Should military members have their own colleges?

Sgt Ballard Hall — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:20:08 -0400

This question came about as I responded in an interview with the American Council on Education (ACE).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2014 10:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:25:30 -0400

Are you talking about professional or civilian education ?

Response by Sgt Ballard Hall made Apr 19 at 2014 10:26 PM

Sgt Ballard Hall — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:26:52 -0400

I am talking about civilian education like Associate Degrees and higher; not our military trade schools and things of that nature.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 19 at 2014 10:37 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:37:47 -0400

Could you elaborate on this question?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2014 2:14 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 02:14:56 -0400

I suspect this may be unwise because it differentiates military from civilian education.

The separation of military education may lead to disrespect for these military schools.

Response by COL John Rosnow made May 29 at 2014 1:32 AM

COL John Rosnow — Thu, 29 May 2014 01:32:56 -0400

I think that having the military academies are great for an initial degree. There are also senior service colleges that will generate a Master's Degree.

For those interested in medicine, there is the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, http://www.usuhs.mil/.

I think that is enough. I know there are several programs where active duty military can attend a civilian college full time as part of their military assignment. This gives the military a more civilian perspective of things which I think is very good for generating new ideas and different ways of thinking. There is also a benefit for the civilian students to learn a bit about the military as well.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 29 at 2014 7:37 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 29 May 2014 07:37:54 -0400

I really don't see a need or even a justification for separate colleges/universities for Service Members (with the obvious exception of the Service Academies). Everyone in service will leave at some point, either at retirement or before. In the vast majority of cases, these individuals will re-enter the civilian work force. These 'military only' schools will be an unknown for civilian HR personnel and could potentially result in service members loosing out on opportunities. The current civilian education system works, and the schools are known entities in the academic world.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made May 30 at 2014 11:25 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Fri, 30 May 2014 11:25:51 -0400

My answer would be no. The reason for this, is because I believe that other students would learn a great deal from us. We go into college, with a set of experiences that most of them will never have. We have seen and done things that many of them cannot even envision.
Schools that want to open the minds of their students to a broader view, often court us as students, because they understand this. Of course, there are many schools that run from us. When I was looking for a school to finish my degree, I found both of those views. I was told that they were a bit hesitant about having someone on campus who was comfortable around weapons... which I found amusing since they used armed guards, though I was also offered a great deal by a university here in Houston, that wanted me, strictly because of my experiences. It was to me, very confusing, so I chickened out, and went to an on-line college that the VA spoke highly of.
Considering the news lately, how biased so many universities are as to their views, I'm wondering if it wasn't a mistake to finish my degree on-line, because I think that there are lots of young, curious minds out there, who have never been exposed to anything but one side of the coin.
Had I the chance to do it over, I'd probably have pushed my way into the one college that was hesistant about me because of my experiences, simply because I think they NEED to hear something different now and then to open up their narrow views.
Just saying...

Response by Sgt S.P. Woodke made May 30 at 2014 1:21 PM

Sgt S.P. Woodke — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:21:28 -0400

HECK NO...then ALL of the other special interest groups will want the same preferential treatment...

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 30 at 2014 6:32 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Fri, 30 May 2014 18:32:49 -0400

The military already has a competitive college platform; West Point, and Annapolis are just a few Ivy league...They are not open to everyone, there is no equity and it is exclusive for age, height, weight, prior grades, % income base, and social/emotional level of acceptance.

College is not wired in with the enlisted career fields across the board.

Best solution is to get out, ETS and go to school, get the degree and then come back in. Otherwise it probably will not happen while you are in due to the units mission.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Jun 16 at 2014 1:43 PM

MSG Lance Kelly — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:43:36 -0400

No, we bring something into our classes that a lot of the public can't relate with. While taking a couple of "Women in Leadership" courses at Fort Hays State University, I was able to use my view of women in the Army and how they are treated. Not having much experience in corporate America, I bring in the experience of how the military works, something these folks in middle America have not experienced. The professors appreciated the experiences I shared. It also gave me a look at how things work outside of the military. We are about discipline, standards, and pride. Outside of the military I have worked with people where it is just a paycheck. So, my opinion is that we should not have separate colleges because we offer something to the public by sharing our experiences and lifestyle.

Response by SPC Richard White made Jul 31 at 2014 5:52 AM

SPC Richard White — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 05:52:04 -0400

ACE does a good job of crediting you with courses.There are fine IVY league institutions such as West Point and Annapolis and New Mexico Military Institute which are great Military colleges.You should get into one of those colleges first before getting in a unit because a units mission will not allow for you to go to school and accomplish a mission such as deploying overseas.So over all military does have its own form of schools but it is not traditional.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 4 at 2014 9:30 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 09:30:24 -0400

Do you mean to close the academies? No. Do you mean something like the College Navy? No. There is a reason why it is called civilian education?

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 20 at 2016 3:48 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 15:48:45 -0400

For military subjects yes. For non-military education, no.