Learning American Military History – for College Credit

At West Valley High School, students are earning college credit while they learn about America's military history. 

“HIST 314: Military History of the United States” is a College-in-the-High-School class that allows our students to earn real college credit at an institution of higher learning to gain momentum for their future. Without leaving West Valley High School, students who complete this class will earn five college credits from Central Washington University.

In the class, students learn how the American military has grown and changed, from the first colonies to today. They also look further back, at how armies fought in ancient times and in Europe during the Middle Ages. Along the way, they learn how new tools and technology changed the way wars were fought. They also explore how the military connects to our country's leaders and the people they serve.

This class is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors – students do not need to be in JROTC to join. But for JROTC cadets, the class can open even more doors. Cadets who plan to join Army ROTC in college and become Army officers can count the course toward that goal or toward a college minor in military science.

HIST 314 students say the best part of class is learning history from the people who lived it. The class takes part in local events that honor veterans, like the Veterans Stand Down, the Veterans Day Assembly, the Veterans Day Parade, and the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans ceremony. Students also go on field trips, like a visit to Fort Simcoe to learn about Washington history from the 1850s and 1860s.

The class is taught by Colonel Brian James, a retired U.S. Army Colonel. Colonel James also serves as the senior Army officer instructor and drill coach for West Valley's JROTC program.

HIST 314 is just one of more than 40 College-in-the-High-School classes at West Valley High School. Together, these classes save families about $1 million in college tuition each year.

Learn more about HIST 314 and our other College-in-the-High-School courses at https://www.wvsd208.org/college-in-the-high-school.