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WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP! LUNCH AND LEARNS

LAST ONE

WHEN: This Wednesday, each lunch period

WHAT: Learning Commons Prof Dev Room

HOW: Get a pass from Counseling

WHY: Get help on SchooLinks, apps, scholarships, essays, YouScience, resumes, lists, etc.

as well as research careers/apprenticeships/military

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FUTUREFOCUS IN THE FUTURE

September 17 – Wrap Up, Reminders, and Final Q&A

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MILITARY CAREERS

FutureFocus Tuesday, Sept. 15

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MILITARY OVERVIEW

What are the different branches of the military?

Qualifications

Enlisted vs. Officer

Training and Education

College Options and the Military

Different ways to serve

Next Steps

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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY?

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marines

Coast Guard

Space Force

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ARMY�WWW.ARMY.MIL AND WWW.GOARMY.COM

“Be all you can be” and “This We’ll Defend”
The oldest and largest branch of the military
To deploy, fight, and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt, and sustained land dominance…
Ground forces
Travel is a large component with bases all over the world
Most bases are inland and secluded
You will spend a lot of time outdoors; “must be ok with crawling through mud”
Have a presence in land, sea, and air

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NAVY�WWW.NAVY.MIL AND WWW.NAVY.COM

“Semper Fortis” (always courageous)
Maritime service branch
The US Navy is the most powerful navy in the world
The second largest branch of the US military
Marine Corps operate under the Navy
Has one of the most elite special ops – Navy SEALS
Must love the ocean and being at sea – away from home a lot
Operations on and under the sea, in the air, and on the ground

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AIR FORCE�WWW.AF.MIL AND WWW.AIRFORCE.COM

The mission of the US Air Force is to fly, fight, and win – airpower anytime, anywhere.
Defending the country in the air, space, and cyberspace
Must love technology
The third largest branch of the US Military
One of the most competitive branches in the US Military
You won’t be spending time in the infantry or combat related role; might feel more like a “regular job”
Considered to have the best housing conditions and quality of life
Space Force operates under the Air Force

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MARINE CORPS�WWW.MARINES.MIL AND WWW.MARINES.COM

“The few, the proud, the Marines” and “Rapid Response Force”
“Semper fidelis” (always faithful)
The maritime land force (amphibious)
Officially part of the US Navy
Live by values of honor, courage, and commitment, on and off the battlefield
First in, last out – geared for fighting and training
One of the harshest boot camp experiences and highest expectations for physical fitness
Must love being outdoors, training, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, explosions

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COAST GUARD�WWW.USCG.MIL AND WWW.GOCOASTGUARD.COM

Operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime
Operates under the Navy during wartime (or special presidential order)
The smallest military branch
Protects nations waterways, search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental cleanup operations
Great for those wanting a career in law enforcement and security
Must be an excellent swimmer

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SPACE FORCE�WWW.SPACEFORCE.MIL AND WWW.SPACEFORCE.COM

Newest branch – est. Dec. 20, 2019
Organized under Air Force
“Guardians”

Enlisted, Officer, and Civilian Service

Secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space
Satellite management

Communications (cell, media, cyber, etc.)
Weather monitoring
GPS positioning, navigation, security measures, etc.
Economic commerce
Surveillance, protection from missile launches

Protect US interests, national security, economic prosperity

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MERCHANT MARINES*�HTTPS://WWW.MARITIME.DOT.GOV AND HTTPS://WWW.USMMA.EDU � *NOT AN OFFICIAL “MILITARY” ORGANIZATION, BUT SIMILAR FUNCTION AND PARTNERS WITH MILITARY

Managed by the Department of Transportation
A fleet of civilian and commercial ships that transport cargo (imports and exports) and passengers during peacetime
Join, train, and licensed through the US Coast Guard
Support the Navy during wartime
Serve the domestic maritime industry; mostly interior waterways
Ways to join:

Maritime Apprenticeship Program
Merchant Marine Academy (requires congressional nomination)
6 Maritime Academies (in Mass, Michigan, Maine, California, NY, and Texas)

Work in Engine (machinery), Deck (day-to-day function), or Steward (food) departments

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QUALIFICATIONS

Be 18 (17 with parental consent)
Be a US Citizen or a green card holder (Lawful Permanent Resident/LPR)
Have a HS diploma (preferred) or GED
Take the ASVAB to determine job placement

The better the score, the better the options (and usually pay)
Different branches have different minimum cutoffs

Pass a physical fitness exam

There are some medical conditions that will prevent some from joining or may require a waiver

Must pass a background check
A 4-year degree is required to become an officer

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JOINING THE MILITARY – ENLISTED VS. OFFICER

Enlisted Personnel

Can join directly out of high school

Carry out fundamental operations of the military

Missions, operate equipment, support operations

7-13 weeks of Basic Training or Boot Camp

Prepares soldiers for the physical, mental, and emotional components of the military

After Boot Camp, receive additional training for skills needed for specialized jobs

Can transition to become an officer with additional education and Officer Candidate/Training School (OCS/OTS) or through ROTC at a college

Commissioned Officer

Typically requires a college degree

Lead and manage enlisted personnel

Plan missions, give orders, assign tasks, direct others, problem solve, make critical/strategic decisions

Higher pay

To become an officer:

Participate in ROTC in college
Graduate from a Service Academy
After earning a 4-year degree or professional degree, attend Officer Candidate/Training School (OCS/OTS) for 9-17 weeks

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DIFFERENT WAYS TO SERVE

Active Duty

All Branches

Full-Time

May live on military bases and move frequently

Can be deployed at any time

Reserves

All Branches

Part-Time

Deployed into active duty if/when needed

Training one weekend/month and two weeks/year (min)

National Guard

Army & Air Force

Part-Time

State Governor command; Mostly support local or national crises/disasters/humanitarian

Training one weekend/month and two weeks/year (min)

Can pursue a full-time civilian job or attend college full-time while serving and also receive education benefits!

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TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN THE MILITARY

Specialized Training

Specialized training and military experience can come with college credits or professional credentials that can count toward civilian credentialing
Paratroopers, infantry, combat engineering, navigation, unconventional warfare and survival (special forces), medical, legal, chaplain, information and media, language, aviation, cyber and intelligence, and tons MORE!

ROTC Scholarships

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
Offer scholarships to college students who commit to military service after graduation
Full tuition, books, fees, monthly stipend
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
Serve as a commissioned officer after graduation

Tuition Assistance (TA)

Can provide up to 100% tuition
Service members can enroll in college courses
Usually, some conditional requirements or caps on credit hours
Some Reserve and Guard options

GI Bill

Veterans eligible
Reserve and Guard eligible
Will pay all public school in-state tuition and fees
Living stipend
$1000 book/supply allowance
Amount varies per length of service
Yellow Ribbon Program

Participating colleges contribute more money

Can share benefits with family members

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MILITARY & COLLEGE

Service Academies

Military Academy (West Point)

Naval Academy

Air Force Academy

Coast Guard Academy

Merchant Marine Academy

Very highly competitive
Attend free
Require at least a 5-year service commitment (more for pilots and other specialized careers)
Require congressional or senatorial nomination (except for Coast Guard)

Senior Military Colleges

University of North Georgia

The Citadel (SC)

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

Norwich University

VA Women’s Inst. For Leadership (at Mary Baldwin University)

Combine college with military instruction
Every cadet participates in ROTC and wears a uniform on campus; learn in a military environment
Those on ROTC scholarship have a service requirement
Guaranteed officer commissions upon graduation

Military Junior Colleges

Georgia Military College

Marion Military Institute

New Mexico Military Institute

Valley Forge Mil. Acad. And College

2-year colleges/Assoc. Degrees
Allows cadets to become commissioned officers in the Army in 2 years through the Early Commissioning Program
Required to complete Bachelor’s degree while serving in the Army Natl Guard or Reserve
Also offer one-year Service Academy prep programs

ROTC Programs

(Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)

Army ROTC

Navy & Marine Corps ROTC

Air Force ROTC

Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning

Available at many traditional civilian colleges
College classes are mixed with ROTC curriculum
Scholarship recipients have an 8-year service requirement
Not deployable until graduated and commissioned
Enter as commissioned officer

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GEORGIA MILITARY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

University of North Georgia – Corps of Cadets
42 full scholarships awarded to Georgia high school seniors (on average they only receive 70-80 qualified applicants each year!)
Pays for tuition, fees, room, meals, books, and uniforms for 8 semesters/4 years; ~ $80,000
Recipients are also soldiers in the Georgia Army National Guard
Earn an ADDITIONAL pay/benefits between $30,000 and $55,000; some receive more!
Weekend drills on campus the first 2 years
Not deployable while in college
8-year service obligation (all military officer commissions are between 6-8 years)

4 years – Guard
After 4 years, can transition to Army or stay in Guard

www.ung.edu/cadet/scholarships or cadetrecruiting@ung.edu or 706-867-2918

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HOW JOINING THE MILITARY CAN HELP YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE AND EARN A DEGREE

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NEXT STEPS

Research different branches to find the right fit based on your goals, interests, career opportunities, etc.

Research college and ROTC programs if you are interested in attending college first and/or becoming an officer

Talk with your counselor ASAP if interested in a Service Academy

Connect with a recruiter during lunch or at a mini-fair

Take the ASVAB

Your recruiter may ask that you provide your final transcript to show proof of graduation

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