What is the $$$ Value of the appointment to an Academy

One of the difficulties in selecting a number is whether to include the "training" component, such as summer training, YP or sailing, pistol and rifle, etc. Those things all cost money and yet people at a regular college probably wouldn't even want to do that stuff.:smile: So, do you end up mixing apples and oranges?

Payback for those who are forced out for honor/conduct or quit voluntarily after signing the 2 for 7 document is about $150k for 4 yrs. I believe that basically covers the "educational" aspects.

The numbers game also tends to create its own issues. I've related before the story of one year at an awards ceremony when the ALO (who went first) gave a number of $300,000 for a USAFA education. USNA had given us something like $230k. So, I stood up, gave our number, and added: "That's the Navy -- always doing more with less." Got a huge laugh.

So, most BGOs/ALOs/MALOs like to use some version of the general language cited above -- it gets the point across without getting into the mess that raw numbers can create.
 
usna1985 said:
At one of the schools at which I present, the ROTC folks bring a huge "check." Nice for pictures but . . . :rolleyes:

Giving a value can "backfire." Several years ago, I was making presentations along with the USMA and USAFA reps. I ended up going last of the three. The USMA and USAFA guys each gave dollar values for their appointments, both of which were higher than the value suggested by USNA.

So, I got up and went through my spiel. When I came to the dollar value, I said what it was, then added: That's the Naval Academy -- always doing more with less. It got a huge laugh.

I also learned my lesson that day. Now when I present, I typically say that the appointee is receiving the equivalent of a full tuition scholarship with room and board, medical, etc. as well as a montly salary. If I'm feeling inspired, I may add, "And all of you parents know how much that's worth." It goes over better.
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I applaud your approach. The styrofoam check with the humongous number may be dramatic in a Happy Gilmore way but it detracts from the gravity of the commitment both parties are making to each other.
 
We didn't have to worry about the Values or the Big Check. My son's high school does have a Senior Awards night but they do not announce any scholarships, they list the scholarships students receive in the graduation program but do not list values.

Both my son's were happy with this, neither felt like they would be comfortable standing up holding a big cardboard check. That of course did not deter them from telling everyone they knew what the scholarship covered and what the commitment was.

I agree with Edelahanty, the big check tells only half the story, it doesn't explain the hard work and commitment these cadets will need to earn that big check.
 
This is one we will literally never know. Why? Because it would become a massive bone of contention. Our government does not WANT us to know about such things where there is vested interest among many there in to maintain ignorance and secrecy.

Have you ever seen a REAL figure on what it costs taxpayers for each MOC, Senator, cabinet slot, agency, etc. Of course not.

And while it might be a nice bragging point for parents, appointees, and schools wanting to pad the "scholarship" number, we will literally never, ever know the real price. Be assured, it is MASSIVE! Far greater than any number we've ever been given.
 
WP,

I will respectfully disagree with you.

I went to a rather involved meeting at USAFA several years ago and this question was one of the discussion items. The AF had the figures broken out to the dollar: how much the cost to operate the academy was, food, water, utilities, paychecks, medical, dental, etc...etc...etc...they even figured the cost of the AF members (faculty, security forces, janitorial, etc...etc...).

The listing went for far too many pages than most of us wanted to see. But at the end, they came up with a number in the "slightly over $400k per cadet" range. Now mind you, that was about 6 years ago so I'm sure it's gone up a bit.

But it gave us a "total, overall cost of operation" for a cadet per year.

Now...if you simply want the cost of education...the AF will bill a former cadet in the $130k-$160k range if things get ugly.

But I don't think there's any interest at all in keeping this "secret."

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
AF6872 said:
USNR1315:

I threatened to rent (not buy) one at Three or one of the appartments overlooking Gate One on the walk out. Just like MacArthur's mom did at the Thayer for his four years at West Point. :yllol:
Even as a joke it was frowned upon by the Mid. Forget about the $$$ value. Any appointment is, as they say, priceless. Especially if you have two others in tuition schools.
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I probably shouldn't even be on this section, but I am trying to be nice and try to see things from my mom's POV. My mom has been wanting to have B&B, and if I get into USMA I wouldn't put it past her to open one in NY.

Ashleigh
 
I have wondered this myself. As I said I probably shouldn't be on this forum, but as I said... I would love to know, but I would agree that it is priceless.
 
Value of academy education

Hi
This is the one aspect I have not enjoyed. Since my DS accepted his appointment, every time he wants something and I mention the cost. He just says, "but dad I just saved you over $400,000). It is killing my budget!! :wink:
Regards
John
 
John41057 said:
Hi
This is the one aspect I have not enjoyed. Since my DS accepted his appointment, every time he wants something and I mention the cost. He just says, "but dad I just saved you over $400,000). It is killing my budget!! :wink:
Regards
John
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I will have to remember that line for my parents. Although I think they planned on me getting scholarships to get through college.
 
Cost

I keep reminding him that community college is much less while living at home.:yllol:
Regards
John
 
John41057 said:
I keep reminding him that community college is much less while living at home.:yllol:
Regards
John
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LOL. Sounds like something my parents would do. As a Gamecock fan, ever since I was in early elementary school, I had planned to go to the University of South Carolina. To tell you how close that is, we pass parts of it multiple times each week. So especially with scholarships there would be almost no cost for my parents. No trips to my college and back home for me, nothing. And of course, I don't think anyway bought into my Harvard thoughts that I had once. I guess I did turn everything upside down. :)
 
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