| Members of the U.S. Military are often on the minds | | | | may give them a head start in the civilian world. Not |
| of the public. The public understands more than ever | | | | only will they keep a foot in the civilian world while |
| the challenges that face soldiers when they are | | | | they are on active duty, but they will be that much |
| returning to civilian life from the structured and | | | | further ahead in their degree program for their new |
| sometimes dangerous world of the military. While | | | | career field. If a soldier begins work on his or her |
| military training is imperative to help soldiers obey | | | | online degree a year or two before they enter the |
| orders in threatening situations, learning to live a | | | | civilian world, it will take them a much shorter period |
| less-structured civilian life style might seem difficult | | | | of time to finish the degree than a soldier who didn't |
| for some service members after they separate. | | | | get a head start. |
| That's why an online degree program might be just | | | | By working to complete an online degree, a service |
| the right tool to help a service member create a | | | | member can attain a feeling of accomplishment |
| balance in their new lives between discipline and | | | | outside of their military life. This feeling of |
| freedom. Using the benefits that are available to | | | | accomplishment may help make the transition home |
| them through the new GI Bill, a returning military | | | | easier. Understanding beforehand the knowledge that |
| member can seek a higher education either while | | | | is needed in their chosen civilian career field will |
| they are on active duty or once they leave the | | | | enhance their ability to find a job once they graduate. |
| service. If they choose to attend an online school | | | | Even though being in the military is a constant |
| while they are deployed or at a remote station, it | | | | learning process, online learning is more of an individual |
| may help them feel connected to society, rather | | | | task. By focusing attention on an online degree |
| than separated and alone. | | | | program, a military service member may become |
| In addition to a feeling of connectivity, an online | | | | more accustomed to the individual learning process, |
| degree program may well enhance the skills that | | | | rather than the group mentality that is prevalent, and |
| military service members are also learning on the job. | | | | necessary, in the military. Learning how to develop |
| They may be able to gain knowledge that will help | | | | individually in learning tasks may lead to success in the |
| them in finding a job on the civilian side that relates | | | | civilian world. |
| to their degree and their military service. For | | | | One other great advantage for military member in an |
| example, if a service member specializes in repairing | | | | online degree program is the flexibility that is built into |
| tanks in the Army, they may be able to enroll in an | | | | online college programs. Military members have many |
| online technical school that offers a degree in | | | | responsibilities they must attend to while they are on |
| automotive service and management. | | | | active duty. An online college gives busy service |
| If a service member chooses to begin their online | | | | members the ability to schedule their learning around |
| education before they separate from active duty, it | | | | their important military duties. |