Officers are typically commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns with a bachelor's degree after several years of training and education or directly commissioning from civilian life into a specific specialty, such as a medical professional, lawyer, chaplain, or cyber specialist.^{[82] [83]} The three primary commissioning routes include:

• United States service academies: Four-year military college that provides academic, military, physical, and leadership training.
  • United States Military Academy at West Point: Commissions officers into the United States Army.
  • United States Naval Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
  • United States Air Force Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
  • United States Coast Guard Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Coast Guard.
  • United States Merchant Marine Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Navy Reserve.
• Reserve Officer Training Corps: Part time military program at traditional colleges.
  • directly commissioning from civilian life into a specific specialty, such as a medical professional, lawyer, chaplain, or cyber specialist.^{[82] [83]} The three primary commissioning routes include:
    • United States service academies: Four-year military college that provides academic, military, physical, and leadership training.
      • United States Military Academy at West Point: Commissions officers into the United States Army.
      • United States Naval Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
      • United States Air Force Academy: Commissions officers into the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.
      • Throughout their careers, officers continue professional military education throughout their careers, typically before major milestones.^[84] Professional military education institutions across the services and armed forces include:
        • National Defense University
          • National War College
          • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy
          • Joint Forces Staff College
        • Defense Acquisition University
        • United States Army War College
        • United States Army Command and General Staff College
          • 
        • Marine Corps University
          • Marine Corps War College
        • Naval War College
        • Naval Postgraduate School: Run by the United States Navy for the entire armed forces.
        • Air University: For United States Air Force and United States Space Force officers.
          • Air War College
          • Air Command and Staff College
          • Squadron Officer School
          • Air Force Institute of Technology

        During a time of war, officers may be promoted to five-star ranks, with general of the Army, fleet admiral, and general of the Air Force the only five-star ranks currently authorized.^[85]