Balancing Military Service and Higher Education: A Guide for Families
You’ve probably heard that becoming a service member doesn’t mean your son or daughter has to give up on their academic goals. This is very true. As a member of the US military, there are many opportunities your new service member can take advantage of to further their education. However, balancing military service and pursuing a higher education is no easy task. Thankfully, many service members have successfully achieved this, and so too can your son/daughter.
Plan Ahead
Balancing military service and higher education starts with thorough planning. Your service member will not only want to consider their academic goals but also factor in their military obligations, time constraints, and available educational benefits. They’ll want to set clear goals, choose the right program and institution, and create a realistic schedule that gives them enough time to pay attention to their education without compromising their military duties. The pursuit of a college degree and carrying out military career responsibilities must be balanced. If not planned properly, the service members will put themselves under unnecessary stress.
Master Time Management
Time is one of the most precious resources for every student. This is especially so for service members particularly those on active duty. Between training and deployment, not to mention other personal responsibilities, your service member’s schedule will get packed. Without properly managing their time and prioritizing their obligations, your service member will likely get overwhelmed by all they have to do.
Encourage your service member to take time management seriously. Creating a time management schedule can help them stay organized and ensure they allocate enough time for both their military duties and academic responsibilities. You can also assist in making sure they keep to their schedule by checking in regularly, offering reminders, and providing encouragement when needed. Holding them accountable in a supportive way can make a big difference in keeping them on track.
Build a Strong Support System
The importance of having a strong support system while pursuing higher education in the military cannot be overstated. Balancing academic demands with military duties presents unique challenges.
Family and a few close friends can be their support system—but it doesn't have to look the same for everyone. What truly matters is having a network that is there for them when things start to feel overwhelming, someone who can catch them before they fall and push them forward when they’re ready to give up.
Simply put, do your best to be, or at least provide, the support system your service member needs. By doing so, you’ll have a significant impact on their success and help them stay on track through the challenges they face. Your support truly matters.
Leverage Military-Specific Benefits
The military offers many benefits to service members looking to further their education. Things like Federal Tuition Assistance (TA), the Post-9/11 GI Bill, scholarships, and credit for military experience are just a few of the benefits your service member can take advantage of. By leveraging these benefits, service members looking to further their education get the opportunity to do this without having to add the stress of overwhelming tuition costs to the responsibilities of military life.
CONCLUSION
Balancing the pursuit of higher education with the many responsibilities of military life can be a challenging endeavor, especially for new service members. However, it is a challenge worth taking on. If your service member has decided they would like to take on this challenge, balancing their military and academic duties would be essential for their success. With your guidance, the tips above can serve as a helpful guide in navigating this balancing act.
Useful Resources
Military OneSource - Offers a wide range of information and resources including educational assistance, career counseling, and financial support programs for service members and their families.
National Military Family Association (NMFA) - Offers resources for service members and their families, including scholarships, grants, and support services.
