Universities and the Military: What's the Connection?

I've been hearing from a lot of sources that some colleges have ties with the military. Can anyone clarify this for me? Are there specific schools that have military programs or partnerships that could be advantageous for future military personnel?

Absolutely! Many universities have connections to the military through programs such as the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). ROTC provides college students with training to become officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. In these programs, students can get substantial scholarships, and then they serve in the military after graduation. The required period of service varies but generally ranges from 4 to 8 years of active or reserve duty.

Examples of ROTC programs include the Navy ROTC, Army ROTC, and Air Force ROTC, along with programs for other branches of the military. These programs are available at hundreds of universities, including many top tier schools.

Additionally, there are the five federal service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY), the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), United States Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT) and United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY), , which are all fully funded by the U.S. government.

Furthermore, the relatively new United States Space Force partnered with universities to build out its Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) space operations program. The Space Force started in 2019, and it is now working with universities to train their undergraduates.

Lastly, schools like The Citadel in South Carolina, Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Texas A&M, and Norwich University in Vermont are Senior Military Colleges. These schools have a long history of military tradition, and a large portion of their student bodies are part of their Corps of Cadets and commission into the military after graduation.

These programs and schools provide college education combined with the military training necessary to serve as an officer. They can be a great way to serve your country and receive an education without a substantial financial burden. However, they do come with a service requirement after graduation, so it's important to consider whether you're ready for that commitment. Be sure to research each program individually to get a better understanding of what it offers and what would be expected of you.