Military Academies, Colleges & ROTC
Many students consider serving our country through military service after high school graduation. Some students enlist directly into a military branch after high school. Others use their military service to help pay for college education. There are several options available to students that allow them to pursue a bachelor’s degree while preparing to become an officer upon graduation. These college degree options include:
taking college classes while being enlisted in active duty
using VA benefits to attend college after active duty
participating in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at a traditional university
attending one of the five US Service Academies (USSA)
attending one of several Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) in the US
In some cases, students are obligated to commit to a period of military service in exchange for a full or partial scholarship or other compensation during college. In every case, it is important to thoroughly explore all of the options, benefits, and obligations associated with each option.
Enlistment, VA Benefits and More The Today's Military website is produced by the U.S. Department of Defense in cooperation with the service branches and provides a wealth of up-to-date information about these options. There are some excellent videos of each program on this website and also on the individual websites of each program or institution.
US Service Academies
For students who would like to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, the five Service academies (listed below) offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years.
The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:
High school academic performance
Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
Athletics and extracurricular activities
Leadership experience and community involvement
A congressional letter of recommendation (not required by the Coast Guard Academy)
It is important to understand all the requirements early so you have time to accomplish all the necessary components.
Graduates of all five academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective Service branch. In all cases, there is a service obligation of a minimum of five years.
If you are interested in one of the academies, consider applying for that academy's summer program to experience a week of classes, military and physical fitness training at the academy to help you make a more informed decision on your college choice. These programs are open to juniors in high school and are highly competitive.
Quick Links to US Service Academies and their summer programs:
US Airforce Academy Colorado Springs, CO Summer Program
US Coastguard Academy New London, CT Summer Program
US Military Academy West Point, NY Summer Program
Reserve Officer Training Corps - ROTC
ROTC programs are offered at over 1,000 colleges in the US. With the exception of the Coast Guard, each service branch has its own program; Army ROTC, Navy ROTC and Air Force ROTC. Each has its own requirements and features.
Admission Options:
4-year ROTC scholarship recipient
This is a highly competitive process that requires you to apply for this merit-based scholarship through your selected ROTC branch of service. The application may take place in the spring of the 11th grade or the fall of the 12th grade and requires applicants to state a U.S. college campus where the scholarship will be applied upon acceptance to that campus. The scholarship is given in exchange for a set time commitment of service.
ROTC college program participant
You join the ROTC program offered at your college campus as either a freshman or sophomore, and participate in the weekly ROTC classes and exercises in addition to your regular school schedule. During that freshman year, you can apply for a 3-year scholarship, or after sophomore year, you can apply for a 2-year scholarship. Both are in exchange for service upon graduation. If you wish to continue with the program beyond the sophomore year and are endorsed, but do not want to go the scholarship route, you can commit to service upon graduation in exchange for a monthly stipend for those last two years of college. The service commitments can vary in length depending on the option chosen, but all of these routes will lead to the goal of becoming an officer.
Links to Programs:
ROTC Programs Links to the ROTC programs in each Service branch.
University of Colorado's Naval ROTC Program An example of the University of Colorado's Naval ROTC program.
Jobs/Careers after Completing ROTC:
Military Careers and Profiles - all branches
NROTC (Marines) leads to a post-graduation commission as a second lieutenant
Senior Military Colleges
Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) offer a combination of higher education with military instruction. They include:
Texas A&M University
Norwich University
The Virginia Military Institute
The Citadel
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
North Georgia College & State University
Mary Baldwin Women’s Institute for Leadership
Every cadet must participate in the ROTC program, but only those cadets who receive a ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation.