Recent Portland State graduates have various options for career paths, such as entering graduate programs, getting internships, joining the work force or traveling. Others will put their degrees to use for a career in the armed forces, a path which many college graduates have begun to follow.
Statistics reported by the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force indicate that more recent college graduates are registering for the armed forces than ever before. The U.S. Navy saw its college graduate enlistment increase by more than 40 percent from 2008–10, while the Air Force saw an increase of 66 percent over the same three-year span.
These substantial increases could be linked to the economic downturn of the United States over the last five years or be due to the benefits a military career provides—benefits that otherwise might be difficult to obtain.
“There are a lot of benefits from joining the armed forces: guaranteed employment, health care benefits, education assistance and the expert training they give you,” said Carly VanWhetten, 21, who chose to join the Marines. “In these uncertain economic times, it’s nice they can give you a sense of security.”
Other PSU students choose a career in the military for different reasons. For Nate Lightner, 21, one of his biggest reasons for choosing the military was to be able “to protect and serve the country that has given [him] the freedoms that so many of us take for granted.”
Lightner said he chose his career for a number of reasons but that the kinds of skills he will learn as a member of the Marine Corps is one of the more prominent.
“Self-discipline is something that I really struggle with as a student and as an individual, and I know that the Corps will motivate me,” he said.
Each career path post-graduation is fraught with its own challenges and trials, and a path in the armed forces is no different. VanWhetten understands the difficulties ahead of her. “It’ll be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” she said.
The military has strict requirements for enlistment, not all of which are easily achieved. According to the U.S. Army recruitment website, recruits must be within the 17–35 age range, be in good physical condition, have U.S. citizenship and have graduated high school or have equivalent academic standing. Both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force have similar requirements.
“Be mentally prepared for what you are signing up for,” VanWhetten said. “Exercise a lot, and be in good physical shape.”
Attending university and having collegiate experience may allow for better job opportunities in the military, which is why many recruits choose to get their college degree before enlisting. PSU offers cooperative training between the military and the university in the form of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
The PSU GOLD program is a collaborative effort between the National Guard and PSU to provide the skills and training needed to become a commissioned officer. Additionally, the program offers scholarships to help participants pay for college.
While there are benefits to enlisting in the armed forces through the ROTC program, there are also significant challenges. In order to become a commissioned officer, students must have a college degree. Additionally, the ROTC program is highly competitive.
“Commissioned officers are the people who run the army, and their main thing is leadership,” Kemper said. “At any time there are anywhere from 20 to 40 people in the program, and about five get commissioned every year. They have to be getting a degree in something to be commissioned.”
Some students, like VanWhetten, see the challenges ahead as ways to grow. “I’m anxious, of course, because it’s a long commitment,” she said. “But moreover, I’m extremely excited to be doing something so worthwhile after I graduate.”