Academy / ROTC / Enlistment
US MILITARY ACADEMIES
For students who would like to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, the five Service academies the U.S. offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years. Interested students must apply for a Congressional, Senatorial or Vice-Presidential nomination. The nomination process begins in the spring of your junior year of high school.
Click here for an article about applying to one of the five academies. In addition to the five Academies there are other ways to become involved in military service; click here to learn more about Academies, ROTC and recruitment opportunities in the military.
US Air Force Academy– Colorado Springs, CO
US Coast Guard Academy– New London, CT
US Merchant Marines Academy– Kings Point, NY
US Military Academy– West Point, NY
US Naval Academy– Annapolis, MD
Admissions criteria include:
- High school academic performance
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
- Athletics and extracurricular activities
- Leadership experience and community involvement
- Five year military service commitment after college graduation
Academy Nominations – All students who want to apply will need to first apply for a nomination from a Senator, Congressman or the Vice President of the United States.
Senatorial Nomination Process
- Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper
Congressional Nomination Process
- Joe Neguse
- Ken Buck
Vice Presidential Nomination Process
ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Program
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at over 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, cadets commit to serve in the Military after graduation. For more details visit: www.todaysmilitary.com/training/rotc
Senior Military Colleges
The Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) offer a combination of higher education with military instruction. SMCs include Texas A&M University, Norwich University, The Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), University of North Georgia and the Mary Baldwin Women’s Institute for Leadership. SMCs are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world and they offer financial aid packages for eligible students. Every cadet must participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, but only those cadets who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation
Military Enlistment
Military enlistment includes Active Duty, Reserves and National Guard. Research the different benefits, requirements and opportunities of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard.
Contact a local recruiter to express your interest in enlisting
- www.todaysmilitary.com/contact-a-recruiter
- US Army – (303) 702-0809
- US Navy – (303) 253-0202
- US Marines – (303) 968-7719
- US Air Force – (720) 601-4230
- US Coast Guard – (303) 252-0919
- Army National Guard – (720) 584-3756
- Colorado Air National Guard – (970) 378-5010
Take the ASVAB
- The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is one of the most widely used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world. It measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success.
- The ASVAB is usually administered at CDC in the fall of each year. You can also contact a military recruiter to schedule a time to take the ASVAB.