The educational benefits and officer-commissioning opportunities available to U.S. military service members were reviewed to identify ways of attracting college-eligible youth into the military. Data were collected through a review of published directives and reports, interviews with personnel within the military services, a review of historical information, and Internet research. The study focused on the following topics: (1) ways to join the active-duty military; (2) officer accession methods across the military services; (3) ways military personnel pursue voluntary education; (4) military sources for funding postsecondary education; and (5) the role of education in the military promotion process. The following were among the major conclusions drawn from the review: (1) the three primary sources of commissioned officers in the U.S. military are the federal service academies, the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Training/Candidate School; (2) although enlisted personnel have several methods for earning officer commissions, the number of slots for the available programs is limited; (3) many opportunities exist for active-duty military personnel to further their civilian education; and (4) the importance of advanced education in the military promotion process is not transparent. (Thirty-four tables/figures are included. A brief description of the U.S. military is appended. Contains 59 references.) (MN)