Students invited to attend, speak at All-Ohio United States Armed Forces Career Commitment Celebration March 7

2/6/2023

The Department, in partnership with schools and communities, will host an in-person All-Ohio United States Armed Forces Career Commitment Celebration for Ohio's students enlisting in military service March 7. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service are invited to attend. This includes Ohio students that:

• Will attend a service academy in the fall;
• Have accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship;
• Have 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 St., Columbus. 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 and each student may bring only two guests. Students will register guests as part of their registration. Attendees can view the museum’s exhibits before and at the conclusion of the ceremony. Registration will close Feb. 28, or earlier if seating is full. On-site parking is available for $6 Veterans and service members park for free with validation.

Register to attend the All-Ohio United States Armed Forces Career Commitment Celebration.

This year’s event will highlight a student speaker. The topic is "What is your reason for joining the armed forces? What does service mean to you, your family and your community?" Students should indicate their interest on their registration form and submit a copy of their remarks with a short biography to PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov by Feb. 20, 2023. The student speaker will be notified of their selection via email Feb. 24, 2023.

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 have the option of earning seals on their diplomas for meeting special requirements in specific areas. Military enlistment is among these 12 graduation seals.

The All-Ohio United States Armed Forces Career Commitment Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate students each year who dedicate themselves to military service.

Individuals who want to draw attention to the event on social media can help by using #OhioMilitarySigningDay. Contact Jason Scragg at (614) 466-4109 with questions related to this event.

The Ohio Department of Education 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) no later than Feb. 28.