Would it be best to try and earn an associates degree while attending AIT or wait until after AIT graduation?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 14:51:52 -0400

Asking because my AIT training is 5 months. An associates is a 2 year degree. Would it be best to wait until after it’s completed to earn my associates or is it okay to do it while in AIT?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 3:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:00:47 -0400

Wait until after AIT. You are gonna be too focused on AIT and the skills you'll be learning to want to muddle the brain with outside information.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 3:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:01:06 -0400

Your number one priority during AIT is to become technically proficient in your MOS. At most, I’d recommend work towards maxing your correspondence courses. Otherwise just focus on learning you job, you’ll have plenty of time at your first duty station and the rest of your career to take care of college.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 3:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:09:26 -0400

Additionally, benefits like TA can not be used until you get to your first duty station. So even if you were to attempt to do college courses while in AIT, it would be out of pocket.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 20 at 2020 3:14 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:14:02 -0400

I honestly doubt you will have the free time needed to knock out all the hoops and ladders to get your AD TA submitted/approved and work on your school work. You are a grown man and can do what you want but you most likely will run into quite a few obstacles trying to do this while at AIT.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jul 20 at 2020 3:34 PM

SFC Michael D. — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:34:18 -0400

You won't have time. Trust me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 3:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 15:41:55 -0400

You will not be eligible for Tuition Assistance while in AIT.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 4:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:00:19 -0400

If you have time to complete a degree program while at AIT, something has gone wrong.

It's been a couple minutes since I trained, but I would be surprised if you have access to a computer or even your phone on a consistent basis. (I went through before everyone had devices all the time)

Honestly, you need to be focused on learning your MOS at this time. Get the degree later

Response by PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 4:05 PM

PFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:05:01 -0400

Focus on AIT, it will be hard to focus on college because of the way AIT is scheduled each day. Also you can't use your educational benefits until you reach your first duty station. If your in the reserves or NG, going to college after AIT will be extremely easy, if your active, experience varies but go for it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 4:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:06:13 -0400

I would highly recommend that you wait until you graduate before attending collage. Your focus right now should be on completing the school the Army is paying you to complete.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jul 20 at 2020 4:32 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 16:32:53 -0400

While I have a great appreciation for your desire to improve yourself, it needs to be put in your pocket for now. Notice I didn’t say loose it... Way too many folks do. Just put it away for the moment and focus on the task at hand. You will have more than enough time down the line to pursue your degree. Just don’t forget this desire to improve when you hit your first duty station.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2020 5:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:28:12 -0400

Focus on AIT. Won't have time to be successful at both.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 20 at 2020 5:40 PM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:40:17 -0400

Learn your MOS to the fullest.
If you do great in school you might be lucky enough to gain rank, if you are busy doing anything else you won't learn the best of your MOS.
I even spent some weekends studying my TMs and FMs to gain better learning of my MOS and got two promotions during my 6 month AIT.

Response by SGT Gregory Cole made Jul 20 at 2020 6:15 PM

SGT Gregory Cole — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:15:37 -0400

Dont do college. Wait until you get to your duty station. Print out your transcripts and submit a copy to whatever college you will go to, you should get credits for courses you have taken. Also whenever you complete college courses, you can submit them for promotion points, when the time comes. Unless, of course, they changed the requirements. Its been almost a decade since ive had to know that stuff.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 20 at 2020 6:21 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:21:27 -0400

Focus on learning your military trade first. After you get to your first duty assignment then consider working on civilian education. Your AIT may earn you some college credits.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 20 at 2020 7:47 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 19:47:22 -0400

Not that you are incapable of multitasking, but...go to AIT and learn as much as you can about your J.O.B. Then, in your spare time work on that degree.
Keep up the motivation.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 20 at 2020 8:59 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 20:59:04 -0400

AIT will take all your time during the day and some evenings for studying. If you try to do college classes when not in AIT classes, this will leave you with little to no personal time. One or the other will sacrifice and considering if you do poorly in AIT you lose a job, I would not try to do both.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jul 21 at 2020 10:34 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 10:34:07 -0400

AIT is important and will take You time and energy, You are already training. Go for the degree but only after AIT is behind You. Don't overload Yourself all at once. once major training program at a time and give both the individual attention they both need. That's My advise on that or any other major training.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 21 at 2020 7:50 PM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:50:31 -0400

You will not have time to do both. You are going to be hard put to learn your MOS, despite any thoughts on the matter otherwise. And your MOS should be your priority. Your continuing education is a secondary and should be started only after your completion of your MOS training.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 1:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:40:47 -0400

I know the Intelligence School house has a relationship with the local community college, and 35 series MOS's can earn 20 semester units for completion of Intel School with units in Intelligence Operations. What easier way to get units for what you are doing. Also, those soldiers that have general education completed can transfer those units to the community college and they will issue an AA degree in Intel Operations. So basically, all SPC's with degrees already could get another degree for the $50 admin fee to the school.

Maybe that relationship exists in your MOS. That would really be your only option. Whatever time you think you might have is going to be taken away from you because, well, you are in the Army, and it's still "basic training" mentality.