by Bradley Hood
Contributor, InMilitaryEducation.com

As of the time I am writing this, there are only a few days left to apply for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). Because I am not eligible to use VRAP, I was not aware of this program until now, and I regret that I did not get a chance to write on it earlier. This is an excellent opportunity for veterans who are eligible, and provides 12 months of training for unemployed veterans.

By Bradley Hood
Contributor, In Military Education

I remember coming back from campus and sitting down with my mother to discuss options for my future education. I had spent the last year at a nearby state college, a way for me to stay close to family and friends. I had not considered what would suit me and my career goals best, and after I enlisted in the Marine Reserves between my Freshman and Sophomore years of college, I knew it was time to reconsider.

By Col. Phil McNair
Contributor, In Military Education

Last month I wrote about being smart in your classes and giving your professor what he wants.  In other words, watching out for the seemingly small stuff like administrative directions that can cost you points and potentially lower your grade on an otherwise well executed assignment.

By Bradley Hood
Contributor, In Military Education

One of the best opportunities open to qualified Active Duty Enlisted Marines with an interest in pursuing a college education and a subsequent commission as an officer is the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program (MECEP). Along with the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP), these two programs form the prior-enlisted options open to Active Marines, although those with an interest exclusively in a commission may attend PLC or the regular 10 week OCC covered in a previous post.

By Bradley Hood
Contributor, In Military Education

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays out on a system slightly differently than the Montgomery GI Bill, a topic I have previously discussed on this blog. Because I have already gone over this topic, if you have interest in how the system payment works, I recommend you check my earlier post, or go to a site like military.com, a repository of a great deal of up to date information on the GI Bill. To summarize: With enough service, a service member or veteran can have up to 100% of their public school tuition paid for them by the VA, in addition to living expenses.

With the amplified effect of multiple sequestration cuts and downsizing corresponding to the scaling down of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many service members have found themselves in a tough spot. Early outs, delayed and decreased opportunities for promotion and in some cases even forced separations.

By Debra Wales
Education Coordinator, American Military University

In addition to using Tuition Assistance (TA) or your GI Bill to fund your education, you have the option of using a Pell Grant. It’s a Federal Grant usually awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree and unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.

By Debra Wales
Education Coordinator, American Military University

If you are like many senior NCO’s, just the thought of going back to school can be overwhelming. You decided a decade or more ago, after high school, that you were done with the classroom.  You volunteered for the Army, to serve you country and you never wanted to look at a book again.  If you ever had any of these feelings, you’re not alone.  Many of your fellow soldiers, sailors and Marines have these same thoughts and struggle with the idea of going back to school.

by Bradley Hood
Contributor, In Military Education

I have not yet been married for a year, and have not even begun to consider the possibility of starting a family with my wife. However, when I started my Master’s Degree with Norwich University, my wife was jealous. She completed my Bachelor’s Degree before I did, and has wanted to return for her Master’s for a long time.