US Air Force Academy

One of the top universities in the country; develops outstanding leaders & officers of character who exemplify courage, dedication & a desire to serve others as they make a difference in the Air Force, Space Force and the world; full 4-year program at no cost to Cadets

Commitment to serve your country required; Applicant must secure a nomination; 12.4% acceptance rate; offers a preparatory school for candidates not currently qualified; September 15 deadline

US Coast Guard Academy

Ranked among the nation’s most prestigious & selective institutions of higher learning; on a waterfront campus & on the seas, develop the skills, character & commitment to lead in one of the most adventurous & rewarding pursuits ever; full 4-year program at no cost to Cadets

Commitment to serve your country required; 13% acceptance rate; October 15 early action deadline

US Military Academy at West Point

A top-tier education, unparalleled support, friendships that last a lifetime, and experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere - all at the world's premier leader development institution; full 4-year program at no cost to Cadets

Commitment to serve your country required; Applicant must secure a nomination; 12.4% acceptance rate; offers a preparatory school for candidates not currently qualified; applicant submissions accepted February - January

US Naval Academy

Undergraduate college of our country’s naval service; prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, & compassion in the U.S. Navy & Marine Corps; Naval Academy students are midshipmen on active duty in the U.S. Navy; full 4-year program at no cost to midshipmen

Commitment to serve your country required; Applicant must secure a nomination; 8.4% acceptance rate; offers a preparatory school for candidates not currently qualified; January 31 deadline

US Merchant Marine Academy

A federal service academy that educates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, & economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces; full 4-year program at no cost to Cadets

Commitment to serve your country is required. Applicant must secure a nomination; 25.2% acceptance rate; February 1 deadline

ROTC Programs in the United States & Territories

Many colleges & universities including community colleges have ROTC programs with various tuition assistance & scholarship opportunities

Commitment to serve your country required upon completion; each entity has its own set of scholarships & criteria within the ROTC concepts & other non-ROTC parameters; 2,3, & 4 yr scholarships available; to get started, check out individual services' websites - US Air Force, US Army, US Navy; program includes National Guard & Reserves

US Air Force ROTC (AFROTC)

Develops leaders of tomorrow who will go on to fulfill the Air Force MISSION, represent our CORE VALUES & live up to the rich HISTORY of Air Force ROTC; become an Airmen or a Guardian

Commitment to serve your country required upon completion; scholarships available for high school students, current college students & enlisted airmen

US Army ROTC

Scholarships & stipends help you focus on what’s important - namely, getting that college degree — not how you’ll pay for it; become a Soldier

Commitment to serve your country required upon completion; scholarships available for college-bound high school students or students already attending a college or university; scholarships awarded based on a student's merit & grades, not financial need

US Navy ROTC (NROTC)

Educate & train qualified young men & women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy's unrestricted line communities, the Navy Nurse Corps & the Marine Corps; prepares mature young men & women for leadership & management positions in an increasingly technical Navy & Marine Corps; become a Sailor or a Marine

Commitment to serve your country required upon completion; for qualified students who graduate from high school before August 1 of the year they intend to start college; awards scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process; upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps

US Air Force Enlisted Airman

Get hands-on training to grow in an integral role to our defense & opportunities to earn a degree & lead others along the way

Apply through an Air Force recruiter via your local recruitment office over the telephone or online; once confirmed to meet all requirements, you’ll be moved into testing

US Space Force Enlisted Guardian

ONE MISSION. MANY PATHS TO SUCCESS. Shape the future of space operations from coordinating communication across all military branches to defending satellites - each can make a global impact - & only evolving from here

Apply through an Air Force recruiter via telephone, your local recruitment office or our website; Once confirmed to meet all qualifications, you’ll work with the recruiter to be processed into testing

US Army Enlisted Soldier

Here to guide you at every step; Army recruiters help you find the right career & ensure you’re set up for success in all that you do

Army recruiters focus on finding motivated candidates who are passionate about military service & qualified to fill important positions; will help you understand all aspects of Army service so that you’re able to make the right decision for you; direct line 1-888-550-ARMY (2769) - English and Spanish speaking - helps you locate a recruiting office near you

US Coast Guard Servicemember

Work with passionate individuals who share a drive to save lives, serve others & your country, & shield our nation from threats; make the world a better place while setting yourself up for a bright future

Have several enlistment incentive programs but change frequently so check with a recruiter; online find a map & list of Coast Guard recruiting offices near you, including street addresses, phone numbers, & email addresses on line

US Marines Enlisted Marine

Join a family that fights together, finding individual purpose in a collective cause—the protection of our Nation & the advancement of its ideals; side by side, welcome obstacles & thrive on challenge; stand as a vital part of a united force, greater than any individual, more fulfilled than ever before

Text to MARINE (627463) to chat 7a-11p ET / 7 days a week to learn physical, mental, & moral requirements that must be met before you enlist as a Marine

US Navy Enlisted Sailor

Make your job one the world notices; help preserve the peace, respond in crisis, &  win decisively in war; operate far forward, around the world & around the clock, from the seabed to space, in cyberspace, & in the information environment to promote our Nation's prosperity & security, deter aggression, & provide options to our nation's leaders; deliver power for peace, but  always postured & ready to fight & win as part of the Joint Force & alongside our Allies & partners

Contact a recruiter or request more information for answers to basic questions about joining

California State University Maritime Academy

Located on a scenic waterfront campus & one of seven degree-granting maritime academies in the United States - the only one on the West Coast

Application submission opens August for Spring; Acceptance rate into this Academy is 82%

Virginia Military institute (VMI)

Ranked #5 in the nation for return on investment by Money Magazine; produces leaders and individuals whose daily lives reflect the integrity, fairness, and appreciation for the value of hard work that is instilled at the Institute; offers several types of scholarships

For high school seniors / first-year students, international students, & college transfer students; 63.9% acceptance rate; Applicant submissions accepted August - February

The Citadel

Commit to be challenged; join an extraordinary group of young individuals driven by a strong moral code & a desire to make a difference; become part of a team & together become resilient; form lifelong bonds that define who you are; learn to uphold standards & learn the value of accountability & integrity & in this process, realize that you are capable of more than you ever thought

Will determine if the student meets the requirements through a thorough evaluation of each applicant including an applicant’s character, maturity, motivation, readiness for college, amenability to a regimented lifestyle, emotional stability, & potential to contribute

Georgia Military College

Transforms students into authentic servant leaders & engaged citizens, grounded in civility and respect for others; Values Duty, Honor, & Love of Country; prepares graduates to make a difference in the world; scholarships available

Does NOT require commitment to serve your country; Out of-state-tuition the same as in-state tuition; 100% acceptance rate

Valley Forge Military College

Educates students within an academic & military environment to transfer to academically competitive four-year colleges, universities, or service academies; builds leaders of character – for the future, community, country, & world; Scholarship includes two years full tuition & stipend & offers a grant for room & board

Through the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program, become a second lieutenant at the end of your sophomore year, a rare and prestigious opportunity; many cadets go on to complete their Bachelor’s degree at top tier universities; 85% acceptance rate; accepts applications on an ongoing basis for January or September enrollment

New Mexico Military Institute

Is a globally recognized, secondary & post-secondary learning institution for young men & women; instills excellence in leadership, academIics, & physical development within a structured environment empowering students to thrive in a dynamic world; nearly $1.2 million in scholarships given annually

Known as “the West Point of the West;" enrolls cadets at the junior college and high school levels; 41% acceptance rate; mid-December deadline for Spring (January); mid-July deadline for Fall (August)

Marion Military Institute

A two-year public institution of higher learning; educates & develops cadets as future leaders through an immersive experiential military environment which integrates intellectual, leadership, character & physical development in order to prepare for success in four-year colleges, U.S. service academies, & in military & civilian careers; scholarships available

Awards Associate in Science & Associate in Arts degrees; has an aviation focused curriculum; 55.9% acceptance rate

Norwich University

GO FAR. GO FURTHER. GO BEYOND. A community that believes trying is an act of bravery; learning comes from struggling; and succeeding is going beyond what you thought possible; ignite your sense of purpose & push yourself to become a greater version of yourself

Educates military and civilian leaders; Start your transformational educational journey; be motivated to achieve your goals; be inspired to reach even further; choose from a wide range of programs both on-campus & online