Is It The Community Service or The Studying That Only Takes Two Weeks Out Of The Year?

While I was listening to the radio today I heard a commercial involving two female college roommates. One roommate busts into the other's room and begins pleading with her to forget the studying for a few hours and have some fun. "C'mon, it's game day," she says. The other student replies that she has to keep up the studying in order to get a good job, otherwise she will have a hard time paying back her student loans.

The partying roommate then reminds her roommate that she is in the National Guard and has secured full tuition support, so she doesn't have to worry about repaying any loans. The diligent student then replies, in an annoyed tone, "I know. You've reminded me about a thousand times."

Now, the point of the commercial is obviously to use the promise of scholarships to entice current and potential college students into joining the National Guard. I heard something a bit different though. To me, it sounded like the person who was receiving a government subsidy wasn't putting forth as much effort as the person who was liable for 100% or their educational expenses.

Certainly, there is work involved when one joins the National Guard. But this wasn't mentioned by anyone in the commercial. All you get from the commercial is this: if you join the National Guard, your education is paid for and you have time to party; if you attempt to finance your education on your own or through loans, you won't have as much fun.