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America’s Best Military Schools

United States Military

One of the major accomplishments of the United States is our armed forces. Each day thousands of men and women willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms as the world’s largest volunteer military. Lots of training goes into making a military officer including basic training, advanced training, and four year colleges and universities. Here is a glance at the ten best military schools in the United States.

The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, is probably the most well-known of the service academies for graduating officers. About 4,500 cadets attend classes at one time and after four years they receive a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army when they graduate. In addition to meeting academic and physical requirements, candidates must be recommended by a prominent member of the Federal government such as a Congressman. The oldest military academy in the United States, West Point was founded in 1802 and has had many prominent graduates.

The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, has been in existence since 1845. Upon graduating they are ranked as ensigns in the Navy or a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. There is a current enrollment of 4,300 Midshipmen for the most advanced school concerning naval warfare, tactics, and leadership.

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the oldest of the service academies simply because the technology of flight did not come into widespread military use until World War II. The current campus opened in 1958 and at any given day there are 4,000 students aiming to graduate as a second lieutenant in the air force. Daily training includes military tactics, leadership, and flight school. Many of NASA’s finest astronauts were attendees of the Air Force Academy.

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The United States Coast Guard Academy is the smallest of the five service academies with just 973 enrollees. Located in New London, Connecticut, prospective students do not need a recommendation from a member of Congress to attend but grades and test scores are very important. The Coast Guard is heavily involved in homeland security as they patrol our shores and keep America safe. The Coast Guard also performs seaside rescues in storms or when boats are in trouble.

United States Merchant Marine Academy is the last of the five service academies funded by the United States government. Located in Kings Point, New York, the point of the school is to train graduates in maritime law, shipping, and basic operations on shipping vessels. Unlike other service academies that require a certain period of time serving in a military branch, graduates serve in civilian life aboard ships at sea or go on to other branches of the military such as the Navy or Marine Corps.

Marine Corps University is not technically a service academy but does provide advanced education for Marines who get past basic training. The University has programs for the War College, Command, and Logistics. Located at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina the university awards Master’s Degrees to fully commissioned officers in the Marine Corps.

Texas A&M; touts itself as the institution that commissions more officers into the United States military after the five services academies. The Corp of Cadets has been churning out graduates to the military for 130 years in College Station, Texas. Steeped in tradition you can receive military style training while still attending a civilian institute of higher learning.

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Norwich University was founed in 1819 and is the birthplace of the ROTC or Reserve Officer Training Corps. Not only is Norwich one of the top engineering universities in the country it also civilians going to college alongside the corps of cadets. The first private military college in America, Norwich is located in Northfield, Vermont, and has an enrollment of 1,600 and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

The Citadel in lovely Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the six senior military colleges that offer full ROTC classes. Founded in 1842 graduates are fully prepared and commissioned in the United States Army as second lieutenants. About 2,000 cadets attend the university and offers graduate and undergraduate classes.

The Virginia Military Institute in beautiful Lexington, Virginia, hosts about 1,500 students in an historic town. Founded in 1839 VMI has undergraduate degrees and commissions second lieutenants in the Army as well as other armed services. About fifty percent of graduates choose to enter civilian life or the reserves upon leaving the school.