Exploring the experiences of enlisted active duty soldiers in obtaining their initial college degree: a basic qualitative study

Ronan N. Ramirez

doi:10.17918/D8R36J

Despite access to institutions of higher learning and readily available funding to attend them, only 12% of U.S. Army Enlisted Soldiers possess any type of college degree. This study identified the factors that provided the greatest challenges to Enlisted Soldiers in attempting to complete an initial college degree. This study utilized interviews as a primary means of data collection as part of a basic qualitative methodology designed to capture the lived experiences of 12 research participants. The research questions used were: (a) What programs in academia and the military do active duty Enlisted Soldiers believe are available to assist them in the completion of an initial degree? (b) What has motivated active duty Enlisted Solders to enroll in degree programs (c) What is the essence of the experiences of active duty Enlisted Soldiers who have considered or attempted a degree during their enlistment? Following in-depth interviews with each of the 12 participants, descriptive and pattern coding were conducted to analyze the results. Relevant literature related to the study was also taken into account when analyzing the findings. Five interpreted results emerged: (a) preparation for transition into civilian life figures prominently as a motive and right to take college courses; (b) experiences and opportunities with civilian education vary greatly due to variables that include dynamic locations, career fields, duty positions, and stages of career; (c) fundamental knowledge of how college works is critical to student success, but often absent; (d) length of time in service enhances the likelihood of course and degree completion; and (d) failure to take full advantage of college opportunities on active duty remains an emotive experience for many. Recommendations resulting from this study that may increase the likelihood of Enlisted Soldiers' success as college students and included: (a) develop greater communication among commands, education centers, and institutions of higher learning that serve Enlisted Soldiers; (b) develop better communication between various local institutions of higher education at individual duty locations to provide opportunities for sharing best practices and streamline the accumulation of credit hours between those schools; (c) assess the possibility of limiting, consolidating, or establishing preferences for degree programs in order to more easily clarify options for Enlisted Soldiers. Keywords: military civilian education, tuition assistance, military outreach, non-traditional student motivation, adult student motivation, basic qualitative study.

Exploring the experiences of enlisted active duty soldiers in obtaining their initial college degree: a basic qualitative study

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Exploring the experiences of enlisted active duty soldiers in obtaining their initial college degree: a basic qualitative study

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