Military 101

U.S. Department of Defense

June 14, 1775


November 10, 1775

October 13, 1775

September 18, 1947

August 4, 1790

December 20, 2019

Interested in Applying to a Service Academy?

Thank you for your interest in attending one of the Service Academies of the United States.

Please contact Academy Liaison, Mary O'Connor, directly at mary.oconnor@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-6843. Please make sure you have the following information when you do so:

  • Full name

  • Mailing address (please include zip code)

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Academy/Academies you wish to apply to

  • Current grade (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th)

The Oath of Enlistment (for enlistees):

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

The Oath of Office (for officers):

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance tot he same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."