Be All You Can Be — A Possible Alternative to Traditional College

“You never know what you’re capable of until you take the first step.” As a former US Army Drill Sergeant and First Sergeant with 28 years of service, let me tell you some things you can be.

The US Army Repelling TrainingPhoto byCourtesy of the Warrior Training Center from Flickr.

NOTE: I am not an Army recruiter; all these statistics and today's compensation are gathered from online sources.

BTW, the Army paid for two degrees for me, and I now collect three pensions.

When you go for your next interview with your resume in hand, ask them for a guaranteed starting salary of around $25,000 annually, with free housing and meals.

If you’re married and on-post housing is unavailable, you’ll receive $15,300 for housing and another $4,900 per year for food, which makes your salary worth closer to$45,000. Those figures get bigger when you get promoted.

Tell them you also want 100% paid medical, dental, and vision. Insist on 30 days of paid vacation, unlimited sick leave, and a half-million-dollar life insurance policy for less than many pay for daily coffee.

What’s more, you won’t want to work on any of the eleven federal holidays, and you’ll need a four-day weekend in conjunction with those holidays.

While you’re at it, ask them to provide you with no-cost work clothes and an annual maintenance allowance for replacement and upkeep.

Maybe you’d like to be a world traveler and work in Europe or Asia. Ask them to move your family, household belongings, and automobile there at no expense to you.

Insist they provide time for you to work out before work and pay you for it. Tell them you have no experience, but you’d like them to train you to be a computer systems administrator or other technical occupation specialty and pay you while you’re learning.

Tell them you might like to retire after 20 years and continue to collect around 50% of your income with cost-of-living allowance (COLA) raises for life. But you could leave after a few years, and you want them to foot the bill for college.

If they’re not laughing, they might be one of the US uniformed services.

Fayetteville Technical Community College Soldiers are going to a lunchtime class.Photo byFlickr.

Although military life isn’t for everyone, many can find it challenging but well worth the effort.

Trading the College Campus for Basic Training: A Wise Alternative to Traditional College

There are other options in a world where the pathway to success is often only attained after incurring mounds of student loan debt to get a traditional college degree.

The burden of student loans has become a massive concern for those who do not have the money to attend.

“Americans owe $1.77 trillion in student loan debt.”— The Lending Tree.

However, there is an alternative route that promises a solid foundation for a promising future but also provides remarkable financial incentives.

Enlisting in the US Army(or any of the uniformed services) can be that viable alternative, offering many benefits over diving straight into college post-high school and becoming bogged down with student loan debt.

Training and Real-World Experience

Unlike the conventional classroom setup, the US Army provides hands-on, real-world training experience in various fields.

Whether your interests lie in the computer sciences, engineering, healthcare, aviation, truck driving, or numerous others, the Army provides an environment where you can get trained in your chosen field, gain invaluable experience, and earn while you learn.

Generous Education Benefits

The post-college financial burden can be overwhelming after student loans pile up, and Sallie Mae or another comes collecting, whether or not you are employed.

However, the US Army can provide a financial cushion through its education benefits. By committing to as little as two years on active duty or six years in the National Guard or Reserves, you gain access to nearly $80,000 in GI Bill benefits.

“Borrowers between 35 and 49 years old owe the most in federal student loans, according to Federal Student Aid data.”—Axios.

Imagine that is typically ten to fifteen years after graduation. Some even take college debt into retirement.

You can use it towards college, university, vocational/technical schools, or certificate courses during or after your service.

However, taking advantage of the 75% tuition assistance while on active duty to attend night and weekend courses is wise. This approach can maximize your GI Bill benefits and possibly eliminate the need for student loans.

Future Education Pursuits

The GI Bill benefits don’t just stop at covering tuition. They extend to aiding with other significant college expenses such as housing, books, and food. The prospect of having a considerable portion of your post-service education funded relieves the financial strain associated with pursuing a degree.

“The average federal student loan debt balance is $37,718, while the total average balance (including private loan debt) may be as high as $40,499.”—The Education Data Initiative.

Plus, You’ll Cultivate a Strong Work Ethic and a Sense of Discipline

The discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills honed during your time in the Army are assets that will make you stand out in the civilian job market. Likewise, they’ll provide a strong foundation for academic and professional success in the long term.

Employers often hire college graduates but want experience, too. Spending as little as two years with the Army can provide you with that experience and funds for college.

Opting for a stint in the US Army before embarking on a college journey is a wise choice, especially considering student loan debt is a crippling concern for many.

The life, financial, and educational advantages gained from this choice could provide a more solid stepping stone to your future ambitions, and you’ll“Be All You Can Be.”

Many high school seniors and unemployed graduates see this recruiting video and wonder what’s possible.

Be All You Can Be — U.S. Army’s New Brand Trailer | U.S. Army

Uploaded to YouTube by The U.S. Army with 1.32M subscribers.

Call 1–888–550-ARMY (2769) to “Be All You Can Be!”

It was the best life/career decision I ever made, hands down. I am a retired US Army Drill Sergeant and First Sergeant, not an Army recruiter, and all of these statistics are gathered from online sources.

Want to read local news stories for free?

Sign up using my referral link.

If you want to make a side hustle from writing about local news, sign up using my referral link, and we can both make more. Don’t forget to use your link when you write.

About the author

Stephen Dalton is a native of Old Town, ME, and a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified US English Chicago Manual of Style Editor. Top Writer in Travel, Food, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, Short Story, and a NewsBreak Community Voice Pro.