Military

MILITARY 

Military service is a wonderful option for career preparation. The various branches of the armed services compete with industry, colleges, trade and technical schools for recruits. (See Appendix 4)

I. Young people are attracted to the military for various reasons including:

• a sense of civic duty and service for our country 
• travel 
• the need for employment 
• occupational training 
• educational opportunities 

II. The Armed Forces consists of 4 major branches

• Army
• Navy 
• Air Force 
• Marines (there is also the Coast Guard and the Air National Guard/Reserve) 

III. Each branch of the military has its own mission and character, its own incentives, bonuses and recruitment strategy. All service branches require: 

• high school diploma for Tier I applicants. Some high schools do not fall under the Tier I category. Check with your recruiter to see if your high school is a Tier I or Tier II school. Tier II includes GED or some college credits with limited spaces for this category. 
• aptitude tests 
• physical exams/drug screening/criminal background check 
• the need for recruits in the area in which the enlistee has applied 
• ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test IV. Most active-duty programs range from 3 to 6 years. Enlistments are typically 3 to 4 year commitments. People who join the reserves are on active duty through basic training and job training. 

V. The number one purpose of the military is to defend the United States of America, not to provide education and training. 

There are some full-time educational programs that include full pay, allowances, tuition and/or related fees. Some programs allow enlisted personnel to take college courses that, together with additional military training, enable them to become commissioned officers. Apprenticeship programs are structured into Army, Navy and Marine training programs. Armed services enlistees train in the mechanical and technical areas. Apprenticeship accreditation can cross over to the civilian world of work. The ROTC is one such program that offers scholarships for students in college to take specified courses. 

• The 4-year program leads to an entry-level commission and bachelor degree. 
• ROTC scholarships pay tuition, required fees, textbooks and provide an allowance for each month a student is academically enrolled.

Senior Handbook 2015-16 

School Counseling Department