Boot Camp Benefits: Is the Military Right for You?

By Samuel G. Smith on Monday, September 19, 2011

If money concerns have you worried about achieving your dream degree, Uncle Sam can help in more ways than just federal student aid. Military branches, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard and Coast Guard, all offer financial assistance in exchange for a period of service to those wanting to further their education. Here’s a breakdown of the branches and their incentives:

 

ARMY
If you’re interested in a career with the oldest and largest military branch, the Army can be a great way to serve your country and get an education too. But benefits don’t end with school assistance; generous vacation time and medical coverage for soldiers add to the incentives. Enroll in an Army ROTC program at a university and you could qualify for merit-based scholarships (based on your grades and test scores) that not only pay for tuition, books and room and board, but also provide you with a monthly stipend. Keep in mind if you accept a scholarship, you’re obligated to serve later.

  • Arkansas Army ROTC programs: Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas
  • Recruiting info: www.GoArmy.com
  • Boot camp length: 9 weeks
  • Length of service required: Eight years if recipient of an Army ROTC scholarship.
  • Career ideas: Interpreter, Helicopter Repair, Operating Room Specialist, Machinist, Intelligence Analyst, Military Police

NAVY

Were you a Battleship fan as a kid? Get a chance to experience it in real life with the U.S. Navy, and let the largest naval force in the world help pay for your college expenses. Enroll in the NROTC program and you’ll qualify for up to $180,000 in scholarship money on top of a monthly stipend that increases as you progress in your college career. And if you’re a Navy enlistee, you can get all of your tuition and fees covered at an accredited institution. 

  • Arkansas Marine Corps/Navy programs: None in the state, but many in the region.
  • Recruiting info: www.Navy.com
  • Boot camp length: 8 weeks
  • Length of service required: Five years of active duty if recipient of an NROTC scholarship.
  • Career ideas: Translator, Photographer, Teacher, Musician

MARINE CORPS

If you can handle sea sickness and like teamwork, joining the Marine Corps could provide you not only with the bragging rights of being a part of an influential military branch, but could also help pay for your higher education. Under programs such as Military Tuition Assistance you could end up spending nothing out of pocket as long as you’re on active duty. As always, remember to understand service requirements before signing; you don’t want to be surprised to find your free college education has strings attached.

  • Arkansas Marine Corps/Navy ROTC programs: None in the state, but many in the region.
  • Recruiting info: www.Marines.com
  • Boot camp length: 12 weeks
  • Length of service required: Tuition assistance only available to those in active duty. Officers must serve two years of active duty if recipient of tuition assistance. 
  • Career ideas: Electrician, Broadcast Journalist, Helicopter Specialist, Engineer

AIR FORCE

If flying at the speed of sound is your thing, perhaps a career in the Air Force is for you. It may be the youngest branch of our country’s military, but it’s no rookie. The world’s largest and most technologically sophisticated aerial warfare branch can help you reach your educational goals. Enroll in a university’s Air Force ROTC program and qualify for competitive scholarships that can not only help pay for school, but can put money in your pocket through a monthly stipend. 

  • Arkansas Air Force ROTC programs: University of Arkansas
  • Recruiting info: www.AirForce.com
  • Boot camp length: 8 weeks
  • Length of service required: Four years of active duty if recipient of Air Force ROTC scholarship.
  • Career ideas: Pilot, Emergency Medicine Physician, Architect, Still Photography Specialist, Pararescue

COAST GUARD

Love water but not interested in the Navy or Marine Corps? There’s another way to make an impact at sea. The Coast Guard may be the smallest branch of the military but it does a lot of big things such as search and rescue, law enforcement and even pollution prevention. Just like other military branches, you can get significant financial assistance from the Coast Guard while seeking your degree. In some cases you can end up paying nothing out of pocket. Though the Coast Guard doesn’t have an ROTC program, a similar program called CSPI provides scholarships. The branch also offers education for its service members; one program even allows you to take classes at sea. 

  • Arkansas Coast Guard training programs: None; training is only available at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
  • Recruiting info: www.GoCoastGuard.com
  • Boot camp length: 7 weeks
  • Length of service required: Four years of active duty if recipient of CSPI scholarship.
  • Career ideas: Engineering Officer, Environmental Manager, Reserve Officer

NATIONAL GUARD

The Army National Guard is a great way for anyone 17 and older to earn money and either go to school or keep a full-time job. All you have to do is serve one weekend per month and go to summer training. The National Guard will pay you for it, and you can receive some great benefits for school or free job training that could help you move up in the workplace. If you’ve already been to college and have a degree, you can apply for an officer position. For more information, visit www.ARGuard.org.

  • High School Benefits
  • Earn extra money and receive training
  • Summer training that pays up to $1,200 per month
  • College Benefits
  • Sign a six-year contract and get:
  • 100 percent tuition paid at any state school
  • Monthly stipend
  • Career Benefits
  • Sign a four-year contract and get:
  • Beneficial job training
  • Guaranteed full-time job in the Army (optional)
  • And after your contract is up? You’re finished. But be aware that re-enlistment bonuses reach up to $15,000.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB is a test designed to evaluate your strengths, weaknesses and skills, and it’s required you pass it before you can enlist. Different military branches have different acceptance scores, so make sure you understand what score the branch you’re interested in wants.