ENLISTMENT
Military
Most people join the military by enlisting in one of its branches. Enlisted members make up most of the military workforce. They receive training in a job specialty and do most of the hands-on work. Usually, you’ll sign up for four years of active duty and four years inactive. After you’ve completed your active duty time, you can either extend your contract or re-enlist if you want to continue serving.
Officers make up a much smaller part of the workforce. To join as an officer, you typically must have a four-year college degree and complete an officer program. Most officers are managers who plan and direct operations. Others are professionals like doctors and lawyers. Officers get paid more than enlisted members and enjoy certain other benefits. You do not have to join as an officer to become one though. You can join as an enlisted member and attend officer training later on. (www.usa.gov/join-military)
Learn More
The Military is a great place to develop technical and employability skills, discover your career interests, and many other benefits! See below links for more info.
Military or College? Both?!
College ROTC Programs
ROTC programs assist students through college in exchange for military service after graduation.
Senior Military Colleges vs. Service Academies
Learn the difference in THIS ARTICLE
Officer Programs
US Military Academies
US Military Academy, West Point
US Naval Academy
US Air Force Academy https://www.usafa.edu/
US Coast Guard Academy
US Merchant Marine Academy
National Guard Education Benefits
As a member of your state’s National Guard, you may be eligible for free tuition! In addition to other great veteran’s benefits, many state National Guard units offer educational benefits that supplement federal GI Bill benefits or even grant tuition waivers for members of the guard who want to get their college degree. Read on to find out if your service in the National Guard can get you free tuition.
Air Force
The Air Force is part of the Department of Defense (DOD). It’s responsible for aerial military operations, defending U.S. air bases, and building landing strips. Its service members are airmen. The reserve components are Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
Army
The Army is part of the DOD and is the largest of the military branches. It handles significant ground combat missions, especially operations that are ongoing. Army Special Forces are called Green Berets for their headgear. The Army's members are its soldiers. The reserve components are the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It provides national security and search and rescue for America's waterways, seas, and coast. It's responsible for stopping drug smugglers and others breaking maritime law. It enforces marine environmental protection laws. Service members are Coast Guardsmen and nicknamed Coasties. The reserve component is the Coast Guard Reserve.
Marine Corps
The Marine Corps is part of the DOD. It provides land combat, sea-based, and air-ground operations support for the other branches during a mission. This branch also guards U.S. embassies around the world and the classified documents in those buildings. Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) members are known as Raiders. All service members are called Marines. The reserve component is the Marine Corps Reserve.
Navy
The Navy is part of the DOD. It protects waterways (sea and ocean) outside of the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction. Navy warships provide the runways for aircraft to land and take off when at sea. Navy SEALs (sea, air, and land) are the special operations force for this branch. All service members are known as sailors. The reserve component is Navy Reserve.
Space Force
The Space Force is a new branch, created in December 2019 from the former Air Force Space Command. The Space Force falls within the Department of the Air Force. It organizes, trains, and equips space forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint force.
Local Recruitment Offices
Link to Map and Offices - Dublin, OH
ENLISTMENT DIRECT LINKS
Active Duty (Full-time)
Army Recruiting - https://www.goarmy.com/
Navy Recruiting - https://www.navy.com/
USMC Recruiting - https://www.marines.com/
Coast Guard - https://www.gocoastguard.com/
Air Force Recruiting - https://www.airforce.com/
Space Force Recruiting - https://www.airforce.com/spaceforce
National Guard and Reserve (Part-time)
Army Reserve Recruiting - https://www.goarmy.com/reserve.html
Army National Guard Recruiting - https://www.nationalguard.com/recruiter
Navy Reserve Recruiting - https://www.navy.com/forward
USMC Reserve Recruiting - https://www.marines.com/
Air Force Reserve Recruiting - https://afreserve.com/
Air National Guard Recruiting - https://www.goang.com/
Coast Guard Recruiting - https://www.gocoastguard.com/reserve-careers
Space Force Reserve Recruiting - Reserve force not yet established