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They want to better themselves and make the world a better place. Few forms of higher education achieve these objectives more effectively than military schools.
Military schools come in various forms, including high schools, junior colleges, and graduate-only schools with a military focus. In this piece, we’ll be giving you a detailed breakdown of various military schools in the United States.
What are Military Academies?
The military provides unique educational opportunities for students planning to pursue a college education. These options, which include service academies, senior military colleges, and maritime academies, provide world-class education and a deeper understanding of military culture. Furthermore, some schools offer full tuition in exchange for a period of service.
These academies can provide education aligned with learners’ educational and professional goals, including college preparation for high school students. Most military colleges offer traditional degree programs with a military-influenced leadership training component, often provided through Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. In addition, many schools, such as maritime colleges, provide programs relevant to specific military branches, while others take a more general approach.
Let’s get into detail about some of the top military schools and academies in the United States;
Federal Service Military Academies in The US
Federal military academies offer learners comprehensive postsecondary education and leadership training. Graduates agree to serve in the military after completing their training in exchange for a four-year degree paid for by the government. In addition, enrollees typically receive free room and board while studying. Postgraduate obligations usually require five years of service.
Students can attend one of five federal military academies, each representing a branch of the armed forces. While most graduates join the parent organization of their Academy, they can also serve in other military units. These academies have stringent admission requirements to enroll only the best candidates. Enrollees who still need to complete their education or service requirements are usually required to repay their tuition to the government.
The application procedures and admission requirements for the five federal military academies differ. Applicants must have outstanding academic credentials, physical abilities, and leadership qualities. Enrollees receive regular military training and preparation in addition to academic training. More information on the five federal military academies can be found below.
Federal military academies provide full-ride scholarships to students who commit to postgraduate service, whereas most private and public military academies do not require students to achieve military service. Here they are;
United States Military Academy (West Point, New York)
The United States Military Academy, the country’s most famous and difficult military school, has trained American soldiers for over two centuries.
President Thomas Jefferson founded the Military Academy in 1802 to train Army officers on a historic campus.
The US Military Academy is one of the most prestigious military schools in the country, and most successful applicants require a nomination from a sitting member of Congress, the president, or the vice president.
The program is well-known for its high standards, which is why only about 1,000 of the 1,300 cadets accepted each year graduate.
It’s no surprise that the Military Academy has some unique traditions, given its long history.
One such custom is the rotation of the spurs on a bronze statue of Union General John Sedgwick. According to legend, failing students visit the statue in full-dress parade uniform and spin the spurs at midnight, ensuring that they will pass their exams the following day.
United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)
The United States Naval Academy, founded in 1845, is the country’s second-oldest service academy.
It exists to train officers for the United States Navy or Marine Corps by providing rigorous academic and military training.
The US Naval Academy, like the other top four service academies, is extremely competitive. A sitting member of Congress must nominate most candidates, and each member is limited to nominating a small number of potential candidates each year.
Cadets receive a scholarship covering tuition, room and board, and a stipend in exchange for a five-year service commitment.
But make no mistake: it isn’t easy to work. Cadets must go through the “Plebe Summer” during their first year. The rigorous seven-week program is a mentally and physically taxing crash course in military life designed to break bad habits.
United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Anyone interested in joining the newest armed forces branch should consider attending the United States Air Force Academy. Air Force Academy graduates are commissioned in either the Air Force or the Space Force.
The Air Force Academy, as a highly competitive military school, admits only a few cadets from each Congressional district.
The Air Force pays for their tuition, room and board, and a monthly stipend for those who are accepted. The funding is contingent on a commitment to serve in the Air Force or Space Force for at least five years.
In addition to the standard academic and military training one would expect from such a school, the Air Force Academy’s Cyber Competition team prepares students for new forms of defense. The team competes in scenarios against those from other armed forces academies.
United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut)
Those who wish to join the Coast Guard branch of the United States military can receive the most comprehensive training at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Students gain hands-on experience at the Academy, learning the skills needed to succeed in their service. After graduation, cadets are commissioned as Coast Guard ensigns and must serve on active duty for at least five years.
The Coast Guard Academy has amassed its fair share of traditions over its 150-year history.
One such custom is “hiding the chain,” in which freshmen cadets take and conceal the historic chain links displayed outside the cadet library.
During the homecoming football game, junior cadets try to find the hidden chains before halftime, or else the freshmen gain some upper-classman privileges.
Also read: military colleges in Georgia
United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, New York)
Cadets who graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy receive a bachelor of science degree, an unlimited merchant marine officer license in the United States Coast Guard, and a commission as an ensign in either the United States Navy Reserve strategic sealift officer program or active duty for the United States Navy or Coast Guard.
Some graduates may even be able to join the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, or Space Force as a 2nd lieutenant.
Such prestigious honors do not come cheap. Graduates must pledge to serve in a variety of capacities. While this can include civilian work, such as sailing in the Merchant Marine, everyone must keep their commission in the United States Navy for at least eight years.
Approximately one-third of the school’s graduates join the armed forces as active-duty commissioned officers, most frequently in the Navy. Due to their training, these graduates become submarine officers, naval flight officers, and even SEALs.
Senior Military Colleges in the US
Senior military colleges in the United States provide higher education and military training through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. SMCs are among the most prestigious educational institutions in the country, and they have several advantages over ROTC units at other colleges and universities. Some of them are;
Norwich University (Northfield, Vermont; the four-year private university)
Norwich University—The Military College of Vermont—is the United States’ oldest private military college. This private university in Northfield, Vermont, was founded in 1819 and is the oldest of the six major senior military colleges. This university is also known as the “Birthplace of ROTC” by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Non-commissioned officers and cadet officers command the Corps of Cadets. They are responsible for the Corps’ overall operation, administration, training, and discipline. Because they are officially recognized as a military college, eligible ROTC graduates may apply for active duty service if they so desire.
By 2018, the Corps had been transformed into a regiment led by a cadet colonel. It consists of five battalions, each led by a cadet lieutenant colonel, with the Headquarters company led by a cadet major.
This military college also has various special units managed by federal ROTC units. The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is another special unit that houses the Norwich Artillery Battery, the Ranger Challenge team, the Norwich Ranger Company, and the Mountain Cold Weather Company.
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (Charleston, South Carolina; four-year public college)
This public college in Charleston, South Carolina, popularly known as the Citadel, was founded in 1842 and is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States. This university has 18 academic departments, 23 majors, and 38 minors.
The military component of the Citadel student body is the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. This is the school’s only residential, full-time undergraduate program, with approximately 2,300 students, making it one of the largest uniformed bodies in the United States. It combines physical challenges, academics, and military discipline, and all members must participate in the ROTC program at their school.
Cadets in the class system must go through a four-year structure to determine their eligibility for leadership positions. All cadets can also participate in school activities such as varsity sports, the newspaper, and other programs that help each Cadet’s military, academic, ethical/spiritual, and physical growth.
They also should strictly abide by the Honor Code that states, “A Cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Furthermore, the Cadet system is run by a cadet Honor Court, which handles trials and investigations and, when necessary, recommends sanctions.
Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas; four-year public university)
The Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, the school’s oldest student organization and a designation that makes the University the nation’s largest senior military college, is part of its service to those students.
Corps of Cadets members participate in the ROTC program for the first three semesters, with the option to continue in later years. In addition, students in the School of Military Science take leadership classes.
The school offers several special units where cadets can participate within the Corps.
The Ross Volunteer Company, the official Honor Guard for the Texas Governor, is the state’s oldest student organization. Every year, 72 new cadets are added to the ranks, selected from a pool of juniors and seniors based on their honor, humility, and character.
University of North Georgia (Dahlonega, Georgia; the four-year public university)
The University of North Georgia (UNG) is a public senior military college in Georgia with multiple campuses. It is a part of Georgia’s University System. North Georgia College & State University (founded in 1873) and Gainesville State College merged to form the university on January 8, 2013. (founded 1964). Dahlonega, Oakwood (Gainesville Campus), Watkinsville (Oconee Campus), Blue Ridge, and Cumming are among the campus locations.
The University of North Georgia is Georgia’s sixth-largest public university, with nearly 20,000 students enrolled. UNG has five colleges that offer over a hundred bachelor’s and associate degrees, thirteen master’s degrees, and one doctorate.
Virginia Military Institute (Lexington, Virginia; four-year public college)
The Virginia Military Institute, dubbed “the West Point of the South” by Abraham Lincoln, was founded in 1839 and is the country’s oldest public sector senior military college.
VMI is a true military institute, enrolling only cadets and requiring them all to participate in the ROTC. Despite its strict military discipline, VMI offers degrees in various fields, including the liberal arts.
VMI has trained recipients of some of the world’s highest honors over the years. Its alumni include seven Medal of Honor recipients, thirteen Rhodes Scholars, and numerous officers and public office holders.
George C. Marshall graduated from VMI in 1901 and became Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State before winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.
Frank McCarthy, a 1933 graduate, was not only the war department’s secretary of general staff during WWII but also a film producer who won an Oscar for the 1970 film Patton.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, Virginia; the four-year public university)
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s military component, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, has existed since the school’s inception.
In addition to a track designed for cadets planning to enter the civilian sector, the Corps offers a military leader track for those enrolled in ROTC programs.
Military-leadership graduates are eligible for Marines, Air Force, Navy, or Army commissions. The ROTC program cadets receive a scholarship covering tuition and fees and a monthly stipend.
Although cadets are integrated into the Virginia Tech student body and participate in the same activities as any other student, they also participate in various additional exercises. Cadets participate in the Caldwell March every year, starting with a 13-mile run in the fall and another in the spring.
To this day, the cadet corps has four female commanding officers, and at least 20% of the Corps’ female population holds key positions.
Junior Military Colleges in the US
Junior military colleges offer associate degrees and military and leadership training, though some may also offer bachelor’s programs. Students typically attend these schools for two years and are not required to perform postgraduate service.
Junior military college students frequently pursue traditional financial aid options. Most junior colleges offer branch-specific ROTC training in the Air Force, Army, and Navy for graduates who want to serve in the military. Students who wish to serve in another branch after graduation can do so.
Programs and admission requirements differ by school, but most junior colleges have open admission policies. Applicants must generally have a high school diploma or GED certificate; some schools require SAT or ACT scores. These programs typically combine traditional associate degree coursework with leadership and character-building training.
Georgia Military College (Milledgeville, Georgia)
Georgia is the only state with both a junior and senior military college. A junior college, military junior college, high school, and middle school are all part of the military-focused institution. The Georgia Military College is state-funded but not part of the University System of Georgia.
The main facility is located on Georgia’s former state capitol site. The main campus accommodates about 250 full-time students and resident ROTC Cadets. Over a thousand students commute daily to the small campus to study.
Georgia Military College is one of four U.S. military junior colleges participating in the Army Early Commissioning Program. Students who complete the two-year program are commissioned as officers in the United States Army.
After completing a two-year program, students can apply for a transfer scholarship to the state’s senior military college, the University of North Georgia, to pursue a four-year degree (UNG).
Marion Military Institute (Marion, Alabama)
The historic institution was founded in the middle of the nineteenth century, making it the oldest military junior college in the United States. It is also one of only four military junior colleges in the United States. Marion is highly selective, with only 400 full-time students. MMI offers the Army’s Early Commissioning Program (ECP) and the Reserve Officers Training Corps program.
After only two years of college, qualified cadets can earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant. Students may also be interested in the Service Academy Program (SAP), which prepares students to attend one of the primary service academies in the United States.
Finally, students should consider the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) or the first two years of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Several important United States Armed Forces generals and other distinguished alumni have attended the Marion Military Institute.
New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell, New Mexico)
The legendary Roswell, New Mexico, is home to the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI).
Nearly 1,000 cadets attend the public military junior college at the high and junior college levels. It is the Western United States-only state-sponsored military college. Among the notable alumni are several members of the military who served at the highest levels.
NMMI is well-known for its rigorous academic and physical training regimen. The Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP) prepares students for officer ranks, while another hundred go on to one of the five major service academies in the United States.
“Duty, Honor, and Achievement” is the motto of the New Mexico Military Institute.
Valley Forge Military Academy and College (Wayne, Pennsylvania)
Valley Forge Military Academy and College (VFMAC) is a pricey but highly regarded military college located in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
“The Military College of Pennsylvania” requires cadets to pass a board exam and earn a “Capshield” before becoming an official member. All cadets must pass a board and earn a “Capshield” to be a member of the Corps of Cadets.
The Valley Forge Military Academy and College also serves as a private preparatory boarding school for grades 7 through 12. VRMAC adheres to the traditional military school format dictated by Army traditions. Graduates can choose to join the military or pursue a career elsewhere.
The Valley Forge Corps of Cadets is unique in its run entirely by students. Furthermore, VRMAC is the only American military organization that has kept British rank, drill, customs, and ceremonies.
The Corps of Cadets is also the only program in the United States with a traditionally mounted battalion consisting of one cavalry troop and one artillery battery.
Click here to learn more about the school.
State-supported Maritime Colleges and Universities
Maritime colleges operate similarly to senior military colleges but focus on maritime education and careers. Students can earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in shipping and transportation and participate in ROTC programs in various military branches. While some maritime colleges only provide Navy or Marine Corps pathways, others also provide ROTC programs for ground forces.
The programs typically focus on maritime-related studies, with leadership training and sea-term internships frequently incorporated into the curricula. Like other non-federal military colleges, Maritime Colleges do not provide government-funded tuition. Students can, however, apply for traditional financial aid or pursue commissioned pathways that may provide additional financial assistance. While few maritime college programs require postgraduate service, some may require service commitments, and others may require students to participate in volunteer service after graduation.
Admission requirements are typically consistent with those of other military colleges. A high school diploma or GED certificate, SAT or ACT scores, and professional letters of recommendation are typically required.
California State University Maritime Academy (part of the California State University system)
California Maritime Academy in Vallejo was ranked third on the 2015 list of Top Regional Colleges by U.S. News & World Report (West). The school is the only degree-granting maritime Academy on the West Coast and is a specialized campus within the California State University campus system.
Students at the Academy participate in a two-month summer training cruise on the Pacific Ocean, which provides them with hands-on experience and a global perspective on the economy and culture. The university provides bachelor’s degree programs and a Master of Transportation and Engineering Management degree.
Webb Institute of Technology
The Webb Institute of Engineering offers the most advanced marine engineering and technology professional course. The institute’s four-year engineering course has a well-crafted syllabus that allows students to gradually and efficiently absorb engineering concepts. If you want to study marine engineering, this is one of the institutes you should take advantage of.
Maine Maritime Academy, USA
Maine Maritime Academy is a public, coed college located on the coast of Castine. It is ranked first on Money magazine’s Best Public Colleges list and eighth on U.S. News & World Report’s Regional Colleges (North) list for 2015. Students can use laboratories, simulators, and research vessels as part of one of 18 undergraduate programs.
Two ships provide hands-on experience and cruises in marine biology and science. Many graduating students accept jobs with companies for which they previously worked as students through cooperative education programs.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, USA
In 2015, U.S. News & World Report ranked Massachusetts Marine Academy as the seventh-best regional college in the north. The Academy, located in Buzzards Bay, offers a sea term aboard a new, cutting-edge training ship that students operate under the supervision of faculty and staff.
The Massachusetts Marine Academy has seven academic departments, seven bachelor’s tracks, two master’s tracks, and several professional and continuing education programs.
State University of New York Maritime College (part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system)
The State University of New York Maritime College, located at Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck, New York, is the country’s oldest and largest maritime college. The four-year college provides an academic program and structured cadet training for men and women.
SUNY Maritime, ranked number 20 on the Regional Colleges (North) list by U.S. News & World Report in 2015 and a Top 25 Return on Investment school by Forbes in 2013, offers four bachelor’s degree programs and a Master of Science in international transportation management. After graduation, the school boasts a nearly 100% job placement rate.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy (part of the Texas A&M University System)
Texas A&M University is one of the best colleges in the United States for studying marine engineering and marine engineering technology. The institute offers interdisciplinary training in marine propulsion and maritime engineering. To provide its students with the best knowledge and training, the courses offer a perfect blend of marine and mechanical engineering.
Public Military Schools in America
There are practically unlimited distractions, temptations, and attractions to undesirable habits in typical public schools that can keep boys from ge