Slots for Soldiers go unfilled at West Point

Well, no, I didn't. Though if you took note of my previous avatar, that would have answered it for you.

While we're on the subject, were you ever a major? Or an action figure?

As I have stated numerous times here and on the other forums, no, I was never a major, nor do I claim to be. As for being an action figure, I guess that all depends. For the younger set, Major Matt Mason was a toy manufactured by Mattel many years ago during the space race. Tom Hanks has stated it was his favorite action figure.

Yes thank you, I did notice your previous avatar and my question still remains, are you in Special Forces?
 
Yes thank you, I did notice your previous avatar and my question still remains, are you in Special Forces?

I thought you said I answered it.

In all honesty, all banter aside, if you still legitimately have a question, feel free to PM me and we can discuss things more candidly.

Apparently I missed the memo about this thread becoming my OER outbrief...
 
This is a dangerous way to get in West Point. Once you are in the Army your local chain-of-command and assignment people might have a completely different idea of your future that you have. With the current rotations overseas, it is very, very possible- maybe probable - that you find yourself in a combat zone. The longer you are in the Army and away from the academic life the less likely you will get to West Point.
My advice, do not take a chance on this option.
 
USNA actually does things slighly different than apparently how USMA makes the selections and is less dependent on command endorsement. Any sailor in the Navy can go online and file an application with no endorsement/approval from anyone in his chain-of-command. Once they are in the system, if their package is strong enough, they will have an advocate at the CGO to 'argue' their case with their command. Actually, they can complete their package, go before the board, and become triple qualifeid without their commanding officer even being aware of it. Command endorsement is only required for the SecNav nomination process.
 
Telling young folks to enlist because someone told you it is an alternative method to gain admission completely disregards the facts of the process of going from an enlisted soldier to being a cadet. The process involves more variables and is, in several ways, harder than gaining admission from high school.
Any time one attempts to present an argument using second hand quotes, they are unable to place the statement in the proper context. If the First Captain made this comment during comments to the entering MAPS class, I would think anything else would be remise. Conversly, if they were made to a group of high school candidates at an application briefing, he should probably be charged with dereliction of duty. The good "major" probably isn't familiar enough with the environment to distinguish such nuiances.
 
Our members should note that this thread underscores an important point: you should critically analyze the information presented by our members. I think both sides have made their points on this issue.

I would also warn members against using second-hand information as the absolute truth. There's nothing wrong with posting such information with the qualifier that it's from such-and-such a source. However, the fact is that in this service admissions game things change very rapidly and it is important that one does not continue to press beliefs that may not pass the test of objective analysis.

I am inclined to believe scoutpilot on this point that for those who want solely to become an office in Army, enlisting first would likely not be at the top of the list of ways to do that. That is not to say that good officers do not come from the enlisted ranks, just that if you want to pin on gold bars there are other second choice options that exist for the college-bound.

From my understanding, the enlisted to officer programs are designed for enlisted soldiers who have the desire and the recommendations from superiors to undertake a commissioning program. They are not designed as the primary route for admission to WP for candidates. The other routes that an officer candidate should pursue include ROTC and the various OTS/OCS programs.

Thank you for your time.

-TN
 
Thanks, TN. My point exactly! Well, a point among several.

Our young candidates are well advised to be skeptical of much of the "expert claims" that are posted on these forums (yes, even claims from your friendly neighborhood graduates and officers). Lots of things change in the world of admissions and the world of the day-to-day active duty Army, so the best bet is to gather information from the wealth of verifiable sources at each Academy.

The OP should call an admissions officer and speak directly about the enlistment route and how it will affect his likelihood of being admitted to USMA, should he not make the initial cut.

And if you ever see me quote the 5th Group commander, well.....never mind :wink:
 
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