ROTC is the best option to pursue a military pathway with strong employment outcomes. While in college, you take courses in leadership, physical fitness, and military history and strategy. After you graduate from college, you become an officer. Officers have many more choices available for employment in and out of the service and must have a Bachelor's degree; thus, it is extremely challenging to become an officer without completing ROTC. 

Timeline: Apply to ROTC scholarships at the schools of your interest by January of your high school senior year. ROTC programs last until your college graduation with a GPA requirement, and you are required to serve for at least two to four years in your chosen branch post-graduation.

Note: Colleges offer different branches of ROTC, but if they don't offer a particular branch, they sometimes partner with nearby schools. Also, when you graduate from the ROTC program, you can enter any branch of your choosing as an officer (ex. you complete Army ROTC but matriculate into the Marines as an officer).

UIC: Army ROTC, UIUC: Navy/Marine NROTC, Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC

The Reserves is the best option to pursue a military pathway with the most flexibility, with the possibility to be deployed internationally in case of an emergency. Once you complete basic training (you can defer your first college semester to begin after basic training if necessary), you can participate in the Reserves while in college or holding a job. You earn some of the same long term military benefits through the Reserves, but have a significantly reduced time commitment.

Timeline: You can register when you are 18, or 17 with parent permission. Look into dates for basic training; if you choose to defer college one semester, make sure you communicate with your admissions counselor early on. In addition to two full weeks a year, you'll serve one weekend a month for the next three to six years.

Note: Every branch of the armed services offers a Reserve option. College scholarships are available, especially if you attend a school in Illinois.

The National Guard is the best option to pursue a military pathway with the most flexibility to serve closer to home. The National Guard is called into natural disasters, states of emergency, etc., primarily in Illinois but possibly across the country based on your skill set. Once you complete basic training (you can defer you first college semester to start after basic training if necessary), you can participate in the National Guard while in college or holding a job. You earn some of the same long-term military benefits through the National Guard, but have a significantly reduced time commitment.

Timeline: You can register when you are 18, or 17 with parent permission. Look into dates for basic training; if you choose to defer college one semester, make sure you communicate with your admissions counselor early on. Service in the National Guard is 6 years of part-time duty, where you'll serve one weekend a month and two weeks a year after completing a 10-week initial training.

Note: There is a stipend available for those who serve. There is also an Illinois National Guard Grant which will pay 100% of tuition for up to four years of education at an Illinois public college or university, while still serving as an Illinois National Guard Member.