Jaerose: Even an online degree might be asking too much during flight school. If you aren't flying, you are either prepping for your next flight, practicing in the simulators, or studying emergency procedures and the plane's technical manual. There is some time on the weekends but not enough, in my opinion, to get a graduate degree, online or not. I am out of the Navy now, work full-time, and go to graduate school part-time and that is enough to drive me crazy. And my real job isn't half as time consuming or stressfull as flight school.
Also, they will tell you this on the first day: you are there to get your wings and nothing else. You're not there to work a part-time job or get a grad degree. The Navy is paying you for one thing and one thing only - to get your wings. Those are their words, not mine. They are so tyrannical about it that students getting married only get one day of leave for the wedding. It's serious business.
If you can fit it in during your squadron tour than go for it. It will be tough because you will probably do two, six month deployments. And, you will be away from home doing workups at the boat and doing training in places like Fallon, NV and Key West, FL. After your first tour it is easy to get one. Plus, there are plenty of options aside from Navy Post Graduate School that they will help fund.
jpfarsider: A graduate degree in comp sci is a definite plus because they know you can handle the book work. As for being in the plane, that is a different story. I've seen guys like you excel and others fail hard. I've also seen absolute idiots who barely got through school with a pysch degree get Hornets and Tomcats. Unfortunately, college degrees aren't the best predictor for success in aviation.
Feel free to ask me anything. Like I said, I am ex-Navy, have a BS in mathematics, and am getting my masters in applied mathematics/statistics. If I can be of further assistance, just say so.
Good luck!
