For many students, graduation from college is an incredible life achievement that signifies their transition into the ‘real world.’ Many students choose to continue their education with graduate school or other professional programs, take a gap year, begin looking for employment or do research. However, for an increasing number of students, joining the military after their undergraduate education is now at the top of their graduation plans.

There are many benefits to joining the military after an undergraduate education that make enlisting very appealing to many. According to the US Military website, joining the armed forces after one’s college experience can allow an individual to ‘fly through the ranks.’ 

Service members who enlist with a Bachelor’s degree are awarded a higher ranking upon enlistment than traditional enlistees. The ability to move up the ranks quickly is a huge benefit for those looking to increase their pay, responsibility, and title right away. Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree must complete the typical 10-week basic training boot camp, but then are immediately eligible to enroll in Officer Candidate School.

While having a Bachelor’s degree upon enlistment will certainly help advance students through the ranks, certain areas of study can come with enlistment bonuses. Career Trend cited that students with degree focus in culinary arts, information systems management, human intelligence, the medical field or engineering can make tens of thousands of dollars as an enlistment bonus. 

Dr. Scott A. Ostrow, Lt Col, USAF (Retired) wrote that loan repayment can also be an incentive for college graduates to join.

“One of the top reasons why so many college graduates decide to join the military is the loan repayment programs offered. If you already have a bachelor’s degree when you join the military, you may be able to get a large portion of your loans repaid,” Ostrow stated.

Each branch of the military is different, but Ostrow explains that the US Army offers up to $20,000 in loan repayment. For many students, this covers a large portion, if not all, of their student loans. 

Besides financial benefits, service members commonly cite the interpersonal relationships and strong community bond experienced by being in the military, especially for those who live on-base. As a member of the armed forces, you will be tested physically, mentally, intellectually, and emotionally. However, many service members feel as though they gain vital leadership skills as a result of being enlisted.

These leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with a team are priceless to a typical ‘civilian’ career, and can boost an applicant’s attractiveness to a company. The skills learned in the rigorous training of the military translate extremely well into everyday life and aid in solving personal and professional challenges.

Joining the military certainly has its drawbacks, such as a lack of control over one’s lifestyle, little to no say in housing relocation and obvious physically and mentally draining tasks that enlistees face. Life on the military base can seem unappealing to many students. Further, students may simply prefer to pursue typical civilian careers and lives within their respective fields after graduation. 

However, for the select students that feel military life after college is the best path, graduating college can seem like a bridge into a new world–a world full of opportunity, challenges, and potential.

Article written by Olivia Thompson.