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Soldiers performing a military procedure

What Does “Military School” mean?

The term “military school” has been used to describe several different kinds of schools.  There are two major types which fall under this name today.  One is a school created to teach military subjects.  The other is a school where the basic social and school environment is maintained in accordance with military organization, principles, discipline, and traditions.

Military schools have been a part of human culture for a very long time.  The earliest military schools we know of were in ancient Greece.  Starting in eighth century B.C., the city-state of Sparta fought two wars with the neighboring state of Messina, and then transformed their own country into a military society.  It was reported that the principle purpose of all education in Sparta came to be the development of soldiers. Hence, all schools were military schools.

Boys were sent to a residential military school at age six or seven. They continued with their military training there until they were 18 to 20 years old, when they were subjected to rigorous testing.  If they passed they became a soldier and citizen.  If they failed they were not considered citizens and were given no political rights.  Few people today would choose such a society.

In the eleventh century A.D., in China, the Song Dynasty set up a national military school.  In the fourteenth century, Vietnam created a military academy.  Military academies began to be established in Europe during the eighteenth century, and the number grew during the nineteenth century.

During his time as President of the United States, George Washington asked Congress to establish a military academy to provide professional military training for the armed services of the United States.  Congress did not respond, and our first military academy, West Point, was not established as an academy until 1802, under President Thomas Jefferson.  Initially, the academy at West Point was structured as a military college of engineering, and it was responsible for training many officer-engineers. They, subsequently, were responsible for the design and construction of many of the nineteenth century roads, canals, and railroads of the United States.

Today, the most common kind of military school in the U.S. is a secondary school organized and operated along the lines of a military organization.  Almost all of these schools are private schools.  A few of these schools were established as long ago as the late 1800s, but most were established more recently.  Most are also “boarding” schools where the students live and study at the school. A few operate as “day schools”, where the students are not residents at the school.  There are also a few schools operated for middle school level students and at least one military school for grades K-8.

The fact that an institution might be a military school or military academy does not mean that it is necessarily connected with or operated by the military.  Many of these schools have chosen to emulate a military organization in the way they are organized and run.  Some educators are convinced that if a military type regimen is imposed in a school the students will learn more than in a less controlled environment.

A military school is able to provide students with training and some experience in the military lifestyle.  It also encourages students to develop strong discipline, which is a necessary part of military life.  This kind of experience can greatly improve the ability of a student to succeed in the future if they choose a life in the military. Self-discipline can contribute greatly to the future success of almost anyone, whether in school, or in business.

For students seeking a career in the one of the armed services there are several educational paths available.

There are five military junior colleges which participate in the U.S. Army’s Early Commissioning Program.  This is a two year program in which the student receives an associate degree as well as commission as an officer.  Participants must then complete a four year degree at a college of their choice.  During this time they may serve in a National Guard or Army Reserve unit.

Some regular state universities have a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program as part of the curriculum.  During their regular college career, students may join this elective program, which can lead to a commission as an officer in one of the armed services.  Approximately 40 percent of all Department of Defense active duty officers came out of ROTC programs.

Of course, the ultimate military schools are the U.S. Federal Military Academies.  These are:
•    the United State Military Academy at West Point, New York (U.S. Army), founded 1802
•    the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland founded 1845.
•    the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut, founded 1876
•    the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, founded 1942
•    the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado founded 1954
These are four year universities in which the students earn a Bachelor’s degree in some field, as well as studying military subjects, and earning a commission in one of the armed services.  They have extremely high academic standards and admission is by appointment.  Normally, the student is required to serve for a period of five years, in compensation for the college education provided.

As with other fields, there are also post graduate military schools.  These are typically referred to as staff colleges, command colleges or war colleges.  These institutions are operated by the military services. They are focused on providing special training to advance and upgrade the knowledge of officers in the services.

Whether as a route to a military career, or as a way to achieve a fine education, and develop excellent discipline for non-military success, military schools offer some definite advantages for those willing to accept a military lifestyle in learning.