Civilian and military careers alike reward individuals who work hard and achieve a high level of training and expertise. In competitive fields, you will be more desirable to employers if you have a proven track record of accomplishing goals and standards set by the employer. Choosing one of the 2021 best degrees for military officers will put you on the path to success and future career growth by teaching you the skills you need to advance your career and prepare you for careers outside the military. By earning a degree, it shows on paper your qualifications to rise in the ranks and your readiness for your next promotion.
Find out which degree is right for you
1. Strategic Intelligence
Military, civilian, and corporate intelligence is at the forefront of society and choosing this field of study is considered one of the 2020 best degrees for military officers. Whether your career interest is in national or global security positions, working as an analyst in one of the many career fields such as criminal justice or military intelligence, a strategic intelligence degree can help secure your advantage in the job market.
Earning your Business and Strategic Intelligence (BSI) degree will prepare you to excel by giving you the tools necessary to comprehend, analyze, and assess the massive amounts of data received through various methodologies. You will learn how to work intuitively to disseminate the important facts and critical information from the data gathered by learning how to determine what information is relevant. This career path is directly responsible for aiding top decision makers in making strategic decisions. Some exciting examples of careers in the analyst field can be found on the CIA’s website under careers & internships.
2. Criminal Justice
Service members live and work in both military and civilian sectors to protect the interest of the citizens. Working to protect and serve the community by earning your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a logical choice if you are looking to continue your interests to serve and protect in the civilian sector. Whether you want to advocate for justice or help enforce it, this degree will show you the infrastructure of the complex criminal justice system.
3. Management Information Systems (MIS)
The focus of study for a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) is to prepare you for real-world scenarios in information technology (IT) and programming. Whether you are currently in the technology sector of the military or not, this degree path will allow you to break into the information technology and programming field.
As you know, many tools used daily in the military are now driven by technology — paper maps are now electronic and have sophisticated Global Positioning Systems (GPS) built-in, radar tech has advanced frequency transmission from MHz to GHz, missiles are now activated and guided by programs, and much more. Whether you want to help build and maintain applications, websites, programs, and databases or simply understand tech and how it can give you a tactical advantage, learning this valuable skill set will enhance your military career by allowing you to understand technology in a specialized capacity.
4. Political Science
Political science majors will take you in-depth into how different political systems and governmental policy work. This intricate knowledge into the inner workings of governing laws, initiatives, systems, and campaigns guide the daily lives of the military personnel and civilians. This field of study allows you to understand the delicate balance of government and how to maintain the current system or influence change.
Understanding the different political systems is crucial for officers looking to embark on a military career that will have close contact with governmental systems.
5. Healthcare - Nursing, Biology, Radiology
Entering the field of healthcare is both exciting and rewarding. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, then this is the career and field of study for you. Just as civilians need care for inpatient, outpatient and in-home care, so do military personnel. This is a high-demand career field as the shortage in healthcare will only continue to grow with the aging baby boomer population. There is a wide range of majors to choose from such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Biology, or Radiologic Technology. Whether you plan on staying in the military until retirement or retiring in the civilian realm, there are many options that will lead you on the path to a fulfilling career.
6. Philosophy
Obtaining your Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy lets employers know you are an analytical thinker ready to face almost any challenge. With foundations deep in the traditions and ethics of society, studying philosophy as your major will prepare you for a multitude of career paths such as one of the many fields of law, teaching, consulting, research, and many other career fields. As an officer of the military, you are or will be, in a position of leadership. When challenges arise that others are incapable of dealing with, they will turn to you for guidance and decision making.
7. Psychology
Mental health issues are on the rise and the demand for psychologists in civilian and military fields are growing. Military careers, although rewarding, come with a complexity that often only a trained professional can help with when issues arise. If you are intrigued by the mind, human behavior, relationships, and addiction, earning your Bachelor of Science in Psychology will reveal the “why” behind human behavior. A psychology degree can expand your military career by setting you on a path to assist your fellow service members on their own military journey.
8. Theology (military chaplains)
A calling to serve God can lead to many paths. If you are interested in expanding your understanding of creation and strengthening your faith and the faith of others around you, then choosing a Bachelor of Arts in Theology is the perfect major The Armed Forces are comprised of people just like you, serving to protect the freedom of American citizens. Building and strengthening your understanding of life, faith, and humanity through studying theology will allow you to serve God and others as a civilian or military chaplain. According to Chaplains in the Military, “they would not trade this ministry for any other.”
9. Business Administration
Obtaining your Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) degree has many benefits for current and future military officers. Whether you are in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or the Coast Guard, a business administration degree prepares you with the skills to lead and operate various departments. The military branches function much like civilian life with stores, services, administration, medical, legal and much more. The departments within the military need strong leaders capable of overseeing operations. By earning your BBA, you will have the skills for continued career growth in both military and civilian careers.
10. Journalism
The armed forces have a flurry of information and military journalists are the ones that help communicate the information both internally and externally through various channels. Military officers who choose to follow the path to study journalism will find that learning about writing, publishing, photography, and even liaison work will help their career flourish with a formal degree. As a journalist in the military, you may even get the opportunity to speak with top-level public and government officials during some of the most exciting moments in history.
Why you should earn your degree
The United States military rewards those who are well educated, well trained, and have the skills necessary to serve and protect the country during times of war and peace. Whether you obtained your leadership position through becoming a commissioned officer or became an officer by rising through the enlisted ranks, earning one of the 2020 best degrees for military officers will help you lead in your current military career field while also preparing you for a career outside the military.
