As of January 2011, the six Senior colleges recognized under the U.S. Code are: North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia; Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia; Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas; Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont; and The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Since these schools provide a military experience, graduating cadets may enter active duty military status as second lieutenants with a letter of commission from the president of the United States. A Cadet may also choose to enter the military Reserves in any branch, as long as he has not received scholarships contingent on active duty service.
Cadets graduating from a Military Junior College with an associate's degree may only enter a Reserve component of the military as a commissioned officer. Those choosing this path are required to complete a bachelor's degree before serving as active duty officers or by the time they reach the O-3 pay grade. The five recognized schools are: Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri; Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania; Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama; New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico; and Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia.
There are five U.S. service academies that are managed and staffed by their respective branches of the military: the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut; the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Military Academy-West Point in West Point, New York. Graduates of the service academies enter service as active duty second lieutenants and always incur a service obligation.
At both Senior and Junior military colleges, cadets are required to wear military-style uniforms. Cadets earn rank in a similar fashion to active duty service members and act with proper military bearing. Traditional military customs and courtesies are part of everyday campus life. Cadets are required to conduct daily physical training, hold accountability formations and maintain a minimum GPA.
Military colleges focus on educating future leaders in the U.S. military. Courses in leadership, military science, military history and tactical reasoning are required at all military colleges. However, coursework varies by school based upon the branch the cadet will enter. For example, Texas A&M's School of Military Sciences provides a general military education in addition to fostering a program for military health professionals. And VMI has a heavier focus on seafaring navigation than Texas A&M does, since it is geared toward Naval service.