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Military Educational and Career Opportunities Group - MA
About
Contact
Military Educational and Career Opportunities Group - MA
About
Contact
About
Contact

Benefits of a Service Academy Education

  • 4 Year Bachelor of Science Degree - STEM

  • Free Tuition, Room & Board ($400,000 Value)

  • $450 Monthly Stipend

  • 5 Year Service Commitment upon Graduation

  • Graduate as an Officer in the US Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard)

  • Whole Person Development - Academic, Physical, Character and Leadership, Military Science

US Army Opportunities

United States Military Academy - West Point

West Point Admissions - https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions

Steps to Admission: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/steps-to-admission

  1. Confirm Eligibility (See Link Below)

  2. Gather Personal Information (See Link Below)

  3. Apply Online (See Link Below)

  4. Connect with Field Force - Field Force members are local volunteer Admissions representatives of the U.S. Military Academy. Field Force members are an invaluable resource when navigating the application process at West Point. Find your field Force Representative. https://candidate.westpoint.edu/find_ff.cfm

  5. Apply for Nomination. Learn More https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/prospective-cadets/nomination-information

  6. Get a Medical Examination

  7. Take the Candidate Fitness Assessment

  8. Take College Entrance Exams (SAT, ACT)

    Track Your Application File Through to Completion

Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)

Army ROTC pays for your tuition while you go to college and train to become an Army Officer. It’s offered at more than 1,000 colleges and universities. Get the college experience and graduate as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.

  • Army ROTC is one of the nation's top leadership programs

  • Graduate with a guaranteed career as an Army Officer

  • 100% coverage for full tuition and fees based on merit and grades, or the option to cover room and board, for qualifying cases

  • $420 per month for personal expenses

  • $1,200 per year for books

  • It’s part of your college curriculum and includes training

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships.html

FIND SCHOOLS WITH ROTC PROGRAMS

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/find-schools.html

APPLY WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL

After you complete your junior year of high school, you can get a head start on your future by applying for the ROTC National Scholarship (a four-year scholarship), at a participating school.

Your Obligation

Your acceptance of the scholarship means a future service obligation of:

  • Eight years of Army service, with requirements for active duty in the Army, and/or serving in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, depending on the scholarship

  • You may be eligible to serve part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard while pursuing a civilian career immediately after graduation

How to Apply

Get started on your scholarship application:

  • Create an account on My GoArmy https://my.goarmy.com/?loginPg=4yr

  • Upon creating an account, login to the Scholarship Application https://hs.usarmyrotc.com/dana-na/auth/url_22/welcome.cgi

  • Locate and contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend—most of them have served before and understand the process you’re going through

Important Dates

Applications opened on June 12, 2023. Your application must be started no later than Mar. 4, 2024 to be eligible for review by the Army ROTC National Scholarship Board. Here are the application and board review dates for the 2024-2025 school year:

  • Applications are due by Oct. 9, 2023 to be reviewed by the board from Oct. 16-20, 2023

  • Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Jan. 22-26, 2024

  • Applications are due by Mar. 11, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Mar. 18-22, 2024

Army National Guard

As an Army National Guard Soldier, you’ll learn valuable skills and impact your local community, with the ability to continue your civilian career, education, or personal interests.

SERVE A DUAL PURPOSE

As an Army National Guard Soldier, you'll not only serve under the command of your state governor to respond to natural disasters or domestic emergencies, but you can also be called on to defend the nation when needed.

States, U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), and the District of Columbia each have Army National Guard units.

The Army National Guard offers more than 120 jobs along with the appropriate training to get you started and keep you qualified. You can choose one related to your civilian career field or take a different career path to learn something new.

JOBS

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/browse-jobs.html?national-guard=true

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING

https://www.goarmy.com/explore-the-army/army-structure/national-guard.html

Army OCS (Officer Candidate School)

OCS is one of four paths to become a commissioned Officer in the Army. Applying is open to civilians, active-duty enlisted, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers with at least a bachelor’s degree. OCS offers the intense military tactical training you need to become an Officer, while also preparing you for careers in fields like engineering, finance, mechanics, communications, and more. When you graduate OCS as a commissioned Officer, expect to be ready to lead in any situation, no matter the environment, and no matter the stakes.

REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN OCS

You must be a U.S. citizen and have your bachelor’s degree by the time you are commissioned as an Officer. The general age requirement is between 19 and 32. You also have to be eligible for a secret security clearance. If you’re current military, you can’t have more than six years of active service before joining OCS. To learn more about OCS requirements and how to apply, civilians can talk to a recruiter, while active-duty enlisted, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers can talk to their commanding Officer.

LEARN MORE

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/ocs.html

OCS TRAINING

You’ll undergo training in OCS for 12 weeks to ensure you’re prepared to successfully lead others. Training will include two phases of advanced classroom instruction and on-the-ground training that you’ll complete as part of a small squad.

Phase 1: Learn the Basics of Officership (Weeks 1-6)

Physical and mental challenges will test your determination to excel in the basic leadership skills required of a commissioned Officer. You’ll be expected to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), Leadership Reaction Course, and Combat Water Survival Test.

Phase 2: Apply Your Skills in the Field (Weeks 7-12)

Put the skills you learned in Phase 1 to the test in the field. In Phase 2, you’ll be evaluated on your ability to lead a team during an intense 18-day mission. This phase also includes Senior Leader Seminars and the Transitioning to Becoming Commissioned Officers course.

Army Career Options

Officer

  • Medical Service Corps Officer

  • Armor Officer

  • Aviation Officer

  • Engineer Officer

  • Field Artillery Officer

  • Infantry Officer

  • Nurse Corps Officer

  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer

  • Military Intelligence Officer

  • Military Police Officer

  • Signal Officer

  • Transportation Officer

  • Finance Officer

  • Air Defense Artillery Officer

  • Quartermaster Officer

  • Adjutant General Officer 

  • Ordnance Officer

Enlisted

With over 150 different career options in the US Army, take the quiz at the link below to find out what jobs may be right for you.

The full listing of US Army career opportunities (Officer and Enlisted), including those career options for which the Army is offering singing bonuses, can be found at the following link: https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/career-match/browse-jobs.html

US Navy Opportunities

United States Naval Academy

US Naval Academy Admissions - https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php

  • Prospective Midshipmen can begin applying as early as spring of their junior year

  • The application process includes:

    • The Naval Academy Application (available through the USNA Admissions website listed above)

    • Passing scores on the Naval Academy physical fitness test

    • Successful completion of the Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board (DODMERB) physical

    • A Service Academy Nomination from a nominating source (Senator, Congressman, President of the United States, Vice President

    • Full steps for admission can be found at the following link:

      • https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Apply/index.php#fndtn-panel3-Steps-for

Summer Programs for High School Students Considering the Naval Academy or a Career in the US Navy

  • Summer STEM - https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM.php#fndtn-panel1-Attending

  • Summer Seminar - https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel1-Steps-For

Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Midshipmen will be commissioned as either Ensigns in the Navy or Second Lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps.

Navy ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) is a scholarship program that provides full tuition, stipends, summer training cruises and more so you can enjoy a traditional college experience while preparing to serve as a Naval Officer.

NAVY ROTC BENEFITS

  • Get a full tuition scholarship to the participating Navy ROTC school of your choice.

  • Go on three summer training cruises with Navy surface ships, aviation squadrons and submarines.

  • Use your scholarship money to pay for tuition and fees or room and board.

  • Receive a $250 monthly stipend that increases as you move through your collegiate years.

  • Choose from a wide range of career options, like nursing, aviation, surface warfare, submarine warfare and special warfare.

  • Enjoy a traditional college experience while preparing to serve as a Naval Officer.

  • Travel the world with purpose once you graduate while you lead a team as an Officer.

Program Requirements

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Requirements/

Apply

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Apply/

After Graduation

Once you graduate, forget about looking for a job. You’ll be all set for a ready-made position of leadership and responsibility. You’ll also receive great benefits as an Officer:

  • Full-time employment

  • Competitive entry-level salary

  • Immediate high-level leadership and managerial opportunities

  • Guaranteed pay increases

  • Unlimited travel opportunities

  • Medical, dental and life insurance benefits

  • 30 days paid vacation

NROTC SCHOOLS

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Navy-ROTC-Schools/

When entering the Navy ROTC program, you can choose from one of three career tracks:

  • Navy Option: Leads to post-graduate commissioning as a US Navy Ensign in one of Navy’s warfare communities, i.e. surface, submarine, aviation, special warfare and more.

  • Nurse Option: Leads to post-graduate commissioning in the US Navy as an Ensign in the Navy Nursing Corps, part of the Department of the Navy Bureau of Medicine.

  • Marine Corps Option: Leads to post-graduate commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps.

Navy OCS (Officer Candidate School)

Naval Reserves

Navy Career Options

Officer

Enlisted

US Air Force Opportunities

United States Air Force Academy

Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)

Air Force OCS (Officer Candidate School)

Air National Guard

Air Force Career Options

Officer

Enlisted

Marine Corps Opportunities

PATHS TO LEADERSHIP

Not everyone has the willingness and determination, the judgment and the leadership, or the mindset and the skillset to stand out in front of our Nation as an officer of Marines. Those who think they may will find out quickly at Officer Candidate School, where success is only achieved by giving everything you have.

The process of becoming a Marine Officer begins with your application as an Officer Candidate submitted by the Officer Selection Officer (OSO). The specific training path you will follow depends on where you are in your college education, your qualifications, and your occupational specialty preferences.

The four most common paths to becoming a Marine Officer are the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), the Officer Candidate Course (OCC), the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC).

Marine Corps ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps

NROTC MARINE OPTION

The purpose of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program is to educate and train qualified men and women with the fighting spirit to serve as commissioned officers. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Marine Corps.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

Basic eligibility requirements for NROTC Scholarship Applicants:

  • Be a U. S. Citizen.

  • Be 17 years of age by 1 September of the first year of college and younger than 27 on 31 December of the year in which college graduation and commissioning are anticipated.

  • Be a high school graduate or possess an equivalent certificate.

  • Be physically qualified and be within height-weight standards.

  • Personally exemplify and display the following:

  • Character-Morally qualified and no record of military or civil offenses.

  • A score of 74 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), a composite score of 22 on the American College Test (ACT) or a combined score of 1000 in Math and Evidence-Based Reading on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

  • Meet admission requirements of an NROTC-affiliated college or university of choice.

Scholarship Application

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Apply/

Platoon Leaders Class (PLC)

The Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) undergraduate commissioning program allows college students who are currently enrolled full time in any accredited college or university to pursue a commission in the Marine Corps without interrupting academic careers. PLC is the most common path to becoming one of us and all training sessions take place in Quantico, VA.

This path has two training options:

  • Two six-week summer training sessions for college freshman and sophomores

  • One ten-week training session for college juniors

Officer Candidate Course (OCC)

OCC is a 10-week commissioning program in Quantico, VA for college seniors and graduates interested in earning the title as a United States Marine Officer. Upon completion, newly commissioned Marine Officers will begin active duty at The Basic School (TBS) as Second Lieutenants.

Marine Corps OCS (Officer Candidate School)

The mission of Officer Candidates School (OCS) is to educate and train officer candidates in Marine Corps knowledge and skills within a controlled and challenging environment in order to evaluate and screen individuals for the leadership, moral, mental, and physical qualities required for commissioning as a Marine Corps officer.

OCS Training

Much is expected of candidates who wish to earn the trust of our Nation by proving capable as Marine Officers. OCS ensures all who are pinned with the Marine rank of 2nd Lieutenant will first pass a stringent assessment based on three graded categories: Academics, Leadership, and Physical Fitness. Some training events at OCS include:

Combat Conditioning

Obstacle Course

Close Order Drill

Academic Classes and Discussions

Fire team Assault Course

Leadership Reaction Course

Stamina Course and Endurance Course

Small Unit Leadership Evaluation (SULE)

Daily Platoon staff evaluation

Marine Corps Career Options

Officer

Marine Officer MOS List

  • Manpower Officer

  • Intelligence Officer

  • Ground Intelligence Officer

  • Counterintelligence and Human Source Intelligence Officer

  • Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Officer

  • Air Intelligence Officer

  • Infantry Officer

  • Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Officer

  • Expeditionary Ground Reconnaissance (EGR) Officer

  • Logistics Officer

  • Communications Officer

  • Field Artillery Officer

  • Combat Engineer Officer

  • Cyberspace Officer

  • Assault Amphibious Vehicle Officer

  • Ground Supply Officer

  • Financial Management Officer

  • Judge Advocate

  • Communication Strategy and Operations Officer

  • Military Police Officer

  • Aviation Maintenance Officer

  • Aviation Supply Officer

  • Aviation Command & Control

  • Pilots and Naval Flight Officers

https://usmcofficer.com/the-basic-school/marine-officer-mos-list/

Enlisted

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS)

Marines are trained in many different roles but fight each battle together, positioning our Nation out front to win on any front. There are hundreds of roles available for aspiring Marines, roles the Marine Corps refers to as Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs). These MOSs are categorized into Military Occupational Fields. See the link below for details on the options available.

https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/roles/military-occupational-specialty.html

US Space Force

US Coast Guard Opportunities

United States Coast Guard Academy

Coast Guard Admissions

Unlike applications to other U.S. service academies, admission to the Coast Guard Academy is driven strictly by merit. Congressional nominations are not required or considered, so we are free to choose the absolute best applicants for our service.

Getting Started:

  1. Request Information

  2. Check Eligilibility

  3. Schedule a Visit

  4. Contact Your Admissions Officer

  5. Try us Out

  6. Complete the Application

    https://uscga.edu/admissions/getting-started/

AIM Simmer Program

The Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) is a one-week summer program where you’ll immerse yourself in Academy life. AIM is exclusively for students entering their senior year of high school and is regarded as the most realistic of the service academy summer orientation programs.

AIM will test and inspire you. It will push you to your limits. You’ll rise early. You’ll study. You’ll compete. For six nonstop days, you’ll test your mind, body, and spirit in every way as you learn the meaning of college exceeded.

Intense and rewarding, AIM will help you to discover whether the Academy experience is truly what you want from college and whether you have what it takes to succeed.

https://uscga.edu/admissions/aim/

Coast Guard OCS (Officer Candidate School)

Officer Candidate School (OCS) is the Coast Guard's general officer commissioning program, open to civilians, prior service members, and Coast Guard enlisted members. The OCS application process is one of the most competitive of any Coast Guard officer program. Candidates must demonstrate leadership skills, project management experience, and strong academic credentials.

Training

OCS is an intensive 17-week course of instruction in leadership and military subjects to prepare you for any Coast Guard officer career. The course convenes twice a year, beginning in late summer and mid-winter, and is held at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.

https://www.gocoastguard.com/get-started/officer-applications/officer-candidate-school-ocs

OCS Pre-Reporting Guide

https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Portals/3/Documents/LDC/Reporting%20Guides/OCS%20Pre-Reporting%20Guide.pdf?ver=2019-11-25-155551-393

Coast Guard Career Options

Operations Specialists:

Carry out the missions of the Coast Guard in the field.

Sea-going Officer

Pilot

Shore Response Officer

Shore Prevention Officer

Cyber Officer

Intelligence Officer

Support Specialists:

Deliver resources needed in the field.

Naval Engineer

Civil Engineers

Aeronautical Engineers

Information Technology Managers

Financial Managers

Lawyers

https://uscga.edu/careers/career-paths/

Special Experience Credentials:

You may choose to develop expertise in secondary areas of specialization in addition to your primary career path in Operations or Support.

Incident Management

Living Marine Resources Enforcement

Defense Operations

Operations Research and Data Analytics

International Affairs

Public Affairs

Policy, Planning, Budget, Management

Acquisition Program Management

Human Resources Management

Safety and Environmental Health

Training and Education Management

Reserves

  • Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force

  • Part Time Service with retirement options.

  • $4000/Year Tuition Assistance

  • Travel Opportunities (Ability to transfer units nation Wide)

  • Leadership Training and Opportunities

Ready to supplement the active-duty forces when needed, the Reserve is critical to the Military’s ability to provide a balanced, prepared force. Soldiers and Sailors in the Reserve go through the same intense training and work in the same specialties as their active-duty counterparts. However, with the ability to train part time with a Reserve unit near home or school, these soldiers and sailors can continue to pursue a full-time civilian career or an education.

Army Reserves

https://www.usar.army.mil/

Navy Reserves

https://www.navy.com/forward

Marine Corps Reserves

https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/marine-corps-structure/marine-corps-reserve.html

Air Force Reserves

https://www.airforce.com/ways-to-serve/air-force-reserve?&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpompBhDZARIsAFD_Fp9jmWNdXA7p0_MQqK_JAtUyiPdJh1p-jqc392TzEgvcAOufb3aaooAaAokPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Merchant Marine Opportunities

US Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point NY

Steps to Admission: https://www.usmma.edu/admissions/application/steps-admission

  1. Confirm Eligilibility

  2. Start your Application

  3. Apply for a Nomination

  4. College Entrance Exams

  5. Transcripts

  6. Candidate Fitness Assessment

  7. Medical Exam

  8. Complete your Online Application

Merchant Marine Career Options

Military Sealift Command (MSC)

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command is the premier provider of ocean transportation to the Department of Defense. The Command operates approximately 125 civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

While we do play a critical role in support of our nation's defense, our employees are not active duty members of the military. MSC civil service mariners (CIVMARs), the largest segment of our global workforce, are federal civil service employees.

All CIVMARs are employed by the Navy to serve MSC onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, in contested or uncontested environments.

We recruit transitioning military, merchant marines, maritime academy graduates, and skilled entry-level candidates to fill our maritime job opportunities. The MSC mission is big. So are the rewards for the CIVMARs who help us complete it.

If you’re a navy veteran or recent or soon-to-be maritime academy graduate who wants to advance their career while traveling the globe, ask your career counselor about MSC employment, or select your school below to start the process.

  • California State University Maritime

  • Great Lakes Maritime Academy

  • Maine Maritime Academy

  • Massachusetts Maritime Academy

  • SUNY Maritime Academy

  • Texas A&M University Maritime Academy

  • U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Military Career Information Resources

Today’s Military

https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/explore-careers?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmvSoBhDOARIsAK6aV7jsKkiXnVOIHV9z0GdVM_XK-0YAJWX-1tLaKhOvopHRC8bQhCGjp78aAkPBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Military.com

https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/army-jobs.html

Careers in the Military

https://www.careersinthemilitary.com/home

Careers in the Merchant Marines

https://career.iresearchnet.com/career-information/merchant-mariner-career/