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What to Know About Military Education Options

Newly commissioned officers and new enlisted recruits don’t enter the service knowing all their service-connected educational obligations (training, continuing education) and their off-duty education options. But they soon learn that higher education opportunities come in a variety of ways.

Active duty service members have three basic types of education options.  

• Off-Duty Education
• Professional Military Education (PME)
• Full-Time College Attendance.

Each serves a distinct purpose, shaped by its funding, credentials, academic style, and application. 

College credit may be available for service members’ involvement in formal career field training, professional military education, and off-duty education. But what are these opportunities, and how do they fit into the bigger educational picture for service members?

Professional Military Education (PME)

PME is structured, mandatory education and training delivered by the military rather than a third party.

PME is meant to create leaders and warfighters by promoting from within, preparing them for greater responsibility in a systematic way. PME is part of that system and typically progresses sequentially, with specific courses required at career milestones such as becoming a non-commissioned officer or a senior non-commissioned officer.

College credits are available for some but not necessarily all PME, but with or without college credit, this type of learning is essential for a military career.

• What are examples of PME? This includes early leadership development like Airman Leadership School (ALS) for Airmen, and Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academies (e.g., Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course) for mid-level and senior NCOs across services. For aspiring officers, Officer Training School (OTS) or Officer Candidate School (OCS) provides pre-commissioning instruction. Later, officers attend Intermediate and Senior Service Colleges like the Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) or the Naval War College, focusing on operational and strategic warfare. Beyond leadership, Career Field Training offers specialized instruction directly tied to a service member’s military occupation, ensuring proficiency in specific tasks.
• How does it work? PME happens during duty hours; service members keep their regular pay. The military funds and provides the education; no tuition cost falls on the individual. Travel and living expenses for resident courses are also covered.
• What credentials does it provide? PME confers military-specific credentials and qualifications, not traditional academic degrees. These include Certificates of Completion, which ensure Promotion Eligibility (as PME is often mandatory), and Military Occupational Qualifications for specialized skills. For officers, some PME contributes to Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), vital for joint assignments and general/flag officer promotion. While ACE may recommend college credit for some PME, its core value remains within the military system.
• What is the academic experience like? PME’s academic focus is purely military. Curricula instill doctrine, leadership ethics, decision-making in combat, strategic thought, and a military view of geopolitics. Methods include discussions, case studies, simulations, and practical exercises. PME is typically cohort-based, and the course standards are typically high, especially at senior levels, stressing critical thinking and complex problem-solving.
• What is its purpose? PME is part of the path to promotions, greater leadership roles, and specialized knowledge for advanced military jobs. PME prepares leaders for diverse environments, from tactical units to strategic headquarters. For career field training, it provides the exact skills needed to perform a military job, ensuring readiness. PME also fosters a shared understanding of military culture, values, and strategy.

Off-Duty Education

Off-duty education is an option for active-duty service members who pursue academic goals in their free time. They may enroll in civilian schools for degrees or certifications, taking classes at on-post colleges or off-base universities.

This path often serves individual development. When a degree is earned under the right circumstances, it may lead to a military commission, or it may lead to a career change in or outside the military. It’s all up to the service member.

• How is it funded? The main financial aid is Tuition Assistance (TA), provided by each service. TA covers tuition up to a specified cap (in the past this has been set at $250 per semester hour, usually capped at $4,500 annually. Check program details for more information on current rates. TA handles tuition and some fees but not books or supplies. If costs exceed TA, the GI Bill Top-Up can cover the difference, using a service member’s Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill benefits. TA is offered as a way to save the GI Bill for after school after military service. Other options include federal student aid, scholarships, and institutional grants. Some services, like the Air Force, even offer their own community colleges where enlisted members can earn associate degrees without direct cost.
• What credentials does it provide? Off-duty study leads to civilian academic credentials: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degrees. Vocational or industry certifications (e.g., in IT or project management) are also common. These credentials hold value in the civilian job market, making them transferable for life beyond uniform. The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates military training, often recommending college credit, which speeds degree progress.
• What is the academic experience like? This academic experience mirrors civilian college, though service members balance studies with military duties. Civilian institutions dictate the curriculum, which is broad and less military-focused. Flexibility marks this path, with online courses, evening classes, and condensed schedules common to fit military demands. Academic rigor varies by institution. Students learn from civilian faculty and peers, broadening their perspectives.
• What is its purpose? Off-duty education not only adds to your academic record, for promotion purposes it shows initiative and a belief in the “whole person concept.” It also serves as a bridge to a civilian career. Earning degrees and certifications while serving builds a strong resume, providing credentials for a smooth transition. This opens doors to new fields, enhances competitiveness, and often leads to higher pay. For those remaining in uniform, a civilian degree can be a prerequisite for commissioning programs or specific military roles.

Full-Time College Attendance

Formal college attendance means pursuing traditional academic degrees (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral) at civilian schools. While off-duty study is a type of formal attendance, this category emphasizes dedicated pursuit of higher education, often as a primary focus, whether during active service or, more commonly, after leaving the military.

This means seeking out a “career pause” type option that lets a service member pause their military obligation while attending school full time. This option may include ROTC scholarships, leading to a degree and a commission, or the use of GI Bill.

• How is it funded? GI Bill programs heavily support formal college attendance, especially for veterans. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is the most comprehensive benefit for post-9/11 active duty service. It can cover up to 100% of public in-state tuition (with caps for private/foreign schools), provide a monthly housing allowance (MHA), and offer an annual stipend for books. Benefits generally last 15 years post-service and can transfer to spouses or dependents. Beyond the GI Bill, service members and veterans can access federal student aid, scholarships, and the Yellow Ribbon Program. Yellow Ribbon allows institutions to fund tuition exceeding the Post-9/11 GI Bill maximum, making private or out-of-state tuition more affordable.
• What credentials does it provide? Formal college yields universally recognized academic degrees: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. These are the standard for entering many civilian professions, for career advancement, and for further academic study. They signify deep understanding, critical thinking, and research skills.
• What is the academic experience like? The academic setting differs from military training. Curricula are broad, spanning liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields. The focus is on critical thought, theory, research, and independent study. Faculty are civilian academics. The learning environment is less structured than PME, emphasizing individual responsibility. While online programs thrive, many students attend traditional campuses, experiencing campus life and diverse academic communities.
• What is its purpose? Formal college attendance greatly impacts both military and civilian careers. For those still serving, a bachelor’s degree often precedes commissioning, and advanced degrees can aid selection for specialized assignments or senior officer promotions. However, formal college attendance shines brightest for post-military civilian career success.