Higher education urged to better serve veterans and service members
The U.S. military is meeting recruiting targets early, and many recruits cite education benefits as a key reason for enlisting. However, only about 30 percent of veterans have a bachelor's degree, according to the piece. The author argues that colleges should offer more flexible, year-round online programs so military students can study despite deployments and relocations.
The military’s current recruiting momentum includes the Navy signing 45,000 sailors three months early and the Army reaching over 61,500 soldiers four months early. Lawmakers also approved adding about 26,100 troops this fiscal year. More than half of service members say education benefits motivated enlistment, yet roughly 30 percent of veterans hold bachelor’s degrees.
The author’s own experience illustrates a flexible model: he completed a master’s in organizational leadership through National University while he was an Air Force officer handling missions overseas. Classes lasted four weeks, began throughout the year, and were fully online. He also notes that VA campus clinicians serve only 54 schools, while nearly half of student veterans get VA mental health care.
This argument may influence how colleges design schedules and support services for military-connected students. If institutions adopt year-round online options and campus mental health resources, service members, veterans, spouses, and reservists could face fewer interruptions when deployments or relocations occur. Employers and communities might benefit from a more educated veteran workforce. However, change may depend on funding, accreditation, and institutional capacity, so effects could vary widely.