Educate me on going to West Point:

[Zeze]

It's not about me, but I had a friend back in HS who really wanted to get into USMA (West Point). Unfortunately he didn't get in. I'm not familiar with military career paths and have wondered about what they do.

1. If you graduate from West Point, you start out as an officer yes? But where do thousands of grads all go each year? I doubt they're all sent to battlefield. And what kind of jobs do they typically hold?

2. IT, finance, biz, there are all sort of military jobs, but if anyone with a similar bachelor degree can work for them, then why go to West Point?

3. I would speculate West Point isn't the only school of its kind? What are other competing schools? Are there ones for Navy, Marines, & Airforce?

4. Is going to West Point worth it versus no-name academies? Does it work like going to Harvard in biz world?

Thanks.

 

[SSSnail]

I think you got most of the info wrong. You bring your degree to West Point, to graduate as an officer. It's the officer's equivalent of basic training to enlisted boot camp. Your career path is dependent on what you qualified, and signed up for.

Edit: just to prevent other people from quoting this again, yes it's been pointed out that I was confused WP with OCS. Give thread a glance before your furiously type your response.

 

[dougp]

I think you got most of the info wrong. You bring your degree to West Point, to graduate as an officer. It's the officer's equivalent of basic training to enlisted boot camp. Your career path is dependent on what you qualified, and signed up for.

I think you're confused with OCS.

Westpoint is a university.

 

[SKORPI0]

United States Military Academy -
also known as USMA, West Point, Army

Candidates for admission must both apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination, usually from a Senator or Representative. Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as cadets or collectively as the United States Corps of Cadets (USCC). Tuition for cadets is fully funded by the Army in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 1,300 cadets enter the Academy each July with about 1,000 cadets graduating. Most graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army. Foreign cadets are commissioned into the armies of their home countries.

• U.S. Naval Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Air Force Academy

 

[SSSnail]

I think you're confused with OCS.

Westpoint is a university.

Damn it, I knew there was something... D:

In that case, yeah, I got nothing. But I think you probably will have to sign your life away if going to West Point.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I think you got most of the info wrong. You bring your degree to West Point, to graduate as an officer. It's the officer's equivalent of basic training to enlisted boot camp. Your career path is dependent on what you qualified, and signed up for.

No, you have it wrong. West Point is a 4 year college that trains officers and bestows bachelors degrees. Graduates come out at 2nd Lts and commit to the service for at least 8 years in return for the education. That's 5 years of active service plus 3 more as a reservist. The job you hold after graduation depends on your specialty and what the army needs at the time. Grads will go everywhere into every niche of the service including field positions, further training for stuff like aviation, intelligence, support, etc.

A friend of mine from high school went to the Naval Academy and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Marine Corp. He went into a combat position as a platoon commander in artillery unit.

 

[Zeze]

No, you have it wrong. West Point is a 4 year college that trains officers and bestows bachelors degrees. Graduates come out at 2nd Lts and commit to the service for at least 8 years in return for the education. That's 5 years of active service plus 3 more as a reservist. The job you hold after graduation depends on your specialty and what the army needs at the time. Grads will go everywhere into every niche of the service including field positions, further training for stuff like aviation, intelligence, support, etc.

Good stuff.

So the biggest surprise is that, there's not only no tuition, they actually pay YOU ($7200/yr).

Can you or others answer other questions in OP?

 

[SSSnail]

No, you have it wrong. West Point is a 4 year college that trains officers and bestows bachelors degrees. Graduates come out at 2nd Lts and commit to the service for at least 8 years in return for the education. That's 5 years of active service plus 3 more as a reservist. The job you hold after graduation depends on your specialty and what the army needs at the time. Grads will go everywhere into every niche of the service including field positions, further training for stuff like aviation, intelligence, support, etc.

Yeah as dougp pointed out, I was confused with OCS.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think you got most of the info wrong. You bring your degree to West Point, to graduate as an officer. It's the officer's equivalent of basic training to enlisted boot camp. Your career path is dependent on what you qualified, and signed up for.

That is incorrect. West Point is a college. In addition to your academic major, there are classes in military matters. You graduate with a degree and a commission.

Annapolis is the United State Naval Academy for the Navy, Marines and the CIA.
The United States Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs.
The United States Coast Guard Academy is in New London.
The Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point.

 

[Zeze]

That is incorrect. West Point is a college. In addition to your academic major, there are classes in military matters. You graduate with a degree and a commission.

Annapolis is the United State Naval Academy for the Navy, Marines and the CIA.
The United States Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs.
The United States Coast Guard Academy is in New London.
The Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point.

So there's only 1 for each. Then why is West Point so 'elite' if there's no other competing schools for the army? I doubt WP is the only way to become commissioned army officers?

 

[Brigandier]

So there's only 1 for each. Then why is West Point so 'elite' if there's no other competing schools for the army? I doubt WP is the only way to become commissioned army officers?

It's elite because of how hard it is to get into, if I recall correctly, you need the endorsement of one of your state's congress people to enter.

 

[dougp]

1. If you graduate from West Point, you start out as an officer yes? But where do thousands of grads all go each year? I doubt they're all sent to battlefield. And what kind of jobs do they typically hold?

You still have to go to basic as well as get accepted into OCS. Not always a guaranteed thing if you go into a crowded field. They hold any officer job.

2. IT, finance, biz, there are all sort of military jobs, but if anyone with a similar bachelor degree can work for them, then why go to West Point?

A few reasons, one is the "prestige" and good ol' boy club. Look at the amount of flag officers that went to a military academy vs who didn't. Also, your kids will always be guaranteed into the academy should they meet the academic requirements.

3. I would speculate West Point isn't the only school of its kind? What are other competing schools? Are there ones for Navy, Marines, & Airforce?

Magnus hit this one, apologies.

4. Is going to West Point worth it versus no-name academies? Does it work like going to Harvard in biz world?

Thanks.

Yes, it's worth it if you're pursuing an active career or regardless. It's not easy to get in.

 

[Lifted]

1. If you graduate from West Point, you start out as an officer yes? But where do thousands of grads all go each year? I doubt they're all sent to battlefield. And what kind of jobs do they typically hold?

I think it's about 1,000 from West Point each year. You need to understand how being an officer in the military works. Get promoted or you're gone. Thins the ranks rather quickly.

2. IT, finance, biz, there are all sort of military jobs, but if anyone with a similar bachelor degree can work for them, then why go to West Point?

West Point is a top university, equal in caliber to the best of the Ivy League schools and top engineering schools in the country... and it's free! How many people with degrees in finance and economics from Yale are applying for jobs in the military?

3. I would speculate West Point isn't the only school of its kind? What are other competing schools? Are there ones for Navy, Marines, & Airforce?

The 5 U.S. service academies.

U.S. Military Academy
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Air Force Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

4. Is going to West Point worth it versus no-name academies? Does it work like going to Harvard in biz world?

The few West Point and Air Force academy grads I've known have been extremely bright, and were mostly CEO's of their own companies (all tech based, but that's the industry I'm in).

Very difficult to get in even with top grades, and you also need nomination from a member of Congress.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It's elite because of how hard it is to get into, if I recall correctly, you need the endorsement of one of your state's congress people to enter.

There are several ways. You mentioned one. You can also get admitted through the recommendation of a ranking officer or, be the son or daughter of a medal of honor recipient.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

It's not about me, but I had a friend back in HS who really wanted to get into USMA (West Point). Unfortunately he didn't get in. I'm not familiar with military career paths and have wondered about what they do.

1. If you graduate from West Point, you start out as an officer yes? But where do thousands of grads all go each year? I doubt they're all sent to battlefield. And what kind of jobs do they typically hold?

2. IT, finance, biz, there are all sort of military jobs, but if anyone with a similar bachelor degree can work for them, then why go to West Point?

3. I would speculate West Point isn't the only school of its kind? What are other competing schools? Are there ones for Navy, Marines, & Airforce?

4. Is going to West Point worth it versus no-name academies? Does it work like going to Harvard in biz world?

Thanks.

1) Answered

2) There is an old boys network in the military. An academy grad will always have a better career path than someone who earns a degree elsewhere and goes to OCS. There's also the point of going to college elsewhere you probably pay tuition. The service academies are all full rides.

3) Already answered.

4) Depends on the job. If you're planning a career in the military you definitely want to be an academy grad. West Point and Annapolis are the military versions of Harvard and Yale. They're the best things to have on your resume. If using the military as a springboard into a new career it'll depend on the career. If you want to go to law school later West Point won't look as good on an application as Harvard does, but if you want to apply to the FBI, a technology company or some other position where leadership is going to be important it will look good to be be a West Point grad.

 

[dougp]

So there's only 1 for each. Then why is West Point so 'elite' if there's no other competing schools for the army? I doubt WP is the only way to become commissioned army officers?

You do understand that most state universities have ROTC, correct? That stands for a Reserved Officers Training Corps. This means that once you join ROTC, you start taking affiliated classes (military tactics, history) as well as your other courses. At your sophomore level, you have the decision to enlist or not. If you enlist, you will go to basic training that summer, and potentially your junior year you can go to something like jump school or some other options.

A degree DOES NOT guarantee a commission. There are plenty of non-commissioned enlisted personnel in the military, as well as warrant officers. You have to apply to get in OCS, and due to the abundance of applicants, it's not as "easy" as it used to be during the Cold War.

(My uncle is currently stationed at Westpoint to train or provide services to students.)

 

[Zeze]

Thank you all.

So you Can become army officers without going to West Point? Couple of you all mentioned 1 school per army/navy/etc, gives me the impression that's the only academies of their field.

 

[Lifted]

There are several ways. You mentioned one. You can also get admitted through the recommendation of a ranking officer or, be the son or daughter of a medal of honor recipient.

Do they need the grades to go with it?

 

[Zeze]

You do understand that most state universities have ROTC, correct? That stands for a Reserved Officers Training Corps. This means that once you join ROTC, you start taking affiliated classes (military tactics, history) as well as your other courses. At your sophomore level, you have the decision to enlist or not. If you enlist, you will go to basic training that summer, and potentially your junior year you can go to something like jump school or some other options.

A degree DOES NOT guarantee a commission. There are plenty of non-commissioned enlisted personnel in the military, as well as warrant officers. You have to apply to get in OCS, and due to the abundance of applicants, it's not as "easy" as it used to be during the Cold War.

(My uncle is currently stationed at Westpoint to train or provide services to students.)

Ah good stuff. Thanks!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Do they need the grades to go with it?

Getting your foot in the door doesn't mean you'll graduate.

 

[Lifted]

Thank you all.

So you Can become army officers without going to West Point?

Yes. Get a degree and go to OCS. I think if you're an active member and get nominated you can go to OCS with a certain number of college credits, but I doubt it's possible with no college credits under your belt.

 

[Lifted]

Getting your foot in the door doesn't mean you'll graduate.

I realize that. I was just wondering if they'd accept somebody regardless of their grades. Seems like it would be a complete waste of time for everyone involved.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I realize that. I was just wondering if they'd accept somebody regardless of their grades. Seems like it would be a complete waste of time for everyone involved.

There is an admissions process they take very seriously. Attending one of the academies isn't like going to a regular university. You can't cruise through a semester and just fail the finals. People get kicked out every week.

 

[Lifted]

OK, I looked it up and it's a lot more than either of us mentioned. And these all just count as nominations. You aren't automatically admitted, as you stated above, due to being the child of a Medal of Honor recipient. That is what threw me off.

Congressional Nominations - Who Can Nominate?

• The Vice President
• U.S. Senators
• U.S. Representatives
• Delegates to the House of Representatives from Washington, D.C., Guam and the Virgin Islands
• The Governors of American Samoa and Puerto Rico
• The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
• The Resident Commissioner of the Northern Mariana Islands
• The Secretary of the Army

Service-Connected Nominations - Who Can Apply?

• Sons and Daughters of "career military personnel" (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard)
• Regular Army and Reserve Components (Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard)
• Sons and Daughters of Deceased or Disabled Armed Forces Veterans
• Sons and Daughters of Persons Awarded the Medal of Honor
• Army Junior and Senior ROTC Programs and Honor ROTC Units of Other Services

 

[GTaudiophile]

This is why you go to West Point.

My grandfather graduated in the top of his class in 1942. He retired a general after having served in WWII and Vietnam. He also earned a Purple Heart. Back in 1996 or so, when I was looking for a university/college/academy to attend, he took me under his wing to show me West Point. It was summer. We were given the Presidential Suite at the Thayer hotel and we had a personal escort to show us around.

I will never get a comment my grandfather made as we walked through the main "quad" (assembly grounds) of campus in front of the barracks:

"You see, son! When you went to those other academies [Air Force and Navy] I bet you saw lots of statues commemorating airplanes and other such shiny things. Well, here at West Point, we have statues commemorating men!"

I believe we were walking passed a statue of MacArthur or Patton.

Men indeed!