U.S. Armed Services Exploration

The Air Force is all about ruling the skies and working with cutting-edge technology. Yes, they fly awesome fighter jets and massive cargo planes, but you don't have to be a pilot to join. They need teams on the ground to fix planes, manage air traffic, and run cybersecurity operations to protect military networks from hackers.

• Service Members are called: Airmen

• Great fit for students who: Are highly interested in technology, aviation, computers, or engineering.

The Army is the oldest and largest branch of the military. Think of the Army as the ultimate ground team. If a major job needs doing on land—whether that is securing an area, setting up a communications network, or rebuilding a town after a natural disaster—they are there. Because it is the biggest branch, it has the widest variety of jobs. You don't just have to be in combat; they need mechanics, medics, computer scientists, and engineers, too.

• Service Members are called: Soldiers

• Great fit for students who: Want a variety of career choices, like working hands-on, and enjoy being part of a large, structured team.

The Coast Guard is unique because they mostly work right here in the U.S. instead of overseas. They are the everyday heroes who fly helicopters into storms to pull people out of sinking ships. They also protect marine environments, stop illegal drug smuggling, and patrol U.S. coastlines. It’s a branch where you can make a difference in your own backyard.

• Service Members are called: Coast Guardsmen (often nicknamed "Coasties")

• Great fit for students who: Want to focus on saving lives, love being on or near the water, and want to protect the homeland while staying closer to U.S. shores.

The Marines are the military’s elite fast-reaction squad. They are trained to be the "first responders" to global crises, usually arriving by sea aboard Navy ships before quickly moving to land. They are a smaller, tight-knit group known for having some of the most intense physical training in the military.

• Service Members are called: Marines

• Great fit for students who: Are seeking a massive physical and mental challenge, want to be part of a fiercely loyal brotherhood/sisterhood, and want to be first on the scene.

If you want to see the world, the Navy is your branch. They operate like floating, high-tech cities—from massive aircraft carriers to stealthy submarines. Their main job is to keep the world's oceans safe for travel and trade. They can launch fighter jets right off the deck of a ship in the middle of the sea, and they have huge career fields in things like nuclear power and aviation.

• Service Members are called: Sailors

• Great fit for students who: Love to travel, don't mind being out at sea for months at a time, and are interested in mechanics, engineering, or aviation.

Take the Navy Career Quiz here

College Scholarships

The Space Force is the newest military branch, focused entirely on protecting our capabilities in space. The Space Force sounds like sci-fi, but it’s very real! The U.S. Space Force protects our country and the freedom to operate in space, keeping it secure, stable and accessible for military space power and new waves of innovation. 

• Service Members are called: Guardians

• Great fit for students who: Are hardcore tech enthusiasts, love space science, want to work in cyber security, and want to be part of a brand-new, fast-growing startup culture.

U.S. Army:

• • 452 N Barry Street, Olean, NY 14760

  • Phone: (520) 706-9228

U.S. Air Force & Space Force:

• • 452 N. Barry Street, Olean, NY 14760

  • Phone: (716) 383-1078

New York Air National Guard (107th Attack Wing reps):

• • 452 N. Barry Street, Olean, NY 14760

  • Phone: (716) 236-2428

U.S. Navy:

• • Note: Cattaraugus students are often served by the Hamburg or Jamestown Navy offices (see below) or the Erie, PA center.

  • Hamburg Contact Phone: (716) 412-0308

  • Jamestown Contact Phone: (716) 381-9454

U.S. Marine Corps:

• • Note: Recruiting Substation Olean operates out of the regional network.

  • Contact the Buffalo Regional Marine Recruiters at (716) 402-5158 to be connected with the Olean representative.

Most offices for this region are located in the Armed Forces Career Center locations in Jamestown.

U.S. Army and Army Reserve:

• • 201 W. 3rd Street, Suite 105, Jamestown, NY 14701

  • Phone: (520) 706-9227

U.S. Marine Corps:

• • 201 W. 3rd Street, Jamestown, NY 14701

  • Phone: (315) 716-3306

U.S. Air Force & Space Force:

• • 201 W. 3rd Street, Suite 110, Jamestown, NY 14701

  • Phone: (716) 969-3022 

U.S. Navy:

• • 201 W. 3rd Street, Suite 103, Jamestown, NY 14701

  • Phone: (716) 381-9454

New York Army National Guard:

• • Jamestown Armory: 34 Porter Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701

  • Phone: (716) 260-6161

U.S. Army and Army Reserve:

• • 3900 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 

  • Phone: (716) 446-4725

New York Army National Guard:

• • Hamburg Armory: 5999 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075

  • Phone: (716) 548-3988

U.S. Marine Corps:

• • 1044 Union Road, 19 Southgate Drive, West Seneca, NY 14224

  • Phone: (716) 402-5158

U.S. Navy:

• • 46 Main Street, Hamburg, NY 14075

  • Phone: (716) 412-0308

U.S. Air Force:

• • 6050 South Park, Hamburg, NY 14075

  • Hamburg Contact Phone: (716) 583-0459

U.S. Coast Guard:

• • 1900 Ridge Road, Suite 108, West Seneca, NY 14224

  • Phone: (206) 815-6010