Military

The U.S. Military consists of five active duty Services and their respective Guard and Reserve units which offer a broad variety of ways to serve. If you are considering the military as your post-secondary pathway, explore the service branches of Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

www.todaysmilitary.com

US Army Soldier in Universal Camouflage Uniform

ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY (ASVAB)

The ASVAB, intended to be taken in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, is a comprehensive career exploration and planning program. It includes a multiple aptitude test battery (ASVAB), an interest inventory, and several career planning tools designed by the Department of Defense to help students explore careers both within and outside of the military. For more information, visit www.todaysmilitary.com/how-to-join/asvab-test.

MRHS offers the ASVAB every October and April. To register for the ASVAB, visit the MRHS Testing website or the MRHS College & Career Canvas site.

United States Army

The United States Army is the main ground-force of the United States. The Army's main function is to protect and defend the United States by way of ground troops, armor (tanks), artillery, attack helicopters, tactical nuclear weapons, etc. The Army is the largest and oldest U.S. Military Service. It is supported by two Reserve Forces: the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. The Reserve Forces can be tapped for trained personnel and equipment during times of need.

For more information, visit www.goarmy.com and www.army.mil.

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force's main mission is to defend the U.S. through exploitation of air and space. The Air Force operates several types of aircraft: fighter, tanker, light and heavy bomber, transport and helicopters. The Air Force is also responsible for all military satellites and controls our country's strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The Air Force also has the Air Force Reserves and the Air National Guard.

For more information, visit www.af.mil.

United States Navy

The United States Air Force's main mission is to maintain the freedom of the seas so the U.S. can use the seas where and when national interests require its use. In times of conflict, the Navy helps supplement the Air Force. Navy aircraft carriers can deploy to areas where fixed runways are unavailable. Navy ships can also attack land target from miles away with guns and cruise missiles. Navy submarines also allow stealth attacks on enemies. The Navy is also primarily responsible for transporting Marines to areas of conflict. The Navy is only supported in times of need by the Naval Reserves.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil.

United States Marine Corps

Specializing in amphibious operations, the Marine Corps’ primary specialty is the assault, capture, and control of "beach heads," which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction. In recent years, the Marines have expanded ground-combat operations. For combat operations, the Marine Corps have their own air power, consisting primarily of fighter and fighter/bomber aircraft and attack helicopters. In times of need, the Marines are solely supported by the Marine Corps Reserves.

For more information, visit www.marines.mil.

United States Coast Guard

In peacetime, the Coast Guard is primarily concerned with law enforcement, boating safety, sea rescue, and illegal immigration control. However, the President of the United States can transfer part or all of the Coast Guard to the Department of the Navy in times of conflict. The Coast Guard consists of ships, boats, aircraft, and shore stations that conduct a variety of missions. The Coast Guard is the smallest military service and is supported by the Coast Guard Reserves and a volunteer "Coast Guard Auxiliary" in times of need.

For more information, visit www.uscg.mil.

Reserve Training Information

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.

What's the difference between active duty and reserves? Learn more here!

Air Force ROTC www.afrotc.com

Army ROTC www.goarmy.com/rotc

Nave and Marine Corps ROTC www.nrotc.navy.mil

Senior Military Colleges

For students who would like to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, a Senior Military College (SMC) offers the best of both worlds. SMCs are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world. You can learn more about each SMC by visiting their official Web sites:

The Citadel www.citadel.edu

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets www.corps.tamu.edu

Mary Baldwin Women's Institute for Leadership www.marybaldwin.edu/vwil

University of North Georgia www.ung.edu/corps-of-cadets

Norwich University www.norwich.edu/cadets

Virginia Military Institute www.vmi.edu

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets www.vtcc.vt.edu

For more information, visit www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/military-schools.

United States Service/Military Academies

For students who want to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, the five service academies offer a fully-funded tuition that includes books, board and medical and dental care. Graduates of all academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective Service branches. After graduation, they are obligated to serve a minimum of five 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)

Learn more about Service Academies application process here.

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Located in Kings Point, NY, this academy teaches students how to succeed in the maritime and transportation industries or the Armed Forces, while it also prepares students to receive a Bachelor of Science degree, a merchant marine license, and an appointment as a commissioned officer on reserve or active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. For more info, visit www.usmma.edu.

United States Military Academy

This academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as cadets. Tuition for cadets is fully funded by the Army in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. For more info, visit www.westpoint.edu.

United States Naval Academy

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Naval Academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation. For more info, visit www.usna.edu.

United States Air Force Academy

Nestled against the Rocky Mountains in Colorado this academy trains, inspires, and educates men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the U.S. Air Force in service of our nation. For more info, visit www.usafa.af.mil.

United States Coast Guard Academy

Located in New London, CT, the US Coast Guard Academy is the smallest of the federal military academies. Its four-year Bachelor of Science program graduates leaders of character who go on to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard. For more info, visit www.uscga.edu.