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Welcome to the TBS Military Education Headquarters, your guide to all things military+education. Whether you’re a student aspiring to a career in the military, a service member making the leap into education, or somebody with the ambition and drive to balance both at the same time, you’ve come to the right place.
The linked information below is designed to answer your questions, point you in the right direction, and send you on your way to success. Consider this resource your first stop on the way to information and opportunity, whether you’re:
- An Active Duty Service Man or Woman;
- A Reserve Duty Service Man or Woman;
- A Veteran of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard;
- The spouse or child of a veteran;
- A student beginning a military career;
- A student seeking a military-centered education; or
- A cadet in search of support.
The following tips, links, and resources should help you open the door to the numerous educational opportunities uniquely available to military personnel. We’ve done our best to collect the information and resources made available specifically through the military, as well as through key veterans groups and military support organizations. In some instances, we’ve consulted directly with military veterans, officers, and educators. The information hereafter should reflect and complement the military’s outlook on education, professional training, and career development, both within and outside of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Look for your topic below, and explore our growing body of educational, career, and counseling resources for military personnel and veterans. You may also want to consider bookmarking this portal. As a growing index of the resources and options available to you, TBS Military Education Headquarters will be in a constant state of development and updating.
A Complete Guide to Using Your GI Bill
If you are among the brave men and women who have served, currently serve, or plan to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, you have our gratitude. Not only that, but you have a ton of opportunities for assistance in your newest mission: getting a college education. The GI Bill was signed into law almost 75 years ago, but its promise is even more vital today. Today, the bill is the inspiration and the conceptual foundation behind a world of programs, grants, and scholarships aimed at assisting those who have served, who plan to serve, or who hope to advance an already existing career in the military. Find out how the GI Bill works and what you can do with it.
Military Scholarships
A scholarship is a great way to offset the high cost of tuition or get help with expenses like housing and books. As military service personnel, you may qualify for a wide range of scholarships. Universities, military branches, private companies, non-profit foundations, and other benefactors offer a wide range of grants and educational gifts specifically for those who have served our nation. View our directory of scholarships for veterans, active duty personnel, and military spouses and children.
Making the Transition from Military to College
For many military veterans, college is the next step, but it can be difficult to know exactly how to take this step. You’ll likely have a lot of questions: What can I do with my GI Bill? What kind of education makes the most sense for my intended career? Does my military background qualify me for any special grants, scholarships, or credit transfer programs? On-campus education or online college? A liberal arts education or a technical certification program? And what can I do to make the whole experience more affordable, enriching, and enjoyable? Get help answering all of these questions and more as you transition from military service to higher education.
Best Online Colleges for Military Personnel & Families
For many military service members, veterans, and their families, online college is a valuable alternative to traditional on-campus education. The best accredited online colleges offer military service personnel, veterans, and their families a model with flexibility and convenience to accommodate the needs unique to military personnel. Whether you are an active-duty service person looking for a way to balance service and education, a reservist who must always be prepared for deployment, or a veteran balancing education with family, work, and home life, Learn about the colleges that are best suited for your needs.
Disabled Veterans and Online College
Many veterans return from active duty with the goal of higher education in mind. Disabilities developed during military service shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving this goal, and there are plenty of resources to help. Read on to learn about key resources for disabled veterans seeking to earn college degrees.
Attending a Military Academy
If you’re looking to launch or advance a military career, one of your best opportunities may be through an official military academy. Admissions for top military academies can be extremely competitive, but if you do get in, many military academies are tuition free provided you’re willing to commit to a future in the armed services. Learn more and view a list of military academies.
Transitioning from College to Military: Becoming an Officer
If you’re interested in becoming a military officer, there are a few educational paths designed to prepare you for this career. Senior military colleges, military academies, and traditional colleges with ROTC programs all offer a path from college to the military. Learn about all of your options, and the steps you must take to make use of these options. We also offer a few helpful tips to make your transition to the military a successful one.
Know Your KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
Your KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) are an essential part of your employment profile and will be required as you apply for jobs in the federal government, including those in the civilian sectors of the military, in agency leadership roles, and in law enforcement. Learn what your KSAs are, how you can prepare them, and what steps you can take to improve your employment prospects.
Getting Military Branch Jobs
As a member of the armed services, you have a lot of career options within the military. Career opportunities abound in the leadership, administrative, and civilian ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard and Reserves. Find out what educational steps you need to take in order to turn your military service into a military career.
Making the Transition to Civilian Life
Transitioning from the military to college is about more than just finding all of your classes and getting to know your professors. If you’re returning from service within the unique organizational structure of the military — especially from overseas or combat duty — you’ll also be adjusting to civilian life anew. It’s important to take steps — mentally, emotionally and intellectually — to acclimate to your surroundings. Get tips, resources, and support on making the challenging transition to civilian life.
Starting a Civilian Career
While there will be challenges as you make the transition from military to civilian life, your military training has also provided you with an extremely valuable set of real-world skills. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) accumulated during your time of service will serve you well as you build a career in the civilian sector. Learn how to leverage your KSAs in pursuit of an education and on the way to a satisfying career.
Transitioning From Military To Law Enforcement
Your military training makes you uniquely qualified for a wide spectrum of jobs in the law enforcement sector. In fact, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are increasingly seeking out the multidisciplinary education, practical training, and technical skills that come from military experience. Find out how you can turn your military experience into an education and career in law enforcement or the administration of criminal justice.
The Savvy Student’s Guide to Military and College
Whether you’re a recent high-school graduate looking for a military-focused education, an active duty service person looking to earn a degree, or a veteran looking for ways to make the most of your GI Bill, college will bring you face to face with new opportunities and challenges. We’ve got tips to help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities, from completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and navigating the sometimes-confusing world of accreditation to choosing a campus with a good cultural fit and focusing on a degree program with promising career prospects. Get our special military edition guide on making the most of your college experience.
Military Support Resources
In addition to the opportunities your service affords you, it also gives you the right to lifelong support from the military itself. As a veteran or service member — or the spouse or child of a service member — you’ll want to take advantage of the informational and support resources provided directly through the military and through reputable veterans groups and support associations. Make sure that you’re taking advantage of all the resources the military has to offer, especially as you advance your education.
- Military.com
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Military and Family Support Center
- Army Family Programs and Services
- Navy and Marine Corps Family Service Centers
- Fleet and Family Support Program
- Coast Guard Office of Work-Life
- Army Emergency Relief
- Armed Services YMCA
- Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP)
- Today’s Military
- Operation We Are Here — Family Support Organizations
- Military OneSource (MOS)
- Army OneSource (AOS)
- National Guard Family Program
- Army Reserve Family Programs
- Joint Services Support
- Military Child Education Coalition
- National Military Family Association
- Our Military Kids
- ChildCare Aware
- Veteran Support Foundation
- Guide on Job Searching for Veterans
Education Support Resources
The Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and all major branches of the military offer educational support links, resources, and programs designed to help you pursue your educational goals either within the military or in the civilian sector. Explore these resource to find out what kind of educational support you qualify for.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp
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