Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 10/27/2008

Question
My daughter is completing her bachelors degree at northeastern university in Boston, 22 credits remaining. She will be returning to campus after completing internships in Omaha, and NYC, and foreign studies in Australia in Music Management. She is a outstanding student and loves french and foreign travel.  As my retired dependent she frequented and utilized many of the facilities of Offit AFB, interacting with personnel and realized a comfort level.
Now she wants to explore if her studies would be of use to the military, although she would like to explore law and other disciplines and opportunity for world travel.
Where does she start, local recruiter, or is there a special recruiter for officers.

Answer
Dear Walter --

If your daughter has not yet completed her studies, her best bet would be to talk to the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commander at Northeastern.  She could possibly earn an ROTC scholarship to continue her graduate studies, and earn her commission when she completes her masters degree or if she is really interested in law, her jurisprudence degree.  

Most of the services still need officers and any bachelors degree qualifies a candidate for officer training.  However, some degrees are more desirable than others.  Which specialties are needed varies by service and by the time of the year the candidate wishes to enter service.

However, doctors, nurses, lawyers and chaplains are special needs for all the services.  

If she does not get the assistance she needs from her local ROTC commander, please write back.  I will try to get you a specific point of contact.  Local recruiters will try to steer her towards the jobs they need filled, not the ones she might prefer or for which she is best qualified.  There are special recruiters for legal and medical fields. There are also some significant bonuses available to college graduates who wish to pursue a medical degree.

Good luck to her, and thank you for your service.