re: Graduates of Service Academies or military colleges

I went to the Citadel when it was all male. It was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. As an ADD kid, I wouldn't have survived academically at a traditional college/university. Too many distractions.

Compared to a regular college/university and in a single word, day to day life sucked. But after a while, you become use to it and it's just part of the experience. On the flip side, it definitely gives you a thick skin on how to deal with BS in your daily life.

The reality is, you don't know what you are missing at a traditional college. The idea that you are part of something more than yourself was very gratifying. That's not to say we didn't have fun, you just had to be more creative way. I'll add this as well. Being locked on a dry campus 4.75 out 7 days a week leads to binge drinking in a lot of folks. They feel like they have to get a weeks worth in in 2.25 days...

quote:

---

Who makes the best Marine Corps officers: Naval Academy, NROTC, or OCS Quantico?

---

Want to know the real answer?

The Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP). Those guys had their $#!+ in a pile.

quote:

---

Al Capone's accountant was persuaded to turn state's evidence in part on the promise of a Naval Academy appointment for his son.

---

He was a lawyer for Capone, but yeah.

quote:

---

You also have to have congressional recommendation from a senator.

---

no

a Congressman will do

I have a degree from Norwich, which is sort of like New England’s version of VMI or the Citadel. I was not military track though (medical disqualification).

I’ll tell you this... their alumni organization is legit. They are all about working connections and alumni involvement. If LSU ever copied their model, we would be unstoppable.

quote:

---

I thought you might say the commissioned officers of the Marine Band.

Until recently, I didn't realize that the members of the official Marine Band don't go through any sort of recruit training. I mean, their auditions for the band are pretty rigorous, but it's very weird that the one branch who takes the most pride in their enlisted/officer training allows musicians to get in with just an audition process.

---

Army bandsmen do go through Basic, or at least did at one time. My dad had one in his Basic training platoon. Poor guy injured his hand in a freak accident, couldn't play the trumpet any more and got a medical discharge.

quote:

---

does it have to be a senator or rep who works in DC for the US Senate or House?

---

1. Minorities have a leg up - time to find out if great grandma was really a full blooded choctaw.
2. Go to Academy Days (sponsored by your local congressperson)
3. Read the FB and Reddit Forums on the subject
4. Get on email lists from your local congressperson
5. Start working on it (making contacts, etc) while your kid is in the 10th grade
6. Get the kid involved in as much stuff as possible, every sports team, even if he just sits the bench
7. Easier to get in from "dumb states" like MS or LA, as the competition is less - I've heard that from Bennie Thompson's district (MS Delta) they struggle some years submitting a quality candidate - I meet a USAFA cadet from my hometown while on deployment, he said he would have never gotten in if he was from Colorado
8. Don't sleep on the USCGA or the Merchant Marine Academy - they don't get many southern applicants
9. Sign him up for Boy's State
10. Find a local Academy Alum for a reference and advice

My son eventually decided on ROTC as it combines a little military life with a lot of college life, rather than vice versa.

I see you are a VT fan, that is a top ROTC school.

There are a number of ways to secure an appointment to the service academies: congressional appointment from all representatives and senators, presidential appointment, vice president appointment athletic scholarship, and children of medal of honor winners. State legislators have no input into the process.