Military Academies: High School Only?

Quick question. Are military academies just for high school students or do they cater to older age groups too? Thanks in advance!

Military academies in the United States, such as West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy, mainly cater to high school graduates. However, they are not limited to that age group.

Generally, the age limit for applicants to these academies is between 17 to 22 years old, but there are exceptions. For instance, the Coast Guard Academy accepts students who are 17 to 22 years old at the time of entrance, but waivers for candidates beyond this age range can be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Moreover, each academy has different eligibility requirements which might include citizenship, marital status, physical fitness, and academic standing, among others.

It's also important to note that there are other types of military education establishments, like Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS), aimed at college graduates or those with previous military service. These programs aren't traditional "academies" but they offer training for individuals seeking to become military officers.

So to answer your question, while the primary audience for military academies is high school students, there are paths to military education for older individuals as well. It's best to check with the specific academies or military education programs you're interested in for more precise information.