American Military University (AMU) is a private, for profit online university and a member institution of the American Public University System. AMU is one of the nation￢ﾀﾙs largest providers of higher education to the U.S. Armed Forces and offers a comprehensive military studies and national security curriculum outside the Department of Defense. The University also serves a variety of students seeking liberal arts and professional studies degrees. The University is both regionally and nationally accredited by federally recognized accrediting agencies. AMU's corporate office is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, with administrative support offices located in Manassas, Virginia. AMU's origins reach back to Jim Etter, a Marine Corps officer who taught at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The University was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on June 11, 1991. At its launch, AMU enrolled 18 students in 22 courses and offered only graduate degrees. Over time, AMU expanded program offerings in response to demand by military students for post-military career preparation.