This study explored the impact of military education benefits on influencing how service members, while enlisted, navigated their higher education journeys. Iloh's model of college-going decisions was an integral theoretical framework in the implementation of this qualitative case study. The case study aimed to capture the narratives of the participants who were in diverse stages of their active duty or post-military careers to understand their decisions for pursuing a college degree at regional institutions in Southeastern North Carolina. Participants completed a pre-interview survey prior to a follow-up interview that lasted no longer than 1 hour. The interviews involved exploring each participant's process within their college-going decision and higher education journey. Inductive data analysis was pursued beginning with open coding. Findings from the study identified multiple themes that were categorized in relation to the three dimensions relative to Iloh's model of college-going decisions. Findings aligned with the dimension of time included (a) emerging adult considerations toward higher education and (b) influences to use military education benefits; findings aligned with the dimension of information included (a) family experiences, navigating funding options and (c) military education program. Finally, findings aligned with the dimension of opportunity included (a) factors influencing college-going decisions and (b) experiences of using military education benefits. Higher education practitioners and leaders of federal organizations that provide military education benefits can use the findings to better understand the factors, influences, and motivations associated with the military-connected student's college exploration journey to achieve their personal and professional development goals. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]