D1 eligibility for active military?

[AgaveMaria]

Looking at friends serving in the military. As they are on active duty they can take courses for College Credit. Then the military will pay their way to some Schools to pursue a degree and some advanced degrees. How do the distance learning courses figure into Collegiate eligibility? As in a serving member is taking and completing a distance learning College course while serving active duty in a foreign country or combat zone.

Some of them would like to participate in Sports at a University if it is possible, given they are still on active service. Might mean a year or more of school - on campus, interrupted at times by TDY assignments  and then back to school for a bit until they get to the Degree sought.

How does the NCAA handle this?

Edited July 22, 2023 by AgaveMaria

[Alces Alces Gigas]

Well, I would assume that just like any athlete, full time attendance is required.     Kinda tough to do when on active duty.  Work  8-10 hours per day, 12 credits and practice.    

 

I don't remember any active duty soldiers carrying more than one or two classes at a time.   

 

If you are sent by the military to school full time with no other duty obligations it might be doable 

Edited July 23, 2023 by Alces Alces Gigas

[Le duke]

Well, I would assume that just like any athlete, full time attendance is required.     Kinda tough to do when on active duty.  Work  8-10 hours per day, 12 credits and practice.    
 
I don't remember any active duty soldiers carrying more than one or two classes at a time.   
 
If you are sent by the military to school full time with no other duty obligations it might be doable 

Friend of mine was paid to go to school by the Air Force, full time, taking 15+ hrs/semester in grad school.

However, that was his duty location; he had no regular military responsibilities other than being in shape for and taking a PT test once a year.


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[CHROMEBIRD]

There are a number of eligibility exceptions for military, but I think that's if someone transfers or pauses their education to serve. Seems like it would be pretty tough to balance the demands of active duty military, a full courseload, and an NCAA sport (esp wrestling). If they are doing it more for leisure than competitive sport, maybe a club or intramurals would work out better? There are lots of opportunities to compete nationally in some college club sports like Greco, boxing, rugby, etc. without the NCAA's eligibility requirements.

[AgaveMaria]

Asked after they were visiting. Good wrestlers in HS and right into the military. Now in top units and being offered schooling at Uncle Sams dime as it is related to their MOS and current/future prospects while on active duty. They wrestle wherever they have been stationed and have done well against some good competition and have always wondered "what did I miss". D1 would be a challenge. The schools with academic programs they are looking at have wrestling programs as well, so they are wondering. At the same time don't want to approach coaches at various schools.

Do the distance learning/college credits while serving count towards eligibility? Anyone know? None of it was on campus but now the chance to spend a few years pursuing degrees - all paid for - has them wondering about trying the Collegiate mats for real.

 

[Le duke]

Asked after they were visiting. Good wrestlers in HS and right into the military. Now in top units and being offered schooling at Uncle Sams dime as it is related to their MOS and current/future prospects while on active duty. They wrestle wherever they have been stationed and have done well against some good competition and have always wondered "what did I miss". D1 would be a challenge. The schools with academic programs they are looking at have wrestling programs as well, so they are wondering. At the same time don't want to approach coaches at various schools.
Do the distance learning/college credits while serving count towards eligibility? Anyone know? None of it was on campus but now the chance to spend a few years pursuing degrees - all paid for - has them wondering about trying the Collegiate mats for real.
 

College credits while in the military shouldn’t count against their years of eligibility. General military deferment of eligibility covers that. Taking college courses is part of their job in the military.


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[MizzouFan01]

I served 8 years active duty from 2003-2011. Things may have changed since then, but at that time Military members have a couple of options. I will speak solely on the Army, as each separate forces may do it differently. 1, in their spare time they can take classes for free using tuition assistance(TA), paperwork signed by their company commander that allows them to take classes. This can be done online or in person and doesn’t affect their normally daily operations. They still go to work daily and work comes first. 2, when a soldier is in their reenlistment window sometimes and I do mean sometimes they will have the option to reenlist for X amount of years but part of the deal is they get what’s called a school opp. For 6 months the soldier will attend school in person or online. During this time the soldier goes to class like a normal civilian, doesn’t report to his/her military job. They do have to check in with a supervisor via phone, email etc once a week. They can be called in for (UA) urinalysis testing and any mandatory formations, but it’s mostly school only for those 6 months. Soldiers must remain in good standing GPA and grades wise with the school the entire time using both options. As well as good standing with the Army. Can not be flagged, No discipline problems, pass pt test etc. Obviously anyone can pay their own way through school. As far as post military eligibility after they have served, I have no idea. I would think it’s similar to someone taking a Mormon mission but I could be wrong. 

[MizzouFan01]

If anyone knows I’m interested in how the Forces teams work. I’m guessing all members are active duty soldiers but instead of daily MOS work, they focus solely on the sport for the team they are on. Also, is the WCAP the same as being on the forces team? I know Burkett, Spenser Mango for example are WCAP wrestlers. They have/had military rank are stationed in Colorado, at Ft. Carson which has the OLY training center. It’s also a base anyone can be assigned. I’m not sure but I would think they are not mixed. Athletes on one part of the base and regular soldiers on another. My question is how does one get on those teams/programs? 

[Tom formerly Tofurky]

On 7/23/2023 at 6:10 PM, Alces Alces Gigas said:

Well, I would assume that just like any athlete, full time attendance is required.     Kinda tough to do when on active duty.  Work  8-10 hours per day, 12 credits and practice.    

 

I don't remember any active duty soldiers carrying more than one or two classes at a time.   

 

If you are sent by the military to school full time with no other duty obligations it might be doable 

This anecdote was from the early to mid-1990s, so consider that. I was stationed with a guy who worked in services on base (running the fitness center at night), but went to school at the local state university, and even played D2 football. 

[Tom formerly Tofurky]

On 7/24/2023 at 10:54 PM, MizzouFan01 said:

If anyone knows I’m interested in how the Forces teams work. I’m guessing all members are active duty soldiers but instead of daily MOS work, they focus solely on the sport for the team they are on. Also, is the WCAP the same as being on the forces team? I know Burkett, Spenser Mango for example are WCAP wrestlers. They have/had military rank are stationed in Colorado, at Ft. Carson which has the OLY training center. It’s also a base anyone can be assigned. I’m not sure but I would think they are not mixed. Athletes on one part of the base and regular soldiers on another. My question is how does one get on those teams/programs? 

https://www.armywcap.com/apply/general-standards/Wrestling

https://myairforcelife.com/air-force-wcap/

https://www.navyfitness.org/all-navy-sports

https://quantico.usmc-mccs.org/recreation-fitness/recreation/sports/all-marine-sports