“Do I need college in the military?"

"I'm in the military; I don't have to think about college right now."

You're active military; you already have a good job, you're developing strong skills and you just have so many military responsibilities.

But should you be planning for your higher education too?

College is your chance to explore new fields of interest. College can boost job proficiency and open opportunities to new job areas. A college education can make a powerful impact on your life, just as joining the military did.

Your military experience means you're capable of performing many jobs; but once you leave the military or change your military career track, you may find yourself lacking a proper education for your next career move. Even with extensive military training and experience, without a college degree you may hit a glass ceiling on your earning power. In general, civilian jobs that pay more tend to require college degrees.

Should you decide to remain in the military, higher education even helps you move up the military ranks. A college education can be the way for an E-7 to separate himself when it comes time to consider a promotion to E-8.

Perhaps the best reason for active military to think about getting a college education is the unique support you have to do so: a host of military-backed financial and educational resources designed to help you pay for school, starting with the Montgomery GI Bill. If you're a military serviceperson, a US veteran or a dependent of a US veteran, you may already qualify for financial support under various GI Bill categories for active duty, veterans, or Reservists.  

So go ahead. Attend an accredited university, or choose college online and receive your education from home. Boost your current career, start a new career, or develop a new career niche.  Chances are, you'll need a higher education; and chances are even greater that there is a VA educational support program for active military and veterans, designed with your specific needs in mind.