Military Info

Explore the five U.S. military service academies. All are HIGHLY competitive and have a rigorous application process. Interested?

 Plan ahead and start early! All but the Coast Guard Academy require a congressional nomination for admission.

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college-based program that trains students to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. 

Basic Course: Usually taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Students take elective classes in military science with no military service obligation. 

Advanced Course: Taken during the junior and senior years. Students commit to serving in the military after graduation before entering this phase.

Commitment: Graduates typically serve an 8-year service obligation, split between active duty, reserves, or the National Guard depending on the contract. 

Arkansas colleges with ROTC programs: 

• University of Arkansas

• University of Arkansas Fort Smith

• Arkansas State University

• University of Central Arkansas

• ASU Beebe

Other colleges may have partnerships with schools who have programs. 

What is the ASVAB? 

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-choice aptitude test used by the U.S. military to determine enlistment eligibility and to match recruits with suitable military jobs. The ASVAB also offers civilian career information to students in grades 10-12 through the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP), which provides a valuable tool for career planning beyond the military. The test assesses developed abilities through subtests in areas like word knowledge, arithmetic reasoning, and general science, leading to both specific military entrance scores (AFQT) and career exploration scores. 

Helpful Links: 

• Understand the ASVAB

• ASVAB CEP Flyer

What is the purpose of the ASVAB? 

• Military Enlistment: The primary purpose of the ASVAB is to measure an individual's aptitude for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

• Job Placement: ASVAB scores help military divisions identify the most appropriate military jobs or careers for individuals based on their strengths and abilities. 

• Career Exploration: The ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) helps high school students explore potential civilian career paths and provides insights into their own skills and interests. 

The ASVAB includes subtests that measure abilities in areas such as: General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Auto Information, Shop Information, and Mechanical Comprehension.

OTHER SCORES: 

• 1. AFTQ (The Armed Forces Qualification Test) is a composited score used to determine enlistment eligibility.

  2. Service Composite Scores are derived from subtests and help determine specific military job qualifications.

  3. Career Exploration Scores are used by the CEP to help students explore career options.