This website will be decommissioned September 30th as we switch to our new Battalion website
Military (Service) Academies
Military academies, or service academies, are great opportunities for people interested in careers as military officers (also see ROTC Scholarships). Tuition, boarding, and other expenses are paid by the US government, as well as a monthly stipend (allowance), and all graduates commission as officers in the respective branch of the academy. In return, candidates must commit to serving a minimum of 5 years in active duty and 3 years in active duty or reserves (USMMA is slightly different). The 5 US service academies are very prestigious institutions which focus on academics, athletics, leadership and character.
Summer Seminars/Summer Leaders Experience
The United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy all offer week-long summer programs for those considering attending the academy or who simply wish to experience life at the academy. USMA offers a Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) while the other two academies offer Summer Seminars. All seminars are offered only to candidates the summer after their Junior year.
Former Blythewood JROTC Cadets
The Bengal Battalion has a record of sending its former cadets to military academies. You can help to continue this legacy. For a list of former cadets who are attending or have graduated from service academies, click here.
United States Military Academy (West Point):
USMA is the nation's oldest military academy, established in 1802 to train Army officers. It is located in West Point, New York, where General George Washington placed fortifications to stop the British from sailing up the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War, meaning that it is nearly as old as the nation itself. More information can be found at www.usma.edu/About/SitePages/Home.aspx.
If you wish to apply, click here.
The application serves as both the academy application and the SLE application
United States Naval Academy
USNA is the second oldest US service academy, founded in 1845, and it trains both Navy and Marine Corps officers. It is located in Annapolis, Maryland. More information can be found at www.usna.edu/About/index.php.
If you would like to apply to the Summer Seminar, click here.
To apply to the academy, click here.
United States Air Force Academy:
USAFA is the most recent service academy, and was founded in 1954, just 7 years after the Air Force became its own branch. It is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More information can be found at http://www.usafa.af.mil/information/index.asp.
If you would like to apply, click here.
The application serves as both the academy application and the Summer Seminar application.
United States Coast Guard Academy:
USCGA is the third oldest service academy, founded in 1876 to train Coast Guard officers. The Coast Guard is responsible for protecting US coasts and waterways and rescue those stranded at sea. The academy is located in New London, Connecticut. More information can be found at www.cga.edu/about/.
If you are interested in applying, click here.
United States Merchant Marine Academy:
USMMA is the fourth oldest service academy, established in 1943 to train officers for the US Merchant Marine. It is located in Kings Point, New York. Graduates commission as officers in one of the 5 branches of military or their reserve components. They are obligated to serve 5 years in active duty or 8 years in the reserves. Graduates serve the nation's transportation and defense needs working on commercial vessels. More information can be found at www.usmma.edu/about/.
If you are interested in applying, click here.