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HONOR, DUTY & JOB SKILLS:
WHAT THE MILITARY CAN PROVIDE
While some find satisfying, lifelong careers in the military, others
fulfill their service commitment (which varies), and then pursue
opportunities outside the military. Because almost every member of
the military leaves with enhanced time-management, organization,
self-discipline and leadership skills, not to mention the job-specific
training they receive, most are extremely well-prepared for the job
market and finding employment can be much easier. There is, of
course, a price for all of this character building and expertise. All service members sign a contract that commits them to a term of service.
PPP
“THERE’S NO MORE HONORABLE PROFESSION THAN
SERVING YOUR NATION, AND WE ARE SEARCHING
FOR LEADERS. THAT’S WHAT THE CIVILIAN WORLD,
COMPANIES, BUSINESSES, ETC. ARE LOOKING FOR
TOO, SO THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF CAREER OPTIONS
AVAILABLE.” - LT. COL. BRYON L. BONNELL,
PROFESSOR OF MILITARY SCIENCE FOR ARMY ROTC AT AUM
YES SIR!
THE ROAD TO MILITARY OFFICER
For students interested in becoming an officer in a branch of the
armed forces, there are several different paths. One is being admitted
to and graduating from one of the four Federal service academies
(Military, Naval, Air Force and Coast Guard) that all provide a
four-year bachelor of science degree. Entrance to these academies
is highly selective, and all applicants must first be nominated by an
“authorized source,” which is usually a member of Congress.
Another is through Officer Candidate School or Officer Training
School, which offers college graduates the chance to earn a commission in the a branch of the military after successfully completing a
weeks-long, rigorous program of academic, leadership and physical
training.
The ROTC program offered at many colleges and universities and
explained below is another option.
ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS
Participants in Army, Navy and Marine Corps or Air Force ROTC
(Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs combine their regular
college classes with three to five hours of military instruction each
week. In addition to providing a monthly allowance in the participants’ junior and senior years, ROTC programs also offer two-,
three- and four-year full-tuition scholarships, with some covering
textbooks and other supplies as well. These scholarships are based
on merit, not need, and scholarship recipients receive a monthly
living expense allowance beginning in their first year. Regardless of
scholarship status, every ROTC member serves as an officer on active duty for a specific period after graduation, while select members
can choose to serve in the Reserves or National Guard. For more
information, visit www.todaysmilitary.com/ROTC or talk to your
teen’s guidance counselor.
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AMERICA’S
ARMED
FORCES 101
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FOUR BRANCHES OF ACTIVE DUTY:
Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines
AIR NATIONAL GUARD AND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
Composed of men and women serving on reserve duty.
COAST GUARD: under the umbrella of the Department of
Homeland Security.
IN ALL BRANCHES, SERVICE IS DIVIDED BETWEEN
ENLISTED AND OFFICER CAREERS.
Enlisted personnel have, but are not limited to, the following
military careers:
Administrative
Combat specialty
Construction personnel
Electronic and electrical equipment repair
Engineering, science, and technical
Healthcare
Human resources
Machine operator and production
Vehicle and machinery mechanical
Officers have, but are not limited to, the following military
careers:
Combat specialty
Engineering, science and technical
Executive, administrative and managerial
Healthcare
Human resources
Media and public affairs
Protective service
The U.S. Military Want ́e