Senior Military Colleges

Hey good people, I came across the term 'senior military colleges' when researching post-high school options. Can anyone elaborate on what these are and their benefits?

Sure, happy to shed some light on that. 'Senior Military Colleges' or SMCs are a set of six colleges in the United States that offer a unique combination of a civilian and military lifestyle. They function like a typical university, where students can enjoy normal college life, but they also have a ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) unit that prepares students for a possible career in the military. The six SMCs are Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, Norwich University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), and University of North Georgia.

In terms of benefits, SMCs can provide a smooth transition for an individual interested in serving in the military while receiving a standard college education. Students at these schools will have access to the leadership training, discipline, character-building, and teamwork typically associated with the military. Moreover, these colleges also offer regular majors just like other collegiate institutions, so students can study a range of subjects while preparing for potential military service.

Moreover, upon graduation, if a student wishes to serve as an officer, SMC grants them the opportunity to automatically be commissioned into the military upon graduation, provided that they've fulfilled the necessary requirements. In fact, they enjoy the same chance of Active Duty assignment as West Point, Annapolis, and Air Force Academy graduates under federal law.

However, attending an SMC doesn't mean you're obligated to join the military. Civilian paths remain viable options upon graduation. Balance remains key in SMCs with the partnership of regular college life and military life being unique to each institution. It's essential that prospective students closely review each school to understand the specific expectations for military involvement.

For example, Virginia Tech has a non-compulsory Corps of Cadets program while at The Citadel, all undergraduate students are part of the Corps. Simply put, if you're pondering a potential career in the military or just interested in having a disciplined, structured college life, SMCs can be a great match. It's a distinct way to get a degree and prepare for life, whether that involves military service or not.