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Started By
Message
re: VMI , West Point, or the Citadel?
Posted on 1/6/17 at 8:21 pm to Jim Rockford
Posted on 1/6/17 at 8:21 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
you don't turn down West Point if you get that opportunity
Yep. They get the best PT belts
0
Posted on 1/6/17 at 8:39 pm to Jim Rockford
Duh, West Point is free. And I assume it's like USAFA, they get paid a stipend while they are going to school. US News and World Report ranks the Military Academys
1-WP
2-Naval Academy
3-USAFA
1-WP
2-Naval Academy
3-USAFA
Posted on 1/6/17 at 8:40 pm to Jim Rockford
As an Alum of the Naval Academy, I would suggest ROTC. The reason is, only the top 10% of graduates get to choose their path in the Navy. The next 20% get to choose 1-3 paths. They may or may not get the path they have listed as first, it's based on where the Navy needs you. They will get one of the three paths that is on their list. Now the other 70%, which I was one of, don't get to choose any paths. They have to serve wherever the Navy sees fit.
Everyone wants to go to the Naval Academy. So they don't need to entice you by offering choice paths. That's not so with ROTC. They have to entice you with paths that the bulk of Midshipmen could only dream.
There is a lot prestige and honor associated with the Service Academies. Lots of benefits too. Though, I had my heart set on becoming a Naval aviator like my Uncle. That turned out to be a pipe dream. I'm not sure the relevance of choice is in the Army, because I didn't serve in the Army. I just know that it is everything in the Navy.
One of the service academies is just 4 years of his or her life. The service, could be 20 years or more.
In summation, I would suggest the path of least resistance. Have your relative think about what he or she wants to do in the Army. If he doesn't care, then tell him or her to go to the Point. I would definitely go to the Point over VMI or the Citadel.
USNA class of '81
Everyone wants to go to the Naval Academy. So they don't need to entice you by offering choice paths. That's not so with ROTC. They have to entice you with paths that the bulk of Midshipmen could only dream.
There is a lot prestige and honor associated with the Service Academies. Lots of benefits too. Though, I had my heart set on becoming a Naval aviator like my Uncle. That turned out to be a pipe dream. I'm not sure the relevance of choice is in the Army, because I didn't serve in the Army. I just know that it is everything in the Navy.
One of the service academies is just 4 years of his or her life. The service, could be 20 years or more.
In summation, I would suggest the path of least resistance. Have your relative think about what he or she wants to do in the Army. If he doesn't care, then tell him or her to go to the Point. I would definitely go to the Point over VMI or the Citadel.
USNA class of '81
This post was edited on 1/7/17 at 11:48 am
Posted on 1/6/17 at 9:40 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
My snap judgement is, on the surface, this is really stupid question and you don't turn down West Point if you get that opportunity, but I just really wanted to start another thread for attention. I get off on replies and internet popularity. Thanks in advance for noticing me !!
Posted on 1/6/17 at 9:59 pm to WildcatMike
quote:
Lulz, Aggies stating aTm is even on the same level as West Point
Cite where that is stated anywhere in this thread except as a tale from a poster or go sit in the corner.
This post was edited on 1/6/17 at 10:00 pm
Posted on 1/6/17 at 10:16 pm to Jim Rockford
If he/she is lucky enough to choose b/w which of the three schools to attend then choose the school that he is most comfortable at. All three schools will provide a great education and an opportunity to be commissioned in the Army. One advantage of attending Citadel,VMI, or A&M is that you can be a member of the Corps without having to join the Army.
Nationally, WP will carry more prestige but each school mentioned has a strong alumni base that is full of very successful graduates.
Now to address a few myths about WP that I read in this thread.
1) Just b/c you graduate from WP doesn't mean you are on a set path to General. History has shown that WP has produced great leaders. It has also produced several Shortt officers as well.
2) Just because you graduate from WP doesn't mean that you are "set for life." In my class I have classmates and friends who have had extremely successful careers after the Army, but most of my classmates have had careers that aren't much different than graduates of a typical state university. The success of the individual will depend on what they with the opportunities that they choose to pursue.
3) A WP graduate can't just pick the branch of service they want. It does happen but it is pretty rare. In a class of 1000 we had probably less than five that received a commission from another branch of service.
Nationally, WP will carry more prestige but each school mentioned has a strong alumni base that is full of very successful graduates.
Now to address a few myths about WP that I read in this thread.
1) Just b/c you graduate from WP doesn't mean you are on a set path to General. History has shown that WP has produced great leaders. It has also produced several Shortt officers as well.
2) Just because you graduate from WP doesn't mean that you are "set for life." In my class I have classmates and friends who have had extremely successful careers after the Army, but most of my classmates have had careers that aren't much different than graduates of a typical state university. The success of the individual will depend on what they with the opportunities that they choose to pursue.
3) A WP graduate can't just pick the branch of service they want. It does happen but it is pretty rare. In a class of 1000 we had probably less than five that received a commission from another branch of service.
This post was edited on 1/6/17 at 10:19 pm
Posted on 1/7/17 at 1:43 am to armytiger96
quote:
A WP graduate can't just pick the branch of service they want.
Technically, no one picks their branch, not even the McArthur Award Winners (Top ROTC graduate of each program). In fact, if you're a minority, a woman, or have a certain degree, you are more likely to be put in a branch to "fill a quota" regardless of standing.
This assumes you're talking about basic branch and not branch of service (Army, Navy, AF, Marines)
This post was edited on 1/7/17 at 1:51 am
Posted on 1/7/17 at 5:59 am to Jim Rockford
The Corp, the Corp, the Corp.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:44 am to NavyLSUAlum
NavyLSUAlum, USNA class of '81
Did you got to LSU before Naval Academy or after?
Did you got to LSU before Naval Academy or after?
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:47 am to NavyLSUAlum
quote:And I thought I was old
USNA class of '81
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:48 am to Wolfhound45
If he goes to West Point he gets to participate in majority male pillow fights. Sounds fabulous.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 8:50 am to CGSC Lobotomy
I was the DMG of my (very small) ROTC class. Got a "5" at Advanced Camp (you have to be old to remember that). Was not selected for Regular Army commission (unheard of) and I did not get the branch I wanted.
Requested Military Intelligence (branch detail Infantry).
Got Medical Service Corps.
So glad I did not get what I wanted
Requested Military Intelligence (branch detail Infantry).
Got Medical Service Corps.
So glad I did not get what I wanted
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:50 am to CGSC Lobotomy
Umm if you go to West Point you have pretty much decided that your branch assignment will be Army since as a cadet you are actually in the Army. All graduates of WP will serve in the Army after graduation. The only exceptions are those that fail their commissioning physical or actively pursue a different branch of service such as AF, Navy, or Marines. Those that pursue a different branch of service are rarely successful. It happens, but the success rate is low.
I was responding to previous poster who suggested that as a WP grad you can choose your branch of service.
Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or degree has any bearing on your branch assignment in the Army for West Point graduates it is based solely on class rank. Well back in my day gender had some bearing since females couldn't select certain combat arms assignments such as infantry, armor, field artillery, etc.
First post assignment was also dictated by class rank within your respective branch.
I was responding to previous poster who suggested that as a WP grad you can choose your branch of service.
Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, or degree has any bearing on your branch assignment in the Army for West Point graduates it is based solely on class rank. Well back in my day gender had some bearing since females couldn't select certain combat arms assignments such as infantry, armor, field artillery, etc.
First post assignment was also dictated by class rank within your respective branch.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:55 am to Wolfhound45
I wanted Medical Service Corps because it was the branch that would allow me to actually use my degree.
My class only had five slots so I was no where close getting one of those slots.
So I picked Artillery.
My class only had five slots so I was no where close getting one of those slots.
So I picked Artillery.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 9:59 am to Jim Rockford
VMI if he wants to be an Alpha, if he wants to be an SJW then WP
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:29 am to Jim Rockford
West Point.
Ex BIL was instructor there. On a resume', WP stands out.
Ex BIL was instructor there. On a resume', WP stands out.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:37 am to NavyLSUAlum
NavyLSUAlum, I'm very interested in your answer as I know someone interested in going to the USNA specifically to become a pilot. What determines the 10% who gets their first choice? Is it strictly GPA or do other things go into the class rank calculation?
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:42 am to Jim Rockford
Well, they all admit women now, so it's really just a "pick your poison" - for a career in the U.S. Army, West Point has the greatest value. However, I like the tradition of the southern schools better, so I would lean The Citadel or VMI, roughly equally over WP if I did not intend to spend 25 years in the Regular Army.
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:44 am to Wolfhound45
quote:
I was the DMG of my (very small) ROTC class. Got a "5" at Advanced Camp (you have to be old to remember that).
Posted on 1/7/17 at 10:55 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
West Point,
Easily
quote:
the Citadel
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