Many people who are interested in joining the Armed Forces do so straight out of high school. However, it’s possible to go to college, earn a degree and guarantee a job upon graduation.

1. Interested In Joining
The Armed Forces?
Service Academies
Can Pay For College
And Guarantee A Job
Presented by USMilitary.com
http://www.usmilitary.com/

2. Joining The Military
After High SChool
• Many people who are interested in joining the
Armed Forces do so straight out of high school.
• However, it’s possible to go to college, earn a degree
and guarantee a job upon graduation.
• The Service Academies: The Military Academy at
West Point, The Naval Academy, The Air Force
Academy, The Merchant Marine Academy and The
Coast Guard Academy, all provide high school
graduates with a way to pay for school and
guarantee a job after graduation.

3. Joining The Armed
Forces: How To Apply To
The Service Academies
• Competition for the Service
Academies is incredibly stiff.
• Applicants need to be high
school graduates, but cannot
have reached their 23rd
birthday.
• Many people start the application process during
their junior or senior year of high school.
photo courtesy of http://www.wkvi.com/local/congressman-donnelly-nominates-students-for-u-s-service-academies/

4. Joining The Armed
Forces: How To Apply To
The Service Academies
• In order to apply, most will need to be nominated by a
member of Congress.
• Applicants need to provide their ACT or SAT test scores
and high school transcripts. They’ll also need to show
leadership potential and show that they’re committed to
living a military lifestyle.
• Applicants also need to:
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 17, but younger than 23.
• Be unmarried, not pregnant and
without dependents.

5. Joining The Armed
Forces: How To Apply To
The Service Academies
• Children of career military
personnel can apply for an
appointment through a
Presidential or military service
nomination.
• After being nominated, the
actual application process starts.
• Before school begins, students will need to complete a
medical exam and pass a physical fitness test.

6. What If You’re Not
Ready For College?
• Some students will not be accepted into the U.S. Service
Academies, but will show aptitude for military service.
• These students may be able to attend a special
preparatory school. These schools include:
• The United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School
• The United States Military Academy Preparatory School
• The Naval Academy Preparatory School
• Georgia Military College (for the Coast Guard)
• Marion Military Institute (for the Coast Guard)
• New Mexico Military Institute (for the United States Merchant
Marine Academy)

7. Benefits Of The
Service Academies
• The Service Academies provide students with a
number of benefits, including:
• An education equivalent to one from an Ivy
League school.
• Free tuition, including room and board.
• A taxable pay, equivalent to 35% of the O-1, under
two year rate.
• A guaranteed job and commissioning as an O-1
upon graduation.

8. Duty
Requirements
• Although there is no cost for attending one of the
Service Academies, students will need to fulfill a duty
requirement.
• Graduates need to spend at least five years as an
active duty service member, plus an additional three
years as a reservist.
• Some officers, especially those who are going into
highly specialized careers such as aviation, will need
to complete additional duty requirements.

9. How To Get
Started
• If you think that you’re interested in joining the
Armed Forces through one of the Service
Academies, it’s vital that you start early.
• Students should take their high school career
seriously, especially advanced placement classes and
leadership opportunities.
• It takes hard work and dedication to have the
military pay for college through one of the Service
Academies, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

10. About
USMILITARY.com
• USMilitary.com is an online resource that’s available
to help anyone who’s searching for a job in the
military.
• The website has an extensive library of information,
including information on the Army, the Air Force, the
Coast Guard, the Navy and the Marine Corps.
• To receive a free 2012 guide to the G.I. Bill, or to
learn more about the U.S. Military please visit http://
www.usmilitary.com/.