All branches are equal parts of the United States Uniformed Services, headed by the President as Commander-in-Chief. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DoD). The Coast Guard reports to the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and to the DoD (by way of the Navy) during wartime. Reserve and National Guard units perform as active-duty service members on a part-time basis. These troops train close to home, deploying when needed to aid in international conflict or domestic disaster relief.

Before serving in the Military, there are a few things a young adult can do to prepare. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program can help young adults discover suitable jobs. Likewise, they must meet certain requirements to serve, including age, educational and physical prerequisites. Once committed to service, training begins in the form of boot camp (officially called Initial Entry Training).

EDUCATION OPTIONS

ROTC (RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS) PROGRAMS

Founded in 1926, ROTC stands for Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) . It’s a college program offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military. In exchange for a paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, cadets commit to serve in the Military after graduation. Each Service branch has its own ROTC program. Click HERE for more information.

SERVICE ACADEMIES

There are five service academies. Entrance to these schools is highly competitive. Applicants for every academy but the Coast Guard’s need a nomination from the vice president or a member of Congress.

Students attend the service academies for free. In return, they agree to spend the next several years as military officers.

• U.S. Military Academy (Army) in West Point, New York.

Trains future Army officers aka West Point.

• U.S. Naval Academy (Navy/Marine Corps) in Annapolis, Maryland.

Trains future Navy and Marine Corps officers (there is no Marine Academy)

• U.S. Air Force Academy (Air Force) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Coast Guard) in New London, Connecticut.

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.

Trains students for military and civilian careers. New graduates have two choices. They can join the Navy or the Coast Guard as an officer. Or they can get a job in the civilian maritime industry at sea or ashore.

Service academies offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years. The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:

• High school academic performance

• Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)

• Athletics and extracurricular activities

• Leadership experience and community involvement

• A congressional letter of recommendation (not required by the Coast Guard Academy)

Graduates of all four academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective Service branch. In all cases, there is a service obligation of a minimum of five years.

MILITARY COLLEGES and UNIVERSITIES

The U.S. military operates many types of schools to train members of the U.S. military, foreign military, and civilians in certain fields. The military academies are colleges that train future officers.

The military also operates its own medical school, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Students pay no tuition or fees, and receive a salary and military benefits.

Some of the military schools include:

• National Defense University

• Army War College

• Naval War College

• Air Force Institute of Technology

• Air University

• Defense Acquisition University

• Defense Language Institute

• Naval Postgraduate School

• Defense Information School

SENIOR MILITARY COLLEGES

Senior military colleges are civilian schools that combine higher education with military instruction. Students participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and can go on to become commissioned officers following graduation. Every cadet must participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, but only those cadets who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation. For example, about half of Virginia Military Institute’s cadets earn commissions as second lieutenants (Army, Marine Corps, Air Force) or ensigns (Navy)

MARITIME ACADEMIES

The United States Merchant Marine is the fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships that transport cargo and passengers on behalf of the United States. In times of war, the Merchant Marine is an auxiliary to the Navy and can be called upon to deliver service members and supplies for the Military. The education of merchant marine officers is an essential Maritime Administration responsibility to meet national security needs and to maintain defense readiness.

Midshipmen at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., receive full scholarships in exchange for a service obligation in the Merchant Marine Reserve or Navy Reserve. The other Merchant Marine academies also produce shipboard officers for vessels integral to shipping and transportation needs, but a service commitment is not always required.

OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL

New four-year college graduates go to Officer Candidate School (OCS) to join as officers. Each service has its own OCS, which lasts around three to four months. Enlisted members can also apply to attend OCS and graduate as commissioned officers.