Reply to National Service/Military Academies?

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[quote=Anonymous]A very close friend of mine attended USNA.  He is dead now -- he was killed in service in 2013.  This is a VERY REAL possibility with military service, and one that should be considered seriously by anyone who applies to these schools.  You literally owe them your life for at least 4-6 years after graduation, and you can die.  I think a lot of teens assume it will never happen to them, but of the two boys I was close to growing up who attended the service academies (my USNA friend and another who attended USAFA), both were dead by 35, killed in service of their country.  They were among the best of the best.  It can happen to anyone.

As for the experience, the first year was absolutely brutal, and is that way at every service academy.  It's how they weed out the weak.  After that, it gradually gets physically less tough but academically more intense.  You can major in almost anything as long as it's useful to the military.  Engineering, law, history, international studies, political science, languages, etc. are all useful.  The arts and more niche interests like women's studies, not so much.  Your lifestyle is very restricted and regimented as a cadet ... you're rarely allowed to leave campus, often must wear a uniform even off-duty, and sleeping in is not a thing that will happen for you.  Also, curfew is serious business.  If you're the kind of person who likes to make your own schedule, the military is not for you.

As far as the physicality of it all, PP is right -- kids need to be in perfect health to do this.  Not only can health problems disqualify you from the military, they can kill you if you're unaware of them.  It's not unheard of for a kid who seemed fine all his life to drop dead or unconscious due to the physical stress of PT when they start at an Academy.  Make sure you get a thorough physical examination by an excellent physician.

I think the Academies are a wonderful national resource, building up fine young officers.  But there are a lot of risks, risks that should be taken very seriously.  The military can be a rewarding career choice, and graduating with money in the bank instead of crippling debt is a great thing.  But it may cost you your life someday.  It really might.[/quote]

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