Earn Promotion Points for Civilian Education!

Earning a college degree or certificate while you serve will help you prepare for a meaningful post-military career, but did you know that it may help you advance your military career, too? That's right—civilian education can win you Army or Navy Promotion Points (and a bigger paycheck). If you miss the promotion point cut off score by a few points each month, head to the classroom to push yourself over the top. Even better—use your military education benefits to pay for it!

Get Your Degree, Earn 100 Promotion Points

It's not uncommon for soldiers to max out their weapons, PT and military education points, but still not make the promotion point cut off. Enrolling in a civilian education certificate or degree program may make all the difference. The most commonly overlooked source of promotion points, you can earn 1.5 Army promotion points for every unit of civilian education up to a whopping 100 extra promotion points. The Navy awards 1 Navy promotion point for each college class, up to 75 total. Eligible schools include colleges and universities, career schools and vocational or technical schools. You can even enroll in an online degree program, which lets you study around your hectic schedule, wherever you're stationed.

Stand Out at the NCO Boards with a College Degree

Earning promotion points for college classes is only icing on the cake. Civilian education can benefit all soldiers, even those who want lifelong military careers. If you review the Human Resource Command demographics for those promoted to senior NCO ranks, you'll notice that most are college educated. That's because the Army realizes just how valuable a well-rounded education is for all those who assume leadership roles. The dedication required to earn a degree speaks volumes for one's sense of responsibility and personal duty. It's this commitment to self betterment that earns nods at the NCO boards.

Let Your Military Education Benefits Pay for School

Ready to earn Navy or Army Promotion Points for education, but aren't sure how to pay for it? You're in luck! Military education benefits like the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) program will help you pay for school! Other special programs, like the TA Top-Up program lets you tap into your Montgomery GI Bill benefits while you're active-duty, covering the difference between your TA benefits and cost of your tuition, books, fees and other living expenses. They even apply to online programs, so there's no reason you should be able to enroll while maintaining your military lifestyle.

Whatever your career goals, never overlook the value of quality education. Earning your college degree will give you the edge you need to meet the Promotion Point cut off, advancing your military career (and pay scale!) and setting you apart at the NCO boards. You can study online whenever and wherever you want. Best of all, you can let the military pick up the tab. The military has a number of programs designed to invest in you and you're future; don't let these phenomenal benefits go to waste!