Military
Military Academies and Enlistment
U.S. Service Academy & ROTC Guide .pdfJUNIOR YEAR
Determine whether you meet the basic eligibility requirements
Take the SAT, ACT, ASVAB
Apply for Nominations- Posted in May
Start your FILES with the Academies
Complete your candidate forms
SENIOR YEAR
Obtain your nominations
Complete your file and testing (ACT, SAT, Medical, Physical Aptitude Exam, CFA)
Await Evaluation and visit campuses
1. Get the grades. Face it, you have to be among the best to be a cadet. Ninety percent of cadets were in the top 20% of their class. But, the academies want well-rounded people. Good grades are a starting point, not the finish line.
2. Practice testing. The ACT and SAT are critical. Find out what scores you need at the web sites below. Keep Testing until you score high enough to be above the average.
3. Be an athlete. Not everyone is an intercollegiate athlete, but most cadets play intramural sports, face fitness tests and undergo strenuous physical training.
4. Be a leader. The academies are looking for leaders. Participation in clubs and extracurriculars is not enough. Become a club officer or class officer. Work hard to earn school, athletic and community awards. Awards separate you from the pack.
5. Be involved in the community. Leaders care. Show you care by routinely volunteering or working in community programs.
6. Ace the interview. Your interview with the academy liaison officer is a big deal. You will be asked about citizenship, reasons for attending and even about current events. Read the newspaper before your interview. Practice with your family. Answer in clear, thoughtful sentences.
7. Know your Congressman. You need an official nomination to get into the academies (except the Coast Guard Academy). These come from Senators, Congressmen, the Vice President and the President. Apply to all the sources, but get to personally know the ones you can. Volunteer in their office. Write them letters. Make appointments to see them.
8. Go for more than one. Congressman and Senators have a limited number of nominations for each academy. By considering all four academies you increase your chances of getting in.
9. Attend summer programs. Each academy offers programs for exceptional students during the summer before their senior year. These programs provide an up close look at the academies and what cadet life is like. Your counselor can help you apply.
10. Start now! While the academies don't start official applications until your junior year in high school, you should start early. Write and get the pre-candidate questionnaires and candidate kits. Talk to your high school counselor. Talk to your Congressman. Meet the academy liaison officer for your area. Let everyone know you have a dream and a plan to make it real.
The United States Military
The Department of Defense website on careers in the five active-duty service branches of the United States Military and their respective Guard and Reserve units
Produced by the Department of Defense with data from the Departments of Commerce, Education and Labor
Helpful information on Finding a Career, Getting into College and Exploring the Military
For both enlistment and the Academies you need to get in and stay in shape
If you want to enlist, contact your recruiter. Please look for an e-mail from me to confirm they are coming during lunch.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
For both enlistment and the Academies, you need to take the ASVAB
The ASVAB is a timed, multi-aptitude test given at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide. It is developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. The test is open to all students in grades 10-12. There is no charge for the test.
Your scores in four areas (Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge) count toward your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. The AFQT score determines whether you are qualified to enlist in the United States Military.
Your scores in the other areas of the ASVAB will determine how qualified you are for certain military occupational specialties and Enlisted Bonuses. A high score will improve your chances of getting the specialty/job and signing bonus you want. The ASVAB consists of eight individual tests:
General Science
Arithmetic Reasoning
Word Knowledge
Paragraph Comprehension
Mathematics Knowledge
Electronics Information
Auto and Shop Information
Mechanical Comprehension