USMA vs ROTC

An alternative to LITS point of view here. As an alum and Dad of VMI I can attest to the general unpleasantness of life at these schools for large swaths of your 4th class year and on- BUT that is true of Everything in life. Fun is all relative and frankly if you're not having fun then you are in the wrong place. Would you be having more fun in Las Vegas or Disneyworld than you will at USMA? For any 4 day period of time sure- but that's not a valid comparison. As long as you aren't equating fun with just pure carefree luxury, you will have fun even in the depths of your 4th class year because there is a lot of enjoyment in meeting and beating challenges with your best friends, in beating the system occasionally and not getting caught (eek); (and sometimes it's fun even if you get caught- just cause you did it!); in getting an unexpected break when you expected to sweat a class or a military duty; in being 20 years old and convinced that you and your buddies are the kings of the world and the kids not at your school are just too obtuse to know.
In short- if you are meant to be there- you will enjoy it which is the definition of fun in my book. Maybe it won't be more fun than sex :)cool:), but certainly more than going to "Whatsammata U" or "Frostbite Falls State" if this the right place for you to be. It's not all drudgery . On the flip side There will however be periods where your life just bites- it's part of the package. True of everything and everywhere . I lived in and loved Hawaii- but there were times when it just was crappy; and a friend of mine has a kid working at DisneyWorld now- even Mickey has a bad day occasionally!
 
bruno said:
An alternative to LITS point of view here. As an alum and Dad of VMI I can attest to the general unpleasantness of life at these schools for large swaths of your 4th class year and on- BUT that is true of Everything in life. Fun is all relative and frankly if you're not having fun then you are in the wrong place. Would you be having more fun in Las Vegas or Disneyworld than you will at USMA? For any 4 day period of time sure- but that's not a valid comparison. As long as you aren't equating fun with just pure carefree luxury, you will have fun even in the depths of your 4th class year because there is a lot of enjoyment in meeting and beating challenges with your best friends, in beating the system occasionally and not getting caught (eek); (and sometimes it's fun even if you get caught- just cause you did it!); in getting an unexpected break when you expected to sweat a class or a military duty; in being 20 years old and convinced that you and your buddies are the kings of the world and the kids not at your school are just too obtuse to know.
In short- if you are meant to be there- you will enjoy it which is the definition of fun in my book. Maybe it won't be more fun than sex :)cool:), but certainly more than going to "Whatsammata U" or "Frostbite Falls State" if this the right place for you to be. It's not all drudgery . On the flip side There will however be periods where your life just bites- it's part of the package. True of everything and everywhere . I lived in and loved Hawaii- but there were times when it just was crappy; and a friend of mine has a kid working at DisneyWorld now- even Mickey has a bad day occasionally!
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Well said. I have no idea why others had such a hard time believing that I will enjoy USMA. I also found it strange that everyone thinks they know me well enough to tell me how things make me feel.
 
America's Finest said:
Well said. I have no idea why others had such a hard time believing that I will enjoy USMA. I also found it strange that everyone thinks they know me well enough to tell me how things make me feel.
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Because the others have been there....
 
There must be a reason the saying is " Great places to be from but diffucult to be there". However if it was that bad would thousands want to get in and be devastaed when they get that thin white envelope?
 
Yes.



Out of the 300+ people in my class who showed up Day 1.....206 graduated....

That over 33% was for a variety of reasons. bruno's right, if it was meant for you, then you'll most likely do fine. When it's really "not fun" that's when people need to "dig deep" and remember why they're there in the first place, that's also the time having good "shipmates" really helps out.

I'm not saying it's TERRIBLE, but I am saying it's generally not going to be "fun".
 
LineInTheSand said:
Because the others have been there....
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I understand that. OTHERS have been there. Others doesn't include me. I understand that many don't have fun there. I know the point that everyone is trying to make, but I acknowledge the fact that it is not impossible to enjoy it. Just because it's rare doesn't make it impossible and non-existant.

Some people enjoy pain...(I believe it's called being a masichist or something) the opposite of pleasure...if its possible for certain individuals to enjoy the complete opposite of pleasure (by common standards) why is it so hard to believe that I may enjoy USMA?

I am an individual with different likes and dislikes than others. I know myself and have gone to Ft. Benning multiple times a week to see my dad at work (he's a drill sergeant). All the yelling doesn't phase me. The pressure gives me a rush to get things done. The idea of going through hard times with peers and helping each other through it is enjoyable to me. Sure, I will be doing some stuff that is boring or that I would rather not do but I am looking at the big picture, not the individual tasks. Overall, I will be glad and happy that I am there.

Can you really not see this as a plausible possibility?
 
America's Finest said:
I am an individual with different likes and dislikes than others. I know myself and have gone to Ft. Benning multiple times a week to see my dad at work (he's a drill sergeant). All the yelling doesn't phase me. The pressure gives me a rush to get things done. The idea of going through hard times with peers and helping each other through it is enjoyable to me. Sure, I will be doing some stuff that is boring or that I would rather not do but I am looking at the big picture, not the individual tasks. Overall, I will be glad and happy that I am there.

Can you really not see this as a plausible possibility?
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Sure I can see it as plausible. Can you understand that there is a very real difference between other's being yelled at at your father's work and you being the focus of that yelling, especially with the understanding that your future "hangs in the balance." I've seen people yelled at all day long (first unit was co-located with CG boot camp), but all of that yelling didn't amount to much because I wasn't the focus that it. Now, people want to think that all of the yelling is just a game, and that if you just "get through it" then it will all be OK....we have had more than one swab disenrolled due to "suitability of service" reasons. As a swab, when that starts going through your mind "am I getting yelled at more than I should be at this point, and am I going to get kicked out?" it really starts playing with your mind. Also, there is a very real difference between "going to dad's work" and seeing all of that v. being "stuck" in it 24/7 for a year.

It is possible you will like it, however, and that will make for a very easy and fun summer. I really wish I had had fun during the summer. I also would have loved having an easier time. I can say, with all of the grief, it made the whole experience that much more worth it at the end of 4 years. Being able to say you got through something fairly difficult, earned the right to wear that ring with your classmates...it doesn't feel like it will ever happen, and then all of a sudden it does, and you're walking on air as you cross the stage and receive first your diploma and then commission. :thumb:
 
More Options

I would recommend that you research all your options. If your file is strong there other routes to becoming a 2LT in the Army and earning a excellent education. Determine your goals, contemplate your value set, and then look for a program or academy that allows you to succeed.

Contact me to discuss more.

sea74@cornell.edu
 
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