Military Career Pathway

The Military Career Pathway is part of the Government and Public Administration Career Cluster, focused on planning and performing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.

There are full time (active duty) and part time (reserve, National Guard) career opportunities in the military.

Learn about your options

The National Career Clusters® Framework provides 16 groupings (clusters) of occupations based on similar skill sets, interests, abilities, and activities. The clusters contain sub-groupings called Career Pathways. These pathways are used by many school systems to develop curriculum to enhance the knowledge and skills required for a particular career field.

Explore military occupations by Career Cluster

Potential Careers

Administration

Aviation

Combat and Warfare

Construction, Building, and Extraction

Cyber Operations and Information Technology

Engineer

Healthcare and Medicine

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

Legal

Pilot

Safety Management and Emergency Response

Security Forces

Space Systems Operator

Transportation, Supply, and Logistics

Explore more military careers

WATCH: Military Career Videos

Learn from professionals who followed this career pathway in videos from RoadTrip Nation.

Maj. Gen. Linda Singh

Maryland Military Department Adjutant General

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Maj. Cynthia McKenna

United States Air Force C-130J Pilot

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Paul Kennedy

U.S. Army Medical Command Chief Technology Officer

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Tech. Sgt. Matthew Zellefrow

United States Air Force Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor

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Pathway Courses

A student who completes 2 years of AFJROTC can enlist in any branch of the military at a grade of E-2. A student who completed three years of AFJROTC can enlist in the military at a grade of E-3. It is recommended to take pathway courses 3+ years if you are interested in a military career.

AFJROTC Aviation History

AFJROTC Aviation History
JROTC11; JROTC12 | Full-Year Course
Prerequisite: Must comply with JROTC grooming standards
ELECTIVE ⬛9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
⬜DMACC ⬜NCAA ⬜RAI ⬜PBLN
OFFERED: ⬜Blended ⬜Online

Aviation History is a year-long course that serves as an introduction to AFJROTC. Students will study the history of airpower (including the heritage of flight, development of airpower, toward military aerospace and contemporary aviation), leadership education (including military heritage, organization and traditions of the air force, individual self-control and citizenship in the United States) and health and fitness.
AFJROTC Science of Flight

AFJROTC Science of Flight
JROTC21, JROTC22 | Full-Year Course
Prerequisite: must comply with JROTC grooming standards
ELECTIVE ⬛9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
⬜DMACC ⬜NCAA ⬜RAI ⬜PBLN
OFFERED: ⬜Blended ⬜Online

Science of Flight is a year-long course where students study the science of flight (including the aerospace environment, human requirements of flight, principles of aircraft flight, and principles of navigation), leadership education (including effective communication skills, understanding individual behavior, understanding group behavior, and basic leadership concepts) and health and fitness.
AFJROTC Exploring Space

AFJROTC Exploring Space
JROTC31, JROTC32 | Full-Year Course
Prerequisite: must comply with JROTC grooming standards
ELECTIVE ⬛9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
⬜DMACC ⬜NCAA ⬜RAI ⬜PBLN
OFFERED: ⬜Blended ⬜Online

Exploring Space is a year-long course where students will study the exploration of space (including an introduction to space exploration, orbits and trajectories, spacecraft and launch vehicles, and mission operations and management) leadership education (including choosing your path, the job search, financial planning and career opportunities) and health and fitness.
AFJROTC Cultural Studies

AFJROTC Cultural Studies
JROTC41, JROTC42 | Full-Year Course
Prerequisite: must comply with JROTC grooming standards
ELECTIVE ⬛9 ⬛10 ⬛11 ⬛12
⬜DMACC ⬜NCAA ⬜RAI ⬜PBLN
OFFERED: ⬜Blended ⬜Online

Cultural Studies is a year-long course where students focus on an introduction to global awareness. Students will learn about world cultures through the study of world affairs, regional studies, and cultural awareness. They will examine history, geography, religions, languages, culture, political systems, economics, social issues, environmental concerns, and human rights. They will look at major events and significant figures that have shaped each region. Students gain practical experience in leadership and accomplishing mission objectives. Additionally, students will focus on management techniques, management decisions, management functions, and managing self and others. This course will equip students with the qualities needed to serve in leadership positions within the corps and after high school. Cultural Studies students will continue the health and fitness requirements.

Go to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Program page.

Example Four-Year Plan

This is just an example of a possible four-year plan with these pathway courses included. Talk with your counselor to create a plan that works for you.

Required Courses

Valley Graduation Requirements

Walnut Creek Graduation Requirements

Required Courses
- Language and Literature — two credits
- Math (Algebra) — two credits
- Physical Science — two credits
- Global Geography and Culture — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
- Health (any year) — one credit
- Fine Arts elective — one credit
Pathway Courses
- AFJROTC Aviation History — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Electives — two credits
Required Courses
- Speech (Grades 10, 11, or 12) — one credit
- Fundamentals of Writing (Grades 10, 11, or 12) — one credit
- Math (Geometry) — two credits
- Biology — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
Pathway Courses
- AFJROTC Science of Flight — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Electives — six credits
Required Courses
- Language Arts Elective(s) — two credits
- Math (Algebra II) — two credits
- Chemistry (Grades 11 or 12) — two credits
- U.S. History — two credits
- P.E. — one credit
Pathway Courses
- AFJROTC Exploring Space — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Electives — four credits
Required Courses
- Literature Elective — one credit
- Language Arts Elective — one credit
- Government — one credit
- Economics — one credit
- P.E. — one credit
Pathway Courses
- AFJROTC Cultural Studies — one credit
Elective Courses
- World Language (2-4 years) — two credits
- Electives — seven credits

Military Pathway Information

- Advanced Programming Languages
- Aerospace Engineering
- Automotive Technology
- Building Mechanical Systems
- Construction Fundamentals
- Consumer Automotive
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Introduction to Engineering and Design
- Welding Technology
Note: All STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and Computer Science courses are especially recommended.
- Athletics
- Color Guard (coming soon)
- Drill Team (coming soon)
- Robotics Club
- Student Council
Any college major can be applicable to a military career. We do recommend participating in a college ROTC program.