Posted on Feb 3, 2015
Think you can't earn a college degree while being on active duty? Think again!
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Sometimes, when people reminisce about where they’ve been and where they’re headed, profound thoughts that are so simple, but so powerful, will emerge. About a year ago, while Alan Arnold, Master Gunnery Sergeant for the United States Marine Corps, was preparing for Grantham University’s commencement program, he dropped one of those gold nuggets of truth.
“I tell everyone,” he said, “do one of two things, join the military or go to college.”
Then he paused and added, “And if you’re lucky, you can do them both.”
What a remarkable goal: Be a part of the greatest fighting force the world has ever known and earn an online college degree at the same time.
Arnold isn’t the exception to the rule, but rather part of a group who has found the solution that helps service members do both: a 100% online degree program.
Consider another Grantham alum. Staff Sergeant Kevin M. Murphy, US Army, Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies – stopped by to give his perspective on pursuing a degree while in the military.
Q1: What’s it like earning an online college degree while serving active duty for your country?
If you want it that bad, you can make it happen. With the help of the discussion posts and teachers with good hours, it comes together and you find out it isn’t as difficult as you would think going into it.
Q2: Why do it? Why work so hard for a degree while on active duty, whether you’re deployed or not?
Preparing myself now to transition to the outside world will make that transition that much smoother. Knowing that I have the military experience and a degree from Grantham sets me up that much more for success. It also doesn’t hurt that while I am in, earning a degree is something the Army is looking at more and more for promotions.
Q3: What does a degree do for your career?
The Army is drawing down from the battle rhythm of multiple deployments. Being deployed every other year is no longer an excuse. They are more focused on who has taken the time, in conjunction with what is going on at work, to earn a degree and not stop at just one, but continue to earn it as long as they can. Why stop at an online associate degree when you can earn a master’s?
Q4: Do you have tips for military service members considering pursuing a degree on active duty?
At the end of the day, just get your degree. I have known soldiers in all different situations, duty stations, jobs and so forth that have been able to earn a degree. It’s a matter of how bad you want it. There are so many ways to get your degree - even if it is one class at a time, you’re earning it.
Do more than be inspired by Kevin's story. Do something about it! Check out Grantham today.
Learn more about Grantham University!: http://rly.pt/GranthamUniversity
“I tell everyone,” he said, “do one of two things, join the military or go to college.”
Then he paused and added, “And if you’re lucky, you can do them both.”
What a remarkable goal: Be a part of the greatest fighting force the world has ever known and earn an online college degree at the same time.
Arnold isn’t the exception to the rule, but rather part of a group who has found the solution that helps service members do both: a 100% online degree program.
Consider another Grantham alum. Staff Sergeant Kevin M. Murphy, US Army, Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies – stopped by to give his perspective on pursuing a degree while in the military.
Q1: What’s it like earning an online college degree while serving active duty for your country?
If you want it that bad, you can make it happen. With the help of the discussion posts and teachers with good hours, it comes together and you find out it isn’t as difficult as you would think going into it.
Q2: Why do it? Why work so hard for a degree while on active duty, whether you’re deployed or not?
Preparing myself now to transition to the outside world will make that transition that much smoother. Knowing that I have the military experience and a degree from Grantham sets me up that much more for success. It also doesn’t hurt that while I am in, earning a degree is something the Army is looking at more and more for promotions.
Q3: What does a degree do for your career?
The Army is drawing down from the battle rhythm of multiple deployments. Being deployed every other year is no longer an excuse. They are more focused on who has taken the time, in conjunction with what is going on at work, to earn a degree and not stop at just one, but continue to earn it as long as they can. Why stop at an online associate degree when you can earn a master’s?
Q4: Do you have tips for military service members considering pursuing a degree on active duty?
At the end of the day, just get your degree. I have known soldiers in all different situations, duty stations, jobs and so forth that have been able to earn a degree. It’s a matter of how bad you want it. There are so many ways to get your degree - even if it is one class at a time, you’re earning it.
Do more than be inspired by Kevin's story. Do something about it! Check out Grantham today.
Learn more about Grantham University!: http://rly.pt/GranthamUniversity
Education
Grantham University
Command Post
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 23
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I basically did the same thing while I was in back in 2002. My first 6 years in the Marine Corps it was difficult trying to go to school while in the Grunts or on Embassy Duty. There was distance courses sure, but it was all paper and booklets, no online programs to think of. When I finally got back to CONUS and stationed at MCRD SD, I had a Master Gunny tell me he was almost finished with school and that I was in a perfect place to do the same. So I marched on down to the education office and looked at all their programs.
I settle on Southern Illinois University. I did my lower level classes at the local community colleges and my Upper Level at SIU located on the 32 Naval Base, I knocked out a 4 year degree in a little over 2 years. Now full disclosure, I received 22 credit hours for Military experience and I was able to sneak in a couple of classes while in Okinawa.
Tuition assistance was around 2500 - 4000 a quarter, not sure what it is now, but this was back in 2001-2003. I basically paid for my degree with only TA and I never used my GI Bill. That worked out great because when I got out, I used my GI Bill for my MBA. I will always be thankful for the USMC and its education program. I counseled all my Marines to do the same, some took me up on it, others did not. I highly recommend that every active duty service member make an effort to better themselves for a future after their service. S/F
I settle on Southern Illinois University. I did my lower level classes at the local community colleges and my Upper Level at SIU located on the 32 Naval Base, I knocked out a 4 year degree in a little over 2 years. Now full disclosure, I received 22 credit hours for Military experience and I was able to sneak in a couple of classes while in Okinawa.
Tuition assistance was around 2500 - 4000 a quarter, not sure what it is now, but this was back in 2001-2003. I basically paid for my degree with only TA and I never used my GI Bill. That worked out great because when I got out, I used my GI Bill for my MBA. I will always be thankful for the USMC and its education program. I counseled all my Marines to do the same, some took me up on it, others did not. I highly recommend that every active duty service member make an effort to better themselves for a future after their service. S/F
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I listened to those that had retired before me, they said "make sure you get your education before getting out." So I essentially set aside fun and free time to pursue my BA that was nearly 100% funded with Tuition Assistance. That left all of my GI Bill to take advantage of once I retired. Extremely glad I committed to earning the degree before retiring, that has to be one of the smartest decisions I made and am thankful to those that provided the advice.
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Great article.
The opportunities to obtain a degree while serving have never been more abundant. As with anything in life, if it is important to you, you will find the time, energy and commitment to get it done. Yes it will be challenging, yes it will be frustrating (at times), yes there may be st backs and obstacles (deployments, exercises, duty shift rotations, etc...), yet in the end the result will be worth it.
There are many examples in every service of those who succeeded in obtaining their degree while serving. Several of my comrades did it, and not just at the Associate and/or Bachelor level.
An SFC I worked with attended Law School at night.
A CW2 completed his BS and MS,
A young PFC earned his BA in 18 months and started grad school.
I competed three degrees on active duty:
I joined in 1975 and completed the following...
Emergency Medical Technician certification (National and Illinois) 1977 on active duty
AS in General Studies (with Hinors) in June 1978 - Attended courses nights and weekends in AD
BA in History in May 1981 (via ROTC Scholarship) full time student for 2 years
MS in International Relations in August 1985 - Attended courses at night on AD
EdS in Curriculum and Teachung in December 1993 - Attended courses at night and on weekends on AD
(it did take me nearly four years to earn my AS), after that it seemed easier. All of these examples occurred in the days before online classes.
The opportunities to obtain a degree while serving have never been more abundant. As with anything in life, if it is important to you, you will find the time, energy and commitment to get it done. Yes it will be challenging, yes it will be frustrating (at times), yes there may be st backs and obstacles (deployments, exercises, duty shift rotations, etc...), yet in the end the result will be worth it.
There are many examples in every service of those who succeeded in obtaining their degree while serving. Several of my comrades did it, and not just at the Associate and/or Bachelor level.
An SFC I worked with attended Law School at night.
A CW2 completed his BS and MS,
A young PFC earned his BA in 18 months and started grad school.
I competed three degrees on active duty:
I joined in 1975 and completed the following...
Emergency Medical Technician certification (National and Illinois) 1977 on active duty
AS in General Studies (with Hinors) in June 1978 - Attended courses nights and weekends in AD
BA in History in May 1981 (via ROTC Scholarship) full time student for 2 years
MS in International Relations in August 1985 - Attended courses at night on AD
EdS in Curriculum and Teachung in December 1993 - Attended courses at night and on weekends on AD
(it did take me nearly four years to earn my AS), after that it seemed easier. All of these examples occurred in the days before online classes.
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For everyone that earned a degree while in Active Duty. When your potential employer asks you "what is the most difficult thing you have ever done?"
You can use your degree story to answer with a STAR story (Situation, Task, Action, Result) about how you earned your degree despite long hours, family separation, deployments, early wake-ups and so on. You are communicating perseverance to accomplish the impossible and your desire for learning.
You can use your degree story to answer with a STAR story (Situation, Task, Action, Result) about how you earned your degree despite long hours, family separation, deployments, early wake-ups and so on. You are communicating perseverance to accomplish the impossible and your desire for learning.
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CW5 Roy Rucker Sr.
I'm currently working on degree #4 while still serving on my 26th year of Active Duty. I will be attending my first Doctoral Residency next month. If I can do it anyone can.
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Getting a College Degree while on duty is totally possible. I'm not the typical example but I did earn 3 college Degrees on while on Active Duty. Two Associates Degrees and a BSBA. I completed all in 22 months. I took a full load of courses each semester for two years. Associate of Science in Leadership, Associate of Science Computer Science, Bachelors of Science Business Administration in Computer Information Systems all from Hawaii Pacific University. It is a commitment and it is dedication to completing your Mission First then Hitting the Books. Both take their toll but it has totally paid off in the long run. I owe my Job to having these degrees and the Experience I gained while on Active Duty.
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SFC Charles S.
After I retired I completed my MBA with Concentration in Technology Management. It wasn't on active duty but the MGIB paid for it. Life Long Learner Seeking my PhD soon.
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Suspended Profile
I thought I had replied to this thread - must have been a related one.
I got my BS degree through ROTC (the only E to O program with college available at the time; now you can stay on A/D while doing this). I got my MEM on A/D with tuition assistance.
On top of that, MGIB benefits helped pay for my two MA's from Gratz College AND my first year of Seminary.
Military/Veteran education benefits are the real deal, in whatever form they are. Everyone should take advantage of them. Not everyone is destined to get a college degree, but everyone who serves honorably can get more education, skills training, etc....
I got my BS degree through ROTC (the only E to O program with college available at the time; now you can stay on A/D while doing this). I got my MEM on A/D with tuition assistance.
On top of that, MGIB benefits helped pay for my two MA's from Gratz College AND my first year of Seminary.
Military/Veteran education benefits are the real deal, in whatever form they are. Everyone should take advantage of them. Not everyone is destined to get a college degree, but everyone who serves honorably can get more education, skills training, etc....
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When I was on Active Duty one of the guys in our platoon was attending college. When we were deployed overseas he keep up with his studies and made sure to make it to whatever classes he could. If I remember correctly he was also on a pilot program in which the Army gave him a laptop to completed his studies. If he made it work I do not see why anyone else couldn't.
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I earned a college degree while on active duty. I had completed nearly three years of college before enlisting in the USAF. The short story: I went to school part time at a local college while stationed at SAC HQ and working full time as a computer programmer. I earned my bachelor's degree just as I left that assignment for my next one.
I took one class at a time and earned straight A's while working full time. It was easy to do with such a light class load. I attended all classes and did all homework assignments. That is the secret to success as a student.
I got a lot of support from my supervisors. My work schedule never interfered with my class schedule. The USAF paid most of the costs through "Tuition assistance".
I could have applied for a commission through OTS but I decided to get out two years later. The experience as a programmer and the college degree made it easy to find jobs..
I took one class at a time and earned straight A's while working full time. It was easy to do with such a light class load. I attended all classes and did all homework assignments. That is the secret to success as a student.
I got a lot of support from my supervisors. My work schedule never interfered with my class schedule. The USAF paid most of the costs through "Tuition assistance".
I could have applied for a commission through OTS but I decided to get out two years later. The experience as a programmer and the college degree made it easy to find jobs..
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Argosy University Twin Cities gives life experience credits, takes JSTs, accepts VA benefits, and gives 20% deal for active, reserve, or vets. Has accredited 100% online too! Associates-Doctoral.
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