If you are interested in joining a branch of the U.S. military immediately after high school graduation, this section includes resources that may be helpful as you prepare to enlist. Time in the military can teach you a valuable trade, prepare you for a life-long career serving your country, or simply give you time to decide what you want to do next. It can be a valuable experience with good benefits and structure.
Consider speaking with relatives or friends who have served or are currently serving. Additionally, recruiters can tell you information about their particular branch of service and help with answering questions about serving in the military and protecting our nation.
The following information is taken directly from Today’s Military at www.todaysmilitary.com
Careers in the Military
There are literally thousands of careers in the military. Jobs in the military vary in the type of work as well as level of responsibility, yet each job is essential to accomplishing the overall mission of defending our country. To see military careers that might be a good fit for you, visit the link below.
Military Recruiters
A military recruiter can help answer questions about serving in their particular branch of service, while providing a positive assessment of opportunities. A recruiter’s job is to find qualified candidates for his or her respective service and provide the candidates with information about – and reasons for – joining the military. Students interested in military service are advised to talk with a recruiter for the branch of the military in which they are interested. Your high school college/career counselor can tell you when military recruiters will be at your high school.
Questions to ask a Recruiter
Developing specific questions prior to the meeting is an excellent and recommended way to prepare. Recruiters are ready to answer these questions and any others you have in mind. If they cannot answer your question immediately, they will find the information you need and get back to you. Visit the link below to find some excellent questions to ask a recruiter.
Types of Military Service
Active Duty
Active-duty service members are full-time members of the Military, living on base or in military housing and immersed in military culture. After attending basic training, they are stationed at a base either domestically or overseas. Active-duty terms typically last four to six years at a time.
reserve
Each active-duty branch of the Military, except the Space Force, has a Reserve component under their command, which is available for deployment in times of war or national emergency. Reservists are part-time service members, which allows them time to pursue a civilian career or college education while simultaneously serving their country. Members of the Reserve attend basic training and are required to participate in training drills one weekend a month as well as a two-week program each year.
National Guard
The National Guard consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, and are assigned to their particular state. The Guard’s main focus is on homeland security, humanitarian relief, and training drills one weekend a month and two full weeks per year. National Guard units assist communities in their state during emergencies like storms, floods, fires and other natural disasters. National Guard members are part-time service members, which allows them time to pursue a civilian career or college education while simultaneously serving their country.
Action Steps to Enlist
- Contact a military recruiter
- When approved through a military recruiter, visit a Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS)
- Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB)
- Pass the Physical Examination
- Meet with MEPS Career Counselor
- Take the Oath of Enlistment (Swearing In)
- Commit to Basic Training
Delayed Entry Program
The Delayed Entry Program (DEP), also called the Delayed Enlistment Program (or the Future Soldiers Program in the Army), is a program in which individuals who want to enlist in the United States Armed Forces are placed before they ship out to basic training or “boot camp.” Students who plan to join the military immediately following high school will likely enlist through the DEP.
BASIC TRAINING PREPARATION
Going in physically and mentally strong to basic training will provide you with the confidence you need to successfully complete the training. If you wait until the first day of basic training to start preparing, you will fight an uphill battle. The requirements and training for each branch of the military are different.
armed services vocational aptitude battery
Before you become part of the military, there is one test that you’ll need to take — the
ASVAB. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, and used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. The ASVAB also qualifies individuals for the mission occupation specialty, job, or career they will pursue in the military in addition to enlistment bonuses. Just like any other test, it is recommended that students prepare for the ASVAB.
ASVAB STUDY RESOURCES
For General Information:
· official-asvab.com
For Online ASVAB Test Prep:
· march2success.com
· asvabtutor.com
· asvabpracticetests.com
CUT SCORES FOR ENLISTMENT
| BRANCH | HIGH SCHOOL | GED |
| Air Force | 36 | 50 |
| Army | 31 | 50 |
| Coast Guard | 40 | 47 |
| Marine Corps | 32 | 50 |
| Navy | 35 | 50 |
Keep in mind, these are minimum scores. Contact a military recruiter for more details. Often scores to enter a specific military occupation specialty may require
a much higher score.
Applying to America's Service Academies
Federal military academies provide learners with a complete postsecondary education and leadership training. In return for a four-year degree financially covered by the government, graduates commit to serving in the military after finishing their training. Enrollees also typically receive free room and board during their studies. Typical postgraduate obligations ask for five years of service. Students can choose from five federal military academies, each representing a branch of the armed forces. While graduates tend to enlist with their academy’s parent organization, they can also serve other segments of the military. To ensure they enroll only the top candidates, these academies have challenging admission requirements. Enrollees who do not complete their education or their service obligations typically need to repay their tuition to the government. The five federal military academies vary in their application approaches and admission requirements. In general, applicants need strong academic achievements, physical capabilities, and leadership qualities. Along with academic training, enrollees participate in regular military training and preparation.
CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATIONS
Service academies or military colleges require that applicants be nominated by a member of Congress. A congressman will typically select 10 potential candidates, and then use a competitive nomination process to select a single candidate to endorse. The nine runners-up are usually placed on a waiting list, so if the selected candidate decides against a military college, an alternate can be selected. To improve your chances of success, you should apply for nomination from more than one representative or senator.
U.S. Military Academy
West Point, New York
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
New London, Connecticut
ROTC Programs
ROTC stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps. It’s a college program offered at over 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. military. In exchange for a possibly paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, cadets commit to serve in the military after graduation. Each service branch has its own take on ROTC, and universities that offer ROTC may offer it for one, some, or all of the military branches.
ROTC PROGRAMS BY BRANCH OF SERVICE
Below, you will find information about which ROTC branches of service are available at universities in Tennessee. If you are interested in ROTC programs, please review the following and contact your college of interest.
Note: Individual institutions may be listed more than once.
Note: Institutions listed as asterisks are not host institutions. Students attend ROTC classes at the host institution listed above. ROTC units may allow attendance from other institutions, so contact the ROTC unit for further information.