Military Career Options: What Are The Different Paths? Intro: Many of my family members services as both enlisted members or officers Applied and was accepted to U.S. Coast Guard Academy in High School Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Public Health Service in Alaska Question: Is anybody already interested in serving a specific branch of military?

Joining the Military Joining the Military Video: https://youtu.be/3cn2wM_K_7Y Enlisted Possible right after high school Officer Usually for students who are pursuing or already have four-year degrees and are great leaders

Uniformed Service Branches About 1.3 million service members 800,000 in the reserves Army: 36% (472,000) Navy: 24% (326,000) Air Force: 23% (323,000) Marine Corps: 14% (185,000) Coast Guard: 3% (42,000) Branches of Armed Services Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zYI7jVzbrY Public Health Service (Officers Only – 6,500) Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGLqn0KdCo National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Officers Only – 300) U.S. Public Health Service: 1min 50 secs – 3 mins and 05 secs Coast Guard and Navy – You will be swimming in training

Enlistment Process & Military Jobs Possible right after high school and some students sign contracts prior to graduating Do your own research and talk with current or former service members Meet with Military Recruiters Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Comprehensive Medical Evaluation (generally have to be in good health) Military Occupational Specialty (Your Job) Army Practical Nursing Specialist (MOS Enlisted Example): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5BZgbgFyM Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot (Officer Career Example): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBljQzNe8dw Possibly don’t show videos here Typically, need a four-year degree and become an officer for flight school (Army exception)

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Most take the ASVAB test in your Senior year if you want to enlist after high school in one of the armed services. Usually not needed for those who plan to go to college and become officers. ASVAB is a 3 hour timed test to measure your knowledge and ability in 10 different areas to determine if you can enlist and what types of military jobs you might be qualified to be trained in. Each military branch has general minimum qualifying test scores required: Army – 31 Marine Corps – 32 Navy – 35 Air Force – 36 Coast Guard - 40 Higher scores are required for certain specialty jobs Offered at our school on January 30, 2019. Please see Ms. Larsen to sign-up. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/minimum-required-asvab-scores-and-education-level-3332646 ASVAB – Scores good for two years, but some services do not allow to retake.

Contract Commitments Most military contracts are for at least 8 years, which may include a combination of active duty and military reserves. Can’t guarantee a non- combat role and can keep you longer in active duty during times of conflict. The time you spend in basic training and job training may not count towards your service requirement or can add to your service commitment. If it is not in writing, it doesn’t count. If you sign a Delayed Enlistment Program contract during your senior year, you also need to make sure that everything is in writing for your final active duty contract when you go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) after graduation. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/period-of-time-to-enlist-in-military-3354093 Stop-Loss: During times of conflict or hard to fill jobs. After Active Duty: Individual Ready Reserve (IRRs) for remaining commitment or active (drilling) reserve unti.

Military Officer Training Options How to Become An Officer Video: https://youtu.be/DTeVrJfqNG0 Paths to Become an Officer: Service Academy (e.g., West Point, Merchant Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard) College Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program (e.g., Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine Option only) Officer Candidate School (after college or for exceptional enlisted service members) Direct Commission (professional degree candidates like doctors, lawyers, or clergy) Overview

Military Officer Information Service Academies are for students who want to apply to one of five very selective service academies right after high school. Application starts junior year and is very competitive. Coast Guard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSf-GRnSYKk Air Force: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0B1uAhl1ho West Point (Army): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwl2kEMwads Navy Academy (includes Marines): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7betOe0ARi8 Military ROTC programs (Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marines) are for students who apply for binding scholarships and even for those who want to try it out without the commitment. Many ROTC programs allow students to try it for the first two years with no commitment. Navy ROTC (Marine option) video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWnAgtMlgsk Officer Candidate School programs are usually for those who already have a four-year degree, but there are some exceptional enlisted members who are also recommended to apply. Direct Commission Officers typically for highly trained candidates with professional degrees (e.g., medical professionals, lawyers, engineers, clergy) where the military wants to hire you for the professional job you are already trained in. I was a Direct Commissioned Environmental Health Officer with the Public Health Service in Alaska. Show maybe two service academies (C.G. & Air Force) Service Academy Acceptance Rate: West Point, NY (Army) – 10% US Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland) – 9% US Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) – 17% US Merchant Marine (Kings Point, NY) – 15% US Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT) – 18% UC Davis (Army ROTC), but Sac State can get involved (crosstown schools) Sac State (Air Force ROTC), but UC Davis is crosstown school along with community college UC Berkeley (Navy) much fewer ROTC options

Short and Long Term Benefits Life in Military Pay, Housing, Food, and Comprehensive Insurance Paid Job Training College Loan Repayment Options High Personal Fitness and Hygiene Standards Call to Service & Taking Orders Sense of Adventure: Willingness to Travel and Respond to Emergencies or Combat Life After Military Post 9/11 GI Bill (100% tuition and housing paid to attend college or technical school after) Veterans Administration Home Loans Retirement (after 20 years of service = lifetime pension/money) Possible VA Health Insurance Benefits Post 9/11 GI Bill After 3 years

General Military Preparation Tips Make sure you are taking academically challenging classes and getting good grades. Getting involved in team sports is very important as this shows you care about physical fitness, competition, and teamwork. If you are not involved in sports, then maintain a regular and rigorous physical fitness routine. Look for leadership opportunities including community service, sports, clubs, and outside service opportunities. Agree to follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice. For example, you can be put in jail for not following an order, being disrespectful, being late, or for leaving the military before your time served is up. This likely won’t happen, but you should willing to follow the rules and understand the consequences. Do your own research and try to talk to people who are actually in the military or who are a veteran, so you can ask questions and get advice.

Questions???