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MILITARY SERVICE

Joining the U.S. military is both a career and a commitment to serving your country. It can provide valuable skills, education benefits, and personal growth opportunities—whether you serve full-time or part-time.

The United States has six military branches, inlcuding the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

How Military Service Works

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You can join one of the six branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force

Choose between active duty (full-time service) or reserve/guard (part-time service with training and possible deployments)

All new recruits go through basic training to learn discipline, teamwork, and core skills

You can serve in fields like engineering, healthcare, technology, aviation, logistics, and more

Education and Career Benefits

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Many service members enroll in school during their enlistment. Some benefits of attending college while enlisted in the military include:

GI Bill helps pay for college or vocational training after service

Tuition assistance programs for classes you take while serving

Training in technical and leadership skills that transfer to civilian careers

Health care, housing allowances, and retirement benefits

Why Students Choose Military Service

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A sense of purpose and service to the country

Opportunity to travel and experience new cultures

Earn pay and benefits while gaining career skills

Pathways to college, trade school, or civilian jobs after service

THE SIX BRANCHES OF THE U.S. MILITARY

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U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Space Force

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB, or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is a multiple-choice test used by the U.S. Military to assess aptitude and determine eligibility for various military jobs.

It measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success, both within and outside the military. The results provide a range of different occupations based on the student's answers on the test. Students are NOT REQUIRED to enter military service to take it.

The test is administered at DCI twice per year, in the fall and spring!

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMIES AND COLLEGES

There are also military colleges that combine traditional academics with military training, preparing students for careers as military officers. The five U.S. service academies are the most prominent examples, including the US Military Academy (West Point), US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, and US Merchant Marine Academy.

Each academy is highly competitive and almost all of them require:

high academic achievement
strong physical qualifications
a nomination from a senator, representative, or Vice President
demonstrated leadership and character.

U.S. Military Academy West Point (NY)

The United States Military Academy at West Point (commonly known as West Point) is a prestigious four-year federal service academy located in West Point, New York. It's one of the most respected institutions for military education in the world and serves as the undergraduate college of the U.S. Army.

U.S. Naval Academy (MD)

The United States Naval Academy, commonly called Annapolis, is the undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy. It's a prestigious federal service academy that trains and educates future officers for both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

U.S. Air Force Academy (CO)

The United States Air Force Academy, often referred to as USAFA or just the Air Force Academy, is the undergraduate college for future officers of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. It combines rigorous academics, military training, and physical development to produce leaders of character.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CT)

The United States Coast Guard Academy is the smallest and one of the most selective of the five federal service academies. It serves as the undergraduate college of the U.S. Coast Guard, preparing cadets to become commissioned officers in this unique military branch that operates under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime.

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (NY)

The United States Merchant Marine Academy, often referred to as USMMA or just Kings Point, is the undergraduate college for future officers of the U.S. Merchant Marine and leaders in the maritime and transportation industries. It combines rigorous academics, hands-on maritime training, and a year of service at sea to produce skilled professionals ready to serve the nation in peace and war.

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