Applying to the academies
- Thread starter zeon252
- Start date
Mr. Dictator
A Chain-Smoking Fox
it would be pretty hard to get into West Point or the Citadel and i dont have a clue of the other two
sry thats all the help i can be
sry thats all the help i can be
I went to law school with some people that graduated from West Point and they had nothing but praise for it. I actually checked out their courses and such myself just to see what type of education/majors they have and it was quite impressive. They have a nice pre-law type of program if that interests you at all.
In regards to VMI, a college buddy of mine's father once taught philosophy there (maybe he still does). One thing I do know is that Lexington, Virginia (where it's located) is a great little town to spend your college years in -- however, if you are sort of averse to small town life, you might not like it.
In regards to VMI, a college buddy of mine's father once taught philosophy there (maybe he still does). One thing I do know is that Lexington, Virginia (where it's located) is a great little town to spend your college years in -- however, if you are sort of averse to small town life, you might not like it.
7ronin
海軍少佐
If you want a serious career in the Army then you must go to Westpoint. First of all, it's run by the Army; the other three on your list aren't although their ROTC programs are.
blackheart
unenlightened
I know a guy at my high school that is actually going to West Point next year. My biggest advice for getting in to West Point is move to a less populated state, because only 2 people per state can get in each year IIRC.
7ronin
海軍少佐
Appointments to the U.S. Military Academy are made as follows:
"By an Act of Congress passed in 1903, two appointments as Cadets were allowed for each senator, representative, and delegate in Congress, two for the District of Columbia, and five each year at large. Currently, each member of Congress and the Vice President can have five appointees attending the Military Academy at any time. When any appointee graduates or otherwise leaves the academy, a vacancy is created. Candidates are nominated by their senator, representative, or delegate in Congress, and those appointed at large are nominated by the Vice President. The process is not political and applicants do not have to know their Congressman to be nominated. Congressmen generally nominate ten people per vacancy. They can nominate people in a competitive manner, or they can have a principal nomination. In a competitive nomination, all ten applicants are reviewed by the academy, to see who is the most qualified. If the congressman appoints a principal nominee, then as long as that candidate is physically, medically, and academically found qualified by the academy, he or she will be admitted, even if there are more qualified applicants. The degree of difficulty in obtaining a nomination varies greatly according to the number of applicants in a particular state. The process of obtaining a nomination typically consists of completing an application, completing one or more essays, and obtaining one or more letters of recommendation. These requirements are set by the respective senator or congressman and are in addition to the USMA application.
Additional sources of appointment are open to children of career military personnel (100 per year); 170 appointments per year are for active duty Army enlisted personnel; 20 appointments per year are provided for Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets; and 65 appointments are available to children of military members who were killed in action, or were rendered 100% disabled due to injuries received in action, or are currently prisoners of war or missing in action. Typically five to ten candidates are nominated for each appointment, which are normally awarded competetively; candidates who do not receive the appointment they are competing for may still be admitted to the Academy as a qualified alternate. If a candidate is considered qualified but not picked up, they may receive an indirect admission to the Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; the following year, these candidates receive direct appointment to the Academy.
Additionally, children of Medal of Honor recipients do not need a nomination but only need to qualify for admission."
"By an Act of Congress passed in 1903, two appointments as Cadets were allowed for each senator, representative, and delegate in Congress, two for the District of Columbia, and five each year at large. Currently, each member of Congress and the Vice President can have five appointees attending the Military Academy at any time. When any appointee graduates or otherwise leaves the academy, a vacancy is created. Candidates are nominated by their senator, representative, or delegate in Congress, and those appointed at large are nominated by the Vice President. The process is not political and applicants do not have to know their Congressman to be nominated. Congressmen generally nominate ten people per vacancy. They can nominate people in a competitive manner, or they can have a principal nomination. In a competitive nomination, all ten applicants are reviewed by the academy, to see who is the most qualified. If the congressman appoints a principal nominee, then as long as that candidate is physically, medically, and academically found qualified by the academy, he or she will be admitted, even if there are more qualified applicants. The degree of difficulty in obtaining a nomination varies greatly according to the number of applicants in a particular state. The process of obtaining a nomination typically consists of completing an application, completing one or more essays, and obtaining one or more letters of recommendation. These requirements are set by the respective senator or congressman and are in addition to the USMA application.
Additional sources of appointment are open to children of career military personnel (100 per year); 170 appointments per year are for active duty Army enlisted personnel; 20 appointments per year are provided for Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets; and 65 appointments are available to children of military members who were killed in action, or were rendered 100% disabled due to injuries received in action, or are currently prisoners of war or missing in action. Typically five to ten candidates are nominated for each appointment, which are normally awarded competetively; candidates who do not receive the appointment they are competing for may still be admitted to the Academy as a qualified alternate. If a candidate is considered qualified but not picked up, they may receive an indirect admission to the Military Academy Preparatory School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; the following year, these candidates receive direct appointment to the Academy.
Additionally, children of Medal of Honor recipients do not need a nomination but only need to qualify for admission."
7ronin said:
Though that has been traditional, ROTC officers seem to be on a roughly equal footing nowadays as far as star-level promotions (at least in the Navy, and from what I hear the other services as well).
But personally, I'd recommend a service academy over pretty much any other college if your intention is to be a career military officer or even 8-and-out - though my bias as an Annapolis grad may color my views.
7ronin
海軍少佐
IglooDude said:
I worked for ten or so officers who were or who became flag officers. All of them except one were Annapolis graduates. The one was an ROTC grad. He turned out to be the exception that proves the rule because he retired as CINCPACFLT with four stars. I think though, that even today if you want to go all the way to the top your chances are greatly improved if you are a service academy graduate.
Going to a service academy also give you a big head start over ROTC and military college graduates when it comes to assimililating and becoming a part of service culture.
Of course it can be argued whether the troops expect more or less from a service academy grad.
USN (1964-1994)
spankey
Peachtree Warrior
Zeon 252,
Hello. I am a graduate of West Point, class of 1992. Just PM me with any questions. Although you have listed many fine institutions, I am partial to my choice and can offer coach/feedback/advice.
Hello. I am a graduate of West Point, class of 1992. Just PM me with any questions. Although you have listed many fine institutions, I am partial to my choice and can offer coach/feedback/advice.
spankey said:Zeon 252,
Hello. I am a graduate of West Point, class of 1992. Just PM me with any questions. Although you have listed many fine institutions, I am partial to my choice and can offer coach/feedback/advice.
Hey, maybe you and I can get an Army-Navy Civ contest going!! ('91 Navy here)
spankey
Peachtree Warrior
Hey IglooDude,
Good to know there are some of us in the OT arena. Was it your (class of '91) class' diplomas made out from "The United States Navel Academy"? Or was that an academy urban legend?
Good to know there are some of us in the OT arena. Was it your (class of '91) class' diplomas made out from "The United States Navel Academy"? Or was that an academy urban legend?
Cheezy the Wiz
Socialist In A Hurry
Well Zeon, it seems that i am on the next stone after you in the path across the pond. I went to VT and was in the Highty-tightes, and it was hard as crap. You really have to be dedicated to go through that, and posess a great deal of maturity and personal determination. Obviously, i was lacking in one of these areas (maturity) and came home. Now, I've come to the conclusion that ROTC is the way to go, at another university, either ODU, UMD, or KU, i havent heard from any of them yet though. I would have to say that a school with only ROTC and not a Corps of Cadets system, such as VT or Texas A&M is much easier, and it gets you to the same place, since technocally you are still doin ROTC at those schools in addition to your Corps duties.
ALso, which branch are you going into? I'm pretty sure that NOrwich is a Marine Corps school, and obviously West Point is an Army. The Citadel and VT have all 4, though. Personally, i'm going Navy.
ALso, which branch are you going into? I'm pretty sure that NOrwich is a Marine Corps school, and obviously West Point is an Army. The Citadel and VT have all 4, though. Personally, i'm going Navy.
The 777 Hoax
future skeleton
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2005
- Messages
- 1,599
Virginia Tech is a very good school. I would love to go there when I graduate from High school. I visited there in November. The campus is very nice. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the Corps of Cadets.
Edit - note my "location"
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Edit - note my "location"
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Cheezy the Wiz
Socialist In A Hurry
yep VMI has all 4. However, the girls there are kinda butch, so go VT if you want the ladies.
spankey said:
I suspect it's an urban legend - I've never heard of it for any diplomas at all (though I've seen it misspelled often enough). But now you've motivated me to go home and give mine a quick proofread...
spankey
Peachtree Warrior
IglooDude said:I suspect it's an urban legend - I've never heard of it for any diplomas at all (though I've seen it misspelled often enough). But now you've motivated me to go home and give mine a quick proofread...
It is a shame if it is an urban legend. We had great fun with that the year that it supposedly happened. IIRC, They came back from the printers wrong and the academy had to get them reprinted. They supposedly were not given to graduates. I still bring it up sometimes. It is a great conversation piece.
7ronin
海軍少佐
@Zeon252 - If you do decide to try for West Point, check out the websites of your Senator and Congressman. Most of them have information on how to apply for an appointment.
