You have to get selected into the college first and if you are highly qualified the military will pay for your college while you learn how to be a member in the military during your four years in the program.
Some colleges have all branches available. ROTC - Reserve Officer Training Corps - ROTC programs are attached to colleges and typically have selected branches of services represented.The other ways to become an officer are through the three main officer programs: You must be an exceptional candidate as these programs are highly competitive. There are programs like the Seaman to Admiral program in the Navy or the Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP) where the Navy and Air Force will grant a college scholarship to an individual to attend college (while still enlisted) and receive pay and tuition, room and board. There are many officer programs than a civilian or enlisted person can take part in to become an officer. Previous five start Generals have been:īecoming an officer has evolved over the years as well. O-11: General of the Army - During time of war, the President can appoint a General of the Army (5 Star). However, the Navy does share the same collar devices for their ranking system. Rank, title, and collar devices are the same for these branches. The three branches of the service who share the same ranks by name and insignia are the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. So, the Continental Army had privates, sergeants, lieutenants, captains, colonels, generals for instance. Sailors followed the example of the most successful navy of the time - the Royal Navy. Before the Revolutionary War, Americans drilled with militia outfits based on the British tradition. The American military adapted most of its rank insignia from the British. The badges of rank have been worn on hats, shoulders and around the waist and chest. Even carrying different weapons has signified rank.
Since then, the insignia of ranks have included such symbols as feathers, sashes, stripes and showy uniforms. Since before the United States was officially a country, our first General George Washington saw the need of having ranks and noticeable insignia to differentiate the officers from the enlisted as there were no uniforms.