 In the United States, the term "military academy" does not necessarily mean a government-owned institution run by the armed forces to train its own officers.It may also mean a middle school, high school, or college, whether public or private, which instructs its students in military-style education, discipline and tradition.Students at such civilian institutions can earn a commission in the U.S. military through the successful completion of a Reserve Officer Training Corps program along with their college or university's academic coursework.