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THE UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES


Students who would like to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, the five service academies — the U.S. Military Academy (Army) in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy (Navy/Marine Corps) in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board, medical, and dental care are fully paid for all 4years.

THE ARMED SERVICES (Military)

All branches of the military offer full and partial scholarships through the reserve officer training corps (ROTC) at many U.S. colleges and universities. www.todaysmilitary.com

The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:

Graduates of all four 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.

You can learn more about the military and the service academies at www.todaysmilitary.com

If you need a Congressional letter of recommendation, contact Congressman Raul Ruiz’s office at 760-424-8888 or visit www.ruiz.house.gov.

For each branch there are slightly different enlistment requirements:

TO JOIN THE... YOU MUST:
AIR FORCE
  • Be between the ages of 17-27
  • Have no more than two dependents
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 50)
ARMY
  • Be between the ages of 17-34
  • Have no more than two dependents
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 31)
COAST GUARD
  • Be between the ages of 17- 39
  • Have no more than two dependents
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 45)
  • Have a willingness to serve on or around the water.
MARINES
  • Be between the ages of 17-29
  • Meet exacting physical, mental, and moral standards
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 32)
NAVY
  • Be between the ages of 17-34
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 50)

The eligibility requirements for joining the armed forces can differ among the branches. Knowing the requirements can help you avoid wasting time and effort. An issue that may make you ineligible for one service may not preclude you in another branch of service. www.military.com

For a lot of people who join directly after high school, the military means being away from home for the very first time. For others, adjusting to the “military way of life” is a complete 180-degree turn from the life they are currently used to. Either way, the more you know about what to expect, the easier it will be to settle in and prepare for success in your new career. This information is a good place to start, and then a recruiter can give you more information about specific U.S. Military Service branches. www.todaysmilitary.com