Annapolis vs West Point

[Anonymous]

Do people in the know prefer one over the other for some reason? Just beginning to research this.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the student's preference for serving in the Army vs Navy.

[Anonymous]

They're both excellent if it's what the kid wants. They end in two similar but different careers - does the kid want to go into the Navy or the Army?

[Anonymous]

DCUM isn't great for military academies or ROTC. Service Academy Forums is much better.

[Anonymous]

Dated guys who graduated from both. Being on a ship for months at a time with little personal space isn’t great but if you are deployed it seems a lot safer. Army towns are also depressing.

[Anonymous]

The one you get accepted too.

[Anonymous]

I have family that went to both - and who have children considering them right now.
There is a point of view that Naval Academy is a better culture for girls - but this is very student dependent.
Are you in the greater DC area? It is easier to get an appointment from DC than close in VA or MD.

[Anonymous]

Both super-prestigious. My impression is that West Point is a harsher place to be, especially if you are a woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dated guys who graduated from both. Being on a ship for months at a time with little personal space isn’t great but if you are deployed it seems a lot safer. Army towns are also depressing.

Regarding the Navy being safer, I don't think that'll be true going forward. Ukraine - a country without a navy - has sunk multiple Russian warships, including the Russian Black Sea flagship. Hundreds of Russian sailors have been lost at sea. Just last week, they sank a Russian missile warship using drones. All hands lost.

Warfare has changed a lot in recent years. And I don't think the US has the appetitive for another major land war in the foreseeable future. I think Navy and Air Force will be doing the heavy lifting in the years ahead.

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider, Army bases are in terrible towns mostly. Navy bases are on the coast. Would you rather live in San Diego, CA or Fayetteville, NC?

I believe the naval academies commissions for both navy and marines. I’m not sure how much choice cadets get in which they get.

[Anonymous]

[[/b]quote=Anonymous]One thing to consider, Army bases are in terrible towns mostly. Navy bases are on the coast. Would you rather live in San Diego, CA or Fayetteville, NC?
[b]
I believe the naval academies commissions for both navy and marines. I’m not sure how much choice cadets get in which they get.

This. Besides the obvious career choice too, though.

[Anonymous]

USNA offers the widest career options: ships, subs, flight, or marines. Annapolis is a far more fun town to attend college in than West Point, once you become an upperclassman and can go out.

[Anonymous]

What does you child want to study?

[Anonymous]

West Point parent here.

Agree - serviceacademyforums.com is a way better source of info than DCUM

Agree - Navy and Army are very different services, with different opportunities, different locations, your child should start to think in those terms

Why not consider Air Force Academy also?

There are summer programs at all three for kids after their junior year - excellent way to get a sense of academy experience.

Good luck! West Point has been an amazing expereince for my child. Not everyone's cup of tea but if it is the right fit, so many opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Lots to consider and at the end of the day depends on service preference. Agree you should check out https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php

My kid graduated from Annapolis and a had great experience. They are currently in flight school in Pensacola.