Why do so many people in the military have useless degrees?

The degrees individuals receive from Colleges, Universities, and Academies aren't useless, so much as they may not be used while in a specific field or MOS. The gaining of a degree also indicates that a individual has the ability to learn other skills.

Having a degree in the Arts or English Literature, may not seem useful for an Infantry Officer from one perspective. But that may be the very background needed for him or her to request specific support from a Civil Affairs Team in regards to documenting and protecting items or locations of historical significance.

Similarly a Soldier with a degree in Fire Protection or Journalism may not seem like a likely fit for a CIMIC Team. However, it enables them to fill roles the Senior Commander may not have the background for. The Journalist might be the PAO the commander needs to deal with reporters, while the Fire Protection Specialist can explain in simplified terms what a 530C's function is and how that type of vehicle can be of support in Civil Relief roles besides fire fighting. (A 530C is an obsolete firefighting vehicle based on the M35 2&1/2 ton chassis).

A degree in Culinary Arts, may seem like the last thing an Engineer Officer needs, however if during a Humanitarian Mission he or she needs to set up a multifunctional Industrial Kitchen on a field site due to destruction of infrastructure. The Culinary background may be the most pertinent aspect required to lay out the most efficient and sanitary set up.

The Square Peg only fits a square hole designed to accept it, formula pretty much only works with Napoleonic Warfare modes of thought. Where in our modern era we need people who can adapt to asymmetric operations, and sometimes that requires we have individuals who don't fit the mold in various positions.

My goal was to be an army officer and serve for life. If the army would have required a certain degree, I would have earned it. The army didn't care what degree I earned, so I picked a field that I was interested in. I chose journalism. You might say I majored in military science and minored in journalism because the army was the only thing that was really important to me, journalism was just a way to get a bachelor's degree. I suspect that is true for many officers. The BA in whatever was just a way to get a degree, they really "majored" in ARMY.

Sgt Davisson, it has more to do with discipline than it does the degree. Did the person take the time to put in all the necessary classes and do all those papers to be able to obtain a degree? Being one of those who went to college before I joined the military, obtained a degree while in the military, and then used my GI Bill to obtain yet another BA after I retired and was working full time, it takes a lot of time and effort and dedication no matter how you obtain a degree. I have harped on this in the past, discipline is the missing art in today's military. I liked the comment below about a sub commander who had a degree in forestry, that was probably harder than the degree I got in communications and computer systems! Not only is that person probably and outstanding CO, but probably pretty darn interesting just to have a conversation with!

In all fairness, one should build their military life, so that they can drink from the fruits of their efforts after their military career. For one thing a college degree BEFORE entering the military opens doorways in the military just for those recruits. I remember a recruit with the rank of Specialist in my boot camp platoon.
A college degree is an important cornerstone of your academic development as a person and as professional. I believe the education completed for it is instrumental in forming ones identity. Since I retired, I have seen and still know for a fact that there are still-trending industries for one to find a successful second career in and that prefer or require prospective hires with college degrees - nursing, doctoring, practicing law, security - both domestic and overseas, business management, architect, and so on and so on. If you really want to strut your stuff in service and to prospective new employers after separation, a college degree says I made the sacrifice and effort to go higher than my peers with my learning and professional development. It shows more commitment on your part. It still distinguishes you from your peers even after you leave the service.

Were those supposed to be examples of useless degrees? Every single one of those has some degree of relevance to many military careers. Online does not mean it's a degree mill.

The Hells Angels were started by veterans with lots of experience; ie flame throwers, snipers, killing with a bayonet when they run out of bullets. They had trouble finding work. Vietnam vets were not hired.

About 5 or 6 Vietnam vets were at Palm Beach Jr, College in our 4th week. We were called to the office one day. A woman told us that the VA was not paying for our education any more. "Get off my campus" she said. So we left. At least she didn't call us baby killers or spit on us. I managed to raise 7 kids without an education. I was denied a citizenship certificate and told I could not register to vote. An army E-6 working at the courthouse in Franklin County , NY refused to give me the forms to apply for a tax break. He asked me where I served. I told him where. He said I didn't deserve a tax break and didn't give me the forms. I never told folks that I was in the Army so I wouldn't have to reveal my deployment. I was denied employment after 9-11 with the Feds because of my hearing loss. After 30 years, I applied for disability and got 10% Oh, a customs agent in Franklin County. asked to see my green card. 2 weeks later he called me and said to stop by his office. When I arrived he said to raise my right hand. "Do you swear to defend this country." I replied" I already did all that. He laughed and handed me my citizen ship certificate which is no longer acceptable for proof of citizenship by the Feds...Oh well.

Because they're all sorely misinformed about "education." That's why.

I remember back in boot camp in 1969, our platoon sgt. asked if "anyone had a college degree"? A few recruits stuck their hands up and were immediately sent to KP duty to scrub out garbage cans! I guess he didn't like educated people.

The same reason so many people in general have useless degrees. IMHO, if the only use for your degree is to teach other people who are getting that degree, it's useless. Or if the only jobs you can get with your degree you can get without that degree, also useless.

I find that the degrees help no matter what your job is because it always helps to have a wider range of knowledge!! And we all know knowledge is power!!!!!!