Military
For students interested in joining the armed forces after high school these links may be helpful.
All students interested in joining the military must take the ASVAB: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Click here for more information on the ASVAB.
Interested in joining the military but also going to college? Check out ROTC: Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Click here for more information.
Military Service Academy & ROTC Information
Nomination Process:
Before you can apply to Service Academies, you need to receive a nomination from an elected official during the Spring/Summer of Junior Year.
Apply to the two New Jersey Senators, your Congressional Representative and/or the Vice President of the United States. If you are NOT nominated through any of these competitive processes, you could still be placed on a national waitlist. Nominators evaluate candidates during the summer and make decisions in early fall. Applicants need to visit each official’s website for specific nomination instructions & timelines.
Once you have submitted your nomination applications, apply to each Service Academy application through its website.
Military Academies
Army Military Academy: West Point
Navy Military Academy: United States Naval Academy at Annapolis
Air Force Military Academy:United States Air Force Academy
Coast Guard: United States Coast Guard Academy
Marines: United States Merchant Marine Academy
Please click on the links to access websites that will allow you to request a Service Academy Nomination from the following:
New Jersey Senators – apply to both senators:
Senator Cory Booker
Senator Bob Menendez
Whitehouse Service Academy Nomination Process
SERVICE ACADEMY & ROTC APPLICATION TIMELINE
Start early. Applying to the Service Academies takes more time than applying to other colleges. Although the application opens in January of your Junior year, we recommend beginning your application process in late May or early June of sophomore year. You will continuously update your application over the course of the following year. For a good guideline, use the Application Timeline used by the United States Military Academy.
Academics:
- Earn As & Bs throughout high school.
- Take challenging college-prep, Honors, and AP courses, when possible.
- Take the PSAT (students will take the ACT/SAT at the end of 11th grade).
Leadership:
- Position yourself to become a leader by Junior year.
- Participate in clubs or organizations in your community, school, or church.
- Work toward becoming a leader in the organizations to which you belong.
- Ask a teacher, coach or school counselor to help you find ways to serve.
Physical:
- Improve your physical strength and endurance.
- Participate in intramural sports or join one of your school’s athletic teams.
- Practice the Candidate Fitness Assessment events.
- RUN!
Explore the Campuses:
- Visit each campus to learn about cadet life. Learn everything you can while you’re there!
Attend the Summer Leaders Experience:
- Apply to attend the Service Academies’ week-long Summer Program during the summer of senior year. You’ll experience firsthand what it means to be a cadet. It is possible to do multiple summer programs. Information is available on Military Academy Websites.
Academics:
- Take college-preparatory and AP courses to sharpen your academic abilities.
- Take the SAT/ACT in the Spring of 11th grade. The Air Force Academy will accept your highest composite test score while the Army and the Navy academies will take your Super-Score.
Leadership:
- Assume leadership positions in school, church, scouting, athletics and community activities.
Physical:
- Get fit.
- Improve your physical conditioning through cross-country running and swimming.
- Join a team sport.
- Practice for the Candidate Fitness Assessment, an admission requirement.
- RUN!
Visit Campuses:
- Spend a day with a cadet.
- Schedule an overnight visit.
Academics:
- Continue to perform your personal best in high school academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities.
- Earn As and Bs in the toughest courses you can take.
- Do especially well in Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Physics.
Leadership:
- Become a leader in school government, clubs or other organization.
Physical:
- Maintain peak physical strength and endurance.
- Practice for the Candidate Fitness Assessment, an admissions requirement.
Monitor Your Cadet File:
- Have you sent your nomination requests?
- Have you sent your ACT & SAT test scores?
- Have you complete the necessary forms and assessments?
- Have your prepared for the Candidate Fitness Assessment?
MILITARY PREP SCHOOLS (USMAPS, NAPS, USAFA):
Prep school candidates are students who receive a nomination to a Military Academy, but who do not meet the academic standards to attend an academy. These students may benefit from a year at prep school, with the goal of eventual admission to an academy. Attendance at a prep school does not guarantee an appointment; however, prep school graduates are often very successful in obtaining a future appointment.
RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS PROGRAMS (ROTC):
ROTC is a program offered at more than 1,000 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. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about ROTC programs:
FAQ
- What is ROTC?
- ROTC is a college-based program for training commissioned officers (typically a 2nd Lieutenant) in the US Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, and Navy). ROTC students attend college like other college students but also receive basic military training and officer training for their chosen branch of service. In exchange for military service, ROTC cadets typically receive competitive, merit-based scholarships, covering all or part of tuition, room and board. These awards can range from partial to full scholarships.
- What is different between the Service Academies and ROTC?
- Although they award the same rank of 2nd Lieutenant, ROTC allows for a more traditional college experience, compared to a military academy.
- How do I apply?
- Click on the ROTC links on the upper right section of this webpage for information about the Service Academy ROTC porgrams. Learn about the similarities and differences of each program. If interested, you can then create your account and begin the application.
- Do I need a nomination for ROTC?
- No, nominations are only required for the Service Academies.
- If I’m applying to the Service Academies, should I also apply to ROTC programs?
- Yes. If you are applying for the Service Academies, it is strongly recommended that you also apply to ROTC, since ROTC students will receive financial aid and a commissioned officer rank. Each college should have a webpage with specific information about its ROTC programs.
- I’m applying to multiple colleges; do I have to apply to each college’s ROTC program?
- No, once you apply, you can list up to 10 colleges on the application. Add your top 3 or 4 colleges in order. You may be selected to your second or third choice over your first choice, based on academy needs. All students must apply to at least one public state university, but it does not have to be in New Jersey. Please verify this information with your specific college.
- Can I apply to multiple ROTC programs?
- Yes, you can apply to Army ROTC, Navy ROTC and Air Force ROTC.
- What is my time commitment?
- Check with your university and ROTC liaison to be absolutely certain of your time commitments. Information is also available on Service Academy ROTC websites.
- If I do not earn a national scholarship, can I earn additional scholarships at each college?
- Yes, if you do not earn a national scholarship, you can interview at each university and possibly earn a university specific scholarship, especially if that university is your first or second choice.
- Do I need to do an interview?
- Yes, you need to interview at your nearest ROTC office, even if you are attending an ROTC program at another university or in another state.
