Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/20/2010

Question
I am graduating next month with my Bachelors in psychology. I am interested in enlisting in the navy (possibly as a chaplain, since I have attended a 2 year bible school also) and obtaining a PHD in clinical psychology while enlisted. I have several questions. First can I take courses while on active duty? Second one website said that I can attend school in Maryland or California full time however I have to serve for 7 years afterward (which Im guessing would mean 11+ years total), is this true? Any information on how this works would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Candice,
First I want to ensure you're using the term "enlisted" correctly.  Since you'll soon be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree you'll want to enter the Navy as an officer, not as an enlisted person.  Don't ever let a shady recruiter tell you to enlist and then become an officer.  It's possible, but so is winning the lottery.  You're too well educated to enter enlisted.

Yes, you can take courses while you're in the Navy, and will be encouraged to do so.  If the coursework pertains to your career field, the Navy will pay for it.

The 11 years total is correct.  The Navy will make you promise (in writing) to serve an additional amount of years in exchange for them paying for your education.  As you've seen, education isn't cheap, so they'll have a lot invested in you and they want to ensure they get their money's worth.

Your recruiter can tell you which career fields currently have openings, and what your chances are of getting in to them.

Thanks for considering the Navy,
Colonel H