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Step 3: Choose the right path

Compare Services: Ways of Joining

Generally speaking, all the services offer active duty (full time) and Reserve (part time) careers. If you have the right qualifications, you may have the opportunity to train to be an officer (i.e., through Officer Candidate School, or military academies). Individual services may also have other options (i.e., the Coast Guard Auxiliary). The chart below provides more details on the ways you can join each military branch.

Ways of Joining

U.S. Army	Active duty (full time) Reserve (part time) Officer (Active/Reserve): including ROTC, Officer Candidate School, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Direct Commission Officer
U.S. Navy	Active duty (full time) Reserve (part time) Officer (Active/Reserve): including ROTC, Officer Candidate School, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Direct Appointment, Limited Duty Officer
U.S. Air Force	Active duty (full time) Reserve (part time) Officer: including ROTC, Officer Candidate School, U.S. Air Force Academy, Direct Appointment
U.S. Marine Corps	Active duty (full time) Reserve (part time) Officer (Active/Reserve): including ROTC, Officer Candidate School, U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Direct Commission Officer, Limited Duty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard	Active duty (full time) Reserve (part time) Officer (Active/Reserve): including ROTC, Officer Candidate School, U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Direct Commission Officer Coast Guard Auxiliary (Volunteers)