Martha R. wrote:
My suggestion is to let him get the computer certifications and the AA degree. Then enlist with the IT rating. He can sign up with a 4-5 year enlistment for just A school or go to B school -- the more advanced course -- for a 7 year hitch. During that time, he can work on his degree with the Navy paying for it, so that when he gets out he has a BS, an AA, the certifications, and seven years of experience. That should put him in six figure income categories. We have a friend who is doing this...
The new GI Bill has decent benefits for AFTER your enlistment. We have a family member who is taking that route, and it is working well.
But, getting your degree *while* enlisted is exceedingly uncommon. Yes, the benefits are great (75% of tuition for most courses - 90% if its career-related, etc) BUT, there are a million situations in which college does not work. You generally cannot go to school while deployed - which happens a lot. And, if you're deployed in the middle of a semester - guess what? If you are transferred (usually about every 2 years), you might have to enroll in a new school that won't accept the credits of your old one. If you work evening shift (while most campus courses are offered) you cannot go. And, if you're going to a class, and mid-semester they put you on a different shift, guess what? Most folks - at best - take ONE course at a time. If they're super-hard-workers and VERY ambitious - two. Which means a bachelors takes nearly 10 years of 70 hour weeks (40 - 50 hours work plus 6 hours classes and 12 hours study time) - with no family life.
I know a lot of folks who "are going to college while enlisted" but I've only known 2 who got a *degree* in fewer than 8 years - and 3 more who got a degree in 20 (that's right TWENTY) years of trying. Oh, yeah and there was the ONE guy I met who went to school full time for 12 out of 20 years and got a grad degree - he's kinda like the guy who wins the p0werba11 10ttery.
ETA: IMHO - as a Vet myself, there are only two good reasons to enlist in the military or accept a commission 1) if you're drafted and have no choice or 2) you feel that God wants you to serve your country by defending it with your life & limb - possibly to the death. All other reasons, IMO - are inadequate.