JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Military members have many different reasons for pursuing an education further than a high school diploma. I believe one of the best reasons to pursue higher education is to learn more about the world you live in. You may have put off going to college because you were not ready or couldn't afford it. As an active-duty Airman or a veteran, you should think about college again; it offers many other benefits.
Receiving a college degree is a career essential in today's world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a college graduate can earn nearly twice as much during their working years as high school graduates. Also, information from the U.S. Census Bureau reinforces the value of a college education: workers 25 and older with a bachelor's degree earn an average of $59,635 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $33,609. Workers with a master's degree make an average of $70,559. Those with a doctoral degree earn an average of $95,785, and a professional degree earns an average of $121,340.
Looking at it from a different view during an adult's working life, high school graduates can expect, on average, to earn $1.6 million. Those with a bachelor's degree may earn $2.9 million, and people with a master's degree can expect around $3.4 million. Persons with doctoral degrees earn an average of $4.3 million during their working life, while those with professional degrees do best at $5.4 million. If that is not motivation, I don't know what is.
Ninety percent of service members enter the armed forces for the educational benefits, but surprisingly, only 50 percent actually use their educational benefits. There are many reasons why active duty has a difficult time reaching their educational goals. Today, deployments are a major obstacle for Airmen.
Fortunately, the resources for obtaining a degree are growing. Online courses are the wave of the future, with 10 percent of all college students taking online courses. The internet is providing a virtual classroom to service members around the world, even those on the ground in war zones.
Though the GI Bill provides money for education after you leave the service, you still can pursue your education while serving in the armed forces. The Armed Forces Tuition Assistance Program is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Congress has authorized each service to pay up to 100 percent of the tuition expenses of its members.
It's an easy process with the TA money. It is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual service. Additionally, active-duty members may elect to use the GI Bill "top-up" in addition to their service-provided TA to cover additional costs for courses. Another bonus is that TA is not a loan; it is money you have earned, just like your base pay.
It is always surprising how much college credit you earn through military service. Many schools and colleges award military students credit toward a degree based on training, coursework and occupational specialty. I was pleasantly amazed when I learned I did not have many credits left to earn my bachelor's degree.
In the civilian sector, junior officers and enlisted technicians with master's degrees are some of the most sought-after employees by corporate America. In a lifetime, individuals with master's degrees earn 46 percent more than those with undergraduate degrees.
With all this said, I do not want to discourage anyone from making the Air Force a career. I did, and I wouldn't give up a minute of it. It's just a good idea to prepare for your future, your family's future and life after the Air Force.