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Bootstrap Programs: Earn a Degree While Serving

There are circumstances when you can pause your military service to pursue a degree or training. Sometimes called “Bootstrap Programs,” these Department of Defense (DOD) or service-specific options permit servicemembers to take a break in military service in order to attend an approved school or training with continued pay and benefits.

You may wonder why the DOD should invest in higher education for servicemembers. Here are a few:

  • Force Readiness: Certain career fields, particularly those in modern techniques and technology, require ongoing education. Some of the more familiar ones are technology, Cybersecurity, AI, and medicine
  • Enhanced Transition to Employment and Better Outcomes: A degree or credential can improve servicemembers’ employability after transition, leading to greater opportunity and financial stability
  • Meeting the Needs of the Military and Civilian Workforce: Many of these fields require a degree or specific credential, and supporting the attainment helps fill vacancies in areas like technology, renewable energy, transportation, health care, and public service
  • Retention: The ability to retain members, particularly during a challenging recruitment period, is critical for readiness and consistency throughout the all-volunteer force. Opportunities for degree advancement benefit the service branches, servicemembers, and their families, often leading to longer service commitments.
  • Commissioning Pipelines: As the perquisites for officers have grown, degrees are often necessary for advancement. Servicemembers can receive help from this program to move towards an officer position

Military Bootstrap Programs

Air Force Career Intermission Program (CIP) – The Air Force CIP is a retention tool open to Active Duty Airmen, Guard, and Reserve members. If you are picked for the program, you will transition to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for up to 3 years and receive a percentage of your pay along with full medical, dental, exchange, and commissary benefits.

You must have served at least 3 years and meet fitness and discipline requirements. This benefit is available to address personal development, caregiving, and spouse-related reasons. You will return to service with your earlier rank and be subject to a one-year service for every one on CIP.

Army Career Intermission Program (CIP)

Similarly to the Air Force model, after completing the first 3 years of duty, Active-Duty officers, qualifying NCOs, enlisted, and warrant officers may be eligible to receive up to 3 years for a career break. The time can be used for professional development, higher education and training, family care, civilian employment, and medical needs.

While you do not accrue time for your service commitment while in CIP, you retain healthcare and commissary privileges and receive a portion of your military pay. Your return to service is guaranteed, provided you meet the necessary requirements. Every month you are enrolled in CIP, you will have a 2-month to 1 service obligation.

While participating, you cannot use TA, but if you’re eligible, you can tap into the GI Bill. To apply, you need to make a request to your Unit Commander or Human Resources officer.

Army Green To Gold (GtG)

Enlisted soldiers who have completed more than 2 years of service may be eligible for GtG, which allows them to gain a first bachelor’s or graduate degree as a pathway to a commission. There are four ways to approach this, and they all lead to commissioning through ROTC.

There are academic, medical, age, and background prerequisites that apply to all. Here is the breakdown of the various pathways.

  • Active-Duty Option (ADO) – The ADO option permits a soldier to remain on active duty while pursuing a degree. You will receive your full AD pay and BAH for a period of 21-24 months with a total service obligation of 8 years. To apply, you must prove acceptance to an accredited school and complete the GtG packet during an annual window typically from June to November. The Army does not pay for your tuition and fees, but you can use your GI Bill, federal or state grants, and, in some cases, ROTC scholarships. Your time in GtG will not count toward your service commitment, typically with a 3-4 year service requirement
  • Scholarship Options – The scholarship pathway can be a terrific way to earn your commission without paying for tuition, fees, and books. While you will continue to receive your BAH, you will not be considered active duty. You will receive a monthly ROTC stipend of about $420 to help with expenses. You will need to complete a packet of documents and show, through an academic plan, that you can graduate in no more than 24 months. Like ADO, the application process usually begins in June, with the selection board review between December and January, and classes commencing the following academic year. Upon completion, you will need to fulfill an 8-year service obligation.
  • Hip-Pocket Scholarship (HPS) – This is a nomination-driven program through which Division Command selects high-performing enlisted servicemembers for scholarships ranging from 2 to 4 years. It is a selective process targeting soldiers who may not meet all the requirements of other plans but display strong leadership potential. With only 2 nominees selected from each Command, this option is fiercely competitive but incredibly generous as it provides full tuition and board. This scholarship requires 8 years of service like those above.
  • No Scholarship Program – This track is available for soldiers who prefer to leave active duty, have served for at least 2 years, and meet the academic standards, including a GPA of 2.0 or better, depending on the school. You will not receive tuition or fees; however, if you have your GI Bill, that is one way to fund. In order to take part, you will need an honorable discharge to apply, and upon graduation, you will receive a commission as a second lieutenant. To get started, you will need to contact a local ROTC Battalion at the school you are interested in and apply at least months before you intend to begin school and secure ETS approval or conditional release. Service commitment of 8 years.

The Navy Career Intermission Program (CIP) shares many similarities with the Army version but is currently part of the “Seaman to Admiral” or (STA-21) program. In most cases, participants are assigned to an NROTC unit and will continue to receive full pay, allowances, and benefits.

Those under 31 may qualify if they meet the academic and physical requirements. STA will cover up to $10,000 per year, paid directly to the school; costs exceeding this amount are the member’s responsibility. If you are eligible, you can supplement the costs of tuition, fees, and books with your GI Bill, and you are also eligible to apply for Pell Grants and external scholarships.

You must get an endorsement from your command and take the SAT or ACT.  For every month using (CIP), you will owe one month of service with a 36-month maximum.

The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) – is for enlisted personnel seeking to earn a commission. It is connected to an NROTC-affiliated school and allows up to 4 years for school, during which you will retain your active-duty pay, benefits, and continue to gain active-duty time. You must have served for at least one year and been accepted at a partner institution.

Like the others above, it is critical to have command endorsement and meet both academic and physical. Upon completion, you will be commissioned as a second Lieutenant and have a minimum of an 8-year service commitment.

The Marine Career Interruption Program (MCIP) has limited spaces, with only about 20 available yearly. Despite its availability, sources note that it is not as common as those in the other services, but it is available. It differs from MECEP as it is geared less toward attaining a commission and more toward a specific need for time off or is preparing to separate or transition to the Reserves.

If accepted, you will remain on transition to IRR, receive 2/30th of your pay, and continue your benefits. Every month you take on leave, another one will be added to your contract.

The Space Force Career Intermission Program (CIP) –Guardians can apply for a 1–3-year break in service and transfer to the IPP while continuing health care, commissary, base access, and leave accrual to pursue education, civilian employment, or fulfill family obligations. Those approved will receive a percentage of base pay, and applications are accepted in the spring. Like the others, you must confer with command and career managers as you begin your application package. Your additional service obligation is usually 1 month leave to 1 month obligation, although it’s essential to confirm this, as this may vary.

Military Career Support

Due to high demand and recruiting challenges, some Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) offer opportunities to pursue education, training, or civilian employment. A few are listed below,

  • Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) – Under this DOD-funded plan, eligible members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force may be able to earn up to $2500 per month, 100% of tuition and mandatory fees, the cost of necessary equipment, exam reimbursements for training, and perhaps even a signing bonus for MDs and DOs. Before applying, you must have a letter of acceptance to an accredited medical, dental, health professional, or veterinary (Army only) program. The Space Force does not have their own track, but Guardians may apply through the Air Force HSPS. High-demand areas include nursing, clinical psychology, optometry, and dentistry. Scholarships range from 2 years for physicians to 3 for other occupations. Upon completion, recipients will owe 1 year for each awarded scholarship year.
  • Residency Financial Assistance Program (FAP) – This program, managed by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and HSPS is a bit different in that you apply to it as a civilian in residency, and if approved, you will be commissioned as an officer (typically as a Lieutenant or Captain).  It is offered by the Army, Navy, or Air Force and covers up to a cap in grant funding and a monthly stipend. While in FAP, you will be considered active-duty for training purposes only and not be eligible for deployment. You will accrue time toward retirement and receive ID cards and Tricare, and be obligated to at least 2 years of active duty for each 1 year in FAP. Requirements may differ by service branch.
  • Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP) – If you are a resident and attain a commission, likely as a 2nd Lieutenant or captain, in a media specialty (like 66F) in the Army National Guard or Reserves, you may be eligible for STRAP, part of the U.S. Army Guard and Reserve Health Professions Stipend Program. This stipend program of around $2500 (depending on the state) per month is intended to meet the current Health Professions shortage list, which could include doctors, dental corps, and registered nurses. For every 6 months of STRAP financial support, you will owe 1 year of military service. You may be required to drill minimally and are considered to be in uniform during the program.
  • Army Transition with Industry (TWI) – This program permits participants to embed with industry leaders to gain “on-the-job” experience that can both elevate their employment opportunities and bring back valuable insight on civilian best practices in project management, logistics, cybersecurity, or software development. Open to officers, warrant officers, and NGOs, those selected will be paired with an industry partner for 12 months before returning to service in roles that maximize the skills gained. While you are in TWI, you will continue to accrue time and maintain your health and other benefits. Post participation service commitment of 3 years. Air Force Education With Industry (EWI) and Navy Tours With Industry (NTWI) are very similar to TWI but may have different qualifications and requirements. Please use the links provided for more information.

About the author

Wendy Ann Lang

Wendy Ann Lang is the President and Founder of Operation College Promise. Wendy regularly presents at national conferences as a subject matter expert in best practices to support the military-connected student population. She is a founding member of the Stockton University Veterans’ Advisory Board and was awarded their “Veterans’ Advocate of the Year” in 2017.  From 2020 to 2024, Wendy led the Bush Institutes’ Higher Education and Employment Task Forces, focusing on contemporary initiatives to optimize student veterans' postsecondary success and reduce barriers to employment in high-demand fields.