- Joined
- Sep 15, 2009
- Messages
- 4
I've read and heard about the soldier admission program (enlisted applicants) at USMA, as well as the same general program at the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy. From what i know, they admit around 200 applicants (I've seen varying numbers from different sources, from 170 to 190) each year, divided equally between the National Guard, the Reserves, and Active Duty members. I read this article, and was simply amazed and inspired by the story of Ross Boston and his perseverance and insistence on joining the Corps.
http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/1...cemembers-shot-at-becoming-west-point-cadets/
In the article, it mentions that he enlisted at MEPS for the Marine Corps, and it mentions that despite the program's name as the Soldier Admission Program, it actually extends to all service members, including the Marine Corps. Can someone please verify this? I may as well end up following the same pathway in the event that I do not get appointed this year. I am meeting with my recruiter tomorrow who told me he would give me the details of the reserves and Active Duty, and the differences in terms of schooling between the two. It seems Ross was enrolled at Winthrop University while in the marine reserves, which seems to make it possible that reserve men and women can attend a private university while serving.
If this is true, then the path he took would technically be the best path to ensuring yourself a spot, wouldn't it? He could apply both as a college student AND as an enlisted applicant, whereas a ROTC cadet (which I believe they only choose 5 from) could only receive a nomination from the ROTC program. Could someone please tell me if I'm right about the statistics of the program? It is not that I am not interested in the ROTC program, but rather, that I've been interested in enlisting first before anything else for quite a while now, and it's always been my dream to attend a service academy anyway. Thanks in advance!
http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/1...cemembers-shot-at-becoming-west-point-cadets/
In the article, it mentions that he enlisted at MEPS for the Marine Corps, and it mentions that despite the program's name as the Soldier Admission Program, it actually extends to all service members, including the Marine Corps. Can someone please verify this? I may as well end up following the same pathway in the event that I do not get appointed this year. I am meeting with my recruiter tomorrow who told me he would give me the details of the reserves and Active Duty, and the differences in terms of schooling between the two. It seems Ross was enrolled at Winthrop University while in the marine reserves, which seems to make it possible that reserve men and women can attend a private university while serving.
If this is true, then the path he took would technically be the best path to ensuring yourself a spot, wouldn't it? He could apply both as a college student AND as an enlisted applicant, whereas a ROTC cadet (which I believe they only choose 5 from) could only receive a nomination from the ROTC program. Could someone please tell me if I'm right about the statistics of the program? It is not that I am not interested in the ROTC program, but rather, that I've been interested in enlisting first before anything else for quite a while now, and it's always been my dream to attend a service academy anyway. Thanks in advance!