Ending Military career to start my life! (Help :D)

[Stefan Brannen]

Hello All! 

My name is Stefan. I am currently serving my 8th year active duty in the Navy. With just 18months left in my contract, I am finally ready to separate and chase my dream to become a Registered Dietician (RD). I have 43 credits accumulated from my Joint Service Transcript (JST) and a few credits I earned from four elective college courses I did through UMGC. I dont know the exact amount right now but I am still working on my associates.
My goal is to at least obtain my associates within these 18 final months in my military career. (Currently on sea duty right now so my schedule needs to be very flexible.) <-- And due to my sea duty, I have pumped the brakes on school. But I am wanting to start back up asap. 

I have read that beginning January 1st 2024, The minimum degree to become an RD is to have a Masters. I fully plan to use My Post 9/11 GI Bill but my only issue is, I for the life of me do not understand college, so I don't know the smartest way to go about any of this. 

If anyone has any advice or tips I can follow Pre and Post DD 214 (Military Separation) I would greatly appreciate it! 

Here are few more following concerns I have. Optional if anyone has any input. 
Full time college while working a part time job? 
Part time College, full time job?
Online schools or In person?
(dont laugh at this one) But how do I even apply for a school I want to go to? haha 
Try to start working on my Bachelors after associates through TA while serving? 

I will most likely throw more questions out there in the future. But I hope this gets the ball rolling. 

Merry Christmas Everyone! Enjoy the Holidays!