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The Five Official U.S. Military Academies
The five United States military academies prepare students to become officers while providing them with a free undergraduate degree in exchange for military service. The admissions process to these academies is extensive and very competitive. Although there are many military-style schools, there are only five official officer training academies operated by the U.S. Armed Forces.
- U.S. Military Academy (Army), West Point, New York
- U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
- U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut
What’s the “Hitch”?
Upon graduation, cadets become second lieutenants or ensigns and must serve a minimum term of duty, usually five years plus another three years in the Reserves. If the student’s chosen occupation requires particularly extensive training, the tour of duty may be longer.
Applying to the Military Academies
Except for the Coast Guard Academy, the military academies use a rigorous two-step application process.
- Prequalification. Applicants must be qualified before submitting an application. This includes physical and medical exams, as well as an interview. If qualified, students should then complete an online preliminary application in their junior year.
- Nomination. Applicants must apply for and obtain a nomination from their Congressional Representative or Senator. These applications will, in many cases, be accompanied by face-to-face interviews with the congressperson or their staff. A congressperson can submit up to ten nominees, but commonly only one or two are admitted.
The Coast Guard Academy uses an application process similar to most colleges. Their application is available online.
U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point
United States Military Academy (USMA): Founded in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson, this academy is located in West Point, New York. It is the oldest military service academy in the country and the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States.
Famous Graduates: William Tecumseh Sherman, Ulysses S. Grant, George A. Custer, John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, George S. Patton, Jr, Dwight D. Eisenhower
United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD
Serves both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps
United States Naval Academy (USNA): Founded in 1845 by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, this academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland.
Famous Graduates: President Jimmy Carter, Alan Shepard, John McCain, Montel Williams
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA): Founded in 1876, this academy is located in New London, Connecticut.
Famous Graduates: Don “The Dragon” Wilson, James Loy, James Hirshfield
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA): Founded in 1943.
Located in Kings Point, New York, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is a national institution that trains and educates young men and women to become Merchant Marine officers. Also known as U.S.M.M.A or, more simply, King’s Point, the academy has a well-respected history that includes being one of the first five federal service academies to admit women, devoting its resources to meet the emergency needs of Merchant Marine officers during World War II, and helping to evacuate civilians and transport first responders on 9/11.
United States Air Force Academy
Serves both the Air Force and Space Force
United States Air Force Academy (USAFA): Founded in 1954, this academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Famous Graduates: Chesley Sullenberger, Gregg Popovich, Martha McSally, Scott Kirby
Summary and Conclusion:
All of these famous institutions offer a top-notch education free of charge, with a service obligation. If you know someone aspiring to be a military officer, advise them to strongly consider any of the five academies mentioned in this article. For a direct conduit to a real-world job, the two best choices may very well be the Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. I have created links to the home pages of all academies.
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