Pros like Mike Anderson of the NFL Denver Broncos and David Robinson (right) of the NBA San Antonio Spurs started their professional sports careers after serving in the military. Anderson, a running back, was a Marine. Robinson, a center, was in the Navy.

"There was a time I was fighting for freedom and not yards in the NFL," Anderson said, who served four years in the Marine Corps and was in Somalia and Kenya. "I'm very proud that the Marines are in the forefront. That's what we stand for -- to honor our country and fight for freedom."

It is commitment to service that makes a successful military career. Commitment requires you to do the things "second stringers" don't want to do, aren't ready to do, and when called upon, can't do, Anderson said.

Then there’s leadership -- something that is an apt description of David Robinson, whose stature as a national leader was nurtured during officer development at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Described as an ideal role model for today's youth, Robinson learned the value of an education, respect, and responsibility. After completing his Naval Academy education, Robinson followed through on his commitment to become an officer in the Navy rather than hiring a lawyer to find the loopholes to get him out of the service and into the NBA.

Ensign Robinson knew the value of the prestigious education provided him by military academies and wanted others to follow in his footsteps.

The Armed Services -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard -- offer a number of career opportunities for people with all types of skill levels.

Everyone is not going to be a Mike Anderson or David Robinson, but, in many ways, the military is reflective of Corporate America.

Six of seven service people work in jobs that are not involved in combat, and 80 percent of more than 4,100 Armed Services career specialties have a similar job function in private industry. So, for instance, if you plan to be an aerospace engineer in private industry, the Air Force also hires aerospace engineers. In many cases, military personnel can retire with full benefits as early as age 37 if in the enlisted ranks or age 42 if an officer.

Top U.S. government and business leaders like U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (left); Leo Williams, a senior vice president at Ford Motor Co., and John Clendenin, president and chief executive officer at ICLogistics, all performed those jobs at some point in their military careers.

Joining the military is a serious decision. Each branch of the military has its own mission and purpose.

The Army’s purpose is to protect the security of the United States and its vital resources, needing approximately 80,000 to 90,000 new enlistees annually. Since the Army operates countless amounts of weapons, vehicles and aircraft and electronic systems, jobs in maintenance, administration and operation are prevalent.

The Navy’s mission is to defend American interests on the world’s oceans and seas. Navy personnel operate more than 3,000 ships and 4,000 aircraft. Each year the Navy recruits more than 60,000 new enlistees.

The Air Force maintains the nation’s advance fleet of aerospace vehicles from long-range bombers to jet fighters to reconnaissance craft. Through the skies, the Air Force is responsible for gathering sensitive intelligence data. About 5,000 new Air Force men and women receive officer commissions annually. The Air Force has been actively marketing its service to career-minded people through “Cross into the Blue” advertising campaign.

The Marines are America’s elite fighting force and part of the Navy. Marines do a bit of everything from flying aircraft to operating radar to driving and maintaining land vehicles. Each year 41,000 enlistees are added to the Marines to fill career openings.

The Coast Guard is the nation’s maritime force, operating on waters in close proximity to America’s waters. The Coast Guard monitors harbors, enforces customs laws, protects marine wildlife and keeps open shipping lanes for commerce. The Coast Guard annually has openings for more than 300 new officers in a range of professions.

Oftentimes, families find military service as a calling. Nelson and Chiquita English, for instance are husband and wife and both lieutenant colonels serving in the Air Force.

“The military is a great way of life,” Chiquita English said. “You have to decide your course, stay focused and understand and implement the lessons taught in bible school, elementary school and the everyday lessons of courtesy, respect, dedication and commitment.”

Looking at the U.S. military in corporate terms, it rates as the single largest corporation in the nation.

According to the Department of Defense, 1,354,828 Americans are members of the military. Minority and women officers make up 272,818 of those serving in all the military.

Job opportunities are limitless for minority college students and graduates. The military is a “corporation” where individuals can find positions in fields as diverse as aviation, law and medicine. The military pays for the training and college. Yearly bonuses are also given. For those interested in other career fields, the services are hiring as well. Qualifications vary by the individual service but the pay and benefits are the same for all.

The five services offer more than 300 of their own schools and 10,000 instructional courses.

Here are typical military salary and benefits:

• Annual Pay: $24, 948
• Annual Housing Allowance: $6,840
• Free medical and dental care
• Paid food and meals
• 30 days paid vacation yearly
• 75 percent college tuition assistance
• Six months deferment of college loans.

As military personnel gain rank and experience their pay increases. For instance, commissioned officers can earn more than $50,000 annually in addition to the generous benefits.

Potential applicants for officer programs must meet qualification standards. They include:

• Minimum of 2.0 GPA and competitive ACT/SAT test score;
• Good medical/dental condition;
• Height/weight within limits of specific service
• Good moral character

While the military offers numerous career advantages, it is not for everyone and everyone is not for the military. According to studies conducted by an independent agency in Washington, D.C., concerning equal opportunity, it reported that the military is widely viewed as a pioneer in providing equal opportunity, and, often exceeds the progress of civilian society.

Terron Oneal Wharton, who grew up in Fort Wayne, Ind., prepared hard for making his lifelong dream of joining the service come true. He was selected as a finalist, National Achievement Scholarship program; selected to the President's Education Awards program, and named to Who's Who of American High School Students.

In 1998-1999, Wharton was an IHSAA State Track Champion and the Concordia Lutheran High School's JROTC Battalion Commander in 2000. Today, Wharton, now 19, is a West Point cadet in the Class of 2005. Opportunities to attend Service academies are very good for those seeking to attend in the fall of 2002.

The ROTC program (Reserve Officers Training Corps) is an excellent way for college students to learn about the military and to receive monetary assistance for tuition, books and fees.

The events of September 11 -- when terrorists hijacked airplanes and attacked the World Trade Centers and Pentagon -- have had a big impact on life in America and on the military as well.

On that Monday morning in September, heroes stepped forward-firefighters to save and police officers to protect. That day, military service men and women launched, sailed, soared, and landed in harm's way to defend America’s home front. The attention might have waned at Ground Zero in New York, but the military's abilities and actions still shine bright.

America's wake-up call that day brought out the best in America and Americans. The call was answered by our military-men and women who were prepared for the challenge. Their sense of pride, and pride-of-belonging to America's team, is only surpassed by their confidence, commitment, and courage. We share in their pride, patriotism and professionalism. Why? Because we feel safe seeing them on campus, in airports, or back home in our neighborhoods.

We like seeing them on CNN, or CBS in the NFL and NBA. We call them our friends, our brothers, and our sisters. We may even call them mom or dad. Regardless of where we see them, or what we call them, we know why they serve ... for US!

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