Why the Service Academies Should Exist

Why the Service Academies Shoud Exist

Not being from military background, I am very willing to pay for all service academies. Do they need to change, probably so. For the most part, they are doing a great job in educating our young men and women. First, in my opinion the US should do like other countries (ie; Israel). When a student graduates from high school. As long as they do not have a severe physical or mental limitation, go serve your country for 2 years. But, that will never happen. If they show great promise in those two years and if they want go to one of the academies or enroll in a college and do ROTC, let them. If not then your commitment is done. If you choose to go to a service academy now, I understand a student can leave with no obligation after two years. Recommendation, this maybe should change once you decide to go to an SA, you have have commitment period. If you decide not to, you should be placed into the enlisted ranks. These are only my opinions. I would like to thank each and everyone who serve or have serviced, because with out you. I would not be able to write what just did.

God Bless to you all,
RGK
 
I'm surprised USCGA and USMMA were not addressed in the piece.

There is no ROTC for the Coast Guard (I imagine the USCG has a much larger percentage of USCGA grads in their officer corps when compared to the other services), and USMMA pro/con arguments have made for some of the most intense discussions I've seen on the forums (I'm pro-USMMA for the record).

Maybe, as scout said, the discussion was just overlooked.
 
I'm surprised USCGA and USMMA were not addressed in the piece.

There is no ROTC for the Coast Guard (I imagine the USCG has a much larger percentage of USCGA grads in their officer corps when compared to the other services), and USMMA pro/con arguments have made for some of the most intense discussions I've seen on the forums (I'm pro-USMMA for the record).

Maybe, as scout said, the discussion was just overlooked.
Since the alternate to SAs is ROTC and there is no existing ROTC for either the CG or MM, it would be a moot point since there is no comparison.
 
Since the alternate to SAs is ROTC and there is no existing ROTC for either the CG or MM, it would be a moot point since there is no comparison.

Perhaps he views them more as vo/tech type schools, in light of their size, mission, and the lack of ROTC alternatives.
 
Since the alternate to SAs is ROTC and there is no existing ROTC for either the CG or MM, it would be a moot point since there is no comparison.

With respect to the ROTC/SA comparison, I agree. Still, I think it would have been an interesting mention with regard to how the CG differs, and how USCGA produces the majority (I think) of officers for the branch.

USMMA is such a weird bird (when compared to the others), that now that I think on it, I agree it was probably best not to mention it in the context of the article. It certainly has made for some conversation on these boards, though.

Edit: When I say "weird," I mean "unique." Not trying to be derogatory.
 
Still, I think it would have been an interesting mention with regard to how the CG differs, and how USCGA produces the majority (I think) of officers for the branch.

About 45%

Rest come from OCS, DCO, CWO to LT and CPO to LT.
 
A very interesting read from a knowledgable individual with a lot of thought provoking ideas:

http://claremont.org/publications/crb/id.1750/article_detail.asp
I read the article, "The Case for the Academies" by Michael Nelson, awhile ago and missed your post on it Mongo so excuse the delayed reply. I agree with the author that the geographic diversity the academies provide the various services is a huge positive to both our officer corps and nation. I would like to see West Point recruit more aggressively from highly competitive high schools outside the south to increase this geographic diversity even more. IMO West Point does a great job at attracting solid students, reaching out to minority students and enlisted soldiers, and the children of active duty, retired, and families with a tradition of military service. I would like to see a targeted effort to increase by a modest percent the number of top students from outside the south. I really think this would enrich the intellectual life of the corps and serve our nation well in the future. I can't comment on the other academies since I only have a WP cadet.
 
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