Previous battles lost
Providing college courses via satellite facilities has a long-standing history in military lore. Active duty personnel simply attended evening classes on base. As these were fully accredited courses from major institutions, financial aid was freely available. This format enabled countless personnel to earn valid degrees that would have been otherwise unattainable.
The major shortcoming of Uncle Sam’s generous gesture was that you had to physically attend these classes. If you received orders for Japan in mid-semester, tough luck. If your colicky six-month old was too ill for the daycare, that caused an unexcused absence. If you were suddenly sent 2000 miles away for a ninety-day temporary tour of day – oh well; better luck next session.
Benefits of online study
Technology has thoroughly invaded all aspects of life, including education. Hold you fire, though. On this battle front, it is a friendly force that poses no threat. This one is definitely an allied occupation, troops..
In fact, technology’s pervasive presence in the land enables you to earn a degree with unprecedented efficiency. Military online courses have totally changed the topography of the educational skirmish.
Long-distance learning offers advantages that traditional degree programs simply cannot match. You may proceed at your own pace. You may receive instruction at any time and from any location where there is an internet connection.
Did you just get off duty at 11:00 pm? No problem. Change out of your fatigues, logon, and begin studying. Did you just arrive at Edinburgh AB in London yesterday? While the wife and kids sleep off intercontinental jet lag, you remember that tonight is the deadline for that Algebra assignment. You login from your laptop and complete it in the nick of time. What a relief! Now you can get up from the cardboard box of unpacked dishes you were sitting on. There wasn’t much left to do anyway. You started it yesterday from your former post in Michigan, and did another 25 questions while flying at 30,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean!
As for money matters…
Like a good neighbor, Uncle Sam is there. After all, what is family for? For the last few years, he’s been in an especially jovial mood. Stand at attention and drink in these delightful details.
Those serving on active duty since September 11, 2001 now get a totally free ride. In mid-2008, Congress passed legislation that provides full-tuition benefits at any public institution within your state. Commonly called the GI Bill, the amendment also authorized a $1000 annual stipend for books. If you’re concerned about the in-state residency requirement – at ease, soldier!
A major advantage of military online courses is that public schools usually do not impose the
out-of-state surcharge heaped upon hapless campus-based students. Because there’s no out-of-state surcharge for online study, your tuition is effectively paid in full if your school is not within your own state. Even if you are stationed outside the United States, you still enjoy the full-tuition benefit by enrolling in military online courses.
The best news of all is that you retain GI Bill eligibility for a decade after separation from active duty. If you fall POW to hostile forces or experience certain disabilities, the ten-year time limit can be extended.