The U.S. Armed Forces are made up of five armed service branches: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. It follows, then, that there are multiple educational tracks that provide training to become a military officer.

Training to enter the Air Force and Air Force Reserve is focused on the flying of planes, helicopters, and satellites. Army and Army Reserve students learn how to secure and guard areas of land. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve programs teach recruits to fight by both sea and land. Training for the Navy branch of the military is about protecting oceans and seas. And Coast Guard programs concentrate on the protection and safety of domestic waterways.

In addition to these branch-specific options, you could concentrate on integrated studies of national and global security strategies or economic policy related to military operations. Whether your goal is to become a career officer or to enlist and serve for one or more tours of duty, there is a military curriculum waiting for you.

Pro Tip
Still unsure if a degree in military science, leadership, and operations is your calling? Take the career test