Military Education Programs: An Overview
Military education encompasses a broad range of programs, from primary and secondary schools modeled after military academies to tuition assistance for active-duty service members and veterans pursuing higher education. This article provides an overview of these programs, exploring their history, purpose, benefits, and eligibility requirements.
Historical Context of Military Education
Military education has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times when warriors were trained for battle. In the United States, military education as a form of private schooling began in the 19th century. These schools, often modeled after the United States Military Academy at West Point, aimed to instill in students the values of discipline, leadership, and courage. They sought to cultivate individuals with both the education and culture of the ancient Athenian soldier and the discipline and courage of the ancient Spartan soldier.
One of the earliest military schools in the U.S., Greenbrier Military School, was founded in Lewisburg, West Virginia, in 1812. Many other military schools were established in the 19th century, particularly in the South and Midwest. The onset of World War I and World War II led to increased demand for military readiness training, causing student populations at military schools to swell.
The Purpose of Military Schools
Despite the common misconception, military schools are not primarily intended to train the next generation of soldiers. Military school educators emphasize that their primary goal is to produce leaders in all fields. They believe that discipline is a creative tonic that can help young people realize their full potential. Military schools strive to educate the whole person, teaching students the importance of the group over the individual, as well as the value of tradition, character, discipline, honor, duty, and country.
Military Tuition Assistance (TA)
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Congress has granted each service the authority to cover up to 100% of the tuition expenses for its members. This benefit is a tremendous opportunity for service members to pursue education while on active duty.
Read also: Service Member Scholarship Guide
Eligibility
Each service branch has its own eligibility criteria, obligated service requirements, application process, and restrictions for TA. However, in general, active-duty members, reservists, and National Guard members on active duty are eligible.
Coverage
Tuition Assistance can be used for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, licensure, certificate, and language courses, or to complete a high school education. Funds may be used for either in-person or online classes. TA can cover tuition and course-specific fees such as laboratory fees or online course fees.
Restrictions
Tuition Assistance cannot be paid if a service member leaves the service before the course ends or fails the course. TA also cannot be paid if a service member drops out of the class, although exceptions may be made for illness, military transfer, or mission requirements. Service members may have to repay TA funds if they are later deemed ineligible. TA benefits do not cover books, course materials, transportation, room and board, or flight training fees.
Application Process
Each military branch has its own TA application form and procedures.
Service-Specific Details
The following is a recap of the Tuition Assistance programs for each service branch:
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- Air Force: Covers 100% of tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty and Reserve.
- Army: Covers 100% of tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, 18 semester hours per year, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty, Army National Guard on active duty, and Army Reserve.
- Navy: Covers 100% of tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty and Navy Reserve in active-duty status.
- Marine Corps: Covers 100% of tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty only.
- Coast Guard: Covers 100% of tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty and Reserve in active-duty status.
- Space Force: Covers $250 per semester hour, $166 per quarter hour, or $4,500 per fiscal year. Eligible: Active duty.
GI Bill Benefits
In addition to Tuition Assistance, service members and veterans can also utilize GI Bill benefits to fund their education. The GI Bill offers several programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible service members and veterans who have served at least 90 days on active duty since September 10, 2001. The benefits can be used for college, business, technical, or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeship/job training, flight training, and licensing and testing programs. Survivors of military members who died on active duty after September 10, 2001, may be eligible for the Fry Scholarship program, which pays the same as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays tuition and fees, provides a housing stipend, and offers a book stipend. Benefits are tiered based on the number of days on active duty.
Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for college, business, technical, or vocational courses, correspondence courses, apprenticeship/job training, and flight training. There are different categories of veteran eligibility depending on when the individual joined the military and how long they served on active duty.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve is the same as MGIB-AD at reduced rates. It requires a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve, a high school diploma/GED, and maintaining Selected Reserve status.
Tuition Assistance "Top-Up" Program
The Tuition Assistance "Top-Up" program is an additional benefit intended to supplement tuition assistance from the military with GI Bill benefits. To be eligible, the individual must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for GI Bill benefits. Tuition Assistance will pay up to $250 for a course, and the Top-Up program will pay the remainder of the cost.
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Other Education Benefits
Besides TA and the GI Bill, there are other education benefits available to service members, veterans, and their families.
Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
The Loan Repayment Program (LRP) may partially or fully repay college loans for eligible enlisted members. Several factors determine eligibility, including the branch of service, MOS, and terms of the contract. The loans must be in good standing, i.e., not in default.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) Program
The Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program provides education and training opportunities for eligible dependents of certain veterans. It may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training.
Work-Study Program
The VA work-study allowance is available to persons training under one of the VA benefit programs: GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment, and DEA. Dependents may also be eligible. Participants earn an hourly wage equal to the federal minimum wage or their state minimum wage, whichever is greater.
Tutorial Assistance Program
The Tutorial Assistance Program provides tutorial assistance for subjects students are struggling with. If a student is receiving VA benefits at a half-time or more rate, they are eligible.
Military Academies and ROTC
Military academies offer another opportunity for young adults seeking a military education. These academies emphasize the education of the whole person, instilling values such as discipline, leadership, and courage. High school students interested in officer careers may also enroll in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at the college of their choice.
Military Schools: A Closer Look
Military schools or academies are run along military lines and are often modeled after the United States Military Academy at West Point. They emphasize the education of the whole person, teaching students the importance of the group over the individual, as well as the value of tradition, character, discipline, honor, duty, and country.
Curriculum and Activities
In addition to normal coursework, cadets (military school students) are often required to perform community service projects and participate in extracurricular activities ranging from sports to drama and music. Cadets are expected to wear a military-style uniform, address others with respect, and participate in drills, marches, and other military exercises. Hard work and excellence are rewarded through a merit system, while disobedient and poorly performing students receive demerits.
Religious Affiliation
While many American military schools are nonsectarian, especially those run as public schools, a number offer on-campus religious services in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and others are Christian military schools that emphasize the inculcation of both academic and spiritual values.
Outcomes
It is not uncommon for military school graduates to matriculate to some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities. Many military school graduates become part of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at their college or university of choice.
Do Military Schools Help Troubled Kids?
Some psychologists argue that military schools overemphasize discipline and may not be suitable for adolescents with real emotional and behavioral problems. However, others argue that the discipline and structure that are the hallmarks of a military education does wonders for troubled teens.
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