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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USNA consistently produces the highest earners, if that matters. It's a top notch education, and the alumni connections are insane. (DH is an academy grad). They hire each other like nothing I've ever seen, not even w/the Ivies.

He graduated in the late 90s, served as a Marine Officer, got out, went to a FAANG and is now a CEO at another tech company.


It's a good path to med school, they'll pay for everything. Have several friends that did that, and did their residencies and time in service at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

I would take a lot of what you're going to get on here with a grain of salt. DCUM really skews weirdly that way.

DP What does that mean?

[Anonymous]

I would not do it with the current commander in chief. But if you want to, sure. It's a lifestyle. If one is okay with a command and control approach, go for it.

My parent wanted me to attend one of these. It was not for me but it's great for those who are okay with the approach.

When we visited USNA, they tried to persuade my kid to apply by saying there was no longer "hand to hand combat." That, honestly, was a turn off.

[Anonymous]

They are reducing the number of ROTC scholarships(Army and Air Force). Also ROTC is consolidating or eliminating programs at schools with smaller or under enrollment programs. What I have heard is they are looking to concentrate in southern schools, schools with a large corps and anti DEI(ie no minorities).

The military academies will be under the same anti DEI push. So if you are a minority think very hard about either option.

If you go ROTC make sure the college/university you select will continue to have a program. This may only apply to the Army but ask!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not do it with the current commander in chief. But if you want to, sure. It's a lifestyle. If one is okay with a command and control approach, go for it.

My parent wanted me to attend one of these. It was not for me but it's great for those who are okay with the approach.

When we visited USNA, they tried to persuade my kid to apply by saying there was no longer "hand to hand combat." That, honestly, was a turn off.

So you basically don’t know anything about it? Got it.

[Anonymous]

Air Force and navy are harder and treat their folks better active duty. Their bases are generally much nicer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are reducing the number of ROTC scholarships(Army and Air Force). Also ROTC is consolidating or eliminating programs at schools with smaller or under enrollment programs. What I have heard is they are looking to concentrate in southern schools, schools with a large corps and anti DEI(ie no minorities).

The military academies will be under the same anti DEI push. So if you are a minority think very hard about either option.

If you go ROTC make sure the college/university you select will continue to have a program. This may only apply to the Army but ask!

Yes, we’d definitely focus in on the programs longevity once he starts to narrow things down. Right now the sports recruiting piece is a big focus for him, so that’s taking attention right now. He’s not a minority but it’s sad to hear that if he were, he should reconsider it. My hope is that this admin is out fairly quickly. Either way, he’s not basing his decision on current politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not do it with the current commander in chief. But if you want to, sure. It's a lifestyle. If one is okay with a command and control approach, go for it.

My parent wanted me to attend one of these. It was not for me but it's great for those who are okay with the approach.

When we visited USNA, they tried to persuade my kid to apply by saying there was no longer "hand to hand combat." That, honestly, was a turn off.

My husband is a retiree. I also would not encourage it right now and I otherwise would support it.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to all of them and would choose them in the order of Navy>West Point>Air Force. Air Force Academy is not in a great location and is very spread out. You can’t have a car till sophomore year and full privileges until senior year. Navy is located right next to downtown Annapolis, seems like the more enjoyable experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to all of them and would choose them in the order of Navy>West Point>Air Force. Air Force Academy is not in a great location and is very spread out. You can’t have a car till sophomore year and full privileges until senior year. Navy is located right next to downtown Annapolis, seems like the more enjoyable experience.

Interesting. Is this based on anything other than location?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Air Force and navy are harder and treat their folks better active duty. Their bases are generally much nicer.

Interesting. That goes against common wisdom, well at least for Air Force. It is known to be the least demanding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not do it with the current commander in chief. But if you want to, sure. It's a lifestyle. If one is okay with a command and control approach, go for it.

My parent wanted me to attend one of these. It was not for me but it's great for those who are okay with the approach.

When we visited USNA, they tried to persuade my kid to apply by saying there was no longer "hand to hand combat." That, honestly, was a turn off.

You’re getting acting like it would have been your choice. You do realize that getting into one of these academies is an extremely demanding process requiring not only academic excellence, but also leadership skills (real ones, not resume builders from a paid college counselor or mom and dad) and significant athleticism? 99 percent of the kids I know could not get in or handle it if they did get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been to all of them and would choose them in the order of Navy>West Point>Air Force. Air Force Academy is not in a great location and is very spread out. You can’t have a car till sophomore year and full privileges until senior year. Navy is located right next to downtown Annapolis, seems like the more enjoyable experience.

Interesting. Is this based on anything other than location?

No, not really - which I realized after posting may not be that helpful since it’s doesn’t touch on the differences in expectations. We just visited these when in their respective areas but didn’t do in-depth research as our kids aren’t interested.

[Anonymous]

I agree with a pp who mentioned career outcomes and alumni network. It’s a lifelong network that will bend over backwards to help each other.
If you are worried about possible safety with deployments I would avoid army at all costs. Navy or AF is the way to go. We knew many physicians who went the academy or rotc route or even joined just for med school at ushhp. But you do have to want to be in the military as an officer first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are reducing the number of ROTC scholarships(Army and Air Force). Also ROTC is consolidating or eliminating programs at schools with smaller or under enrollment programs. What I have heard is they are looking to concentrate in southern schools, schools with a large corps and anti DEI(ie no minorities).

The military academies will be under the same anti DEI push. So if you are a minority think very hard about either option.

If you go ROTC make sure the college/university you select will continue to have a program. This may only apply to the Army but ask!

Yes, we’d definitely focus in on the programs longevity once he starts to narrow things down. Right now the sports recruiting piece is a big focus for him, so that’s taking attention right now. He’s not a minority but it’s sad to hear that if he were, he should reconsider it. My hope is that this admin is out fairly quickly. Either way, he’s not basing his decision on current politics.

Just a reminder that even with coach recruiting he still has to get in. Unless he is a standout star for football and limited Navy lacrosse, he will still need to meet all requirements and get an appointment. There are very limited options for the coaches to work outside of that system at the academies. It really is the appointment that we found the hardest. I am not sure of your locatin but if in the DMV lots of kids try for Navy due to location, then West Point and then AF. They all lead to very different places with most kids entering knowing exactly where they want to be and what they hope to do after. Mine is Army and wouldn't consider one of the other branches.

[Anonymous]

He should apply for Summer Seminar at the Academies if he is serious about attending. It’s a week long program where they run you around to give you exposure to the different aspects of the school (physical, academic, mental, etc.). They are also evaluating you as a candidate during that week. He should also read everything he can on how to qualify and then reach out to the local admissions officer. For Navy, it’s called a Blue and Gold Officer (BGO). Not sure what the others call them.

The Academies are a hard place to be, but a great place to be from. Or, as they say, a $1 million education shoved up your a$$ one nickel at a time.

Physical fitness, strong academics, integrity, and a lot of grit and determination are definitely needed to be successful.