Registration open for Military Signing Day event for Ohio high school students
2/12/2024
On March 12, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in partnership with schools and communities, will host Military Signing Day for Ohio's students committed to military service. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service are invited to attend. This includes Ohio students who:
- Will attend a service academy in the fall;
- Have accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship; or
- Are enlisted for service as active duty, reserve, or National Guard.
This year’s celebration will take place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Tuesday, March 12 at 11 a.m. Doors open at 10 a.m. for check-in and museum access. The program will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Registration is required. Seating is limited; each student may bring only one guest. Students will register their guest as part of their registration form.
Attendees can view the museum’s exhibits before and at the conclusion of the ceremony. Registration will close on Friday, March 1 or earlier if seating is full. The event will be livestreamed on the Military Signing Day webpage for those not able to attend the event.
This year’s event will highlight a trio of speakers from past, present, and future service sharing their reasons for serving. A veteran, a current service member, and a student will be chosen to speak at the event. Those interested in speaking need to submit a copy of their brief remarks with a short biography to PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov by Feb. 26. Remarks should be no more than five minutes in length. Speakers will be notified of their selection via email on March 1.
Ohio recognizes military service as a meaningful, post-high school pathway for students who wish to enlist and proudly celebrates students who commit to serve each year. Ohio's graduates must earn at least two seals on their diplomas for meeting special requirements in specific areas. Military enlistment is among these 12 graduation seals.
Individuals who want to draw attention to the event on social media can help by using #OhioMilitarySigningDay. Contact Jason Scragg by email or call (614) 466-4109 with any event questions.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Aleshia McNutt, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or (614) 387-2200 (voice) as soon as possible and no less than three business days before the event.