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

You mean, a PhD in Intersectional Oppression Studies? LOL. I hear you.

What you deem useless may have been a goal for someone else. Gaining additional knowledge, regardless of the subject, isn't a bad thing.

SGT (Join to see) In my opinion, the discipline of the degree does not matter, it is what is inside the soldier that matters. Degrees are needed for officers (commissioned and warrant) to earn their initial rank, while for an enlisted soldier, it helps earn promotion points as they move up their rank structure, as you well know.

Having a degree requires learning numerous skill sets that can't be displayed by things like BS, BA, AA, MS,...etc. Yeah, some of the degrees might hold less weight because of their discipline, but that should not matter. Then again, others hold more significance especially in the sciences like medicine and engineering, but its again goes back to what the individual brings to the table (aka their career). If the discipline really matters, then the source of the education should make a difference too. Harvard, Yale, Penn and all those other high price education centers who generate degrees should hold more weight, against a degree from back-city in the wood university. Again, like the discipline, the location of the degree does not matter either.

I finished my career as a CSM at the 2-star level with a BS of Engineering. That degree maybe helped me in my early NCO years when I was working projects in the field as an MP or as an Engineer, but once I reached the SFC/MSG/1SG rank, my degree didn't mean squat to those I worked with or commanded. Most of the soldiers had no clue I had that degree. Plus, I had numerous opportunities to become an officer, but being an enlisted soldier was my choice from day one even earning my degree before I made SSG. My degree didn't take me to the rank of CSM, it was my accomplishments as a soldier based on my skills I learned while getting that degree. Never expected it to take me to the rank of CSM, but that is another story.

So in my opinion, appreciate the soldier for the degree they HAVE, not what you think they SHOULD HAVE.

Respectfully
Bob S
CSM (R)

The CO of my squadron had a degree in Horticulture.

Some of those are useless. However, counter-terrorism has direct applicability to the military. Psych has direct application to leaders of all levels, even if it's from Billy Bob's University, Bar, and Grille. As for English, I wish we had MORE English majors in the military (as long as it's not disciplines like Medieval Astronaut Literature).

Some degrees we have because we saw our careers going differently. For instance, my Civil Engineering degree is less useful as an Aviation Maintenance Officer. I did not expect sequester to shut down a bunch of Seabee battalions. Ooops.

Some degrees were pursued with no consideration of the military. Maybe they got them before they decided to sign up. Maybe they got them for post-military careers. Maybe it's just what they're interested in.

Why do they have degrees? Because they were told and are still being told that only a degree will spell out success for them in life, and unfortunately the military as a whole jumped on that bandwagon -- especially over the last 3-4 years I'd reckon. In my first four years (2006-2010) someone coming in with a Bachelor's was a rarity. Someone coming in with a graduate degree was almost a literal unicorn (officer selection notwithstanding; my statements apply to those who enlisted vs went the officer route from the get go). These days -- at least in my MOS -- coming in straight out of high school seems to be the rarity.

They're also getting degrees because HRs of many jobs out there don't actually know what they actually want in a prospective employee, and just assume that it'll be someone with at least a BS; preferably a grad. Oddly enough though they tend to not offer anywhere near the kind of money such a person with that kind of degree should be getting.

What I'd be most critical of is how are they doing their job compared to those who have the same job yet no degree. Those that can't do the job more efficiently or better -- and yet have a degree relevant to that job -- are the ones who truly have a wasted degree. Even then though it's not the degree, but the professors. As Mr. Miyagi said in the Karate Kid series, "No such thing as bad student -- only bad teacher."

When I went to A school in the Navy I probably came very close to getting a Captain's Mast. A friend and I went to the education office because both of us enlisted in part to get the GI Bill college benefits. Like mentioned above i saw literature for majors far afield from anything armed service or nautically related. I mentioned this to my friend and a woman's voice called out "My degree's in animal husbandry."
Being from Long Island i couldn't help but reply "Where I come from that's illegal!"
Luckily the Lieutenant Commander had a sense of humor.

In 1967, I had not idea where my life was heading, so I enlisted in the Army. The recruiter urged me to apply for Microwave Communications school (Ft. Monmouth). Much to my surprise, I discovered an aptitude in electronics. Upon leaving the military, I enrolled in college and completed my degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, I was offered a professional position in a major electronics company, developing a new technology in micro-circuits. It was made clear to me that the College Degree was the "Ticket of Admission". The degree was an "achievement" and an indicator of maturity and commitment to a goal. In today's world, a college degree, regardless of subject or major, still represents an achievement that sets you apart from those who do not have a degree. Without the college degree, your resume is always stuck on the bottom of the pile of resumes, and the best positions go to those on the top. Note: The lieutenant in charge of my Signals unit in Vietnam had a college degree in Drama...and I had to salute him.

What is being looked at is, are you able to set an objective and pursue it to it's end.
Much as the officer courses look at your athletic history, did you play team sports, they also look at whether or not you set a long term goal and actively pursued it and completed your course. It helps to show that you will stick to it.

Even if the 4 year degree is in "under water basket weaving", the fact that you took the time, effort, and finances to complete the degree shows that you can stick to your plan.

Personally, I would prefer the degree be in Information technology, business, cyber security, or other fields that you may need to have an understanding of while in the service, but it still shows that you could finish what you started.

Any idea what anyone in a artillery unit can do when they get out of the military?? Good idea to go to school to prepare yourself for when you get out