MILITARY OFFICER CAREER
INFORMATION PACKET
FOR
MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES
AND
ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS
Dear Student,
Thank you for your interest in becoming a military officer. The purpose of this information packet is to provide you with the initial information needed to begin your quest. Although the scope of this packet can by no means include all the information you will require to make a program decision, the packet will at least provide you with some sources to continue your program research.
Before I start, I feel it is important to provide some basic information about military officers and the various officer programs. Military officers are the commanders, leaders, managers, and directors of our military. The military creates officer through four commissioning programs—Service Academies, Reserve Officer Training Corps programs (ROTC), National Guard/Reserve and Officer Candidate School (OCS). The latter, OCS, requires an individual to have a college degree and pass an aptitude test before the individual can apply for program
consideration. Since this packet is directed towards high school and college students who are looking for education options for their college degree, I will not cover OCS programs in this packet.
SERVICE ACADEMIES COMMISSIONS
Service Academies are generally the smallest commissioning source for all branches of the service. Often thought of as premier commissioning programs for the military, they provide recipients a fully funded education program including tuition, text books, lab fees, boarding, meals, uniforms, and a salary. There are five service academies in all. The Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Merchant Marine Academy all fall under the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard Academy is the only academy that falls under a separate cabinet position—it falls under the Department of Homeland Defense. Since these institutions are military institutions you are in the military 24/7 while attending. Upon graduation from one of the Service Academies, members are commissioned as a second lieutenant/ensign in that particular branch of the service. Service commitment requirements are a minimum of 5 years after graduation and can be longer depending on a selection into certain specialty career fields.
In applying to Service Academies that fall under the Department of Defense it is important to understand a few terms. The first is called a “nomination”. Nominations can be thought of as political invitations to possibly attend a Service Academy. An applicant must write a letter to the various congressional sources requesting consideration for a nomination (see attached sample letter and refer to a Service Academy catalog for guidance). The next term is an “appointment”. An appointment means you have been accepted to attend a particular Service Academy. Most important, an individual must have a nomination in order to receive an appointment* (see note). The final term to understand is the “letter of assurance”. The letter of assurance is a conditional appointment offer, by the particular Service Academy, providing the individual meets all the admission requirements and receives a nomination to the particular academy. Therefore, applying to Service Academies, with the exception of the Coast Guard Academy, is a two-step process—applying for the congressional nomination and applying to the institution.
ROTC COMMISSIONS
ROTC programs are the largest commissioning source for the military and offer the most flexibility. Offered at college campuses all across the country, one can generally find an ROTC program at any state
universities and most large private colleges/universities. Generally, a student participates in ROTC classes/activities one day a week in conjunction with a normal class schedule. In addition to the academic year participation, ROTC members are required to conduct some summer training in order to complete training/commissioning requirements. ROTC is offered through the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Basically, ROTC members are part time military participants until graduation and the acceptance of their commission. There is no requirement for an individual to have participated in Junior ROTC in order to become an ROTC member at the college level. Members who graduate from ROTC programs receive a commission as a second lieutenant/ensign, however commissioning could be up to one year after graduation depending on manning needs for the military. Graduates from ROTC have a minimum 4-year service commitment once they receive their commission. Like all programs, the service
commitment may be longer depending on career field selection.
ROTC offers college scholarships/tuition assistance in two basic forms—scholarships for graduating high school students and in college scholarships for participating ROTC members. ROTC scholarships for high school students vary from 2-4 years and cover tuition, books, and lab fees. Dollar amounts vary as well from a few thousand dollars per year to unlimited depending on tuition cost. Although ROTC does not cover boarding cost, some colleges/university offer additional scholarships incentives towards boarding for individuals who receive ROTC scholarships (check with the institution to determine extra incentive offers). In the event a high school individual applies and fails to receive a scholarship there is nothing that precludes the individual from enrolling in ROTC at a participating college/university and applying for scholarships through the in college scholarship program.
GUARD/RESERVE COMMISSIONS
Since guard and reserve units attain the majority of their officers from those leaving active duty, commissioning opportunities are relatively limited for high school and college students. Most guard and reserve units do have programs available separate from the active duty for commissioning officers. Although these programs vary greatly from unit to unit, many take the form of enlisting in the unit and participating in the monthly drill requirements in exchange for some tuition assistance. Once the member has completed a degree they are sent for additional officer training in order to receive a commission in the guard/reserves. This approach is very similar to the Officer Candidate School program offered by the active duty with the exception that the member is already attached with a specific unit. It is important to note that under this guard/reserve approach the member is enlisted during his time spent at college and is subject to all the training and requirements of an enlisted individual to include possible mobilization/deployment if the unit is called upon for duty.
Both the guard and reserves have recruiters separate from each other and the active duty. Since recruiters often approach with a “pressure sales approach” it is important to talk with a recruiter specific to the guard or reserves in order to attain accurate information about guard/reserve commissioning opportunities. Applications are generally done through the individual units based on the unit’s manpower needs.
Before closing, I would like to make some general suggestions and recommendations to help with your success:
- Meet with your admissions liaison officer and advise your guidance counselor of your career desires—start early!
- If you intend on going to college out of high school and have prepared yourself for college, then by all means GO TO COLLEGE! Do not except a delayed enlistment program with the promise of giving you college money later.
- Apply to all military officer-commissioning programs. There is no commitment to apply! Keep all of your education opportunities open. Prep School offers can be generated from applying to Service Academies and are affiliated with a specific Service Academy. Prep School offers almost insure the individual will be attending the affiliated Service Academy the following year.
- Get organized! Create files on all the programs you are applying for and keep track of application deadlines.
- Take the ACT and SAT college board test as many times as you can afford too and begin a practice program to help you achieve the highest scores possible.
- Get involved with community service, leadership building, and organized athletic programs.
- Create a nice typed resume’ including all of your extra curricular activities, work experience, leadership attributes, community service, athletic, and academic accomplishments.
- Begin a regular exercise program (weight training, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and running).
- Research each program carefully and when making a final selection choose the program that best fits your educational and career goals. Look beyond just the educational benefits a program offers and be sure you are comfortable with the service commitment you will incur upon graduation.
The application process to the various programs can be very long and involved; however, the rewards are well worth it! I wish you the best of luck in attaining your goals and dreams.
SAMPLE LETTER FOR REQUESTING
CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATIONS
(Each applicant should request a nomination from their U.S. Congressman, both U.S. Senators,
and the Vice President)
Date
Honorable (name of appropriate authority)
(Address of appropriate authority)
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (name) OR Dear Senator (name) OR Mr. Vice President
I want to attend a Service Academy and serve as an officer in the military. The (appropriate academy) is
my first choice of service academies to attend. My remaining order of preference for service academies is
as follows: (list remaining service academies in order of preference)
My pertinent data is:
Name (print as recorded on birth certificate or court order if name has changed):
Social Security Number:
Permanent address (street, city, state, and zip code):
Temporary address (if applicable):
Permanent phone number to include area code:
Temporary phone number (if applicable):
Name of father:
Name of mother:
Date and place of birth (spell out month):
Name and complete address of High School:
Date of graduation:
Approximate grade point average (GPA), rank-in-class and PSAT, PACT/PLAN, ATP (SAT), and ACT
if you have taken these test. Include verbal and math scores for the PSAT and ATP (SAT) tests, the
composite for the PLAN, and English, reading, math, and science reasoning scores for the ACT test.
Extracurricular activities:
Reasons for wanting to attend a service academy and particularly your first preference choice:
Thank you for considering me as one of your nominees for a service academy. I look forward to hearing
from your office soon.
Sincerely
Signature
(Note: After congressional sources receive this letter they will send the applicant a nomination
application packet.)
TIME LINE/CHECKLIST FOR SERVICE ACADEMIES AND ROTC SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS
TIME PERIOD ACTION REQUIRED COMPLETION DATE
Spring of Sophomore year - Contact your admissions Liaison Officer _____________ Through Junior year - Familiarize yourself with academy catalogs
And program web sites _____________ - Take ACT & SAT test as often as possible _____________ (Starting spring of Sophomore year)
- Apply for summer seminar leadership programs _____________ At all service academies (fall Junior year)
- Send congressional nomination request letters _____________ (Spring of Junior year)
- Request applications to all service academies _____________ (Spring of Junior year)
Summer before senior year - Request ROTC scholarship applications _____________ - Complete congressional nomination packets by _____________ 15 Sep. of senior year. (nomination not required
for Coast Guard Academy).
- Participate in summer program at service academies if _____________ selected
- Receive complete application/candidate kits from _____________ From all service academies.
- Begin an exercise regiment if not already in progress _____________
Fall of senior year - Complete/return all information in application kits _____________ For ROTC Scholarships and Service Academies.
- Try and visit the service academies and schools of _____________ interest offering ROTC.
- Continue taking ACT and SAT test _____________ - Prepare for congressional nomination interviews _____________ - Schedule and complete medical exam _____________ - Schedule and complete candidate/ROTC fitness test _____________ - Interview with congressional panels for nomination _____________ consideration.
- Congressional nominations are announced (late Nov. _____________
to middle Dec.)
Winter of senior year - Schedule and conduct interview with liaison officer/ _____________ program evaluation official.
- Continue exercise program for basic training _____________ - Continue updating admissions data/test scores _____________ until final program deadline.
Spring of senior year - Academy appointments/ROTC scholarships are offered _____________ - Prep School offers are awarded (awarded through the _____________ admissions offices of the service academies
- Visit service academy or ROTC program prior to ____________ making final program decision.
- Return letters of acceptance (you may accept an ROTC _____________ scholarship and later decline it for service academy)
- Continue exercise program for basic training/program _____________ entry
HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM PLANNING GUIDE FOR SERVICE ACADEMIES AND
ROTC PROGRAMS
Freshman Year
Junior Year
English/Literature English Composition/Literature
Government U.S. History
Algebra Algebra II/Trigonometry
Geography Chemistry
Earth/Natural Sciences Additional Computer Skills
Typing Foreign Language (level II)
Basic Economics
Sophomore Year
Senior Year
English/Literature College Prep English/Literature World History/Social Studies Political Science/World Politics
Geometry Analytical Geometry/Pre Calculus/Calculus Biology Chemistry II
Basic Computer Skills Physics
Foreign Language Advanced Computer Skills Foreign Language (level III)
Students should involve themselves in athletic programs/organized sports programs though out their high school years. Students should also participate in leadership development programs and community service programs. The following is a list of some leadership/community service programs available to students.
Boy Scouts of America Girl Scouts of America Civil Air Patrol Explorers 4-H clubs
Future Farmers of America
Student Council/Student Government Junior Achievement
Local Church Groups Boys/Girls State Junior ROTC
Sports Camps/Youth Instruction Volunteer State Park and Recreation Volunteer YMCA Programs
Hospital/Senior Center Volunteer Crisis/Charity Organization Volunteer
MILITARY OFFICER PROGRAM ADDRESSES/WEB SITES
United States Air Force Academy Army ROTC 4 year online scholarship site HQ USAFA/RRS www.goarmy.com/rotc/high_school_students.jsp
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200 USAFA, CO. 80840-5025
1800-443-9266 or 719-333-2520
www.academyadmissions.com
United States Military Academy, West Point
Director of Admissions 600 Thayer Road West Point, N.Y. 10996-9902 914-938-4041
914-938-4042
United States Naval Academy Candidate Guidance Office 117 Decatur Road
Annapolis, Md. 21402-5018 1-800-638-9156 or 410-293-4361
www.usna.edu
United States Merchant Marine Academy
www.usmma.edu
United States Coast Guard Academy Navy and Marine Corps ROTC Director of Admissions College Scholarship Program
New London, CT. 06320-9807 Navy Recruiting Command, Code 314
203-444-8501 801 N. Randolf Street
www.cga.edu Arlington, VA. 22203-9933
1-800-831-1014 x306 www.NAVYJOBS.com
Headquarters Air Force ROTC/RROO Department of the Army 551 E. Maxwell Blvd., Bldg. 500 HQ ROTC Cadet Command Maxwell AFB, AL. 36112-6106 Fort Monroe, VA. 23651-5238
www.afrotc.com www.army.mil
Air Force Guard/Reserves Navy Reserves
www.GOANG.com www.navalreserves.com
www.AFReserve.com
Army Guard