Attending a service academy affiliated with the armed forces of the United States is a great way to start your career as a military officer while getting a high-quality education too.
Generally, getting into service academies is not easy as they require highly competitive acceptance rates and some other special requirements.
The application to service academies starts earlier in high school, so it’s helpful for you to research your options thoroughly before you proceed to make your decisions.
You will thrive at one of these schools if you are a good match for the challenging environment they nurture.
Some important things you should know about the service academies, in general, include their specialized approach to education and military training, the features of each service academy and their application processes.
What is a service academy?
Service academies affiliated with the United States military train young people to serve as authorized officers in several branches of the armed forces.
They train students to be ready for the physical and mental demands of military service and leadership by combining rigorous academic programs with other training.
Students who graduate from service academies receive bachelor’s degrees and are also commissioned as military officers with some certain exceptions.
Only citizens of the United States are admitted into the service academies unless it is by special invitation.
Applying to service academies can be quite difficult as it involves factors like physical fitness which are not required at civilian colleges.
Prospective applicants are advised to start the application process earlier during their junior year of high school.
All service academies except the United States Coast Guard Academy require their applicants to be nominated for admission during their application.
The nomination may come from the office of your congressional representatives or senators or in special cases from the President or Vice President of the United States.
Each member of Congress can only issue a limited number of recommendations or nominations. It is important to know that you don’t really have to know your nominator personally in order to ask for their nomination.
Tuition at most United States service academies is covered by the branch of the military they represent most of the time.
It sometimes depends on the school, you may still have to cover expenses like room and board, an approved laptop, or costs related to your uniforms.
It is also important to know that in exchange for financial aid, you will have to serve in the military for a certain period of time after you graduate.
The duration of this service commitment and its details varies based on the school and the military branch.
You may be subject to certain consequences which include, having to pay the cost of your education or serve as an enlisted military member rather than an officer if you leave the academy before graduation either voluntarily or involuntarily.
As a student at the service academy, your life will be different from that of civilian students because you’re going to be subjected to extensive physical training, military studies, and an introduction to the demands of the military.
The whole training and extras at the service academy are to train you to serve in the armed forces even while you’re getting an education and preparing for a particular career path.
The service academy is definitely not for everyone and it’s not a path you should take unless you are sure of what you want.
However, some students figure out that they flourish in this highly challenging environment while they are already at the academy.
Some things you should consider before deciding to join the service academy include your ability to handle a highly regimented environment with many rules, high expectations, and a strict hierarchy.
Also, your academic performance, physical agility, moral character will be scrutinized by intense honor codes. Generally, you will have less freedom than you would as a civilian college.
If a military career sparks your interest, then a service academy can help you get started with that career.
What is the purpose of service academies?
The main purpose and common goal among different service academies are to serve the defense of the nation by educating, training, inspiring, and aspiring to develop America’s younger generation into leaders who will be charged with that effort. In this way, serving every citizen of America.
The service academies work according to their purpose by engaging the students with several forms of professional military training including the use of weapons and weapon systems, providing the students with significant exposure to and immersion in leadership principles for military officers.
The control and monitor the many facets of academic life and performance via class attendance, course selection, and mandatory study hours so as to foster good order and discipline in the young individuals.
What are the five service academies?
The five service academies in the United States are-
- The United States Air Force Academy;
- The United States Coast Guard Academy,
- The United States Merchant Marine Academy,
- The United States Military Academy and;
- The United States Naval Academy.
Each of them serves a different branch of the military and has its characterized of unique experiences.
1. The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA):
This is the newest academy as it is the newest branch of the military. It was founded in April 1, 1954, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Though it’s the youngest, it is ranked third in overall. It has the most modern campus and prepares cadets to serve in the Air force as Second Lieutenants. Most of its graduates become pilots.
The USAFA offers many different types of majors, ranging from Engineering to Philosophy. They offer a total of 27 (twenty-seven) majors and 3 (three) minors for their students.
After graduation, their students receive a Bachelor of Science(B.Sc) and become commissioned officers in the Air force.
2. The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA):
This academy was founded in 1876 in New London, Connecticut. It is the smallest out of the five federal service academies. The USCGA can be placed under the control of the Navy in times of war, making it part of the armed forces even though it’s technically part of Homeland Security.
Those USCGA does not only offer a wide range of academic programs, they also equip students with the required skills to be a Coast Guard. Those attending this school are part of the oldest life-saving service.
Similar to the USAFA, students who graduate from USCGA receive a Bachelor of Science and are commissioned into the United States Coast Guard.
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3. United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA):
The USMMA was founded in 1943, during the middle of the second world war, It was created specifically to train midshipmen to run merchant ships.
It trains officers for both Merchant Marine service or commission as an officer in any branch of the military. The Merchant Marine officers can be commissioned for military service in times of war.
The USMMA is also a great fit for students who are up for more academic challenges as it is known for its rigorous academic program. The USMMA requires the most credit hours for a bachelor’s degree compared to another federal service academy.
The USMMA offers eight challenging majors. Their students on graduation will have earned a Bachelor of Science, a United States Coast Guard license, and an officer’s commission in the United States armed forces. The USMMA offers the most career options compared to other service academies.
4. The United States Naval Academy (USNA):
The USNA was founded on October 10, 1845, in Annapolis, Maryland. This school trains midshipmen to serve in the Navy as Ensigns or in the Marine Corps as Second Lieutenants.
It has the lowest admission rate of 8.3% and a reputation for being the toughest academic. Undergraduates at USNA experience a historic campus called “The Yard”.
The USNA trains young individuals to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the United States and Marine Corps.
It is important to know that Naval Academy students are midshipmen on the activity in the United States Navy. The USNA focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics where they offer 25 (twenty-five) majors to choose from.
Students at USNA graduate with a Bachelor of Science and will be commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the Marine corps.
5. The United States Military Academy (USMA):
The USMA is the oldest academy, It was founded on March 16, 1802, in West Point, New York. It is the best fit for students interested in serving in the United States Army.
It trains cadets to serve in the United States Army as Second Lieutenants after graduation. This academy educates, trains, and inspires the corps of cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of great character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, and Country.
The USMA offers a total of 42 majors and all majors fall under engineering, basic sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Students who graduate from the USMA earn a Bachelor of Science and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army.
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Which service academy is the best?
It is quite difficult to say which service is the best as they have the unique features that make them special and also focus on different areas depending on the branch of the United States armed forces that it is concerned with.
It is important to know that the Naval Academy (USNA) requires applicants to have at least a 3.66 GPA and has an acceptance rate of 8.3% and in most cases considered the hardest service academy to get into because of their strict requirements.
How are appointments to the service academies handed out
First of all, an applicant for a nomination must meet the eligibility requirements before applying to get an appointment or nomination.
Some of the requirements include; be 17 years old and above, be a citizen of the United States, must not be married or pregnant and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents, must meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the academy.
Nominations are given by the members of Congress to the applicants who meet the eligibility requirements. A candidate may seek nomination from the following-
- A member of the United States House of Representatives who represents the congressional district in which the candidate resides
- Both the United States Senators from his or her state
- The President or Vice-President of the United States
Each member of the congress is allowed only five appointees at each Academy over a four-year period. This implies that each member of Congress will make nominations for only one vacancy at each academy.
It is also important to know that you can apply for ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) scholarship since the nomination and appointment process is competitive and not all candidates will receive a nomination or an appointment.
How many people get accepted from the presidential nomination pool for service academies?
The presidential nominations are reserved only for children of career military personnel. To qualify, the parent must meet one of the certain criteria which include; be on duty and serving continuously on active duty for at least 8 years, being retired with pay or having been granted retirement with retainer pay, being a reservist, or National Guard member.
The Vice-President can nominate individuals into the United States Military, Naval and Air Force Academies but cannot nominate into the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Only the Vice-President can nominate individuals without geographical restrictions. The Vice-President may have a maximum of five nominees in attendance at each authorized academy at a time.
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How to survive service academies?
Getting admitted into military academies is one thing, surviving while still at the academy until your graduation is another thing.
This is because life at Military academies can be different and difficult from the normal life as a civilian. To survive in most cases, you have to adapt to the environment.
While there is no cheat-sheet to survive at the military academies, doing the following things listed below can be a lot helpful:
- Find a social friend and study friend; most times, making friends is one of the most important you should do when you find yourself in a new environment and your first friend at the academy will be very helpful
- Start getting involved; being agile and active in the activities at the military helps you grow familiar with the whole environment really quick and excel both in your studies and physical training sessions.
- Personal development; always be on the move to learn and improve yourself with the resources within. Also, having an open and growth-aligned mindset will help you especially when you make mistakes and get corrected by instructors, seniors or colleagues.
- Set yourself up for a future career; work hard towards good results in every task assigned to you at the academy. Stay humble, disciplined and diligent as you progress towards your goals.
- Grades: do well to pass your examinations and tests while at the academy to maintain academic excellence.
How long are service academies?
On average, the duration for education at the Military academies in the United States is four years. The duration may vary at different academies or due to some events which may lengthen or shorten the time.
How much do service academies cost?
Students at most service academies do not pay tuition fees, but they are required to serve in the military upon graduation. They receive a small stipend as well as a free room and board while they are at the academy.
In addition to students’ commitments after graduation, there are costs associated with attending each academy which may be similar to the room and board costs of some other colleges or universities, but unlike some of these other institutions, the expense is generally below $2000 per year.
The United States military academies train students to become commissioned officers while providing them with a free undergraduate degree in exchange for military service after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Yes, military academies are definitely worth it if you are interested in serving your country and getting a college degree
The USMA better known as West Point is the oldest military academy in the United States, one of the best in the world, and considered the most prestigious.
The Naval academy admissions is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 8.3% which means that it’s quite difficult to get admitted here.
Students at service pay tuition fees and are provided a room and board as they will serve the military after graduation
The average GPA at the United States Naval Academy is 3.66 which makes it highly competitive for GPAs
The Naval and Air-force academies are said to be more enjoyable institutions to attend according to graduates who attended both.
All students who attend the Naval Academy do so on scholarship in return for 5 years of active duty service upon graduation.
Conclusion
Different service academies have their unique curriculum and career outcomes even though they share important similarities. Each service academy also equips its students with the skills necessary to thrive in the different fields they’ll be going into.
Most military academies require a minimum of 5 (five) years of active duty from their students after graduation as Tuition, room, and board will be paid for by the Federal Government. Some schools may ask students to pay for some extra expenses, while most will pay for everything
Resources
- http://studentcaffe.com/apply/the-military/service-academy-senior-military-college
- https://blog.collegevine.com/thinking-about-a-service-academy-heres-the-breakdown/
- https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/military-schools
- https://www.aacu.org/publications-research/periodicals/americas-service-academies-your-service-academies
- https://getschooled.com/article/2411-get-to-know-the-five-service-academies
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