West Point or Air Force or Navy academies? Anyone with experiences to share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/us/politics/naval-academy-banned-books.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes

fake news

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have absolutely no shot at getting into an academy from this area, don't even bother unless you know a Senator.

Lots of great ROTC programs. VirginianTech has the Core Cadet program that is like an academy.

Not true. The Senators evaluate the entire package and nominate that way. Close friend’s child got in without knowing any Senators. Just went through the regular process. It’s a bit cumbersome but he’s athletic and has high stats.

USMA requires 5 year military commitment and is intense. Structured but great opp for the right student.

+1 I’m genuinely curious why people on here insist on answering about matters they clearly have little knowledge.

LOL okie dokie. Husband is military and has to evaluate the people applying to the service academies. He doesn't have the heart to tell the parents or kids how they have no shot. This is one of the most competitive areas given the heavy military presence. I assume that the OP has no military ties so doesn't know this fact. Ask any of your military friends with kids. They know.

Based on who is getting appointments and admission from FCPS publics, this year is markedly easier than the last four years. Draw your own conclusions.

You assume wrong. I am constantly amazed at how petty and excited to shoot people down the crowd on here is. People consistently jump to assume the worst so they can dumb on others. Rather gross. First, we are not from DMV. Second, I have 4 USAF family connections and two Navy family connections (albeit new, my family was entirely USAF until these two). No one went to West Point however, other than some family friends kids we don’t know as well. And the USAF family are now in their late 20s and early 30s (and one is older and now flies for an airline) so I was posting on here to gather more current experiences. Third, Ds is being recruited. He/we are very aware of the physical restrictions and requirements. He is a fairly talented athlete, although not going pro obviously, and he’s not being recruited for table tennis. We are also aware of the nom process. Again, ds is a recruited athlete. He has already been to West Point on invited visits from coaches. He is going to USAF this summer for a session. Finally, he is not a regular private school or public school kid. He is coming from a fairly strict high school environment. Obviously this would be different, but he’s an extremely disciplined kid already and I can only assume he’s being recruited not only because of his sport but also bc the coaches have some familiarity with his school environment and know the kids from there have a decent chance of handling it.



I was asking for people’s experiences, not a list of all the reasons my kid has no shot. His admission chances are what they are, thanks.

Apologies - I wasn’t speaking to your kid who I’m sure is terrific. I was responding to the person who said DMV kids have no shot. My response to that is this year is an easier admit from DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have absolutely no shot at getting into an academy from this area, don't even bother unless you know a Senator.

Lots of great ROTC programs. VirginianTech has the Core Cadet program that is like an academy.

Not true. The Senators evaluate the entire package and nominate that way. Close friend’s child got in without knowing any Senators. Just went through the regular process. It’s a bit cumbersome but he’s athletic and has high stats.

USMA requires 5 year military commitment and is intense. Structured but great opp for the right student.

+1 I’m genuinely curious why people on here insist on answering about matters they clearly have little knowledge.

LOL okie dokie. Husband is military and has to evaluate the people applying to the service academies. He doesn't have the heart to tell the parents or kids how they have no shot. This is one of the most competitive areas given the heavy military presence. I assume that the OP has no military ties so doesn't know this fact. Ask any of your military friends with kids. They know.

Based on who is getting appointments and admission from FCPS publics, this year is markedly easier than the last four years. Draw your own conclusions.

You assume wrong. I am constantly amazed at how petty and excited to shoot people down the crowd on here is. People consistently jump to assume the worst so they can dumb on others. Rather gross. First, we are not from DMV. Second, I have 4 USAF family connections and two Navy family connections (albeit new, my family was entirely USAF until these two). No one went to West Point however, other than some family friends kids we don’t know as well. And the USAF family are now in their late 20s and early 30s (and one is older and now flies for an airline) so I was posting on here to gather more current experiences. Third, Ds is being recruited. He/we are very aware of the physical restrictions and requirements. He is a fairly talented athlete, although not going pro obviously, and he’s not being recruited for table tennis. We are also aware of the nom process. Again, ds is a recruited athlete. He has already been to West Point on invited visits from coaches. He is going to USAF this summer for a session. Finally, he is not a regular private school or public school kid. He is coming from a fairly strict high school environment. Obviously this would be different, but he’s an extremely disciplined kid already and I can only assume he’s being recruited not only because of his sport but also bc the coaches have some familiarity with his school environment and know the kids from there have a decent chance of handling it.



I was asking for people’s experiences, not a list of all the reasons my kid has no shot. His admission chances are what they are, thanks.

Apologies - I wasn’t speaking to your kid who I’m sure is terrific. I was responding to the person who said DMV kids have no shot. My response to that is this year is an easier admit from DMV.

Thank you and sorry. I unloaded on the wrong poster

[Anonymous]

OP- only listen to the responses from people who actually went to an academy or did ROTC themselves of currently have a child doing either. All of these “my husband 20 yrs ago” my “close relative” ect. are pretty irrelevant and/or wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- only listen to the responses from people who actually went to an academy or did ROTC themselves of currently have a child doing either. All of these “my husband 20 yrs ago” my “close relative” ect. are pretty irrelevant and/or wrong.

Op here. Yes, thanks and agree. And to add, I am not a fan of this current admin but my dc isn’t going to make a career choice based on what books are in the USMA library. My military family members trend toward Dem but they all lived and survived under admins they didn’t love. And Ds is agnostic.

[Anonymous]

Is there a service academy forum on here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a service academy forum on here?

I think PP was referring to https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My son is in Air Force ROTC. He is a freshman and it has been a good experience for him. Made most of his friends through AFROTC. He is not on scholarship. Students can apply for a (very competitive) scholarship freshman year, but if they don't get that, they can still join (they do get a few perks even without the scholarship, like selecting courses first each semester). Summer after sophomore year, they go through basic training, and if they get through that, they then officially commit to service and receive a scholarship ($18,000 year) for the remaining 2 years of school, plus a small stipend (I can't remember how much but maybe $400 a month?). It is a serious time commitment and playing a sport on top of that would be a really serious time commitment. My son looked at doing Corps of Cadets at VT and that seemed more extreme than he wanted so he went with ROTC. If your DC does ROTC I'd recommend making sure the detachment is located on campus (one detachment may serve several nearby schools, I think my son's AFROTC detachment has members from 5 colleges, but his campus is the home base, and where most of the activities occur).

My friend's son graduated USMA and is now in a top medical school. It is a great path because the military pays for medical school but be aware that they also only allow so many kids from each graduating class to choose to go to medical school, so the ability to apply is gated in some way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in Air Force ROTC. He is a freshman and it has been a good experience for him. Made most of his friends through AFROTC. He is not on scholarship. Students can apply for a (very competitive) scholarship freshman year, but if they don't get that, they can still join (they do get a few perks even without the scholarship, like selecting courses first each semester). Summer after sophomore year, they go through basic training, and if they get through that, they then officially commit to service and receive a scholarship ($18,000 year) for the remaining 2 years of school, plus a small stipend (I can't remember how much but maybe $400 a month?). It is a serious time commitment and playing a sport on top of that would be a really serious time commitment. My son looked at doing Corps of Cadets at VT and that seemed more extreme than he wanted so he went with ROTC. If your DC does ROTC I'd recommend making sure the detachment is located on campus (one detachment may serve several nearby schools, I think my son's AFROTC detachment has members from 5 colleges, but his campus is the home base, and where most of the activities occur).

My friend's son graduated USMA and is now in a top medical school. It is a great path because the military pays for medical school but be aware that they also only allow so many kids from each graduating class to choose to go to medical school, so the ability to apply is gated in some way.

Thanks for the response. Can you say a little more about the time commitment during the school year? I’ve heard mixed things. Relatives told me it’s just a fairly easy class a semester and then obviously time in the summer for boot camp. Is there a lot more than that during the school year? If ds did ROTC, he would not do a D1 school for his sport. He’d go to a D3 school with ROTC. The sports is a must, so we have to find a way to balance that as ds is dead set on continuing in college (and admittedly that’s an admission hook for him)

[Anonymous]

USMA parent here - my kid graduates this year and will be branching aviation.

Academics: My kid went to HS at TJ - now an astrophysics major at USMA. Academics have been terrific for a STEM kid - all small classes, so much attention from professors and excellent research opportunities. Has been very happy there.

Athletics: My kid did a couple club sports and company athletics. Academy athletes at USMA have many privileges - they are excused from many of the daily requirements for staff duty/physical training/drill and ceremony. That is great for them, but they also have to report early/miss vacations, etc.

Military Career: My husband and I are both Army vets (< 10 years service) so our son had a very realistic but positive understanding of military life. Nobody in our family is a supporter of current admin, but we advise our son that admins will come and go. FWIW, contrary to popular opinion, you will find all types of politics in the Army and at academies. My son's best friend at USMA is openly gay and has thrived there - earned top leadership positions, etc. The elimination of clubs (anti-DEI nonsense) was very unpopular, even with the most conservative cadets.

Absolutely recommend visits to all academies (our son also got into USAFA) and serviceacademyforums.com - way more expertise and insight compared to DCUM.

Congrats to your kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- only listen to the responses from people who actually went to an academy or did ROTC themselves of currently have a child doing either. All of these “my husband 20 yrs ago” my “close relative” ect. are pretty irrelevant and/or wrong.

Op here. Yes, thanks and agree. And to add, I am not a fan of this current admin but my dc isn’t going to make a career choice based on what books are in the USMA library. My military family members trend toward Dem but they all lived and survived under admins they didn’t love. And Ds is agnostic.

It’s not “the books”. It’s the embrace of white supremacy, dishonesty, and a narrow minded education. He can still be a doctor outside of the military. No other administration embraced the nazi salute, disappeared people, or ignored the courts.

Grads are being asked to encourage kids to join right now because there’s less interest. None of the grads I know feel they can, in good conscience, do this.

But since you don’t care, start with a medical exam. I hope your son has the personal strength to not follow illegal orders.

[Anonymous]

I am the USMA parent above. Forgot to add that our other child did ROTC (no scholorship) at William & Mary. Loved it. Great group of kids - not nearly the commitment of academy - but excellent leadership experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- only listen to the responses from people who actually went to an academy or did ROTC themselves of currently have a child doing either. All of these “my husband 20 yrs ago” my “close relative” ect. are pretty irrelevant and/or wrong.

Op here. Yes, thanks and agree. And to add, I am not a fan of this current admin but my dc isn’t going to make a career choice based on what books are in the USMA library. My military family members trend toward Dem but they all lived and survived under admins they didn’t love. And Ds is agnostic.

It’s not “the books”. It’s the embrace of white supremacy, dishonesty, and a narrow minded education. He can still be a doctor outside of the military. No other administration embraced the nazi salute, disappeared people, or ignored the courts.

Grads are being asked to encourage kids to join right now because there’s less interest. None of the grads I know feel they can, in good conscience, do this.

But since you don’t care, start with a medical exam. I hope your son has the personal strength to not follow illegal orders.

Honestly - get over yourself telling 18 year olds they are to blame for the current admin - you could say all the same you said here to everyone working at Big Law or any federal agency, FBI, DoJ, ICE, Homeland Security, DoD, SSA, IRS, or the Kennedy Center, or the Smithsonian. BTW, Trump will be out of office before OP's kid serves in the military.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- only listen to the responses from people who actually went to an academy or did ROTC themselves of currently have a child doing either. All of these “my husband 20 yrs ago” my “close relative” ect. are pretty irrelevant and/or wrong.

Op here. Yes, thanks and agree. And to add, I am not a fan of this current admin but my dc isn’t going to make a career choice based on what books are in the USMA library. My military family members trend toward Dem but they all lived and survived under admins they didn’t love. And Ds is agnostic.

It’s not “the books”. It’s the embrace of white supremacy, dishonesty, and a narrow minded education. He can still be a doctor outside of the military. No other administration embraced the nazi salute, disappeared people, or ignored the courts.

Grads are being asked to encourage kids to join right now because there’s less interest. None of the grads I know feel they can, in good conscience, do this.

But since you don’t care, start with a medical exam. I hope your son has the personal strength to not follow illegal orders.

Honestly - get over yourself telling 18 year olds they are to blame for the current admin - you could say all the same you said here to everyone working at Big Law or any federal agency, FBI, DoJ, ICE, Homeland Security, DoD, SSA, IRS, or the Kennedy Center, or the Smithsonian. BTW, Trump will be out of office before OP's kid serves in the military.

Honestly, your thinking ability and reading comprehension are limited. I didn’t blame 18 year olds. I almost envy your naïveté.