Why choose West Point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really like the look and history of the campus itself. The historic Thayer Hotel is pretty interesting, too, overlooking the Hudson. I believe you can take a ferry from right near WP to the Garrison train station in the summer; Garrison is a stop on Metro North that goes to Central Station, Peekskill, Poughkeepsie, etc. The town of West Point itself is kind of a neat little town. With all that said, it would not be the college experience for me, and my DC ended up not applying, but it is an ideal choice for some.

Pardon my ignorance, but are WP students allowed to just walk around town, go to restaurants etc? Especially in plain clothes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really like the look and history of the campus itself. The historic Thayer Hotel is pretty interesting, too, overlooking the Hudson. I believe you can take a ferry from right near WP to the Garrison train station in the summer; Garrison is a stop on Metro North that goes to Central Station, Peekskill, Poughkeepsie, etc. The town of West Point itself is kind of a neat little town. With all that said, it would not be the college experience for me, and my DC ended up not applying, but it is an ideal choice for some.

Pardon my ignorance, but are WP students allowed to just walk around town, go to restaurants etc? Especially in plain clothes?

I know that the amount of "freedom" and free time increases each year. I don't know the answer on what they are supposed to wear. But yes, they eventually have leave and can go to NYC, etc.

[Anonymous]

Because he wants to be in the Army. Why is this confusing?

One of the most impressive men I know went to West Point and later the Army paid for his master's degree at Harvard. He was a career Army guy, then retired and now in consulting. And, no, his parents didn't push him into it or have a family history of going to West Point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because he wants to be in the Army. Why is this confusing?

One of the most impressive men I know went to West Point and later the Army paid for his master's degree at Harvard. He was a career Army guy, then retired and now in consulting. And, no, his parents didn't push him into it or have a family history of going to West Point.

One would hope, but I get the impression that some choose it for the selectivity and "free" tuition aspect and don't fully consider the payback requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because he wants to be in the Army. Why is this confusing?

One of the most impressive men I know went to West Point and later the Army paid for his master's degree at Harvard. He was a career Army guy, then retired and now in consulting. And, no, his parents didn't push him into it or have a family history of going to West Point.

Why not do ROTC and have a normal college experience?

The pay, pensions, housing allowance, GI bill etc are nothing spectacular financially compared to what people graduating from West Point’s peer schools make. If you want to be in the army for your own reasons (family tradition, wanting to serve, honor), go right ahead, but don’t do it for the money, because the total compensation is not stellar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really like the look and history of the campus itself. The historic Thayer Hotel is pretty interesting, too, overlooking the Hudson. I believe you can take a ferry from right near WP to the Garrison train station in the summer; Garrison is a stop on Metro North that goes to Central Station, Peekskill, Poughkeepsie, etc. The town of West Point itself is kind of a neat little town. With all that said, it would not be the college experience for me, and my DC ended up not applying, but it is an ideal choice for some.

Pardon my ignorance, but are WP students allowed to just walk around town, go to restaurants etc? Especially in plain clothes?

USNA grad again. the specific details of the rules change back and forth from time to time. In My Day, in Annapolis, freshman were allowed to leave (go into town) on Saturdays. Sophomores Saturdays and Sundays. Juniors add Friday after class to that. Seniors, every night but Wednesday, when we had mandatory formal dinners.

Juniors and seniors were allowed to wear civilian clothes and keep cars in designated areas off campus (juniors) or on campus (seniors).

[Anonymous]

At West Point, for the first year, you must get special permission or passes to leave campus (more precisely the base). And you must be in uniform. It becomes more relaxed after the Plebe year in terms of ability to leave and what you are wearing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because he wants to be in the Army. Why is this confusing?

One of the most impressive men I know went to West Point and later the Army paid for his master's degree at Harvard. He was a career Army guy, then retired and now in consulting. And, no, his parents didn't push him into it or have a family history of going to West Point.

Why not do ROTC and have a normal college experience?

The pay, pensions, housing allowance, GI bill etc are nothing spectacular financially compared to what people graduating from West Point’s peer schools make. If you want to be in the army for your own reasons (family tradition, wanting to serve, honor), go right ahead, but don’t do it for the money, because the total compensation is not stellar.

Because they want the West Point experience. And, for people who make a career in the Army there is definitely prestige to being a West Point grad. Obviously, people choosing a military career are not doing it for the money. Just as people who choose many other careers do not make money the top priority. I know, hard for some DCUMs to understand.

[Anonymous]

About 8 years ago, we & other neighborhood families visited one of the neighbor’s son at West Point, to go see a sporting event there & some outlet shopping at Woodbury Commons. This was in the fall of his first or second year there. I remember we for some reason ended up at a McDonald’s for dinner before the event. We were waiting awhile for him to arrive & the kids started eating.

Finally he arrives, in uniform and I notice him chatting with his parents. My 7/o blurts out “why is there a priest in here?” and I gently explain why he is dressed the way he is & that that isn’t appropriate to say. There and at the event, he was very, very serious. Emotionless.

But he graduated & seems to be doing well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because he wants to be in the Army. Why is this confusing?

One of the most impressive men I know went to West Point and later the Army paid for his master's degree at Harvard. He was a career Army guy, then retired and now in consulting. And, no, his parents didn't push him into it or have a family history of going to West Point.

Why not do ROTC and have a normal college experience?

The pay, pensions, housing allowance, GI bill etc are nothing spectacular financially compared to what people graduating from West Point’s peer schools make. If you want to be in the army for your own reasons (family tradition, wanting to serve, honor), go right ahead, but don’t do it for the money, because the total compensation is not stellar.

Because they want the West Point experience. And, for people who make a career in the Army there is definitely prestige to being a West Point grad. Obviously, people choosing a military career are not doing it for the money. Just as people who choose many other careers do not make money the top priority. I know, hard for some DCUMs to understand.

They can say they graduated from West Point...It is considered an accomplishment, whether it's your cup of tea or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC's "Big Three" sends at least one graduate each year to either USNA or West Point. Most turned down Ivy or other top schools to do this. Amazing, selfless and patriotic individuals.

OP here.

Yes, kid I know turned down HYP Ivy.

Yes, and? My cousin got into several Ivies and the USNA. Full ride. She now flies the world's coolest planes, travels the world, and is serving her country. Please name an Ivy that would lead her to that path?

[Anonymous]

What I REALLY don’t get is why people go to places like The Citadel, VMI, Maine Maritime Academy etc. It’s one thing to GET PAID to go to a service academy, but to PAY for that kind of hazing…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC's "Big Three" sends at least one graduate each year to either USNA or West Point. Most turned down Ivy or other top schools to do this. Amazing, selfless and patriotic individuals.

OP here.

Yes, kid I know turned down HYP Ivy.

Yes, and? My cousin got into several Ivies and the USNA. Full ride. She now flies the world's coolest planes, travels the world, and is serving her country. Please name an Ivy that would lead her to that path?

ROTC at an Ivy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cadets are not required to join active military. Those that do go in with a high rank. Some go into reserves. Some choose to go into med school.

Their education is free and they are guaranteed employment with a minimum of $75k after graduation.

They have so much discipline that any company would hire them.

A former manager attended West Point, he was active military for a few years; entered the reserves, and has a Harvard MBA. He’s fit. Super smart and at 45 makes about $700k.

What? I'm almost completely sure that you do -- definitely at West Point. I think with the USMMA, there may be some non-military options if you serve in a related job.

LOL, that person doesn't know what they are talking about...they "go in" as a LT, same as someone who graduated from ROTC definitely not a "high rank." Having a degree from one of the academies is exceptional, as is their alumni network but they start out their career the same as every other young officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC's "Big Three" sends at least one graduate each year to either USNA or West Point. Most turned down Ivy or other top schools to do this. Amazing, selfless and patriotic individuals.

OP here.

Yes, kid I know turned down HYP Ivy.

Yes, and? My cousin got into several Ivies and the USNA. Full ride. She now flies the world's coolest planes, travels the world, and is serving her country. Please name an Ivy that would lead her to that path?

ROTC at an Ivy

Exactly. The above is about attending flight school after the academy which is about testing into, not specifically attending the USNA.