is all on you. Your professors will be of great help if you present your commitment to the goal.

As a service member, you exist a different plane than the young kids with whom you’re going to class.
You’re mission-oriented, you know how to exploit your strengths and back up your weaknesses, and you know the work and sacrifice it takes to succeed.

Good luck!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2017 10:59 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:59:12 -0400

SGT Joseph Gunderson I started college after four years in the Marine Corps. I was concerned that I might be rusty. I was working full time and taking a full load of classes, but I enjoyed the classes and excelled in college. There were plenty of students that did not like the military or veterans, but this was just an annoyance. Some of these students were there to party, while I had a goal of obtaining my degree. College was a great experience.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Aug 31 at 2017 11:27 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 11:27:09 -0400

SGT Joseph Gunderson - Pretty much like this....

Response by SSG Mike Wyche made Aug 31 at 2017 11:45 AM

SSG Mike Wyche — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 11:45:13 -0400

I did college before the military and did not excel. Matter of fact I flunked out. After the military I went back and while working full time finished my degree with a 3.85 GPA. Much easier after the military.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2017 12:07 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:07:14 -0400

I went to college after 5 years in the Marines. I was very much still in the mindset of "I'm being told to do this assignment, be in class, etc." so I did it. No questions asked. All the homework all the labs, everything. It boggled my mind why the other, younger kids weren't doing it. I mean, that's what we were here for right? Apparently a lot of the 18 yo kids who rarely came to class and seemed more interested in exploring their new found freedom and fake I.D. had other ideas about college. But, I had all A's and one B after my first year and they didn't.

However, after two years or so I began understanding that I didn't have to go to "every" class. That, along with the classes getting harder, made my grades fall a little but I still ended up with over a 3.0. So I'll take it.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 31 at 2017 12:37 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:37:10 -0400

Disneyland with better entertainment...

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Aug 31 at 2017 1:14 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:14:21 -0400

Went to college for a year before I went into the Army. All I did was screw off and drink. Went back to college after I got out. Graduated with a 4.0 GPA and made the Deans list every semester. There are 2 types of people in college. one's that are there to spend mommys and daddys money and fuck off and one's that are there to get an education. 99% of former Military fall in the second group.

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Aug 31 at 2017 2:55 PM

SSgt Christopher Mortell — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 14:55:58 -0400

I finished my undergrad before separating through a non-traditional program run by Southern Illinois University at Scott AFB. I did my Master at a commuter campus of Northern Illinois University. The common thread is that the students were all older and motivated. Consequently, both experiences were productive and full of relevant learning experiences. That said one class was the exception. I wound up taking a required statistics class on the main campus with traditional students. That sucked for a few reasons: motivation level of the younger students was very low and the work ethic even lower. Group projects were miserable. This was a 400 level class so for many it was the last class they need before graduation and they were just checking a box. As a result, I recommend to veterans that even if you plan to be a full time student on a traditional campus take evening classes as they tend to be populated with working adults who want to be there. Even better, look for classes at a university's or college's commuter campuses. Most schools have them. If you are working on an undergrad and need general education courses take them through a community college. 1. They are way cheaper 2. Most state university system will accept the credits as meeting their requirements for the same class. 3. The majority of community college students are adults with jobs and not just wasting. 4. The quality is typically very high.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 31 at 2017 3:40 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 15:40:58 -0400

I'm an oddity. I got around to using GI Bill (the old one before Montgomery) after I got off AD but was civil service and reserves at the same time. So I did a Masters Program through USC in 2 years. This was before internet, etc. Looking back, I have no memory of anything other than I must have been working full time, school full time, and reserves 1/2 time. Doing it then was a matter of focus and sleep deprivation. I wouldn't have the stamina for it now. My wife says I was there but not there during those two years. Glad I had GI Bill. Couldn't afford it otherwise. I did have to come up with $100 bucks or so a month to make up the delta. That was still serious money in '87-88.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 31 at 2017 6:36 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 18:36:02 -0400

I did much better than 80% of my classmates. I believe it has to do with personal responsibility, age, experience, problem solving skills,being able to think outside the box, accepting that failures are our own fault and not society, and that we are there for a purpose, not to make a social statement or to party, and we knew the value of the degree we were attempting to achieve.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 31 at 2017 6:38 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 18:38:12 -0400

Do not get sucked up in the social activist scene - try not to choke the living shit out of some liberal 20 year old that believes they have the answer to the worlds social problems, and prepare for the faculty to push liberal agendas and viewpoints.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 31 at 2017 6:53 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 18:53:19 -0400

I haven't returned yet, but I will say I'm honestly nervous.

I did the college thing before I joined the military and I remember a very laid back atmosphere. But these days the political climate has warped my perceptions of what the college experience would be. All these riots and safe spaces and grown adults acting like children makes me not want to go back.

I've still got time on my GI Bill, so I'm in no rush to go back, but eventually I will to grab that 2nd degree.

Response by Cpl John Barker made Sep 1 at 2017 11:54 AM

Cpl John Barker — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:54:02 -0400

Hahaha oh my god it was awesome. Divorce just finalized, I was 22 with free tuition and a monthly check just to show up to class. Not to mention my VA disability checks just started rolling in after my first semester. Its really all about your mentality, I've seen a lot of guys go back and act super jaded and it sucks for them, obviously. But you just go back with the mentality that you're a student and you're allowed to act like a human being and have fun with your life again and it's pretty cool.