Question about college degrees and armed forces position?

Question

I'm going to graduate in about 9 months with a degree in chemical engineering. I was if you joined the armed services you start as a higher rank with a college degree in engineering and chemical engineering is considered the most versitile.

was wondering...would they put you on a non combat path off the bat. I figure basic training is a must.......and i know i can do that.....i was in marital arts for 10 years and my instructor was a seal. I bet the seal training is tougher.....but my 8 days a week of training (yes 8..not a typo)....i think i can handle that.

Just was thinking if they put you into a combat with a higher rank....you wouldn't really be qualified to lead other people into battle.

In the end...my question i s...would you be respected if you did that.

misstyped
my second sentence

"i was if you joined the amred forces...."
suppose to be
"i was TOLD...".

GAI...i saw that exact list, but saw engineers added to that too.

thanks so far

issue isn't staying out of combat......just wondering if thats waht the degree does to you.

oh yeah..and when i look at job offers for chem e's...there is always a military position.

Also they have a nuke engineering position every semester for chem e's to train people in the navy. I think tahts a straight officer job (not entirly sure on ranks)......and you skip basic.

Answer 1

all a college degree gets you is a higher entering paygrade. what MOSs you qualify for will entirely depend on your Line scores fromt he ASVAB as well as availability at MEPS. Doesn't matter what the degree is in, for enlistment purposes.

Howver, with a degree such as yours, you probably stand a VERY good shot at going Officer.. in probably all the branches.. and not all Officers are in Combat related areas.

regardless, you would be trained before be turned loose on a bunch of grunts.. and you would be wise to learn from the senior enlisted types once you get there as an Officer or enlisted.

Answer 2

There are many privates in the Army with degrees such as yours. Your degree means very little at the root beginnings of military service if you are an enlistee. While it could aid you in rank progression, as stated, it does you little good as a new recruit. If you want it to make a difference, find out if there is a need for people with your degree for special assignments. There have been situations where the military had a special need for people with special training and were placed in those fields with a commensurate rank for that special need. If there isn't any special need, or your grades were not high enough for special assignment,then you might want to go to OCS and become an officer. Even that, however, may not keep you out of a combat position.

Answer 3

I joined the Army straight out of college with a BS and an MS degree. I went through basic and then OCS to get my commission. Simply having a college degree even in the fields you mention doesn't qualify you for entry into the military above the rank of E-3 last time I checked...when my son looked into it 2 years ago. You can contact a recruiter. In the army ask them about the College Option program.

Answer 4

with a college degree you should enter at E-2 or E-3. And with that kind of education you would most definitely be assigned a non combat MOS. If you serve honorably, and it doesn't matter what branch or Mos you in, you have and deserve the respect of your country. Good luck.

Answer 5

Would would start as an 0-1. Only Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers and Priests start out at a higher rank. You need grad school, not just a BS to earn a higher rank in those fields.