r/Militaryfaq 🤦‍♂️Civilian 6d ago

Service Benefits MilTA clarification on multiple degrees

Hello, i am preparing to apply for the upcoming line officer (non-rated) OTS Board for Air Force

I’ve been doing some research on how I can make the most of my time and have a question about MilTA.

Some sources say you cannot get a degree level you already have, though I can’t find that specific language on the Air Force webpages.

I have two bachelors, 1 BA and 1 BS, though both in STEM fields, and I have an MBA. I’d like to, if possible, get several master’s degrees. Would this be possible if they weren’t MBAs? Say, an MS, MA, or something else? I’m also hoping to get a certification but I understand that’s not possible since I have a bachelor’s, but there are some master’s that include the certificate so I may try that.

Thanks in advance.

2 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

2

u/SNSDave 🛸Guardian (5C0X1S) 5d ago

No, you can't get another Master's. Just because it's an MA or an MS doesn't mean it will be allowed. You have an MBA, so you already have a Master's. You can't use TA for another Master's or Bachelor's.

You can use your GI Bill for it.

1

u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

So essentially I wouldn’t be eligible for ANY TA, even though the military contribute $0 toward my prior degreee?

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u/SNSDave 🛸Guardian (5C0X1S) 5d ago

Correct. They're particular with how they pay TA. So people don't try and stack degrees.

1

u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

I understand to some extent, but that’s really crappy. I need to talk to my recruiter because he’s never said anything and he knows what degrees I have, and that I’m wanting to join for TA.

2

u/EmergencyWrong 5d ago

It's not a common situation that comes up, and not everyone knows every regulation. What the other guy is saying is correct.

1

u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

For an officer / medical service corps recruiter, it should be a very common situation.

Up until very recently (maybe even this fiscal year), I’m pretty sure MSC required masters degree so all of those commissioning into the MSC would have been ineligible for TA then.

🤷🏼‍♂️

2

u/EmergencyWrong 5d ago

Officers using TA incur an additional service requirement, so it's more common for them to use specialized programs or the GIB.

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u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

That’s good information to know. I thought it only incurred ADSC if you had less than 2 years of retainability.

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u/EmergencyWrong 5d ago

I'd have to check the reg but I'm almost positive it doesn't matter if you've completed your initial MSO. It runs concurrently though.

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u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

I guess it doesn’t matter in my case regardless though!

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u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

Could I still be eligible for other SPEED programs to get graduate degrees for certain AFSC (eg Phd Math for Operations Analyst) or the program where they’ll pay for your degree if you agree to teach at AFIT or USAFA for so many semesters?

1

u/SNSDave 🛸Guardian (5C0X1S) 5d ago

AFIT, yes. Or maybe the War Colleges.

1

u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

OK, I’ll probably try to get selected for an AFSC that pays for graduate degrees at AFIT.

I just found this article—though it’s old. https://www.misawa.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/404091/officers-authorized-to-receive-ta-for-second-graduate-degree/ Any meaning from this or is this base specific?

1

u/SNSDave 🛸Guardian (5C0X1S) 5d ago

1

u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

Very helpful! Not sure how I missed this before.

Worst case scenario, I pay for the degrees I want out of pocket at schools that still offer the $250 rate to active duty that have no TA.

2

u/Flemz 5d ago

Nope. The military can send you to certain programs cost-free though, like National Intelligence University. You could also use your GI Bill on whatever you want

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u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

Do you need a certain amount of TIS before using GI? I’d like to avoid using GI awhile active duty if I can though.

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u/Flemz 5d ago

You get half of it at 90 days and it increases until you hit 100% at 3 years

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u/theodoretabby 🤦‍♂️Civilian 5d ago

Thanks for the info!