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Charlotte County Public Schools

Enlisted: Preparing for Military Service

Portrait of a Graduate - The 3 E's

Enlisted

Preparing for Military Service

 

The Enlisted pathway can help students and families explore military service as one possible option after graduation. Preparation may include learning about different branches and service options, understanding eligibility requirements, exploring military careers, and considering the education, training, and career opportunities available through military service.

The information below provides suggested actions students and families may consider as they explore this pathway. Students are encouraged to learn about multiple branches and service options before making a decision. Schools can provide information, resources, and support to help students and families make informed decisions as plans develop.

Your Enlisted Checklist

Required for Turnkey Readiness

Students preparing for the Enlisted pathway complete the following required activities and submit the identified evidence as they work toward becoming turnkey ready for military service.

Grade Required Task Evidence Due
9th Complete “About Me” in Xello Completion in Xello Q2
9th Join JROTC or an alternative administrator-approved activity Schedule from Focus Q4
11th Research military branches, military careers, recruiter contact, and the enlistment process Research form in Focus Q3
11th Study for and take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) ASVAB scores in Focus Q4
12th Create a résumé showing education, experiences, and skills Résumé submitted in Focus Q1

Recommended

  • Tour a military base.
  • Begin or continue a physical fitness regimen to prepare for basic training.
  • Complete the military entrance medical exam and medical requirements.

Preparing for the Enlisted Pathway

Preparing for the Enlisted Pathway

 

Military preparation develops over time. The suggested actions below can help students build academic, leadership, personal, and career-readiness skills while exploring military service. Required Enlisted Checklist items are identified separately in the checklist above.

Stage Focus & Key Actions
6th Grade
  • Build strong academic, attendance, responsibility, and organizational habits.
  • Develop teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and self-discipline.
  • Explore personal interests and a variety of future careers.
  • Use Xello and other career-exploration opportunities to learn about future options.
7th Grade
  • Continue developing leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Explore careers connected to personal interests and strengths.
  • Develop responsibility, healthy habits, and effective decision-making skills.
  • Learn how academic subjects and personal strengths connect to future careers.
8th Grade
  • Complete required 8th-grade Xello career-readiness activities.
  • Participate in the Middle School Career Fair and explore different career fields.
  • Research high school programs, including JROTC and other leadership opportunities.
  • Begin identifying whether the Enlisted pathway aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Learn that military service includes multiple branches, career fields, and service options.
9th Grade
  • Understand graduation requirements and begin building a four-year high school plan.
  • Complete or update the “About Me” section in Xello.
  • Explore the different branches of the military and the types of careers available.
  • Participate in JROTC or another administrator-approved activity as required by the Enlisted Checklist.
  • Continue developing leadership, teamwork, reliability, and healthy habits.
  • Begin maintaining a record of activities, volunteer work, leadership positions, awards, and achievements.
10th Grade
  • Research Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve opportunities.
  • Learn about military branches, missions, careers, and service commitments.
  • Become familiar with the ASVAB and general enlistment qualifications.
  • Explore JROTC and other leadership opportunities that develop discipline and teamwork.
  • Continue developing healthy fitness and wellness habits.
11th Grade
  • Research military branches to determine which may best match your interests, strengths, and goals.
  • Contact at least one recruiter and learn about branch-specific opportunities and requirements.
  • Research military careers, training opportunities, education benefits, and service commitments.
  • Study for and take the ASVAB by the end of Q4.
  • Use ASVAB results to explore military career opportunities.
  • Research Senior ROTC scholarships and Service Academy opportunities if interested in becoming an officer.
  • Update your résumé to highlight leadership, activities, athletics, service, and accomplishments.
12th Grade
  • Work with a recruiter to understand and complete the enlistment process.
  • Select a military career path based on ASVAB results, qualifications, and personal interests.
  • Review enlistment terms and service commitments carefully before making a final decision.
  • Complete required testing and military entrance processing, including MEPS when applicable.
  • Finalize ROTC scholarship or Service Academy applications when applicable.
  • Polish your résumé to highlight leadership, accomplishments, activities, and experiences.
  • Continue developing healthy physical fitness and readiness habits.
Post-Graduation
  • Complete basic training and job-specific military training.
  • Build technical skills, credentials, leadership experience, and professional experience through military service.
  • Explore education benefits, certifications, and additional training opportunities.
  • Plan for continued career development during military service and for future civilian career opportunities.

Shared Responsibilities & Support

 

Preparing for military service can involve decisions related to academics, eligibility, physical readiness, career options, education benefits, and the enlistment process. The sections below highlight suggested ways students, families, and schools may support informed planning and preparation along the Enlisted pathway.

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Military
    Options
    • Explore the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force
    • Learn about Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve options
    • Compare multiple service options before making a decision
    • Discuss the student's interests and reasons for considering military service
    • Explore different branches and service options together
    • Encourage questions and comparison of multiple options
    • Provide access to information about military service options
    • Share military career and pathway resources
    • Support students in exploring military service as one of several post-graduation pathways

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Academics &
    Graduation
    • Work toward graduation requirements
    • Maintain strong academic, attendance, and conduct habits
    • Consider courses that support career and technical interests
    • Monitor academic progress toward graduation
    • Encourage strong attendance and academic habits
    • Discuss course choices and future career interests
    • Provide graduation and academic advising
    • Share career and technical course opportunities
    • Provide information about JROTC and other leadership opportunities when available

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    ASVAB &
    Eligibility
    • Learn about the ASVAB and how scores may relate to military career opportunities
    • Consider taking the ASVAB and preparing for areas that may need improvement
    • Learn about general enlistment eligibility requirements
    • Discuss ASVAB results and possible career options with the student
    • Help the student understand that requirements can vary by branch
    • Encourage verification of current eligibility requirements with the appropriate military branch
    • Provide information about available ASVAB testing opportunities
    • Provide academic support and preparation resources when available
    • Direct students to appropriate military sources for branch-specific eligibility requirements

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Physical
    Readiness
    • Develop healthy fitness and wellness habits
    • Learn that physical requirements may vary by branch and service option
    • Seek accurate information about applicable physical standards when considering enlistment
    • Encourage healthy and sustainable fitness habits
    • Support appropriate physical activity and wellness
    • Encourage students to obtain current requirements from the appropriate military branch
    • Provide general physical education and wellness opportunities
    • Promote healthy habits and personal wellness
    • Leave military medical qualification and enlistment fitness determinations to the appropriate military authorities

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Military
    Careers
    • Explore military careers that align with interests, abilities, and goals
    • Compare training and career opportunities among branches
    • Consider how military training and experience may connect to future civilian careers
    • Discuss the student's long-term career interests
    • Help compare career and training opportunities
    • Encourage consideration of how military experience may support future goals
    • Provide career exploration resources
    • Help students connect interests and skills with career fields
    • Share information about military and civilian career pathways

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Recruiters &
    Enlistment Decisions
    • Consider speaking with representatives from multiple branches and service options
    • Ask questions about commitments, career fields, training, benefits, and expectations
    • Carefully review enlistment terms before making a commitment
    • Participate in conversations and ask questions when appropriate
    • Help compare information from multiple service options
    • Review commitments, training, career field, benefits, and other enlistment terms with the student
    • Provide students access to appropriate career and military information
    • Encourage students to gather information and ask questions
    • Support informed decision-making without recommending a particular branch or service option

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Education &
    Future Opportunities
    • Explore education and training opportunities available through military service
    • Learn about potential education benefits, certifications, credentials, and college-credit opportunities
    • Consider how military training and experience may support long-term education and career goals
    • Discuss education and long-term career goals with the student
    • Help compare education and training opportunities among service options
    • Encourage verification of current benefits and eligibility requirements
    • Share information about postsecondary education and career pathways
    • Help students understand how education, training, and credentials can support future goals
    • Direct students to official sources for current military education-benefit information

  • Area Student May: Parent/Guardian May: School/District May:
    Transition to
    Military Service
    • Complete applicable enlistment and transition steps
    • Prepare for basic training and the expectations of military life
    • Develop a plan for communication, finances, personal responsibilities, and the transition from home
    • Support the student's transition and increasing independence
    • Discuss communication, finances, responsibilities, and expectations
    • Help prepare for changes associated with training, relocation, or military life
    • Provide transition and graduation support
    • Assist with appropriate school records or documentation
    • Celebrate students' post-graduation plans and accomplishments