10 Military Jobs That Require a Degree

The military is full of different jobs spanning many fields and specialties. Some jobs don't require a college education, but many do. To become an officer in the military, you'll need a degree, and that's not the only career path you need a degree for.

Keep reading to discover ten military jobs that require a degree.

Military Careers With Degree Requirements

For some military roles, there are no degree requirements. You graduate with your high school diploma, meet with a recruiter, and pass various aptitude and physical exams before signing your contract and moving on to basic training. However, many career paths in all branches of the armed forces require a college degree. We've broken down some of these positions below.

1. Military Officer Positions

Military officers are members of the U.S. military who manage military operations and enlisted personnel. There are many kinds of officers in the military, including:

• combat specialty officers
• engineering, science, and technical officers
• executive, administrative, and managerial officers
• healthcare officers
• human resource development officers
• media and public affairs officers
• protective services officers
• support services officers
• transportation officers

Nearly every military branch has at least some of every type of officer listed above. We've broken these down below.

Army Officer

The U.S. Army is the military branch that primarily provides ground forces. There are multiple ranks for commissioned officers in the Army, ranging from second lieutenant up to general.

There are a few ways you can become an officer in the army. These include:

• join the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program in college, which allows you to graduate as a second lieutenant
• earn a Bachelor of Science degree at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
• train in Officer Candidate School (OCS) if you join the military after college or decide to become an officer after you earn your degree

If you have a civilian career, you can earn a direct commission. This appoints civilians with professional experience directly into an Officer rank.

Navy Officer

The Navy conducts missions on land, sea, and air, but is the primary military force on the water. To become an officer in the Navy, you can join the Navy ROTC in college or complete a degree program at the United States Naval Academy.

The Navy allows enlisted sailors to work their way into Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) roles without a degree. However, they must prove their leadership skills and usually need several years of military experience.

Air Force Officer

The Air Force, as the name suggests, is responsible for air operations. To be an Air Force officer, you must be a college graduate with at least a bachelor's degree. There is an age limit of 42 years old. You can become an officer through a few pathways:

• complete specialized training through the Officer Training School (OTS)
• earn a degree through the Air Force Academy (AFA)
• complete the Air Force ROTC program in college

Marine Corps Officer

The Marine Corps is the segment of the Navy trained to respond quickly to threats. You must attend the Officer Candidates School (OCS) to become a Marine Corps officer. You can qualify for the OCS through one of the following pathways:

• attend the U.S. Naval Academy
• join the Navy ROTC in college
• complete the Platoon Leaders Class if you're a freshman, sophomore, or junior
• complete the Officer Candidate Course if you're a college senior or graduate

The Officer Candidates School is a rigorous, six-month program that helps service members develop the skill set they need to be effective leaders.

Coast Guard Officer

The Coast Guard provides law and maritime safety enforcement, marine and environmental protection, and military naval support. Most officers in the Coast Guard go through Officer Candidate School, which is open to civilians, current military members, and former military personnel.

You can also become a Coast Guard officer by attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Another way is through Direct Commission Officer Programs, which are for those with advanced degrees or experience in certain specialties.

2. Military Intelligence Analyst

Military intelligence analysts are specialists in analyzing enemy militaries. They can work for several military branches, including the Army, Air Force, Space Force, and even the CIA.

The requirements to become a military intelligence analyst can vary depending on the branch you apply for, but generally include a bachelor's or even master's degree in a field like:

• military history
• national security
• international relations
• political science

3. Cyber Warfare Specialist

Cyber warfare specialists use information technology and cybersecurity skills to protect military bases, weapons systems, and data. They may also execute offensive cyber operations.

Depending on the branch, you may not need to complete boot camp and may be able to focus solely on cyber military training. Cyber warfare specialists are still considered active duty service members despite working in cyberspace.

4 Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing and developing air and spacecraft, such as satellites and missiles. A bachelor's degree is usually the minimum required to be an aerospace engineer. The Air Force and Space Force need aerospace engineers, but they aren't alone. Other branches, like the Army and the Coast Guard, use aerospace engineers too.

5. Civil Engineer

Civil engineers are primarily responsible for designing and developing infrastructure. Entry-level roles require a bachelor's degree, but more advanced roles may require a master's degree. The Department of Defense utilizes civil engineers for many different projects. Civil engineers can work for many branches, including the Air Force, Navy, and Army.

6. Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers work on devices and machinery that move. This can include cars, construction machines, manufacturing technology, and more. Like civil engineering, many branches need mechanical engineering specialists. These include the Army, Space Force, and Air Force.

7. Counterintelligence Specialist

Counterintelligence specialists develop and execute strategies to defeat enemy attacks. This is a high-level role that usually requires multiple years of military service. The specific requirements to become a counterintelligence specialist depend on the military branch. In addition to a degree, you'll usually need specialized training.

8. Special Forces Officer

Special Forces, also known as Green Berets, is a branch of the Army. They are highly skilled, highly specialized military members. Special forces officers need at least a bachelor's degree. You'll also need to be eligible for secret security clearance and have a strong knowledge of tactical operations and defense strategy.

9. Medical Officer

Medical officers, also called healthcare officers, provide medical services to military personnel. To become a medical officer, you'll need a degree in medicine or healthcare. In some cases, this is just a bachelor's degree. However, other medical doctors, like physicians and dentists, will need a doctorate.

10. Military Diplomat

Military diplomats, sometimes called ambassadors and foreign service officers, travel to other countries and help maintain a positive relationship with other diplomats. They need at least a bachelor's degree. Military diplomats must pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). Other requirements include a strong grasp of cultures and languages and passing an oral interview.

Can I Be Successful in the Military Without a Degree?

While it is possible to be successful in the military without a degree, many military leadership roles require at least a bachelor's degree. As mentioned above, a degree is necessary for nearly every type of officer role across all military branches. Other specialized roles, especially those in engineering or intelligence, also require a degree.

Does Having a Bachelor's Degree Help in the Military?

Whether or not a bachelor's degree will help you in the military depends on your career goals. A bachelor's degree is almost always necessary if you're looking to advance into leadership roles. However, bachelor's degrees can help in other ways, too. They can help you develop important critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help you succeed in your military career.