Prince William County Public Schools
Military Service
The U.S. Armed Forces are made up of six military branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force. In addition to the six military branches, the Army and Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, and responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counter-drug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Visit the U.S. military branch webpages below, along with the National Guard, to learn more.
Military Service
The U.S. Armed Forces are made up of six military branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force. In addition to the six military branches, the Army and Air National Guard is a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, and responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counter-drug efforts, reconstruction missions, and more. Visit the U.S. military branch webpages below, along with the National Guard, to learn more.
Resources for Students and Families
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
What is the ASVAB?
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.
The ASVAB is hosted at local high schools. Please contact your high school for details regarding when the next testing window may occur. Students are also able to take the ASVAB with a local recruiter.
Some students take the ASVAB because they plan to enter the military; however, others, especially seniors, who aren't planning to enter the military but may still be unsure of their career interest path, may take it to gather more career interest information about themselves. Scores on all of the ASVAB subtests are used to determine the best job for you in the military.
ASVAB Resources
Free Study Guides for the ASVAB-Union Test Prep
Sample Questions
Practice Tests:
ASVAB Testing Dates
Contact your college and career counselor for more information and to register for the ASVAB test at your school.
| High School | Test Date |
|---|---|
| Battlefield | April 24, 2026 |
| Brentsville | March 23, 2026 |
| Colgan | February 19, 2026 |
| Forest Park | March 4, 2026 |
| Freedom | March 10, 2026 |
| Gainesville | March 19, 2026 |
| Gar-Field | April 7, 2026 |
| Hylton | February 9 and March 3, 2026 |
| Independence Nontraditional | February 25, 2026 |
| Osbourn Park | March 25, 2026 |
| Patriot | March 24, 2026 |
| Potomac | April 10, 2026 |
| Unity Reed | January 27 and February 19, 2026 |
| Woodbridge | February 13, 2026 |
What is the AFQT?
The Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) is used to determine your eligibility for enlistment in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps. The AFQT is a percentile score that indicates the percentage of examinees in a reference group who scored at or below that particular score.
AFQT Qualifying Scores for Different Branches of the Military
Military Academies
Timeline Summary
The summer before senior year is when service academy applicants should begin securing a required nomination from an elected official. Students should review nomination guidelines on the websites of their two U.S. senators, their congressional representative, and the vice president.
The nomination process typically includes an application with essays, teacher and counselor recommendations, transcripts, and test scores, followed by an interview with the nominating office.
A nomination does not guarantee admission, and the Coast Guard Academy is the only academy that does not require one. Students can—and should—apply for nominations to multiple academies, ranking them in order of preference so officials understand their top choice.
Service Academy Applicant Liaisons
Each service academy assigns representatives who serve as an applicant’s primary point of contact throughout the admissions process:- U.S. Naval Academy: Blue and Gold Officers
- U.S. Military Academy (West Point): Field Force Representatives
- U.S. Air Force Academy: Admissions Liaison Officers
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Admissions Officers
These liaisons guide students through key steps in the application process and typically conduct the required candidate interviews. Students are encouraged to identify and connect with their assigned admissions liaison during the summer before senior year.
Establishing early communication helps students stay informed, ask questions, and remain on track throughout the application cycle.