A "degree"?....well I have found myself over time taking classes in subject areas that interested me and in spite of a certain level of randomness, that has served me very well. I am still seeking to make it official
since I have managed to accumulate a very large number of credit hours but not in any particular program.
I wouldn't trade the experience since I have managed to pick the courses that fit the need at the time. Upon retirement a higher-level degree would have allowed for a higher-level of entry into the civil workforce, but that delta was closed very quickly. I believe that my ability to progress rapidly to be an "intersection" of training and experience.
What would a degree have been worth? Probably not a whole lot without the real world experience. The order in which one chooses to approach this may vary.
In reflection, I wish I had taken advantage of the tuition programs while I was on active-duty. It can rapidly become expensive out here on your own.
R10