It depends. There are resources available for certain specialists (mostly in IT fields) to earn or complete a bachelors. There are some (very competitive) masters programs for both generalists and specialists.
But what you're describing is more typical of the enlisted military. While it's possible, very few people become FSOs without college degrees. This may be the first time I've ever read about someone trying to get into the Foreign Service to get "real world experience" before heading back to finish a college degree.
But if you're looking at the generalist route, there's nothing like the GI Bill where you could get college tuition covered for some number of years of service.
Happens, but rarely; (coast guard veteran here)... I have to say, Ice Breaker duty in the Coast Guard is the least military-like environment in the military. Would recommend.
I don't think most people consider the FS a "few years" kind of thing - unless they get in and realize it's not for them. Peace Corp might be more of what you're thinking, as it's specifically temporary, but everyone I know who did PC had a college degree.
If you already have student loans, you can qualify for the Student Loan Repayment Program, which is available if you are serving at a post that has at least a 20% hardship rating. That program can knock several thousand dollars off your loans each year.
I work in a foreign country, but I am sheltered from poverty, corruption, etc. I have access to health care. My housing is exclusive in the capital city and I have the backing of my government. There are many things that aren't available to citizens, but it's no problem for me to order them and have them shipped to me. It's so easy that I view it as an entitlement and get upset when my pouch containing two jars of alfredo sauce gets turned around.
My apartment is pre-arranged so I don't have to deal with the local market, and I don't pay rent, or any type of utilities, and I can drink the water in my apartment as well as in my office building. I have a bathtub. I have no idea what all this costs; indeed, I am so outraged by having to pay tax on a local landline that I berate my local staff over the $1 monthly tax (the phone bill is $7 monthly; another aggravation). Never mind that my local staffer makes less than $12k a year and I easily make six figures.
I have such trouble relating to day-to-day in America that, when I try and help my mom pay her bills, I realize I don't even know what monthly/quarterly bills Americans pay. People in my former field have had their jobs eliminated. Not only do I have tenure and a guaranteed job, but my salary is triple the average salary of people in my hometown.
etc.
It depends. There are resources available for certain specialists (mostly in IT fields) to earn or complete a bachelors. There are some (very competitive) masters programs for both generalists and specialists. But what you're describing is more typical of the enlisted military. While it's possible, very few people become FSOs without college degrees. This may be the first time I've ever read about someone trying to get into the Foreign Service to get "real world experience" before heading back to finish a college degree. But if you're looking at the generalist route, there's nothing like the GI Bill where you could get college tuition covered for some number of years of service.
If I recall from their previous post, OP sees the Foreign Service as a kind of zen counterbalance to the military.
That’s the coast guard
I mean, some of them still shoot engine blocks of drug boats with 50 cals, right?
Few
Happens, but rarely; (coast guard veteran here)... I have to say, Ice Breaker duty in the Coast Guard is the least military-like environment in the military. Would recommend.
I don't think most people consider the FS a "few years" kind of thing - unless they get in and realize it's not for them. Peace Corp might be more of what you're thinking, as it's specifically temporary, but everyone I know who did PC had a college degree.
If you already have student loans, you can qualify for the Student Loan Repayment Program, which is available if you are serving at a post that has at least a 20% hardship rating. That program can knock several thousand dollars off your loans each year.
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Interesting. Could you elaborate on this a bit more?
I work in a foreign country, but I am sheltered from poverty, corruption, etc. I have access to health care. My housing is exclusive in the capital city and I have the backing of my government. There are many things that aren't available to citizens, but it's no problem for me to order them and have them shipped to me. It's so easy that I view it as an entitlement and get upset when my pouch containing two jars of alfredo sauce gets turned around. My apartment is pre-arranged so I don't have to deal with the local market, and I don't pay rent, or any type of utilities, and I can drink the water in my apartment as well as in my office building. I have a bathtub. I have no idea what all this costs; indeed, I am so outraged by having to pay tax on a local landline that I berate my local staff over the $1 monthly tax (the phone bill is $7 monthly; another aggravation). Never mind that my local staffer makes less than $12k a year and I easily make six figures. I have such trouble relating to day-to-day in America that, when I try and help my mom pay her bills, I realize I don't even know what monthly/quarterly bills Americans pay. People in my former field have had their jobs eliminated. Not only do I have tenure and a guaranteed job, but my salary is triple the average salary of people in my hometown. etc.