Deployments and effects on continuing graduate education

ANC_Maj · Nov 27, 2005

I suspect you're not finding anything as little research or even anecdotal case reporting has been done. We're kind of finding ourselves on new territory with the prolonged deployments of today's military. I think you may have better luck with anecdotal case reports from those who have been deployed and have had to delay their grad. ed. (if that will suffice for your paper). Personally, I was deployed when I applied and was selected for graduate education. The only real impact was that my ability to research schools was limited to the internet (YIKES!). Now, I'm suffering from severe "buyer's remorse" about the school I ended up with. But, soon it shall be over!

Good luck in your searching and on your paper!

Corvette Guy · Nov 27, 2005

Ok guys I am trying to write a paper on the effects of deployments on completing your graduate education. I have been sitting here for two hours on the computer searching online databases and not found any decent articles.......somebody throw me a bone.....am I just typing in the wrong thing or what.......

The Army has an AKO [Army Knowledge Online] site that is a plethora of info. The AKO branches off into other related links. Does the USAF have a similar website? If so, do some surfing on the USAF site for applicable info R/T your paper.

Good luck!

Maybe this link will lead you in the right direction.

FST66E · Nov 28, 2005

I would be interested in your results.

I am working on my BSN and am concerned about how deployment will affect my ability to complete my work in a timely manner.I know many forward units have poor internet connections and time is limited.

Don't get me wrong I am completely willing to step up and do my part if I am needed in the box or anywhere else. But the unknown does put a bit of a damper on long range plans.

Good luck with your paper!

brownie1129 · Nov 28, 2005

Ok guys I am trying to write a paper on the effects of deployments on completing your graduate education. I have been sitting here for two hours on the computer searching online databases and not found any decent articles.......somebody throw me a bone.....am I just typing in the wrong thing or what.......

First, I don't know if any papers where this has been studied. Probably because the researchers were deployed and their studies kept getting interupted.

The answer to your question depends on many variables. AD or reservist? Approved by the military for Long Term Graduate Education or just getting your degree on the side? If this is the case does your commander like you and support your goals? What branch of service? If Army (my personal experience) are you enlisted or commissioned (Officers seemed to me to get a little leeway since promotion can depend on advanced degrees)? Are you assigned to an MTOE or TDA unit?

It took me almost 5 years to complete a 2 year associate degree when I was active duty enlisted army on the 67th FST out of Germany and 1/23 Infantry out of Fort Lewis WA. Mission always comes first. I was forced to withdraw from several classes due to deployements. When I was forward deployed to Macedonia awaiting the end of the air war and deployment across the border to Kosovo, I was able to continue my classes, but as soon as we entered Kosovo, there was no educational facilities and computer time was limited so my inability to test required my withdrawl.

When I was in WA a young soldier in my unit decided to steal a pair of Night Vision Goggles while helping with an Arms Room Inventory. The entire company was locked down, to include comissioned officers for 3 days. When I say locked down, I mean I was sleeping in my office chair. I was on my way out the door to class when the commander told me I was not going anywhere until further notice. I missed 3 days of classes that time and was lucky to catch up due to a missed exam.

If you are in a rapid deployment unit such as a Forward Surgical Team, there is little warning as to when you are going to leave. I was on 2 hour recall for 4months out of the year, meaning I had to be packed and ready to leave within 2 hours (we were always packed). When the Embassy was bombed in Kenya in 98' we were stood up at 1500 and gone by the next morning. This did not include training exercises which can be extremely time consuming, especially if you are in a leadership position. When we were not deployed, we were training in the field or recovering from our training. In addition there were numerous military schools that took precedence over a civilian education (Driver, Equipment, Weapons, NBC training and qualification, Expert Field Medical Badge [if you did not have it you were testing x 2 weeks, if you had it you were cadre x 45 days], Medical CE classes, ACLS, PALS, NALS etc...). It really depends on your assignment and the optempo and mission of your unit.

While there were lots of educational opportunities, I was unable to take advantage of many and chose to exit the military to continue my education (AA, ADN, BSN). I'm in the process of applying to CRNA school right now (including the Army program).

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can clarify or offer any additional personal experiences. MBWEAH is getting his Doctorate right now...I'm sure he has some additional insight.

allnurses Guide · Nov 28, 2005

I appreciate the responses... I used some internet newspaper articles....not exactly what I was looking for, but it worked....

On a side note I will be working on a Master's in Nursing while deployed from Univ of Phoenix online and also plan on finishing my SOS while deployed. The base I am going to is not supposed to have a very high Op tempo so I should have plenty time to work on school.

brownie1129 · Nov 28, 2005

I appreciate the responses... I used some internet newspaper articles....not exactly what I was looking for, but it worked....
On a side note I will be working on a Master's in Nursing while deployed from Univ of Phoenix online and also plan on finishing my SOS while deployed. The base I am going to is not supposed to have a very high Op tempo so I should have plenty time to work on school.

Best of luck. Be safe and thank you for serving.

FST66E · Nov 28, 2005

First, I don't know if any papers where this has been studied. Probably because the researchers were deployed and their studies kept getting interupted.
The answer to your question depends on many variables. AD or reservist? Approved by the military for Long Term Graduate Education or just getting your degree on the side? If this is the case does your commander like you and support your goals? What branch of service? If Army (my personal experience) are you enlisted or commissioned (Officers seemed to me to get a little leeway since promotion can depend on advanced degrees)? Are you assigned to an MTOE or TDA unit?
It took me almost 5 years to complete a 2 year associate degree when I was active duty enlisted army on the 67th FST out of Germany and 1/23 Infantry out of Fort Lewis WA. Mission always comes first. I was forced to withdraw from several classes due to deployements. When I was forward deployed to Macedonia awaiting the end of the air war and deployment across the border to Kosovo, I was able to continue my classes, but as soon as we entered Kosovo, there was no educational facilities and computer time was limited so my inability to test required my withdrawl.
When I was in WA a young soldier in my unit decided to steal a pair of Night Vision Goggles while helping with an Arms Room Inventory. The entire company was locked down, to include comissioned officers for 3 days. When I say locked down, I mean I was sleeping in my office chair. I was on my way out the door to class when the commander told me I was not going anywhere until further notice. I missed 3 days of classes that time and was lucky to catch up due to a missed exam.
If you are in a rapid deployment unit such as a Forward Surgical Team, there is little warning as to when you are going to leave. I was on 2 hour recall for 4months out of the year, meaning I had to be packed and ready to leave within 2 hours (we were always packed). When the Embassy was bombed in Kenya in 98' we were stood up at 1500 and gone by the next morning. This did not include training exercises which can be extremely time consuming, especially if you are in a leadership position. When we were not deployed, we were training in the field or recovering from our training. In addition there were numerous military schools that took precedence over a civilian education (Driver, Equipment, Weapons, NBC training and qualification, Expert Field Medical Badge [if you did not have it you were testing x 2 weeks, if you had it you were cadre x 45 days], Medical CE classes, ACLS, PALS, NALS etc...). It really depends on your assignment and the optempo and mission of your unit.
While there were lots of educational opportunities, I was unable to take advantage of many and chose to exit the military to continue my education (AA, ADN, BSN). I'm in the process of applying to CRNA school right now (including the Army program).
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can clarify or offer any additional personal experiences. MBWEAH is getting his Doctorate right now...I'm sure he has some additional insight.

Wow, so much to answer!

I am reserves, Army Nurse Corps. I am a newly comissioned 2LT.

915 th FST Vancouver WA.

My commander is cool and will help however he can but lets face it he has no controll over conditions wherever we may end up deployed or when we get sent there.

If you know anything about FST's, which it sounds like you do, it may help to know that we go to JRTC this spring.

Anyway thanks for the insight. I appreciate it.