'Squad' member Rep. Pressley claims student debt is 'violence'

SFC Casey O'Mally - Life is full of choices. While I am a professional, I worked like a slave during high school and college for money; one of my long term part time jobs was McDonalds. After college I had to move to Houston because there were just no jobs in my home area, none. It was a very bad time for money in the early 80's.

I am retired now but I used to lead a professional section of multi-discipline engineers and scientists. Myself, I have an AS and a BS, I screwed up in the mid 90’s when I should have gone for an MBA. On a side bar: My biologist, who has his BA, wanted to go for his Masters. At his time and experience in life and profession I advised him to go for his MBA. For whatever reason he wanted to and got accepted into a MS degree program. I believe it was a matter of pride with his significate other and some of their friends. I had to review and recommend approval for the reimbursement program we had, I did. My reasoning for recommending the MBA for him was twofold: First after reading his BA course history, and then the MS course requirements, I believe it will be very challenging for him to succeed. I hope he can work through it. Second, looking at his personal goals he seemed to me to want to be in charge of an organization as a director, CEO, etc. I believed the MBA would better prepare him for this. The course work I read for the MS he selected will make him more of a subject matter expert, something he likes but I don’t believe it will work for him as he envisions. In any case he will have his MS free and clear if he can keep his grade point up.

I wish you well and hope you get your master's ASAP.

Spot On SFC Casey O'Mally! SFC Casey O'Mally

Well said!! right on!

SFC Casey O'Mally I actually obtained my BA in Psychology in 1978. I worked as a waitress for three years before I could secure a professional job. I knew going into my degree it wasn’t going to be easy to get a job after graduating and actually changed my major once. I enlisted in the Army specifically for educational benefits. I utilized VR through the VA for my Masters Degrees. I requested the medical discharge from the Army and actually went to Walter Reed to fight for 20% rating needed for VR. I changed my field of study from law to behavior theraphy and substance abuse counseling. I thought I might have an issue going from a BA to MS, as I had only taken one biology class as an undergrad. Interesting how being sober and serious about education made a huge difference! I’m not saying it was easy; however I was determined and had a daughter to support (without assistance from my X). Statistics in Grad school made sense due to my psych background and the fact I actually attended class and wanted to learn! The most difficult and challenging course was ‘Medical Aspects of Disability’! I had to learn all the bones in the body, medical terminology and medically disabling conditions to include TBI. I also had to learn how to properly complete a 5 axis DSM diagnosis. My course work was difficult and I worked 20 hours a week as a GTA. It was my determination and desire to learn which attributed to my success. I managed to secure a job a month before I actually received my diploma. I think it is relatively unrealistic to expect to secure a six figure salary with a Batchelors degree! I also think it’s appalling to know YouTubers are making 50-200K for posting videos of their lives! I come from a background where hard work and effort equals success. I started working at 15 so I could afford a car when I turned 16. I definitely agree with You on the MBA issue! My brother in law has a BS in biology and chemistry and an MBA. He was able to secure great jobs in cancer research with his combination of degrees. I learned very early in life “nothing is free”! SFC Casey O'Mally

My son and I both took student loans and both of us attended the same college at the same time. We are both doing very well. We were both responsible enough to choose degrees that suited us and we both paid our student loans. College is not for everyone. This is not a one size fits all society.

MSG (Join to see) - Some people will pay any price for a degree they could get from Harvard. They believe it will make them better. :) I am not one of them. Even though I have a degree from a nationally recognized college, many degrees from a local community college are just as good. MHO.

MSgt Nancy Wilson - God Bless you and your son. You are wise people. I always pay back what I borrow, in my case it was about $4K, back in the 70's that was a lot of money. This whole discussion is about character when I think about it.

MSgt Nancy Wilson that’s Awesome and shows both you and your son chose marketable fields of study and honored your commitment to your financial obligations! It wasn’t easy to pay mine back as a single mom and disabled Veteran; however I honored my financial obligation MSgt Nancy Wilson

Momma Gump was (is) very wise.