OFFICER ENLISTMENT PROGRAMS | ||
| Opportunity | Overview | Branches |
| Military Academy Preparatory Schools | Designed to strengthen a candidate’s education background in a crash-course military environment. See Chapter 10. | Air Force Army Navy/Marine Corps Coast Guard |
| Military Academies: U.S. Military Academy at West Point New York (Army) U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland (Navy and Marine Corps) U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado (Air Force) U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut (Coast Guard) | Four of the services (Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, Marines go to the Naval Academy) maintain outstanding and legendary military academies that provide not only some of the best college education programs, but also train and form young persons into military leaders and managers. Competition is extremely fierce for entrance to the military academies; nominations are needed for Army, Navy/Marines and Air Force. The Coast Guard Academy selects on merit. Once accepted, cadets or midshipmen receive full benefits along with a tuition-free education. | Air Force Army Navy/Marine Corps Coast Guard |
| Officer Candidate School or Officer Training School (OTS) (21 percent of new officers) | Program for college graduates with no prior military training who wish to become military officers. The intensive military training lasts up to 20 weeks, after which candidates are commissioned as officers. | Air Force Army Coast GuardMarine Corps Navy |
| Direct Commission (11 percent of new officers) | Similar to the OCS/OTS programs, direct commission candidates are trained professionals in the medical, legal, engineering, or religious fields. Due to their expertise, direct commission candidates are not required to face a full schedule of military training. | Air Force Army |