The United States Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Military Academy are America's three largest service academies. They are "the" primary undergraduate institutions and commissioning sources that educate and develop the officers who are expected to lead this nation's armed forces. They are special places that have special "missions"--to develop leaders of character who will serve the country, with honor and with courage, and who upon conclusion of their military service will continue to lead the nation in whatever occupation they choose to follow. They all focus on leadership development and service; they all insist upon honor and integrity; they all stress courage and commitment, both mental and physical. The three major service academics have much in common, and much that is different as well. The similarities between them tend to be obvious (and are just as obvious as the differences between them and most civilian universities). In this article, the authors discuss the "similarities" the three major service academies have with the vast majority of higher education institutions. (Contains 1 figure.)