National Service/Military Academies?
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Anonymous
| Which one is easiest to get into? |
Anonymous
What are the differences in “culture” between the academies? |
Anonymous
Coast Guard Academy doesn’t require Congressional recommendation, so that can make it “easier” in that aspect. |
Anonymous
I found this in college confidential for the class of 2012: USNA Class of 2012 3,838 Nominations 2,196 Triple qualified w/ nomination (1,642 unqualified nominees) 1,537 Appointments awarded 1,261 Sworn in Someone who is nominated can fail the physical or not be academically qualified. They used the physical to weed people out -- I had a friend whose son had one incident with asthma as a child, and they used that to disqualify him. They were told that they have to find some way to get the numbers down. |
Anonymous
They are considered liberal arts schools? |
Anonymous
| About 5 years ago we visited a family friend at West Point. From the second we arrived, it felt like a jail. They searched our car. The kid was a freshman so he had only been there a few months but he was totally desensitized, couldn’t crack a joke, etc. The student was able to come out to eat with us off-campus and he was dressed like a Catholic Priest. And yes I know they don’t call it freshman but they should. |
Anonymous
Did the kid stay the course and graduate? What does he say about the experience now? |
Anonymous
This, Annapolis USNA version. We visited (no car search because at Annapolis visitors have to park off-campus; very tight space); the friend's daughter was basically an automaton. The atmosphere was oppressive - much worse and more tense than any active post I've ever been on, and that's multiple. I later heard that close to half of the 4th class Mids that this one knew had come home for Christmas break and raised the issue of dropping out with their families. The group has been out for over two years now. They are all ver confident and very good at following instructions. Not one has any awareness of non-job life, and not one talks about the Naval Academy overall. Signs of trauma resulting from institutionalized hazing. |
Anonymous
| Air Force? I've heard it's less stressful? |
Anonymous
The service academies emphasize athletics. You don't need to be at the recruitable level but demonstrated interest in and accomplishment in sports, especially team sports, seems to be prized by Admissions staff. |
Anonymous
You owe the government five years of military service after you graduate, but you graduate as a commissioned officer and many graduates go on to a full military career. It is possible to transfer out after your sophomore year without any military commitment, but you are required to pay back the government for the two years of free tuition you received as a freshman / plebe and sophomore. But the hardest part of these academies by far is the first two years. By the end of that second year you will know whether this is the right place for you. The saying about the Naval Academy (and probably the others, but I just know USNA people) is that it is a terrible place to be at, but a great place to be from. |
Anonymous
| Lots of misinformation here. After your sophomore year you are asked to sign a commitment for 7 years (2 more years at Navy and 5 years of service). If you leave before signing, you are not asked to pay back tuition. Service Academies aren't for everyone, but my kid is quite happy at Annapolis and is looking forward to returning when COVID restrictions are lifted. |
Anonymous
Congrats. Are you from MD? Is it that much harder getting into USNA from MD because of the competition? |
Anonymous
From DMV area and MD can be quite competitive, depending on your congressional district. |
Anonymous
| In this political climate, who in their right mind would pursue a military career? |