Education Benefits

[ThirdGen]

Good evening Marines,

I am getting closer to making the decision to enlist in the USMC, and reading over the site left me with a new question. It says you can use your education benefits to earn a degree, and officers can earn advanced degrees such as a Master's. However, if I enlist with a Bachelor's (I graduated in June), could I also use my GI Bill money to get a Master's? Or do you have to be an Officer?

Thank you for any information. I'm still torn between Intel and Infantry (an odd pair to be torn between, I know!).

Also, anyone else here enlist with a B.S.? People make me feel like it's the dumbest decision ever. To me, I want to join the USMC for many reasons, one of which is that they do not give me "special treatment" for having a degree. I do not get my loans repayed, or an E4 status upon graduating. My reward is earning the title United States Marine, and that is my goal.

[josephd]

Post 9-11 GI Bill can be used for graduate or undergraduate degrees....so yes you can use it towards a Masters

[ThirdGen]

Post 9-11 GI Bill can be used for graduate or undergraduate degrees....so yes you can use it towards a Masters

Thank you very much Sir, that's what I was looking for. I'll make sure to go over the specifics if I get to meet with a recruiter in the next few weeks.

I'm sure this is another question they may be able to answer, but if I enlist is it possible to extend your time in DEP? I only ask because I wouldn't be able to ship out until ~July/August of 2011.

[DrZ]

Until you raise your hand and swear in....all things are variable.

[il duce]

I was less than a semester from graduating when I enlisted

no special treatment, no big promotion (well, E-1 to E-2), and certainly no extra money

Someone correct me - I have a friend who is a E-4 (Specialist) in the Army and claims he was promoted while in Basic because he had a B.A. ???... is this true?

[indygti]

He's correct. My friend just enlisted in the Army with an associates degree as an E-3. I was angry about it but that's the Army for ya. Oh and he got like a $20k signing bonus.

[advanced]

Back in the day, in 1967, I was offered OCS while in Paris Island. I did not have a degree as I was only 19 years old, but I had high scores. I was offered OCS a total of 4 times, the last being 2 years after I got out (they contacted me) and I was also offered flight school as well the last time (Air America here I com). That was in 1971 and I still had not completed my degree at that time. I turned it all down as my intent was to do 4 years only as enlisted. In that day you did not have to have a degree to be a Marine Officer or Marine Aviator.

One of my good friends that I had a few beers with last night is a retired intel Army mustang Lt. Col. (no combat). Like he was saying, he certainly respected Marine officers, but he and those he was with were most respectful of Marine NCO's. Even the Army knows who wins the battles. I would take nothing for my experience as a Cpl. of Marines.

[03Mike]

Post 9-11 GI Bill can be used for graduate or undergraduate degrees....so yes you can use it towards a Masters

Not just your Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, but also your active duty Tuition Assistance benefits can be used for your next degree. So, if you enlist with a bachelor's degree you can use your active duty benefit for a master's degree.

Now, one quick note - don't count on doing it any time soon. Yes, you will have and rate your education benefits, but your primary duty - especially in your first two years - is to learn your MOS. Don't think that you'll be able to go to boot camp, SOI and your MOS school, report to the fleet and start work on a masters (or any college degree). Learn your craft first and get at least a year in the fleet under your belt before you start to take on off-duty education. Just my advice.

[ThirdGen]

Not just your Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, but also your active duty Tuition Assistance benefits can be used for your next degree. So, if you enlist with a bachelor's degree you can use your active duty benefit for a master's degree.

Now, one quick note - don't count on doing it any time soon. Yes, you will have and rate your education benefits, but your primary duty - especially in your first two years - is to learn your MOS. Don't think that you'll be able to go to boot camp, SOI and your MOS school, report to the fleet and start work on a masters (or any college degree). Learn your craft first and get at least a year in the fleet under your belt before you start to take on off-duty education. Just my advice.

I apologize if it came across that way, but my primary intention is to be a Marine and serve my country. The questions about getting a Master's would basically only apply to either after my enlistment, or after my first enlistment if I decided to stay in the military for a longer time. I'm ready for a nice, LONG break from school so I am not planning on starting a Master's anytime soon! Thank you for the information though.