The military trains young men and women so that they can protect the interests of our country. The United States military offers qualified high school graduates a good salary and free job training. It also provides discipline and structure, as well as opportunities for career advancement and travel. The military is the nation’s single largest employer, and it offers training in over 2,000 job specialties, 75% of which have civilian counterparts.

The four major branches of the military are the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines. There are also military opportunities in the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and the Reserves. ROTC programs are available for those students who want to attend college before they enter the military, and the four military academies provide excellent educational opportunities for those students who qualify.

To enlist, a young man or woman must earn a minimum score on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), pass a physical exam, and as a general rule, be a high school graduate. Through the delayed entry program, high school students can be sworn in during their senior year and then enter the military right after they graduate. This enables students who want to receive training in a particular career field to have an opening in that field held for them.

A great deal of information is available for those considering the military as an option. Guidance offices have brochures, and there is a wealth of information on the Internet (e.g. www.armedforcescareers.com). Students can also learn about a specific branch of the military by calling the following numbers and/or visiting the following Web sites:

ARMY 1-800-USA- ARMY www.goarmy.com

NAVY 1-800-USA- NAVY www.navy.com

AIR FORCE 1-800-423-USAF www.airforce.com

MARINES 1-800-MARINES www.marines.com

The best way to learn about the military is to talk to a local recruiter. (Because the career, training, and educational opportunities are different for each branch of the military, students should talk to recruiters that represent different military branches.) To locate the recruiters in your area, look in the phone book under U.S. Government and find the branch (Army, Navy, etc.) in which you’re interested.