This is a new Ask a Tech Teacher series on College and Career with a focus on military options. 

High school students contemplating a military career should research extensively, speak with recruiters, and perhaps participate in preparatory or introductory military programs to make an informed decision. Each branch of the military has unique offerings, so aligning personal goals with the branch’s culture and opportunities is crucial. There are several pathways for post-HS: opportunities for personal development, education, and professional training. Here’s an overview:

• Join directly from High School:

  • Enlistment: Students can enlist in one of the six branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. This path typically requires passing the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to determine suitability for specific roles. High school graduates can start as enlisted personnel, gaining hands-on experience in various military occupations.

  • Benefits: Enlisting offers benefits like tuition assistance, health care, housing, and retirement benefits. The military provides training in over 150 career fields, many of which only require a high school diploma or GED.

  • Programs for Experience: Programs like the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) in high schools can provide students with early exposure to military life, teaching leadership, citizenship, and discipline.

• Attend college before entering the military:

  • Service Academies: High school students can apply to one of the U.S. military academies (e.g., West Point for Army, Naval Academy for Navy, etc.), which offer a combination of college education and military training. These are highly competitive and require congressional nomination. Graduates earn a commission as officers.

  • ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps): This program allows students to attend college and receive military training simultaneously. Upon graduation, ROTC participants commit to a period of service as an officer. The program offers scholarships that can cover tuition, fees, and other expenses.

This series will delve into making the military part of college-career choices. Here are some of the articles you’ll see with links to those already published:

• 5 Must-do Skills to Accomplish During High School
• 9 Secrets for Getting into a Service Academy
• 11 Ways to Become a Navy Officer and a Gentleman
• Apply for a Military Academy
• Average USNA Candidate
• ASVAB or a Service Academy? You Decide.
• College Bound: Take Inventory
• Didn’t get into a Military Academy? Try NAPS
• Goal Setting for a Fourteen-year-old
• OCS–an option
• STEM at USNA
• Successful USNA Graduates
• You’re a Sophomore and Interested in USNA

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Lou Holtz, the University of Notre Dame’s erudite ex-coach, entrusted with turning UND football players into graduates, once exhorted, “How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.”High School is like the second half, and you’re about to find out if you’re a winner. At the starting line, all students are equal, crossing the freshman threshold with the same opportunities, and same possibilities for their future. The 4.0 student stands shoulder to shoulder with the star athlete, and the C student who aspires to nothing more than minimum wage work has an equal chance that inspiration will strike. Every one approaches the starting line, not knowing if the race will be won with brains, hard work, willpower, or intensity of desire.

But you’re different. You know what you want: USNA. There are five general skills you’ll have to learn over the next three years (if you don’t have them by the time applications go out, prior to senior year, it’ll be too late).

• How to solve problems
• How to manage your time
• How to prioritize
• How to get along with people
• How to think

Maybe you’re thinking, that’s easy. I do it every day. Or maybe you’re wondering: How do I make this happen? I can answer both: It’s not easy or everyone would do it. The only thing easy is the instructions for making it happen. (more…)

Can a high school freshman be goal-oriented?  Should they—or is this too early?  Though many deliberate, no one yet has invented a time machine to unring the proverbial bell. And high school requires the ringing of many academic, social and economic bells. Many future-shaping decisions become final based on these four years.

Zoe, like your sons and daughters, is thinking about which college she wants to attend. Some value just academics, and others academics and sports/fine arts/community service/a passionate involvement in something. Often contradictory, choices must be made early in the high school regarding ambitions, focus, and intents.

‘No goals’ means decisions are made for you. If you don’t commit yourself to “do” high school (work hard, take challenging classes, never never never give up even one extra-credit point on a test), then you have made a choice. It’s passive, but effective. Each time you make the decision to skip studying for one test, or make the decision to not put the extra time into one project, you shorten the height of your grasp on the future.  Too many compromises, and goals become dreams for someone ‘luckier’ than you. (more…)

If you want to join the military, you can do that by attending a four-year Service Academy or by enlisting. I discussed 11 ways to become a Navy Officer in an earlier article (click for link). Here, I’ll focus on the academics required to be accepted as an enlisted soldier or sailor.

Anyone interested in a non-four-year-degree entry into the military services must take the ASVAB– the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). It’s multiple choice test administered by United States Military Entrance Processing Command prior to enlistment. Areas of competence include: (more…)

This is a new Ask a Tech Teacher series on College and Career with a focus on military options. We’ll start with this how-to on becoming an officer and a gentleman:

As the economy gets worse, a career in the military looks better. They are the rare employer who accepts everyone qualified and doesn’t lay you off. Whether you enlist or become an officer is a personal choice. Each requires specific requirements, commitments and responsibilities. Each has its own unique skill set that either fits the prospective candidate or doesn’t. While the pay is greater, so is the stress and demands associated with the work. Me–I have a Navy Officer daughter and an Army enlisted Signal Corps son. Each picked the path that worked best for them.

If you’ve decided that you prefer the officer path to the enlisted, here are your options: (more…)

Balancing academics and social life in college is a bigger challenge than it sounds like. As this school year approaches an end and students start to plan on college life, the Ask a Tech Teacher team has suggestions on how to make that work well:

Balancing Academics and Social Life in College

College life is an exhilarating journey filled with learning, discovery, and growth. It’s a unique phase where you’re expected to juggle academics, social activities, part-time jobs, and perhaps even self-care routines. Finding the perfect balance between academics and social life is akin to walking a tightrope. It requires skill, patience, and a bit of a balancing act. So, how does one navigate through this without tipping over? Let’s dive in and explore some strategies to achieve this equilibrium.

Understanding the Importance of Balance

The Academic Foundation

First and foremost, it’s essential to acknowledge that academics are the bedrock of your college experience. They are the main reason you’re in college, after all. Excelling in your studies opens doors to future opportunities, whether it’s graduate school, competitive job markets, or research opportunities. But, why is balance so crucial?

The Social Spectrum

On the flip side, college is more than just grades and textbooks. It’s about building lifelong friendships, networking, developing social skills, and discovering who you are outside of the classroom. These experiences are invaluable and contribute significantly to your personal development and mental well-being. (more…)

The Role of Mathematics in Education: What Professions You Can Get in the Future

Have you ever found yourself pondering the real-world applications of those algebraic formulas or geometric theorems you spent hours trying to decipher in school? Or perhaps, amidst a particularly challenging calculus problem, you’ve questioned how this abstract world of numbers and symbols could possibly influence your future career? Well, you’re not alone. Mathematics, often dubbed the universal language, plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational foundation necessary for a plethora of professions. Let’s dive into the essence of mathematics in education and uncover the vast array of future career opportunities it unlocks. (more…)

Choosing Tech That Grows From Your Schooling Into Your Career

Starting a career is an exhilarating journey, and in today’s tech-driven world, the technology you choose during your school years can be a foundational step toward your professional tech arsenal. Having the right gadgets and tools plays a pivotal role in academic success and setting a strong foundation for your professional life.

The transition from academic life to the professional world is significant, and the technology we use plays a crucial role in this journey. As students, technology aids in learning, research, and collaboration, while in the professional realm, it becomes a tool for productivity, communication, and innovation. The key is to invest in technology that not only meets your current educational needs but also has the potential to adapt and evolve as your career progresses. This approach not only ensures continuity in your tech use but also provides a solid foundation for professional growth. (more…)

With the school year ending, here are some useful tips from the Ask a Tech Teacher crew for students preparing for college or career:

School and Job Tips for Young Adults

The marketplace for good jobs has always been highly competitive. In the current economic climate, a solid education can serve as the launching pad for a rewarding career. But how can young adults get the training, schooling, and experience to get a job they enjoy? The good news is that there are plenty of effective tactics for diligent students and young professionals who want to make the most out of their education and training.

Besides creating a top-notch resume, modern college-bound people take the time to search for scholarship awards that can offset some or all their school expenses. They also take advantage of summer internships, both paid and unpaid, to acquire up to date workplace skills. While getting ready to take standardized tests in high school or after, prep courses can assist motivated candidates in achieving better scores.

Other no cost learning resources include institution sponsored tutoring programs, online seminars, and self-help guidebooks. For those who find it a challenge to get homework done on time, fixed study hours are a practical solution. Finally, remember to seek guidance when choosing a major field of study. Here are more details about how to navigate a collegiate career and land that first job after graduation.

(more…)

The skills required to succeed in your post-High School life, be it college, a vocational training program, the military, or a job, are surprisingly similar. Commitment to the task at hand by doing your best all the time is a great start, but it isn’t all you need. One of our Ask a Tech Teacher contributors came up with a short list of five skills that will make a big difference in whether you succeed or fail in your post-High School endeavors:

1. Communication
2. Adaptability and Flexibility
3. Leadership
4. Time management
5. Technical skills

Here’s what you need to know:

5 Skills Graduates Need to Be Successful 

The job market is competitive, and having the right skills and the courage to use them can be the difference between success and stagnation. Graduates looking to hit the ground running should be sure to cultivate a good balance of soft and hard skills. Creativity and problem-solving will come in handy in brainstorming solutions and revolution steps for projects, while communication and networking are invaluable when interacting with team members or potential clients. Below are five of the most critical skills that graduates should possess to make their mark on the job market:

(more…)