The question of "Should I go to college?" needs to placed in the context of personal validation as well as career interests. First of all, please allow me to share some judgments:

1. College does not make you intelligent - it gives you knowledge, a structured learning experience, and an opportunity to meet interesting and inspiring people.
2. College is just one way to learn and gain experience - on the job training, and vocational learning are also valuable ways to gain specific knowledge
3. College takes time and devotion if you are serious - it's a serious commitment of time and attention, and the family needs to be supportive and adaptive. If you have a family, make sure they understand that college is sort of like a "deployment" in the sense that you will need to be "away" at nights and on weekends.
4. Learning is a lifelong process and the door should never be closed on formal learning, even taking a course here and there.
5. Going to college for personal reasons is okay. Many people take pride in having a college degree. If you think you want the pride, validation, and feeling of accomplishment gained from a college education, by all means do this for yourself, irrespective of the career.

Many jobs require a college education so this clearly would be a factor in your choice whether to go to college ahead of time. However, many companies will offer college benefits, so you might find an arrangement where you can work and go to school at night or on weekends. This clearly is a huge commitment of time, but certainly possible. Some companies might allow you to enter a specific job on the basis of your military background with an agreement that you will obtain a college degree within a specific period of time. This is something that can be negotiated with your employer.

If you want to start your own business and have the skills to do the business and technical work, clearly a college education won't matter much. But, don't hesitate to get tailored education in management, finance, or in any area that will benefit you in running your business. It's not college that is so important; its education!

The bottom line is that a college education is never a waste. Your desire for, and the timing, scope, and focus of the education is what is important.

But if you don't go to college and get the piece of paper that says you have a degree, so what? By virtue of the education and experience you've received in the military, you are already an accomplished learner and have skills and knowledge no college graduate can every touch!

Best wishes to all our active duty service-members and veterans, especially as we approach this Veterans Day!

Jon