Anonymous wrote:People assume it’s easy to join the military or an academy. It isn’t. The Academies are selective and only one way to join the military as an officer. The other option is to go to a 4 year college and do ROTC. Or join After you graduate and apply for Officer Training School /Officer Candidate School depending on which branch. There are a few ways to do it.
There are also prep academies if your child can’t get in with their grades right off the bat that will take you into a service academy.

Don’t forget about schools like the Citadel and VMI. There are plenty of options and your commitments vary based on your job entering the service.

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Very few make it a career. Out of my class of close to 1000 from USNA, about 1/8 stayed for a full 20 years. A large group gets out after their initial commitment.

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Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Most graduate from the Academy is with the bachelors of science in an engineering field. Although there are other majors. As an officer in the military, you have a specific career field. It could be communications, could be a logistics, could be supply, could be infantry. After serving the required four year pay back, officers typically can get a career in management almost anywhere.

Do most grads not make the military a career?

Some do not. But some of them do and it depends on many variables. There are family priorities and life goals that may change your path. Some people go in thinking they want to fly or whatever they go in for and switch careers. Some go in and get out to get their masters. Some use it as a stepping stone for political aspirations. Some just get out to be closer to family. There’s a million reasons as with civilians that change paths or jobs.

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Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Most graduate from the Academy is with the bachelors of science in an engineering field. Although there are other majors. As an officer in the military, you have a specific career field. It could be communications, could be a logistics, could be supply, could be infantry. After serving the required four year pay back, officers typically can get a career in management almost anywhere.

Do most grads not make the military a career?

Anonymous wrote:If math isn't your best subject, but you have an otherwise excellent application/package and you get in, will it be tough to handle the academic workload. I have heard that the education tends to be math-centric (but my main source is from the Air Force Academy).

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Anonymous wrote:Applicants need to be nominated by one of their Senators or Congressman. Apply to all 3 as it is very competitive. Others who are the children of KIA servicement, Medal of Honor winners, etc... are also able to apply.

Once nominated, the application process is similar to other schools in terms of transcript, application, etc... But, final admission also requires passing a medical physical.

The summer after junior year, USNA in particular runs a "Summer Seminar for competitive candidates. I'm not sure how you get invitied, but possibly reach out to the admissions office to find out.

Just an FYI - there are 5 not 3 service academies.

The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York,
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland,
The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut,
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York,
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado

They all have a simlar application process where you need to be nominated.

You do not need a congressional nomination for the Coast Guard Academy. It's still very hard to get into.

The USMMA is an undiscovered gem. It's actually not impossible to get a nomination b/c most are focused just on West Point, USNA and Air Force.

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Anonymous wrote:In this political climate, who in their right mind would pursue a military career?

The exact same kinds of people join every year (regardless of the current political leadership or political climate).

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Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Most graduate from the Academy is with the bachelors of science in an engineering field. Although there are other majors. As an officer in the military, you have a specific career field. It could be communications, could be a logistics, could be supply, could be infantry. After serving the required four year pay back, officers typically can get a career in management almost anywhere.

Do most grads not make the military a career?

Depends on their service selection when they graduate. It’s a 5 year commitment, longer if you select aviation or med corps. Not sure of the numbers, but half probably leave after their commitment (5 and dive).

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Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Most graduate from the Academy is with the bachelors of science in an engineering field. Although there are other majors. As an officer in the military, you have a specific career field. It could be communications, could be a logistics, could be supply, could be infantry. After serving the required four year pay back, officers typically can get a career in management almost anywhere.

Do most grads not make the military a career?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Most graduate from the Academy is with the bachelors of science in an engineering field. Although there are other majors. As an officer in the military, you have a specific career field. It could be communications, could be a logistics, could be supply, could be infantry. After serving the required four year pay back, officers typically can get a career in management almost anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Applicants need to be nominated by one of their Senators or Congressman. Apply to all 3 as it is very competitive. Others who are the children of KIA servicement, Medal of Honor winners, etc... are also able to apply.

Once nominated, the application process is similar to other schools in terms of transcript, application, etc... But, final admission also requires passing a medical physical.

The summer after junior year, USNA in particular runs a "Summer Seminar for competitive candidates. I'm not sure how you get invitied, but possibly reach out to the admissions office to find out.

Just an FYI - there are 5 not 3 service academies.

The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York,
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland,
The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut,
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York,
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado

They all have a simlar application process where you need to be nominated.

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Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?

Secy of state? Secy of defense? CEO 7-11?

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Anonymous wrote:US Merchant Marine Academy. Often overlooked but a solid option. My DH went there and loved it.

You do 2 semesters at sea. And your commitment is 8 years (I think) of navy reserves. He traveled the world, had no school debt, got a great education, and the payback was relatively low. He loved his time there and payed back more than the minimum requirement.

Since then, a few kids in our neighborhood have also gone and loved it.

It has had problems in recent years with some harassment type issues. But, has worked hard (I'm told, I have not first hand knowledge) to try to address those.

Is it accurate that enlisting in the Navy reserves for 8 years (as opposed to the 5-year active duty commitment of the other service academies) satisfies the military commitment for attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy?

Is this also true of the Coast Guard Academy, or do you have to enlist in active duty afterwards? I know that USNA, USAFA, and USMA-West Point all require the 5-year active duty commitment. TIA.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't go on to become a general or whatever, what sort of civilian career path is there for an academy graduate?