How easy/difficult is it to obtain a degree while in service. Also does A-school and other qualifications count as collage credits???

It isn't easy. You have to understand service comes first, schooling second. So a 4 year degree will take you a bit longer to achieve. However, it is completely possible to do!! My ex-husband earned 2 Associates, a Bachelor's and a Master's all while on active duty going from a non-rate to Commander in the Coast Guard and never paid a dime for any of it. It took him almost 24 years to complete all of it but he did it. So if you want it, you can achieve it! Best of luck.

they do count as college credits. I am enrolled in an online school that also has a brick and mortar institution called baker. I love it so far. Its possible but it will take a while, dont overwhelm yourself.

Vincent Patton one of our former MCPOCG earned a Doctorate, Masters and 2 bachelors degrees while serving active duty. It is very much attainable but from what I hear you wont have much time to go out boozing with friends which in my book is a perfect reason to use tuition assistance

Amen swinger! Much better use of time and energy!!! Alcohol is just rented anyway. A degree will last a lifetime and will let you have untold riches if you follow the right path!

Becareful about the college credits though...as some colleges will only accept certain credits. They won't accept them all. Only the ones that apply to your degree of study will be used. But...you will pretty much have all your elective credits earned.

Also, make sure that your stuff is on your Coast Guard transcripts. May take a month or two to show up, so make sure you let the colleges know any time you go to a new school in the Coast Guard so that they can update your transcript and see if you have any more credits earned to help you out.

how much school could potentially be completed in 5 years though? I'm personally curious because I just realized I'll be 31 when i complete school if i start after my enlistment. I prefer to be younger and have kids before then. I'm sincerely regretting that spontaneous decision to enlist and now I'm trying to at least get a head start while im trapped in the CG

I have completed a bachelors and a masters in that time. But everyone is different. It depends greatly on how much you are willing to sacrifice to get it done.

Trapped??

Look at it this way, even if it takes you longer than a traditional student, you are going to graduate with zero debt! You will be able to chose jobs based on desire, not loan payback. That is a phenominal place to be in compared to your counterpart.

I believe we know each other! if so look me up in global, I will give you some advice!

Chuck Cunningham.

Have you already been to boot camp? You can always back out of the decision if you haven't shipped yet.

I have been with the CGC Tahoma for about 8 months already, And just deciding that I want to go back to school for architecture which is a 5 year degree. I just feel like I'm wasting a good chunk of my life in the CG. I feel myself getting stupider everyday and I'm completely miserable on the Tahoma. I understand it will be difficult to go to school while in the service which is why I'm kicking myself in the butt now.

Try your best not to judge the entire experience based on your first unit. After you go to A school, you will see a tremendous change in your outlook on the CG. Best of luck to you.

The first year is pretty frustrating. I don't really know what to say... Get started on the degree and finish it up when your done. Or get out. (I'm not sure if there are any programs right now but there used to be, for active to go reserve). Thats really disappointing I have a ton of reserve friends that would give anything to be active right now. Nonrate life isn't fun but like Cooch said it gets significantly better once your rated, and you are going to feel extremely proud when that happens.

I'm getting my masters right now from Michigan State University online. Its annoying but its do able.

Does the CG accept people with any form of degree? Currently I am working on my Bachelors in Ministry, but I feel drawn to the Coast Guard. Will I be able to use the degree?

Your degree will allow you to enter as an E-3 if you get fully qualified. You can apply for OCS, although without a STEM degree, it won't be anywhere near as competitive as some other applications.