The sections below highlight each branch of the United States Military and the MN National Guard. For each branch featured below:

• Click the title (ex. "US Army") to be brought to that particular branches' recruitment and application overview.

• If you're just interested in getting more info on a particular branch, click the image of the branches' seal to be brought to the branches' official website. Where available, users will be linked to the "About Us" page for each branch.

You may have heard announcements in the WIRE at RHS or checked the CCC Corner site to learn that college reps and recruiters set up times to meet with students interested in their schools. Well, each branch of the Military also has the opportunity to connect with students at RHS in a similar way! Military recruiters stop by RHS during each semester to chat with students about the benefits of joining the Military, and the process students undertake to enlist.

In fact, each branch of the Military finds students to join primarily through recruitment efforts, with interested students connecting with the recruiter of a particular branch, and following the path to enlistment. An important thing to note, direct enlistment is like having job. Enlisting with a particular Military branch generally consists of the following components:

• Initial training: You will attend your branch’s basic military training. That may last from 8 to 12 weeks. Depending on your job, you may also attend an advanced training course.

• Monthly drill: You’ll need to drill for 48 periods or units per year. Most units drill one weekend per month. A typical weekend drill has four periods. Some military units have additional drilling requirements, which may include the weekday.

• Annual training: You’ll also need to participate in annual training for two weeks per year.

• Activations: You may be activated to full-time service in a voluntary or involuntary status. These activations may vary in length and location. They may include 30 days in a unit near your hometown. Or up to a year supporting a mission outside of the United States. Generally, you cannot opt out of involuntary action.

• Length of commitment: Your total contract may range from three to eight years. This depends on the branch of service and your specific occupation/job.

While all of the above factors are necessary components of enlistment, the amount of flexibility applicants have to work or attend college depends on whether you enlist as Active duty or Reserve duty. So, developing a plan, if you're choosing the enlistment route might also mean doing some college or employment planning. Typically, your recruiting officer can support you with this, as they'll also help lay out the concrete aspects of your enlistment requirements.

In Minneapolis and St. Paul, we have recruitment offices for four of the five military branches. Unfortunately, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area does not have a Coast Guard recruitment office nearby.

Offices can be found at the following locations below, but doing a google search might help you find one closer to you!

A thing to note: It's in your best interest to meet with a CCC Advisor BEFORE contacting a recruitment office. CCC Staff can help you navigate the conversations with recruiters!

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a program that allows students to train while they are on a college campus. It's offered at more than 1,700 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, participants, or cadets, commit to serve in the Military after graduation. Each Service branch has its own take on ROTC.