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How hard/stressful is college during military service?

How difficult might it be to attend college during the first term of active duty military service? I am a high school senior and wish to have an MOS in and study in the medical field.

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Robert’s Answer

Hi Moana,

when I was in the Air Force back in the 1980's. I was stationed in Germany and they offered college courses on base. I worked 6pm to 6am so I found a course I could take based on my schedule. Since you are interested in the medical field talk to a recruiter as some if not all branches need medical personnel so they might steer you into a program where you go to school while serving. Good luck.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for sharing your experience! I will definitely explore plans with a recruiter. Moana
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Bob’s Answer

Hi, Moana. What a wonderful question, and I congratulate you on your wish to join the military. I assume by your question that you intend to enlist for the MOS you mention.

Your first obligation, of course, will be to discharge the duties of the MOS assigned you. That said, every large military base has an educational office to assist military members in furthering their education, so you will find opportunities to study. That office can help you locate colleges that will provide the curriculum in which you have an interest.

Now the key point. You will find that your days are quite full, so your study will occur at night and on off-duty time. This will require a special effort from you, as you will see your friends and colleagues resting, having fun and partying during their off hours, while you will be as busy and engaged as if you were on duty.

This requires a special person, someone with a plan for the future and a burning desire to achieve that plan. If you have that plan and make the commitment to attain your goal then you will overcome the obstacles you encounter along the way.

It can be done, but only if you are willing to make sacrifices regarding your time and how you spend it.

Is it worth it? Absolutely.

This way you will look back on your time as having served our country, having mastered an MOS, and having prepared yourself to serve others even better in the future.

I have the sense that you are very capable of making this happen, so I encourage you always to further your education. An educated mind will take you far in this world, and it is a possession no one can ever take it away from you.

I wish you great success, and by the way, if you choose the Army, HUA!!!!!!!!!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for providing insight! This not only makes my vision clearer but is very motivating. This is a route I was considering carefully among others but they all include the Army and the medical field! Moana
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Will’s Answer

My first teaching job was on military bases in Germany. It was a 'some/none/all'. Some students needed the relief from their duties to read literature of a high standard, some struggled because their reading/comprehension level was too low, others were fishing around to see where they might fit after their service was over, others were earning credits they could apply for later enrollment in a college or university program.
Depends on who you are , what you want, and what you are able to do/not do. I went to school in Connecticut and was well-prepared for university at The U.H., which was very affordable in 1968.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your insight! I realize there are many factors that I'll have to consider if I were to go this route, so I will definitely be exploring options with a recruiter. Mahalo! Moana
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Kimberly’s Answer

That's a thoughtful question. To be frank, it might not be the best decision, particularly if your initial duty station isn't on land or within the U.S. Your initial months in the military could be quite hectic as this is the phase where you're getting to grips with your role and navigating this new environment. However, if it's absolutely necessary for you to start, your optimal choice could be Distance Learning (online) courses for your first term. These courses allow you to learn at your own pace, giving you the freedom to choose when to log in and finish your assignments.
Thank you comment icon I see, thank you for your advice, this makes a lot of sense. This is one of a few routes I'm looking at taking, so it really helped to hear your perspective! Moana
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Steven’s Answer

Moana, I think the approach you take to achieve your end goal will be the deciding factor in the level of difficulty. By joining active duty, National Guard or Reserves in a directly related skill position (without college) you would be fully engaged during your days performing your "job" then you would have time during evenings/weekends/off duty to pursue college and medical training. Medical School is a big pursuit. You may want to consider a medical school which has an ROTC program so the military can pay for the schooling. You will then have the extra requirements during school for your military training and activities. Once you graduate then you will "owe" a specific number of years to the military for them training you in your medical profession.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me examples of approaches I can take! I have been leaning more toward National Guard so that I may prioritize studies while also serving my community. I hadn't thought too much about ROTC though, so I will definitely be taking it into consideration. Moana
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Yassine’s Answer

Attending college while serving in the military can be challenging but also a rewarding experience. You might find it difficult to balance your responsibilities in college and your military duties. However, with proper time management and organization, it's possible to manage both.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Moana
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