A graduating UWM student wearing a US Navy stole

Military & Veterans

Realize Your Potential

UW-Milwaukee is a top-ranked military-friendly university. We have a campus community of more than 1,200 veterans, National Guard and reserve members, and their families. Plus, we’re one of only a dozen universities in the nation that offers a full range of military services and offices on campus.

Brandon Cizek, holding two large rolls of paper at his internship at an architectural firm.
Brandon, an architectural studies major, worked as an architectural intern at Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA). Hear Brandon talk about how UWM’s military-specific resources helped him balance his studies with his military duties as a member of the Army National Guard.

Supporting Service Members

Making the transition from military service to higher education — and then to the workforce — can be a challenge. That’s why we strive to uplift active and veteran service members and their families, and support them in overcoming any obstacles they may face. Here are a few of the reasons that so many military-affiliated students choose us:

Top Military Friendly Rankings

UWM received two top Military Friendly School rankings in 2025-26: Gold status for being a welcoming military-friendly university, as well as recognition for being exceptionally supportive of military spouses.

Credit for Military Experience

You can get credit for military experience with the UW Flexible Option, which offers self-paced degree and certificate programs.

Resources for Military & Veteran Students

At UWM, we’re committed to the success of our military students long after graduation day. Whether you’re looking to build community, work with a counselor or access your military benefits, we have the resources to help you thrive.

A UWM student visiting the Military and Veterans Resource Center

Military and Veterans Resource Center (MAVRC)

Come hang out in MAVRC’s quiet study room or common area. Located in the UWM Student Union, it’s the perfect place to meet other military and veteran students and sign up for community activities like rock climbing, the Armed Forces Challenge and more.

Three Veteran's Success Counselors sitting behind a table that reads UW-Milwaukee

Veterans Success on Campus (VSOC)

An initiative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Success program places an expert counselor right on campus. That counselor helps veterans, students in the military and their dependents navigate college life and prepare for their careers.

UWM students participating in an Army ROTC training exercise in full uniform

Army ROTC

The Army ROTC program combines military science electives with leadership development, preparing full-time UWM students to become Army officers. The ROTC program involves weekly physical training, a leadership lab and a military science class, as well as field training.

UWM students participating in a flag ceremony during an Air Force ROTC training exercise

Air Force ROTC

The Air Force ROTC program prepares full-time students to become officers in the U.S. Air Force while earning a college degree. The program includes courses in aerospace studies, a leadership lab, weekly physical training and field training.

Student visiting the Military Education Benefits Office

Military Education Benefits Office (MEBO)

The staff of the Military Education Benefits Office makes sure that current and former military members — and qualifying dependents — receive their state and federal benefits to keep their graduation plans on track.

A row of military flags

Veterans Upward Bound

Veterans Upward Bound is a free, federally funded program specifically for veterans preparing for college. Brush up on your English, math and other academic skills with flexible course offerings online and in-person.

Celebrating Our Military Community

We’re proud to honor our veteran and active military service members. For example, UWM hosts a week of events leading up to Veterans Day. Recent events have included Sisters in Service, where female veterans connect with each other, a Vet Success career networking event, various guest speakers and the VA Mobile Vet Center.

UWM also holds a military graduation ceremony specifically for veterans and service members. Beyond that, veterans and service members are recognized during our main commencement, where they receive red, white and blue honor cords.


A group photo of recent UWM graduates who are also veterans.
The military graduation ceremony is designed specifically for all military-related students, as well as graduating spouses and children of military service members. This event features guest speakers and a reception.
Veterans dancing in blue and green light at the annual Veteran's Ball
Kicking off Veterans Week, the Military and Veterans Ball is a yearly highlight for our military campus community. The ball features guest speakers, dinner and dancing, as well as a silent auction to benefit charities with ties to military and veteran organizations.
A student veteran being served a food from a buffet at the Serving Those Who Have Served event.
During Veterans Week, leaders from UWM and the community serve brunch to veterans who are studying or working at UWM, veterans in the local community and current service members.
A large group of people riding motorcycles during the annual Project 22 event
“Project 22” is a documentary about two veterans who ride motorcycles cross-country to raise awareness of the high rate of suicide among veterans. UWM continues this work with an annual event that includes a motorcycle ride, a memorial service and a walk/run.
Students walking around campus near the UWM fountain

Next Steps

Unlock your full potential at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee by learning more — or come see campus for yourself.

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