Like many other African-American college students today, Beamon is as intrigued with serving his country through the military as he is with joining a major corporation like Motorola. What is clear is that Beamon, given his scholarship, talent and leadership skills, is officer material. At SIU-C, Beamon has been campus president of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and president of The Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA). He says he inspires his fraternity brethren to become positive role models through high academic achievement and community service - some of the very same attributes military officers instill in subordinates. "I have always looked at the military as a real option. Becoming a military officer is definitely a possibility for me," Beamon says. "Pride in who I work for, along with the pride of belonging to the best, makes both Motorola and the military my two serious choices at this time."

In considering career choices, many African Americans, women and other minorities in the Class of 2001 increasingly are looking at what the Armed Services have to offer them. One conclusion they are reaching is that today's military is not the same one that their fathers and grandfathers served in. Over the last 20 years, representation of racial minorities and women among active duty commissioned officers has more than doubled - from 7 percent to 15.3 percent for minority officers and from 5.9 percent to 14.1 percent for women officers. Some 15,904 African-American officers are now serving in the military.

Former Clinton Administration Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen said more minorities and women in history are deciding to become commissioned officers in the military because of the Department of Defense's commitment to equal opportunity. "The military services are second to no other institution in providing equal opportunity for all members," Cohen added. "We take great pride in the high standards that we have set. The bottom line is that every individual who joins America's military must have full confidence that he or she will be allowed to excel to the full extent of his or her abilities."

While starting military salaries can't compete with those in fields like engineering or computer sciences, the services do offer graduates a number of inducements - backed by the full faith of the U.S. government. Annual starting salaries for commissioned officers are about $23,972, plus $6,613for food and housing for a total of $30,585. Officers with spouses and children receive additional pay. Officers also receive free medical and dental benefits, 30 days paid annual vacation and 8-10 days paid holidays. Of interest to officers considering higher education opportunities, the military provided 75 percent college tuition assistance and defers repayment of student loans for six months.

Derek Campbell, a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and now an active duty Marines Corps captain assigned to Washington, D.C., states the educational benefits granted by the military can't be underestimated. Campbell has attended flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and received extensive training in the intelligence field, including cryptologic communications. His training is readily transferable to other governmental agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency. "Never in my wildest dreams when attending U of M did I think that in just a few short years after graduation, I would be trained to fly an airplane and learn how to communicate around the world," Campbell says. "Being given the responsibility to lead men and women Marines has by far been the most rewarding."

Derrick Burns, a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, chose a different yet equally as beneficial path to the military. Burns is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He joined the reserves to help pay for his college education. While he works as director of computer services at University City High School in St. Louis, and is a lieutenant in the East St. Louis, Ill., fire department, Burns has a fall back position. By remaining in the reserves, he can retire with full military benefits at age 55.

Brigadier Gen. Duane Deal of the Air Force says a recent survey showed candidates cited the opportunity to further their education as the top reason for joining the Air Force. "They are gaining a skill and immediate responsibility while being a part of the world's greatest team," Deal says. Officer commissioning standards for military service require a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Candidates must be full-time students, in good medical condition with their height and weight proportional to the standards of that particular service and be of good moral character.

While men remain the majority in the military, women too are serving with distinction. The successes of female officers like Admirals Jean Fishburne, USN, and Evelyn Fields, NOAA; Colonel Arlene Beatty, USA; Colonel Gilda Jackson, USMC; Lt. Col. Chiquita English, USAF; and Capt. Xzana Tellis, USN, have paved the way for younger women to follow in their footsteps. Lt. Commander Tina Caston, USN, joined the Navy after working as a school teacher. She counsels new officer candidates telling them the military offers graduates key long-term opportunities. She says that while many young people today join the services for the pay and attractive benefits, "many fail to see the long-term benefits that staying in generates for their families."

Lt. Cecile Daniels of the NOAA Commissioned Corps says she always had a strong interest in science and was introduced to NOAA at an early age by reading scientific journals, and watching television specials on the environment. After she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, and worked during college as a co-op student with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, she was commissioned an Ensign, and has served aboard two ships and been promoted twice. Her advice to students and graduates is "create your own opportunities, take advantage of co-operative education programs, internships, and any volunteer opportunities."

If students join the military and subsequently leave, employers in private industry are more than willing to snap them up. "I hire people for my company based on their abilities: dependability, responsibility and accountability," says John A. Clendenin, (right) president and chief executive officer of Inner Circle Logistics, Inc., a high-tech firm. "I also look for forward-thinkers and results' producers. I have found that those with military experience, regardless of their particular service, or specific job, have {key} abilities," Clendenin adds.

Leaders, whether on campus, in corporate America or in the military, seek challenges and find ways to succeed. Lt. Russell C. Jones, NOAA, and Lt. Jesse Stevenson, Coast Guard, offer poignant examples. In addition to being an officer in NOAA, Jones has been an officer in the Navy, a deputy sheriff in Portsmouth, Va., and a maximum-security correctional officer in Greenville, N.C. Today he represents NOAA in day-to-day operations with the University of Hawaii Marine Center in Hawaii while pursuing a master's degree. Jones' goal is to get a "command at sea." He moves closer to his goal when this October he becomes the executive officer on the NOAA ship Townsend Cromwell. "Giving back to one's community means everything to me, especially when it amounts to helping others overcome challenges in their lives, just as I have overcome many in mine," He adds.

Stevenson's military career has allowed him to excel in fellowship and mentorship. He received the prestigious "Role Model" award from the city of St. Louis - his name permanently inscribed on a brass plate affixed on a tree in the city's City Park. And he instituted a mentor program at his church. In considering the military or private industry to begin a career, observers say it most likely it will come down to the graduate's understanding of the "uniqueness" between the Armed Forces and corporate America as determined by their roles and missions. Graduates must view the military on a global scale regarding opportunities, according to Stevenson.

Husband and wife David and Isha Everly have seen the world as military officers and as a family. Isha Everly is a nurse in the Navy and David Everly is a staff platoon commander in the Marine Corps. Both were reared in military families. "We joined for the challenges and experiences we knew we will need, once (if) we decide to leave," Isha Everly remarked. "Our love and commitment for each other is the same we have for our individual services."

"Never did we dream, we would have found all the fun and friends we've had along the way, not to mention the educational opportunities we have taken advantage of. We are both using our military tuition assistance allowances to obtain our master's degrees," adds David Everly.

Military Qualifying Standards, Salary, and Benefits

Commissioning Standards Salary

* minimum of 2.0 GPA (ACT/SAT scores) * $23,972 (pay)
* full time student * $ 6,613 (food/housing)
* good medical and dental condition * $30,585 (annually)
* height/weight proportional and to the
standards of that particular service * higher for officers with
* good moral character spouses/children

Benefits

* Free medical & dental care
* 30 days paid vacation yearly
* 8-10 days paid holidays
* 75% college tuition assistance
* Six months deferment of college loans

Charles E. Boyd is the director of Recruitment for ITT/ESI in St. Louis, MO.