A study identified and compared characteristics of enlisted soldiers who participated in postsecondary educational offerings to those who did not and identified barriers to participation for participants and nonparticipants. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with 92 soldiers at one Army installation. Nonparticipants named these three factors that had the most impact on their motivation to participate in college: interest in subject, to learn a specific skill, and job promotion; participants named these three factors: to obtain a credential, enhance self-efficacy, and prepare for a new career. Nonparticipants named these three factors that had the most impact on their perceived barriers to participation: lack of interest, lack of course offerings, and time constraints; participants indicated three factors: type of unit assignment, unsupportive supervisors, and frequent relocations. Three recommendations were to provide more alternative or nontraditional learning programs for adults who seek licensures and certifications in lieu of traditional postsecondary credentials; amend college and university course transfer policies to be sensitive to this highly mobile subgroup of nontraditional students; and refine the personnel management system so enlisted soldiers with certain military jobs are not relegated solely to tactical assignments, at which educational opportunities are limited. (Appendixes include instruments.) (YLB)