Why do senior enlistees take so long to pursue higher education?

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 07:39:14 -0400

I love the Navy. I have been in just 3 months shy away from even getting my good cookies, so needless to say, i am green. After all, i am an E3 (ahem...expecting good news around Memorial). I never planned to go back to college just yet, I grabbed my associate deg and decide to join the Navy to travel and discover myself because after so many years fooling around thinking i wanted to be a programmer. I told myself that after the Navy, i will discover my passion and get that four year degree. But here I am, fresh out of C school, less than 1 year in first command of my Naval career. My command had sent me to take my registry in radiology, a trip that is paid for by command and Navy Cool. I can get out and moonlight as an x-ray tech. I left C school in April 2013, and with less than 1 month away from 1 year being at first command, I am now on my second module with TA being paid for, not even touching my GI bill of course. 16 credits per fiscal year or $4000, whichever is less. The commission program is shot for me because I have passed the age of 27, i am turning 30, and far too often i am jealous of my peers who has yet a clue how great the opportunities of STA-21 and other program. One of the reason why I want to pick up rank fast because E5 sailor get so many doors open up. Yet, i only been told by only one PO2 at my command that he actually want to go to IDC school.
NETC is now introducing a program of Advance Education Voucher for E7. I can't help with wonder, with all these opportunities that the Navy provide, why does it take so long for someone to decide that they want to take advantage of the Navy? Why does it takes something such as this AEV to motivate a senior enlist to actually want to get higher education? As the same time, TA is constantly being threaten to cut back for junior enlistees and cutback and shrink down...etc.
My SEL was leaving as I arrived to the command, he obtained his MA and no one even knew he was going to school. I respect that, it motivates me. As the same time, there are PO1 and PO2 have MA under their belt no less. Even among the E3-E4, there are number of my peers actually have a BA or BS.

So, what do you think?

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=86444

Vouchers Enable Senior Enlisted to Pursue Advanced Education

A path to providing senior enlisted personnel with advanced education opportunities was announced April 6 via Naval Admi

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 9 at 2015 7:55 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 07:55:51 -0400

The SNCO/CPO level is about the time frame most folks are starting a Master's degree. This is especially true given that most folks in the current generation of senior enlisted came directly in without prior college.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 9:24 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 09:24:48 -0400

Really for most of the folks I know it boils down to priorities early in their career. I just went over 19 years and don't have my bachelors yet, because early in my career hanging out and playing softball was much more fun than school. I did get my CCAF in the first 5 years though.

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made May 21 at 2015 7:47 PM

SCPO Frank Carson — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:47:37 -0400

Perhaps you need to take the English class again...