UW

Military and ROTC

  • Aside from attending a 2-year or 4-year college, students have the option of pursuing a career in the military.  Graduating Seniors may choose to enlist in a branch of the military, enroll in an ROTC program while going to college or enroll at one of the 5 military Academies

     

    Military Academies

    The service academies are a great option for students who know they want to pursue a college education and serve in the military. Graduates of the service academies receive a Bachelor of Science, are commissioned as officers in their branch, and are required to serve for a minimum of five years after graduation.

    There are five Service Academies, each dedicated to a different branch of the armed services:

    • US Military Academy (West Point, NY)
    • US Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD)
    • US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO)
    • US Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT)
    • US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY)

    Each option has its own set of enrollment procedures.  We suggest you "do your homework" and learn the process and the timeline for the one(s) in which you are most interested. 

    Academy admissions is VERY competitive and typically requires a nomination from a local assembly person, a senator or the Vice President of the US.  Congressional Nominations for the Military Academy: Contra Costa County.

     

    ROTC

    The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military.  In exchange for a paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, participants, or cadets, commit to serve in the Military after graduation. Each Service branch has its own take on ROTC.

     

    Army - Army ROTC is one of the most demanding and successful leadership programs in the country. The training a student receives in Army ROTC provides leadership development, military skills and career training. Courses take place both in the classroom and in the field, and are mixed with normal academic studies. Additional summer programs, such as Jump School, may also be attended. Upon completion, an Army ROTC graduate is commissioned as an officer in the Army.

     

    Navy and Marine Corp: As the single largest source of Navy officers, the Navy ROTC program plays an important role in preparing young adults for leadership and management positions in the increasingly technical Navy. Offered at 77 leading colleges and universities throughout the United States, Navy ROTC offers a mixture of military training and normal academic study. Courses take place both in the classroom and in the field. Upon completion, an NROTC graduate is commissioned as an officer and has the ability to choose an officer career in surface warfare, naval aviation, submarine warfare or special warfare.

     

    Aspiring Marine Corps officers can also participate in Navy ROTC. The ROTC academic curriculum for a Marine Corps–option student requires classes in national security policy and the history of American military affairs, in addition to the regular academic requirements for the student's degree.

     

    Air Force: The Air Force ROTC mission is to produce leaders for the Air Force and build better citizens for America. The program is offered at more than 1,100 college and university campuses throughout the United States.

     

    Air Force ROTC offers a four-year program and a three-year program, both based on Air Force requirements and led by active-duty Air Force officers. Courses are a mix of normal college classes and the Air Force ROTC curriculum, which covers everything from leadership studies to combat technique. Upon completion, a student enters the Air Force as an officer. Contact: - 2nd Lt. Joel Rosales - sanjose@afrotcadmissions.com

     

    Enlist

    For those who would like to enter a branch of the military directly from high school you can enlist after your 18th birthday.

    • Marines - Sgt Russell Sales - russell.sales@marines.usmc.mil
    • Army Reserves - Michael Applegate, Sgt First Class - michael.l.applegate.mil@mail.mil
    • Army - Arthur Brown, Staff Sgt. - arthur.l.brown2.mil@mail.mil
    • Navy - Ryan Manalo - ryan.manalo@navy.mil
    • Air Force - Staff Sgt Fred Cromwell Agulto - fred_cromwell.agulto@us.af.mil