As students approach senior year, the question of what to do after graduation starts to become more present. One option students can pursue is joining the armed forces.

Joining the United States Armed Forces offers various benefits but requires rigorous training, discipline, and dedication. There are six different branches of the military that have different requirements in order for a person to join.

The military requires a person to be a minimum age of 17 to join, with varying ages from 28 to 39 as a maximum. Plus, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have a green card.

It is also required for a person to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which determines the military branch best suited for the person taking it, and pass a medical exam.

In terms of education, a person needs a completed high school education or a General Educational Development Test (GED) to be a soldier. To apply for the position of officer, having a college education is also required.

Some choose to attend a military academy instead of directly enlisting. There are various military academies around the United States, one of them being the United States Military Academy, West Point.

One student who plans on attending West Point after graduating high school is Pascack Hills senior Aaron D’Alessandro.

“I’ve been interested in joining the military, so training in college and learning how to be an effective leader and comrade in the army was the best path for me to take,” he said. 

The application process to attend military academies such as West Point are different from other college admissions.

For D’Alessandro, he “applied for and received a nomination from Congressman Josh Gottheimer, took a rigorous physical fitness test, and had a thorough medical exam” alongside the “typical” four-year college admission requirements, such as recommendation letters and the admissions essay.

D’Alessandro’s advises those interested in applying to a military academy to prepare early because of these additional requirements and deadlines. His entire application process took about a year, starting in February 2022 and ending after he received his acceptance in January 2023. 

Cadet trainees at these military academies train to prepare for their time in and after the military. While training, students study a major they chose, which depends on each U.S. military academy.

“After I graduate, and once I have decided when my final year with the army is, I plan to seek a job having to do with kinesiology. I would be interested in being a physical therapist or sports trainer,” D’Alessandro said.

Attending a military academy or joining the armed forces can provide monetary compensation as well. There are various ways cadets and soldiers can receive financial benefits through training or schooling, such as with the GI Bill. Different plans under the GI Bill help pay for a person’s education during their time in college and training for the U.S. military based on the length of time in the military.

“After graduating from the academy, I will be required to serve in active duty for five years and in the reserves for three years. I am not entirely sure what branch of the army I will be assigned, but as of now I am interested in being in the infantry branch or military police,” said D’Alessandro.

Cadets are assigned to different military branches and stations upon graduation. Once they complete their required duration of time, they can choose to continue in the military or stop their service.

D’Alessandro commented on the pride of taking this on as a postgraduate plan, a path that few students take.

“For those interested in joining the armed forces, it’s a great honor, and you should feel very proud that you want to serve for our country,” he said. 

Sources:

https://thehighschooler.net/is-joining-the-military-after-high-school-a-good-idea/

https://www.goarmy.com/explore-the-army/reasons-to-join.html

https://www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/requirements.html

https://www.usa.gov/join-military

https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/

https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve/education-training.html