Foreign Military Admission at U.S. Military Colleges

I'm a high school junior from a non-US country with a family background in the military. I'm considering studying in a military college. Is it common (or even possible) for foreign military students to get accepted at U.S. Military Colleges? Anyone with this kind of experience here?

While US military academies primarily serve American students, they do accept a limited number of international students each year. These include the four primary U.S Military Academies: the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), U.S. Military Academy (USMA), and U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).

In most cases, foreign students are nominated by their home countries and must meet the same admission standards as U.S. students. While every country has its own procedure for nominating students to U.S. military academies, it usually involves going through your country's Ministry of Defense or equivalent body.

However, there are several factors to consider. First, although international cadets are admitted, their number is quite small. Each academy may only appoint a certain number of international students per year (excluding Canada). This quota is tiny compared to the overall acceptance number.

Second, admission to military academies is highly competitive and requires strong academic records, leadership characteristics, physical fitness, and medical qualifications. Like their American counterparts, international students must excel in all these areas.

Finally, it's important to note that foreign students who graduate from a U.S. service academy are not commissioned as officers in the U.S. military. Rather, they return to their home countries to serve in their national militaries, usually for a specified period of time.

So, in short, yes, non-US students can be accepted into American military colleges, but it's important to do your research and fully understand the process and expectations.