Hi everyone, I'm a junior thinking about life after high school, and the military seems like a compelling option to me. But I'm not super savvy with the terminology. What's the process or act of joining a military branch called formally? I'm sure there's a specific term for it and knowing that could be quite helpful when I look it up. Thanks!
Hello! The formal act of joining the military is typically referred to as "enlistment" for most personnel. When you enlist, you're essentially signing a contract and making a commitment to serve a certain number of years in the military. This includes training and active duty service. The length of commitment can vary depending on the branch, your chosen role, and a number of other factors.
An alternate path, mostly for those interested in becoming an officer, involves attending a service academy or participating in an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program, followed by a commission. Officers can also be direct commissioned which involves professional schooling and training. Each of these paths has different requirements and benefits.
Certainly take your time to explore your options and converse with veterans or current service members, if you have the opportunity, to learn more about the different routes. As you research, also consider what potential career paths, educational opportunities, and personal goals you have related to military service.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.