The U.S. Military Academy commonly referred to as West Point, originally began in 1802 as a military educational institution for training civil engineers. Since 1866, West Point has been primarily an institution to train army officers. To attend West Point an applicant must receive a nomination for appointment to the academy from congressional representatives, senators or the president or vice president of the United States. The West Point cadet will be commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation.
The U.S. Naval Academy opened in 1845 and is the one military school that provides its graduates the option to begin their military career as an officer in one of two different military services. The naval academy graduate can receive a commission in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant or choose a commission as an ensign in the Navy. Admission is permitted for prospective students between the ages of 17 and 23 who graduate at least in the top 20 percent of their graduating high school class.
One of the primary goals of the U.S. Air Force Academy is to prepare the cadet with a professionally well-rounded academic and a foundation leadership ability needed to graduate as an Air Force Second Lieutenant. The academy accomplishes this by including astronautical engineering, international affairs, economics, military history and other professionally oriented courses as part of their bachelor of science degree requirements. Academy entranced is based upon a recommendation from a congressional sponsor or meet eligibility criteria in other categories.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduates officers who serve as America's "fourth arm of defense" during times of national emergency and war, according to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy website. Candidates for admission must be 17 years of age, and not over 25 years old, before July 1st of the year of admission. Nomination to the academy by a U.S. representative or senator is required. During peacetime, these tankers carry raw petroleum, iron ore or manufactured goods to U.S. ports.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is one of the smallest of the five U.S. federal military academies, yet it graduates officers who join a lead agency for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Admission eligibility requirements include, being a U.S. citizen, having no dependents or debt, and being between 17 and 22 years old, by July 1st of the year of admission. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, the new officer must spend at least five years in the Coast Guard.