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Category: General Military Information
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The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program prepares high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. It is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community and Nation. JROTC teaches young men and women the kind of self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership skills that can help them successfully meet the challenges of adulthood. This program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the Nation, by instructors who are retired Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel.

Information about each military service's JROTC program is found on their respective websites. Additional questions should be directed to the contact addresses below:

U.S. Army JROTC Program Headquarters
U.S. Army Cadet Command
ATTN: ATCC-JR-IM (Instr Mgt)
394 2nd Dragoons Road, Bldg 6573
Fort Monroe, VA 23651-5000
Phone: 800-347-6641
http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/

U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding General
TECOM C46JR
1019 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5001
Phone: 703-784-3706
https://www.mcjrotc.marines.mil/

Naval Service Training Command
NJROTC Program
250 Dallas Street, Suite. A
Pensacola, FL 32508-5268
Phone: 877-253-7122 (option 1)
https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NJROTC/

Headquarters, Air Force Junior ROTC
ATTN: AETC HOLM CENTER/JROTC
60 West Maxwell Boulevard.
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6106
Phone: 334-953-7513 or 7743
https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/

 


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We greatly appreciate your desire to join the Armed Forces. Our entry rules are purposely tough because in the field, the lives of your fellow service members may well depend on your physical and mental capabilities to perform as part of the unit. The Military services each set and review their standards for enlistment based upon their particular mission.

To appeal a decision made by a military service's recruiting command, you must submit your request in writing to the appropriate military service. Addresses for the military services are available on the DOD website at https://www.defense.gov/Contact/Mailing-Addresses/.

There are also areas where your situation may not be an issue, such as the U.S. civil service. For information on civilian job opportunities, please visit the USA Jobs website.


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The Selective service System is an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the U.S. Federal Government. Selective service is not part of the Department of Defense.

Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.

It’s important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in a sequence determined by random lottery number and year of birth. Then, they would be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces.

The U.S. Selective Service website has more information, including how to register and who must register.


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Information about each military service academy is found on their respective websites. Additional questions should be directed to the contact addresses below:

United States Military Academy
ATTN: Public Affairs Office
Taylor Hall, Building 600
West Point, NY 10996-1788
Telephone: 845-938-4011
Website: http://www.usma.edu/

United States Naval Academy *
ATTN: Public Affairs Officer
121 Blake Road
Annapolis, MD 21402-5000
Telephone: 410-293-1000
Website: http://www.usna.edu/
* Graduates serve in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps

United States Air Force Academy
ATTN: Public Affairs Officer
2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 320
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840-5016
Telephone: 800-433-9266
Website: http://www.usafa.af.mil

United States Coast Guard Academy **
ATTN: Public Affairs Officer
15 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320-4195
Telephone: 860-444-8270
Website: https://www.uscga.edu/
** The U.S. Coast Guard is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security; however, reports directly to the Department of the Navy only in wartime; in peacetime, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.

United States Merchant Marine Academy ***
ATTN: Public Affairs Officer
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024
Telephone: 516-726-5800
Website: http://www.usmma.edu/
*** The Merchant Marine Academy has a close relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces, as noted on its website, but is not part of the Department of Defense.


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The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the Nation’s lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values.

The USCIS website contains helpful information about laws, policies, and procedures for non-citizen members of the military and veteran community seeking to become naturalized United States citizens. Link: https://www.uscis.gov/military/military

USCIS also operates a helpline toll-free military helpline, 877-CIS-4MIL (877-247-4645, TTY 800-877-8339) and e-mail address at militaryinfo@uscis.dhs.gov exclusively for current members of the military and their families, as well as veterans. 

Link: https://www.uscis.gov/military/military-help-line


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The Department of Defense employs 950,000 civilians, many serving in critical positions worldwide. There are multitudes of opportunities requiring a diverse range of skills. If a competitive salary, great benefits, unsurpassed training, and the pride of defending our Nation interests you, then your future is with DOD.

As a civilian in DOD, you play an important role in the defense of our Nation and in supporting our Armed Forces. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and other DOD Agencies have civilian positions in nearly 675 occupations.

Link:  https://www.DODciviliancareers.com/

As a student or recent graduate, you may be able to begin your career in the Federal Government through internships, the Recent Graduates Program, Presidential Management Fellows Program, with the assistance of DOD scholarship programs:

Link: https://www.DODciviliancareers.com/civiliancareers/studentsrecentgraduates


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Most answers to questions about a military service branch can be found by clicking one of the links below. In addition, each service also offers a “Contact Us” page which can be accessed via the Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQ page.

Army: https://www.army.mil/faq/

Army National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.com/guard-faqs

Navy: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Frequently-Asked-Questions/

Air Force: https://www.af.mil/Questions.aspx

Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/FAQs/

Air National Guard: https://www.ang.af.mil/Contact/Questions.aspx

Marine Corps: https://www.marines.mil/FAQ/

Coast Guard: https://www.gocoastguard.com/faq


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Service members and their families have proven their strength in weathering unique issues, such as frequent moves, deployments and separations from loved ones. Because everyone struggles now and then, the Department of Defense provides confidential non-medical counseling, specialty consultations and other forms of free confidential help to service members, immediate family members and in some cases, Department of Defense civilians. Confidential help is available in person, via secure video, over the phone and online. Learn more at Military OneSource:

Link: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/military-onesource/military-onesource-confidential-help-eligibility/

Military Crisis Line

If you have an immediate need or are currently in crisis, call the Military Crisis Line for support at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). The MCL is a toll-free, confidential resource that connects service members in crisis, their families and friends with qualified, caring responders.

Veterans Crisis Line

If you are a military veteran in crisis or are concerned about a veteran who is, The Department of Veterans Affairs also offers confidential free support from caring, qualified responders, many of whom are veterans themselves.

Link:  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Phone:  1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

Text:  838255

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or TTY: 1-800-799-4889. This hotline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in a suicidal crisis. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. Your call is free and confidential. 

Link: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Psychological Health Center of Excellence

Get the information you need with the Real Warriors Live Chat. A trained health resource consultant is ready to talk, listen and provide the guidance and resources you are looking for. Access our privacy policies and disclaimers to see our commitment to your confidentiality.

Call: 1-800-273-8255 

This link takes you directly to the Real Warriors Live Chat line: https://chat.magellanhealth.com/Cutesoft_Client/CuteChat/DCOE_SupportClient.aspx###


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