What is the education in the Army like compared to an Associates(2 year) or Bachelors(4 year) degree?

Question

I am thinking about joining the army. I would only plan on staying for the 2 standard Years. I was wondering how Employers look at the education you recieved in the Army compared to people with an Associates or Bachelors Degree.

Answer 1

Since when is there a "standard 2 years" to serve in the Army? I haven't heard of such a policy...usually terms of service are for much longer than that.

And if you are looking to serve just to to get education benefits, I'm afraid you might find the army (heck, any branch of the military) to be a horrible experience.

Answer 2

Anyone who enlists in the Military is obligated to serve 8 years. This is the fine print in your SF 86. MEPS breaks it up to how many years of active service you have. If you sign up for three years active (in the army this is most common for 13B), then you would have five years of inactive reserve duty obligation. That means, if there is a war, instead of implementing he draft, they would recall you back to active duty.

It does depend on your MOS, however, Im not aware of any two year enlistment MOS's. I agree somewhat with Rekon, education is available for any american with enough ambition. Some individuals however fall "in the cracks". Too much money to qualify for aid and not enough to afford college. In any case, if your MOS is directly relevant or proportional to your civilian counter part, you may consider CLEP examinations (College Level Entrance Placement) or even transferring credits from AIT to your college. I would say however, if you are interested in the military for college, consider the reserve program and take your GI bill and Financial Aid. This looks even better to employers because if you are in college and in the service seeking employment with them, there are leadership skills you possess from the service not found else where. It also implements to the employer there is the chance for you to "grow" with them after college completion. Typically however, your AIT may or may not be applied to a degree. What degree it is depends on the MOS, the Degree requirements for that field and the educational institution.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

unless your army job directly corresponds with your civilian job, employers really don't care about your "education" you got in the service, they take into consideration your time in, and your maturity and discipline.  you should not use the army as a substitute for college because nowadays you can't do anything without a college degree  

Answer 4

I'm interested in this "2 standard years" comment as well. 4-6 is a standard ACTIVE contract, not counting how long you have to be inactive reserve!

Your Army training can be converted into what's called a SMART Credit. Any classes you had to take or any military training you took to broaden your horizons (in the Marines, we call it MCI's) have the possibility of becoming an equivalent college credit...but not a degree.

A degree is necessary for some jobs, so I hope you don't think you can just slip into a "degree required" job because you spent a "2 standard years" in the Army. However, keep in mind that there are things that you learn in the military that cannot be taught in school (discipline, leadership, adherance to orders, etc.) that employers do take into consideration.  

Answer 5

I recently separated from the Navy with an Associate Degree (I earned in college while serving.)

Well employers look at the work experience as just that work experience and the college diploma as a college diploma.

I've just finished my bachelors degree this year using my GI Bill. (the military Army or Navy in my case will help pay for college but the actual military training is not college...but some colleges accept credit for the training.)

College is college. Military is military. Some employers accept and prefer the experience. It depends on the employer.

By the way the "standard" contract is 8 years. Usually a 4X4 plan. You do 4 years active duty and 4 years in the IRR (individual ready reserve...this is a period of time where you can be called back).

There used to be 2 year contracts, but you still had 6 years of reserve duty. (It is different than the drilling reserves...but you can do that too.)

But don't be fooled what ever branch the first contract is for EIGHT years.

Answer 6

Depending on your MOS, I can say that as a college graduate AND former enlisted soldier, the Army's cirriculum is just as challenging as any college class. Don't forget, you'll be doing hard work for your job in conjunction with any classes. The language school is second to none. Figure out what length of enlistment will get you the GI Bill, do your time, then get out and go to college. I can guarantee with both military service and a degree, you'll make a very strong candidate in most employer's eyes. You'll simply be more disciplined and a hard worker. Then again, you may decide you like the military and stay on to finish out your career. At 20 years, you'll get half your pay as retirement, and 30 years gets you 75%. It's a h**l of a deal! Good luck.

Answer 7

I don't think there is a 2-year standard pal!  If so, why waste your time?  If you are just in for the college, might as well apply for FAFSA instead.  You don't need the military for college money.  The military is for people that are serious in serving their country, not to take advantage for personal gain!