Military Service Options

The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. You can learn about all the branches of service and what it is like to serve on todaysmilitary.com.

The Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) website provides more information about college preparatory schools, two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

You can become an officer in the U.S. military by graduating from one of the U.S. service academies. The academies are colleges that train future commissioned officers. Tuition, room and board are free but there is a military service requirement.

Military Service Academies

• United States Air Force Academy
• United States Coast Guard Academy
• United States Merchant Marines Academy
• United States Military Academy at West Point
• United States Naval Academy

Military Recruiters Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The work you do is extremely valuable, and we are honored to be a part of your recruitment efforts. Below are the guidelines that will provide consistency in our procedures across the county.

1. Each recruiter must sign in at the Main Office upon arrival at an FCPS high school. The college and career specialist will serve as the point of contact for each of the high schools.
2. Each branch of military service may schedule up to one visit per month. During the visit, recruiters must remain in their assigned area and should allow students to make the initial contact with the recruiter. Appointments for the visits are to be scheduled in August or September with the college and career specialist. The college and career specialist and recruiter will establish appointment dates for the entire school year. Any necessary changes during the year should be arranged with the college and career specialist.
3. Appointments with individual students may not be arranged during school hours or on school property. Students will not be excused from class to meet with recruiters. Recruiters may pick up a student at his or her home, not from school property.
4. It is recommended that recruiters obtain permission from parents and/or guardians before meeting with individual students. Parents and/or guardians must sign a release form before transcripts can be given to recruiters unless the student is eighteen and may sign for his or her transcript. Please allow adequate time for the transcript request to be processed.
5. If there is a change of recruiter, this information should be relayed to the college and career specialist by the new recruiter.
6. Directory information requests must be made in writing to School Counseling Services. Please refer to the process for military directory requests information sheet.
7. In order to respect each individual’s right to privacy, recruiters will not, at any time, ask students for information about other students.
8. The principal is the only person authorized to release names and information about teachers and other faculty members.

Process for Military Directory Requests

Requests can be made and fulfilled after October 15th for each school year. A request must be made in writing on official letterhead. Please specify if you are requesting lists for specific schools or all FCPS high schools. You will receive approval or further information via email so please include your e-mail address in your request.

The request should be addressed to:

Carolyn Ellison
School Counseling and College Success Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools
8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, #5082
Fairfax, VA 22031

[email protected]

School Counseling: 571-423-4420