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Enlistment
Enlistment
If you’re interested in joining the military, you are probably wondering what is the difference between enlisting and commissioning as an officer?
More than 200,000 people join the military annually. About 180,000 join as enlisted members and 20,000 as officers. Both enlisted and officer careers provide rewarding experiences, education and training benefits, and competitive compensation.
The requirements, commitments, and responsibilities are different for enlisted service members vs. officers. Enlisted personnel have specialties within the military. They perform specific job functions and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure the success of their unit’s missions. Officers manage enlisted personnel. They plan missions, provide orders, and assign tasks. Their role is in leadership as problem-solvers, influencers, and planners. See ASVAB Career Exploration Program
You can join the military right out of high school. Without a college degree, you will be joining as an enlisted service member. You must have a high school or general equivalency diploma (GED) to enlist in the military. There are fewer spots for GED holders to enter the military. If you have a GED, you will have a better chance of joining if you have:
Earned college credits
Scored higher on the ASVAB
You must have a degree from a four-year college to join as an officer.
Every branch of the military sets its own standards for enlisting. Learn about the specific requirements for each, including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) here: https://www.usa.gov/military-requirements.
Steps to Take for Enlistment: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining-eligibility/enlisting-military
Here are the military recruiting contacts assigned to Evergreen High School.
ROTC
ROTC
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a leadership training and development program that prepares full-time, college-enrolled students for service opportunities in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force (the Coast Guard offers a similar program called the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative [CSPI]). Joining ROTC opens a door to professional skills development, scholarship opportunities and tuition assistance, and, upon completion, attaining the rank of officer. Today, ROTC is offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities.
What does ROTC teach?
Leadership: Students learn leadership skills that can be applied in many careers
Military tactics: Students learn military tactics and survival training
Physical fitness: Students participate in physical training, including shooting, swimming, and orienteering
What are the benefits of ROTC?
Scholarships: ROTC programs offer scholarships to students who excel academically and militarily
Leadership development: ROTC programs provide leadership development training and opportunities to work with active-duty service members
Character development: ROTC programs help students develop character and self-discipline
ROTC General Scholarship Requirements
The requirements for the scholarship may differ by Service branch, however, to qualify for an ROTC scholarship, the applicant must:
be a U.S. citizen
be at least 17 years of age
have a high school GPA of at least 2.50 (3.0 for Air Force)
have a high school diploma or equivalent
submit ACT or SAT scores
meet physical standards
agree to accept a commission and serve as an active-duty service member or in the Reserve or Guard
Applications are typically submitted by the end of the first semester of a high school student’s senior year. So, you need to start the process your junior year.
Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative Colleges
Military Academies
Military Academies
The Military offers unique educational opportunities for students who plan to pursue a college degree. These options — service academies, senior military colleges and maritime academies — offer world-class education and a deeper understanding of military culture. In addition, these schools grant full tuition in exchange for a period of service commitment.
U.S. Military Academy (West Point) - Army
U.S. Naval Academy - Navy and Marine Corps
U.S. Air Force Academy - Air Force and Space Force
U.S. Coast Guard Academy - Coast Guard
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - Merchant Marines
Graduates of all academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective Service branches. After graduation, they are obligated to serve a minimum of five years. The first five years will be active-duty, and the next three will be on a reserve option.
Similar to service academies, senior military colleges (SMCs) offer a combination of higher education and military instruction. They are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world, and they offer financial aid packages for eligible students. Every SMC cadet must participate in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, but only those cadets who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation.
Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets
An additional option for students is a maritime academy. The United States Merchant Marine is the fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships that carry 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 transport service members and supplies for the Military.
Maritime academies produce shipboard officers for vessels integral to shipping and transportation needs, but a service commitment is not always required.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
California State University Maritime Academy
EHS Military Recruiters (for all of the above paths)
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