The News Feed
Want to know more? Get up to date with the latest stories about service members and how all six branches make a positive impact every day.
Hear from young service members about their decisions to join, the friendships they’ve forged, the skills they’ve developed, and their opportunities to make an impact in the Military.
Education & Training
The Military offers unique educational opportunities for students who plan to pursue a college degree. These options — service academies, senior military colleges and maritime academies — offer world-class education and a deeper understanding of military culture. In addition, these schools grant full tuition in exchange for a period of service commitment.
Hard Work at the Naval Academy Pays Off
What to Expect in the Air Force Academy
Discover the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
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.
The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:
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 first five years will be active-duty, and the next three will be on a reserve option.
845-938-4041
4,549
1,488
24%
410-293-1000
4,594
1,374
29%
719-333-2025
4,403
1,453
29%
800-883-8724
1,104
399
40%
516-726-5800
1,063
451
22%
Similar to service academies, senior military colleges (SMCs) offer a combination of higher education and military instruction. They are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world, and they offer financial aid packages for eligible students. Every SMC cadet must participate in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, but only those cadets who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation.
979-862-2862
2,300
17%
802-485-2000
5,062
21%
2,846
540-464-7230
1,744
14%
843-953-2155
4,388
23%
540-231-6413
1,251
22%
706-864-1400
718
21%
540-887-7019
2,488
100%
An additional option for students is a maritime academy. The United States Merchant Marine is the fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships that carry cargo and passengers on behalf of the United States. In times of war, the Merchant Marine is an auxiliary to the Navy and can be called upon to transport service members and supplies for the Military.
Maritime academies produce shipboard officers for vessels integral to shipping and transportation needs, but a service commitment is not always required.
508-830-5000
1,742
14%
800-748-0566
190
12%
207-326-4311
1,043
19%
707-654-1000
976
15%
718-409-7221
1,832
15%
409-740-4771
360
9%