Does attending a military academy count towards military service?

I'm wondering if the time spent at a military academy counts towards the years you have to serve. How does this affect the total service commitment required after graduation? I'm interested in understanding how this setup works.

When you attend a U.S. service academy like West Point, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy, your time as a student does not count towards your required military service.

Here's how it generally works: You spend four years, paid tuition-free, at one of these excellent institutions and receive a high-quality education. In addition to your studies, you also receive military training and engage in physical fitness programs. After graduation, you are commissioned as an officer in your respective military branch.

Upon graduation, your military service officially begins. You are required to serve a minimum active duty service obligation. This is typically five years, but it can be longer for certain educational programs or specialties. For example, future pilots in the Air Force and Navy typically owe eight to ten years after flight training, which itself takes about two years post-graduation to complete.

In summary, while at the academy, you are considered part of the military, but this time does not count towards your service obligation. The clock for your active duty service commitment starts upon graduation. However, the knowledge and skills you acquire at these academies lay a strong foundation for your future military career.