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Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:24 am to GentleJackJones
As someone that's helped some students with their applications to service academies, can second all of the suggestion of getting in touch with your US Senators/US Reps as soon as possible. Depending on your area, interviews for those recommendations can be tough to come by.
I have one graduating from The Citadel this year, had two graduate from Air Force Academy, and one from the Naval Academy.
I have one graduating from The Citadel this year, had two graduate from Air Force Academy, and one from the Naval Academy.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:24 am to VeniVidiVici
I could have misunderstood. I myself don’t know.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:26 am to GentleJackJones
My cousin went to the Air Force Academy. He was on the golf team. 
He said all they did on off days was play golf or ski.
I went to his graduation. They have some really interesting architecture on that campus.
He said all they did on off days was play golf or ski.
I went to his graduation. They have some really interesting architecture on that campus.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:28 am to greenbean
From an A&M perspective, the culture of the Corps of Cadets really needs to fit you before you choose it. Save the typical LSU "Aggy iz gay, I ga-ron-tee" shite, here is my perspective from 20 years ago.
The A&M Corps is a strange hybrid of military academy, fraternity and leadership laboratory on a mostly civilian campus. Despite being 2000-2600 strong, the uniformed student body makes up less than 5% of the actual student body. Depending on the unit, they can be very relaxed or very territorial and rigid. Tradition is revered and in many cased enforced as law. There are several special units by either volunteer or selection board and most cadets are one of 1-4 cadets in their individual classrooms.
ROTC is treated like a class like any other. Football games are considered graded "Pass and Review" events. Most of the restrictions are a complicated mind game (probably the best description). Reveille and Retreat formations take place daily.
The A&M Corps is a strange hybrid of military academy, fraternity and leadership laboratory on a mostly civilian campus. Despite being 2000-2600 strong, the uniformed student body makes up less than 5% of the actual student body. Depending on the unit, they can be very relaxed or very territorial and rigid. Tradition is revered and in many cased enforced as law. There are several special units by either volunteer or selection board and most cadets are one of 1-4 cadets in their individual classrooms.
ROTC is treated like a class like any other. Football games are considered graded "Pass and Review" events. Most of the restrictions are a complicated mind game (probably the best description). Reveille and Retreat formations take place daily.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:30 am to greenbean
As much as it pains me to say this...The Corps at A & M is probably a good blend between military, but a little less strict. It's like a military school within a school.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:35 am to GentleJackJones
I tried to get into the Air Force academy, for a nice contribution to my Congress critter’s campaign fund I would get in. My Dad said f that. Went ROTC route at LSU. Had a great time and I was able to date the ladies.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:38 am to usc6158
quote:
Call your representatives local office (not the DC office). They should have a staffer whose job it is to coordinate military academy appointments and can walk you through the process.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:42 am to LaLadyinTx
I’ve only had a conversation with one person that graduated from Naval Academy, he said he hated it.Said it was like 4 years of boot camp.
We have grandson that came very close to getting in Naval Academy,he didn’t quite make the cut but he did get NROTC scholarship to Tulane.He’s a Pilot now.That seems like a better way to go,all expenses paid plus a monthly stipend and he had a normal college experience.
On the other hand,being a graduate of a service academy opens a lot of doors throughout life.
We have grandson that came very close to getting in Naval Academy,he didn’t quite make the cut but he did get NROTC scholarship to Tulane.He’s a Pilot now.That seems like a better way to go,all expenses paid plus a monthly stipend and he had a normal college experience.
On the other hand,being a graduate of a service academy opens a lot of doors throughout life.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:46 am to CharlesLSU
quote:
You also have to have congressional recommendation from a senator.
Wrong
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:46 am to CGSC Lobotomy
quote:im an eagle scout so i got multiple calls from corps people after getting into A&M. they apparently recruit heavily from eagle scouts and every time i just went ".....nah"
From an A&M perspective, the culture of the Corps of Cadets really needs to fit you before you choose it.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 11:58 am to UndercoverBryologist
quote:
Secondary question, but one I've always wanted to know as a non-military person surrounded by military people:
Who makes the best Marine Corps officers: Naval Academy, NROTC, or OCS Quantico?
Not USMC, but I was an infantry officer in the Army. All three produced excellent officers and sub-standard officers, but I would generalize as follows:
- Academy
Pros: Really smart, really well-schooled on what it means to be an officer, very good with processes and thinking through problems
Cons: Can be socially stunted and disconnected from the culture, language, and views of their enlisted
- ROTC:
Pros: Most balanced between being book smart and street smart, good social skills
Cons: ROTC programs vary a lot, and there are some poor ROTC programs that produce some really shitty officers
- OCS:
Pros: A lot of former enlisted go through OCS, so both they and those who go through OCS with them tend to be really, really good tactically; sympathetic to and protective of their soldiers
Cons: The former enlisted especially can be too big of micro-managers and too much like an NCO rather than an officer; some of the younger OCS guys might not be too solid with processes and some of the higher-order thinking that senior officers need
Just generalizations - it's a huge organization and you see all types from all commissioning sources.
Edit: I agree with the others saying that ROTC at a good university is the path I wish I had taken (I was not ROTC).
This post was edited on 11/18/20 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 11/18/20 at 12:10 pm to UndercoverBryologist
quote:
Until recently, I didn't realize that the members of the official Marine Band don't go through any sort of recruit training.
There are 5 or 6 Marine Corp bans the no training only applies to the “Presidents Marine Corp Band” they wanted the best musicians possible and realized the odds of recruiting them would be better if they didn’t go through basic training. Of course they are restricted to being musicians only. The members of the other Marine bands are Marines first and musicians second.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 12:15 pm to West Palm Tiger561
quote:
You also have to have congressional recommendation from a senator.
Wrong
You have to be appointed by a member of Congress, the president or Vice President as other posters have indicated.
Posted on 11/18/20 at 12:20 pm to slacker130
My daughter is a Plebe (freshman) at the Naval Academy. Despite the strange times, she is enjoying it so far. As far as congressional recommendation, yes you do need one. We got one from our local House representative, but I understand that if you need one, the academies can get congressmen from districts with few applicants to write recommendations for candidates from congressional districts with more applicants. Not sure if true, but that's what we heard.
This post was edited on 11/18/20 at 12:21 pm
Posted on 11/18/20 at 12:20 pm to GentleJackJones
I just spent a year coaching lacrosse at VMI.
Shoot me an email user name @ gmail & I can give you some recent experience info.
VMI is an excellent option for a kid who might not do well in a typical college environment or has a strong desire to serve & head into OCS. The rigid schedule provides for minimal opportunities to screw around. Also, approximately 50% of the VMI student body goes on to enlist/military career. The other 50% go on to tremendous careers in the private sector. And having half of their classmates as military contacts for future potential partnerships is an unbelievable advantage.
The total number of NARPs (Non Athletic Regular People) that attend VMI is astounding. Especially during their Rat Year aka "Ratline" or "Ratmass". It's amazing seeing these types go thru the Ratline as uncoordinated weirdos. They are so uncoordinated that it is painful to watch. But they work through it. And by the time they are they get to Breakout they are damn strong individuals or they've quit/drop out. The transformation is something to behold. Every single Rat parent I spoke with after Breakout says the same thing: "I don't recognize my child. In a GOOD way."
Also, the Honor Code at VMI is phenomenal. And taken more seriously than anything else during the years at VMI. Cheating & lying is a non-tolerence offense & you will be booted out swiftly & shamefully. There's a whole ritual for when a cadet is kicked out. It's quite the ordeal.
W&L is 1 small street away from VMI & provides a total Jekyll + Hyde aspect of DIII/liberal arts College lifestyle. Lexington is a SMALL town with little nightlife. But a brief 1 hr drive to Charleston/UVA.
Shoot me an email user name @ gmail & I can give you some recent experience info.
VMI is an excellent option for a kid who might not do well in a typical college environment or has a strong desire to serve & head into OCS. The rigid schedule provides for minimal opportunities to screw around. Also, approximately 50% of the VMI student body goes on to enlist/military career. The other 50% go on to tremendous careers in the private sector. And having half of their classmates as military contacts for future potential partnerships is an unbelievable advantage.
The total number of NARPs (Non Athletic Regular People) that attend VMI is astounding. Especially during their Rat Year aka "Ratline" or "Ratmass". It's amazing seeing these types go thru the Ratline as uncoordinated weirdos. They are so uncoordinated that it is painful to watch. But they work through it. And by the time they are they get to Breakout they are damn strong individuals or they've quit/drop out. The transformation is something to behold. Every single Rat parent I spoke with after Breakout says the same thing: "I don't recognize my child. In a GOOD way."
Also, the Honor Code at VMI is phenomenal. And taken more seriously than anything else during the years at VMI. Cheating & lying is a non-tolerence offense & you will be booted out swiftly & shamefully. There's a whole ritual for when a cadet is kicked out. It's quite the ordeal.
W&L is 1 small street away from VMI & provides a total Jekyll + Hyde aspect of DIII/liberal arts College lifestyle. Lexington is a SMALL town with little nightlife. But a brief 1 hr drive to Charleston/UVA.
This post was edited on 11/18/20 at 12:24 pm
Posted on 11/18/20 at 12:36 pm to AbuTheMonkey
quote:
Not USMC, but I was an infantry officer in the Army. All three produced excellent officers and sub-standard officers, but I would generalize as follows:
- Academy
Pros: Really smart, really well-schooled on what it means to be an officer, very good with processes and thinking through problems
Cons: Can be socially stunted and disconnected from the culture, language, and views of their enlisted
- ROTC:
Pros: Most balanced between being book smart and street smart, good social skills
Cons: ROTC programs vary a lot, and there are some poor ROTC programs that produce some really shitty officers
- OCS:
Pros: A lot of former enlisted go through OCS, so both they and those who go through OCS with them tend to be really, really good tactically; sympathetic to and protective of their soldiers
Cons: The former enlisted especially can be too big of micro-managers and too much like an NCO rather than an officer; some of the younger OCS guys might not be too solid with processes and some of the higher-order thinking that senior officers need
Just generalizations - it's a huge organization and you see all types from all commissioning sources.
Edit: I agree with the others saying that ROTC at a good university is the path I wish I had taken (I was not ROTC).
Great insight here. I would add that some USAFA Academy Grads remind me of Home School kids, just a little odd socially.
However, one of the best CCs I had was an Academy man, he was smart, organized and hard working, but could connect on a personal level with everyone from a General down to an A1C.
Once an Officer makes 06, most start dreaming of a star, and puts that ahead of everything.
This post was edited on 11/18/20 at 12:40 pm
Posted on 11/18/20 at 1:35 pm to GentleJackJones
I went to Air Force and played football there. I did not want to be in the Air Force, so it wasn't all fun for me. It's not all fun for anyone.
I was a recruited athlete so that helped get me in. Kay Bailey Hutchison nominated me after an interview process. Ralph Hall nominated me for West Point. Thankfully, I had a liaison officer as well as the football program walking me through all of this.
I had to go to interviews with staffs/cronies of both, write papers, basically have a robust resume--they even had a local navy recruiter proctor the ACT to me privately.
Academically--hard. Must have time management. Must have a strong math and science background to get through the core courses at usafa.
Basic Cadet Training was actually a good time--think summer camp with an attitude.
I do think there are some very rigid academy grads out there. It's a very serious atmosphere most days.
Some great advice in this thread--recommend a lot of it!
I was a recruited athlete so that helped get me in. Kay Bailey Hutchison nominated me after an interview process. Ralph Hall nominated me for West Point. Thankfully, I had a liaison officer as well as the football program walking me through all of this.
I had to go to interviews with staffs/cronies of both, write papers, basically have a robust resume--they even had a local navy recruiter proctor the ACT to me privately.
Academically--hard. Must have time management. Must have a strong math and science background to get through the core courses at usafa.
Basic Cadet Training was actually a good time--think summer camp with an attitude.
I do think there are some very rigid academy grads out there. It's a very serious atmosphere most days.
Some great advice in this thread--recommend a lot of it!
Posted on 11/19/20 at 5:51 am to forever lsu30
quote:
Also, the Honor Code at VMI is phenomenal. And taken more seriously than anything else during the years at VMI. Cheating & lying is a non-tolerence offense & you will be booted out swiftly & shamefully. There's a whole ritual for when a cadet is kicked out. It's quite the ordeal.
Same for the Citadel, "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do."
The honor code is serious business. I had a buddy that got booted in the 2nd half of 2nd semester SR. year for cheating on a Spanish test. The irony was he could have made a 0 on it and still graduated.
Posted on 11/19/20 at 6:39 am to GentleJackJones
quote:
For those of you who attended and graduated one of the United States Service Academies or a military college (The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute), will you please describe your experience - academically, socially, daily cadet life, post-graduate, and so forth?
The oldest is definitely interested. He has really good grades and solid extracurriculars; however, it's my understanding that he's got a better shot at an Ivy League school than the Service academies. Is this true?
Socially?
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