Marines Describe Achievements Due to Education Benefits

In August, high school senior Nic Boucher should report to Parris Island, South Carolina, for Marine training.

"Every day I asked my parents: 'Can we go down to the recruiting station?' " Boucher, of Northborough, Mass., told a local reporter from The MetroWest Daily News. "When they saw I wasn't doing this on a whim, they agreed to it."

Boucher explains the military should allow him to build confidence and character and to benefit from comprehensive medical and education benefits. He says he's clear about the dangers posed by deployment to conflict zones and will focus on training to avoid mishaps.

Boucher isn't the only one attracted to the Marines by its philosophy, mission and military education benefits. Every year, throngs of recruits join the Marines.

Described as "America's 911 Force" on Marines.com, the branch's recruiting website, the Marines are the first to intervene during international disasters, crises or wars to protect democracy and U.S. interests.

Military education benefits in the Marines

Prior to outlining available military education benefits, Marines.com emphasizes to potential recruits the importance of getting an education: "Citizens with higher education are not only stronger candidates in the workplace; they also help strengthen our nation's communities and economy."

Marines have multiple options to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees, according to Marines.com.

1. Programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Montgomery GI Bill, and the Marine Corps College Fund could pay up to 100 percent of a servicemember's education.
2. Eligible Marines may also earn a degree through the two- or four-year college degree program, covering tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms at participating colleges and universities.
3. Marine Corps Officers may earn master's and law degrees through the Advanced Degree Program, Special Education Program, and Funded Law Program, partially funded by the Marine Corps.

Marines.com notes that military education benefits could be available years after servicemembers complete military service. However, it emphasizes, military education benefits are based on the number of years served and the education program pursued. Recruiters can provide specific information on available military education benefits.

Marines praise military education benefits

In a Marines.com video, active duty Marines commend military education benefits.

Maj. Kristen Lasica--an officer, who as a major generally would command units ranging in size from a company to a regiment--explains that some Marines come in with college degrees, some without. "Some come in because they've tried college and decided, 'Ah, this isn't for me now and I'm going to take a break.' But when they're here in the Marine Corps, many finish their college degrees, they go on to get master's degrees, they continue with all different types of education."

Capt. Edwin Pena--also an officer, who as a captain normally would command a platoon or a company--came into the Marines without a college degree and now has a master's degree. "I'm a kid from the projects in Brooklyn. And through the Marine Corps, I've been able to get my bachelor's degree and that alone broadened my horizons and let me see what else there was out there in the world to do."

Sgt. Jon Hooge--an enlisted servicemember, who as a sergeant usually would lead junior Marines to make sure missions are accomplished--gushes about the college courses Marines can take while on deployment, from history and psych classes to Spanish and math.

"This is the best place to exploit the opportunity to go to class," Sgt. Gilberto Nevarez adds. "Right now I'm taking three college courses myself. I'm a couple of credits shy of my associate degree in accounting. And last year, I acquired a real estate license."

Sgt. Sharla Shima says she's attending college to acquire a human resources management degree, while Sgt. Ryan Owens notes he's interested in Cisco and Microsoft certification classes.

"I'm just overwhelmed by it," says Jeff Branch, assistant principal at Idaho's Highland High School, referring to the number of graduates taking advantage of Marine military education benefits.

"I just finished doing my master's degree in information technology and I'm in charge of a satellite communications project," Captain Pena jumps in. "And I can tell you right now there's very few people from my neck of the woods that have had that opportunity."

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