Having a hard time deciding between USAFA, USMA, and USNA

First off, congrats on three appointments, that’s an amazing accomplishment! All three are excellent, all three are more similar than different, all three have a different feel to them.

First, ask what do you want to do when you commission? If you want to fly fighter jets, that rules out West Point. If you want to play hide and seek under the ocean, Navy is your choice. Want to fly the BUFF? USAFA is the place.

If you don’t want to fly fighters or live on a boat, USMA has the most varied majors as well as the most branches you can commission into. Air Force and Navy have all the cool toys, but, you aren’t winning anything unless you have boots on the ground and that’s the Army.

Do you want a typical college town and experience? Navy is tough to beat - Annapolis is an amazing college town and downtown is just outside the gate.

USAFA is close to Colorado Springs which is amazing, but, as a plebe, you’ll be Ubering or bumming rides to get to the fun stuff in the area.

West Point has an amazing campus, but, Highland Falls is a one horse town. Though, NYC is an hour away…..

At Navy, you may feel like you are in a fishbowl. Annapolis is a major tourist town, and the Yard is one of the attractions. There’s a lot of visitors to the yard, and the Mids are one of the exhibits. USAFA and USMA campuses are less easily accessible for tourists ‘ visitors.
 
BlueHen2005 said:
USAFA is close to Colorado Springs which is amazing, but, as a plebe, you’ll be Ubering or bumming rides to get to the fun stuff in the area.


At Navy, you may feel like you are in a fishbowl. Annapolis is a major tourist town, and the Yard is one of the attractions. There’s a lot of visitors to the yard, and the Mids are one of the exhibits. USAFA and USMA campuses are less easily accessible for tourists ‘ visitors.
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Oof this, there's a reason we call usafa the zoo. I see tours everyday starting second semester. There are some first but it more blended with everything. You'll have people taking pictures of you and you're just trying to relax in the library. It's definitely weird because the base is so unique. Sounds like navy has it worse but. Also as a three degree the car situation is brutal we can rent car with a company but like this weekend they're sold out instantly. No other way except ubering due to the walk being at least 6 miles or more
 
Jstew5 said:
Did you make your mind up yet?
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Honestly, there has been some amazing advice on this thread which I am super grateful for but I think I am going to hold off until after I go on my USAFA appointee visit in April. I spoke with a West Point grad last night and it was definitely super insightful and I hope to have similar conversations with USNA and USAFA grads. This decision has been occupying my mind all day every day lol, it's all I can think about. I must say though, I am liking USAFA a lot more than I thought I would...
 
smokey% said:
Honestly, there has been some amazing advice on this thread which I am super grateful for but I think I am going to hold off until after I go on my USAFA appointee visit in April. I spoke with a West Point grad last night and it was definitely super insightful and I hope to have similar conversations with USNA and USAFA grads. This decision has been occupying my mind all day every day lol, it's all I can think about. I must say though, I am liking USAFA a lot more than I thought I would...
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We all knew which one you were selecting: ;)
Thegirlinthefireplace said:
I'd say the fact that you posted this question here tells you where your mind is lol. Mildly kidding though.
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smokey% said:
my mom would like me to go to USAFA
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smokey% said:
Honestly, there has been some amazing advice on this thread which I am super grateful for but I think I am going to hold off until after I go on my USAFA appointee visit in April. I spoke with a West Point grad last night and it was definitely super insightful and I hope to have similar conversations with USNA and USAFA grads. This decision has been occupying my mind all day every day lol, it's all I can think about. I must say though, I am liking USAFA a lot more than I thought I would...
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This may be an unpopular opinion but I'll comment for your potential insight.

It is true USAF/USSF has much higher percentage of "desk-job" career fields compared to USA and USN (and most certainly the USMC). I mean we are a support service branch although there are plenty of "hands on" combat AFSC options. However, keep in mind that your priorities may change in the future. I have seen many 4/C cadets who were pretty hooah and wanted to fly fighters or wanted to go CRO/STO/TACP that now as upperclassmen just want a stable desk jobs such as acquisitions/contracting. There's nothing wrong with a desk job. In fact, there are a lot of pros to it that many don't realize. Not only are you gaining marketable skills while in the military that transitions well into the private sector, your daily life will be more predictable and stable. This is important for family life: I've seen many officers in "hands-on" career fields who were pretty hooah as lieutenants but as they rank up, wish they could settle down somewhere and have a better life quality, mostly due to family. So keep your options open regarding the "desk jobs".
 
foxtail1027 said:
I've seen many officers in "hands-on" career fields who were pretty hooah as lieutenants but as they rank up, wish they could settle down somewhere and have a better life quality, mostly due to family. So keep your options open regarding the "desk jobs".
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As an officer, you are a leader and manager, not a "hands on" technician. As a company grade officer (Lt and Capt), unless you are in a professional occupation like engineer or doctor, you will likely be "amongst" the NCOs...out and about on the flight line, in the shops....but overseeing not necessarily DOING the work. But as you gain rank and begin leading other leaders, you will likely be at a desk. Put simply, most all jobs for officers after 10 years are desk jobs. Pilots tend to fly their entire career if the AF is short of them. Otherwise, its off to the staff and a desk too. If you want to be hands on your entire career, then the military might not work well for you because it is an "up or out" organization. To stay in, you have to accept promotions that come with more rank and responsibility, and more desk time.
 
smokey% said:
This thread could go anywhere but I guess I'll put it in here since I received my USAFA appointment on Monday.

As the title says, I am having a hard time deciding between USAFA, USMA, and USNA. I am extremely fortunate and grateful to be in a position where I have received appointments from all three and have to make this difficult decision. I know that one should base their decision on which branch they would rather serve in but in all honesty I am unsure. I really like the Naval Academy and the Navy in general; I love watching movies and videos on Naval history and the vital role the US Navy played in the WW2 Pacific Theater. At the same time, however, I am unsure that I will like life on a ship. I also love West Point, I had a blast at SLE and West Point's campus is absolutely beautiful. I like that the Army and West Point cadets get to do cool guy stuff like rappeling, field exercises, shooting guns, and blowing stuff up. However, this can take both a heavy physical and mental toll on the body. Lastly, there is USAFA. It is the only one I have not visited yet (I hope to visit in April). I don't know as much about the Air Force as I do about the Army and Navy but I plan on asking my AFJROTC instructors tons of questions about the different jobs available to me as an officer, and doing online research (I am currently listening to different CommissionED youtube podcasts). I think my mom would like me to go to USAFA the most out of the htree since the Air Force has a reputation of being the "luxurious" branch and I will be able to get a noncombat job that she thinks is easier than the Army and Navy. I kind of agree with her but simultaneously, I don't know if I want a desk job in the Air Force, it seems boring to me. And USAFA doesn't take part in the historical Army Navy rivalry. The Army Navy game looks so cool to attend as a Cadet or Midshipman, but a part of me questions if I will really enjoy standing for 3+ hours in the cold watching a football game. I will say though, the Air Force Academy looks gorgeous!

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any input!
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See I had a friend go through this, he had all 3, but he decided USAFA because he lives in CO and his parents bribed him with a fancy car to stay close 😭 I do wish I could help but all I can say is Go Navy!
 
NavyGirl06 said:
See I had a friend go through this, he had all 3, but he decided USAFA because he lives in CO and his parents bribed him with a fancy car to stay close 😭 I do wish I could help but all I can say is Go Navy!
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I went AF because my Dad was AF and I wanted to be in the AF. It helped that CO was beautiful too. I was prepared to go Army, and would have if USAFA didn't come through. I like roughing it and shooting guns, but I can do that in my spare time in the AF. I was prepared to go Navy if Army didn't come through (but it did), but wondered if I could do confined spaces and long ocean deployments year after year. After a desert deployment of my own with the AF, I soon learned I had no problems with confined spaces or long boring deployments. (My wife was less thrilled). Best advice is to go where you will be happy for years, not just for the four years of SA life.
 
NavyGirl06 said:
See I had a friend go through this, he had all 3, but he decided USAFA because he lives in CO and his parents bribed him with a fancy car to stay close 😭 I do wish I could help but all I can say is Go Navy!
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Haha USAFA would be quite the trek for me. USMA and USNA are only 2.5 hours from me so not that bad of a drive. Air fare all the way to Denver is not going to fun 😬 (they should just let me take a B2 to fly myself back and forth cuz I’ll basically be in the Air Force 🙄)
 
smokey% said:
Haha USAFA would be quite the trek for me. USMA and USNA are only 2.5 hours from me so not that bad of a drive. Air fare all the way to Denver is not going to fun 😬 (they should just let me take a B2 to fly myself back and forth cuz I’ll basically be in the Air Force 🙄)
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In a B2, if you are not the mission commander or pilot, you will either be sitting on the toilet the whole flight (convenient, but uncomfortable) or strapped into a rotary launcher in the bomb bay (cold and light on oxygen). Take a KC135 instead...its basically a Boeing 707.
 
NavyGirl06 said:
See I had a friend go through this, he had all 3, but he decided USAFA because he lives in CO and his parents bribed him with a fancy car to stay close 😭 I do wish I could help but all I can say is Go Navy!
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I'm in a similar situation because the USAFA was what made me decide to go for an academy to begin with, and it was my choice until a visit to USNA a couple of years ago made me all confused. I was lucky enough to get appointments to both, but now my mother is leaning USNA because my older brother and his wife, who live in Annapolis, had their first child a few months ago, so my mom is thinking about all the trips she can take to see the baby...and me ofc...but mostly the baby lol. My dad is still leaning USAFA, but only because it was the goal since middle school, and he and I did a lot of training for the CFA together. Plus, he has a picture of middle school me sitting on a wall at the AFA in a pink AFA hat and shirt on his desk. Maybe I should suggest that they start the offers for car purchases. That's genius!

FYI...I promise, while they do have opinions, they will be happy wherever I go. They just like to be goofy.
 
Thegirlinthefireplace said:
I'm in a similar situation because my parents wanted me to choose USAFA, and it was my choice until a visit to USNA a couple of years ago made me all confused. I was lucky enough to get appointments to both, but now my mother is leaning USNA because my older brother and his wife, who live in Annapolis, had their first child a few months ago, so my mom is thinking about all the trips she can take to see the baby...and me ofc...but mostly the baby lol. My dad is still leaning USAFA, but only because it was the goal since middle school, and he and I did a lot of training for the CFA together. Plus, he has a picture of middle school me sitting on a wall at the AFA in a pink AFA hat and shirt on his desk. Maybe I should suggest that they start the offers for car purchases. That's genius!

FYI...I promise, while they do have opinions, they will be happy wherever I go. They just like to be goofy.
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Do you want to be in the Navy or the AF? Its really that simple. You will find things to like and dislike about both places. But I would not go to beautiful CO if I wanted to be on an aircraft carrier, nor would I go to beautiful MD if I wanted to fly F22 or the B21.
 
GoodRun said:
In a B2, if you are not the mission commander or pilot, you will either be sitting on the toilet the whole flight (convenient, but uncomfortable) or strapped into a rotary launcher in the bomb bay (cold and light on oxygen). Take a KC135 instead...it’s basically a Boeing 707.
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But the B2 has infinite style points
 
GoodRun said:
Do you want to be in the Navy or the AF? It’s really that simple. You will find things to like and dislike about both places. But I would not go to beautiful CO if I wanted to be on an aircraft carrier, nor would I go to beautiful MD if I wanted to fly F22 or the B21.
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Honestly I think the Air Force would be the better fit for me. I just don’t think ship life is for me, but I have massive respect for our brave sailors and submariners that are out there in the fleet protecting us and the seas.
 
smokey% said:
Honestly I think the Air Force would be the better fit for me. I just don’t think ship life is for me, but I have massive respect for our brave sailors and submariners that are out there in the fleet protecting us and the seas.
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Both parents were military one navy one air Force. I say the worst of the navy -enlisted side and well my mom wasn't a fan. Saw the best of the air force- officer. Even then I didn't choose because of those I want to fly, I will fly. So usafa was my dream school. It's something I look back at knowing little me would be crying because I did it so it's worth everything here. And that's what will keep you at the academies, your dreams so start planning
 
My DD did not apply to USMA but applied to USNA and USAFA.

I was 100% convinced she would choose USNA. She was a recruited athlete at USNA (not recruited at USAFA). She chose to do USNA SS (didn't apply to USAFA's SS program). She received an LOA from USNA (no LOA from USAFA). We visited USNA and then she went back for a CVW and loved it. I asked her if she wanted to visit USAFA before she applied and she politely declined. Every sign pointed to her accepting her appointment to USNA.

She was invited to attend an accepted candidate visit to USAFA in April and chose to visit before making her decision. We visited and within hours of stepping foot on USAFA's campus for the first time, she told me at dinner that she wanted to go to USAFA. Maybe @FlyFalcon can DM me to tell me what went on behind closed doors at that visit because whatever USAFA said worked! My DD told me, for the first time, that she could not see herself serving on a ship. I was very surprised but also very impressed that she was considering her next 24 years instead of just her next 4 years. She loved Annapolis. She loved the Yard. She loved the idea of going to school at USNA. She loved the idea of being a recruited varsity athlete. She didn't love the idea of serving on a ship or being out to sea for long stretches.

I suspect she may have enjoyed being a student at USNA more than at USAFA, but she will be a much happier officer in the Air Force than in the Navy given her personal preferences. She has made wonderful friends at USAFA and has had many amazing opportunities and experiences, so I don't want to imply that she made a mistake or regrets her decision...she doesn't. I am just acknowledging that USNA's campus is super cool, walkable, close to town, relatively warm, etc. Don't make such an important decision based on what you think is cool for 4 years. Think about what you will do after you graduate.

Also please understand that it is okay to not know exactly what you want to major in, or what specific job you want to do after commissioning because you may change your mind between now and then. The academies do a great job of highlighting all of these options before you need to decide. Congratulations and good luck!
 
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smokey% said:
Honestly I think the Air Force would be the better fit for me. I just don’t think ship life is for me, but I have massive respect for our brave sailors and submariners that are out there in the fleet protecting us and the seas.
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I remember thinking...if I eject over land, then I can evade until rescue. If my ship sinks, I have to fend off sharks and hope for rescue in an ocean without landmarks.
 
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