Enlistment to USMA

Id just like to know how viable is path from enlistment to West Point. I know I will be QQQ when I apply next year and I have a great shot for a principal nomination but I'm just curious about the difficulty of getting in from enlistment.

The reason might sound crazy to a lot of you but I want to get in the war before its over. I would like to fight on the front lines and maybe test myself for the green beret. I want to be in special forces just because I know I would be deployed. I may not know where but at least I'll get to fight for America's interests. (I'm very patriotic if you can't tell)

By the time I graduate West Point and complete all the specialty training, the War on Terror might have already grinded to a hault and the worst thing I can think of is sitting on base twittling my thumbs because I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go. Im not some war-crazed phsycopath but I just want to be a professional soldier that gets deployed around the world.

So, if you dont want to read my rationale about enlistment, here is the question. Whats the deal with going to WP from the Army. Is it hard? Will I get tangled up in enlistment and hit a glass ceiling? Does WP like this? Does WP look at my high school academics and SATs to see that I'm not a screw up? Can you go directly to WP or do you have to go to USMAPS first?

Whats the deal?

Sounds to me that you care more about being a soldier and seeing combat. Are you sure you want to be a leader? Remember, West Point first and foremost produces quality leaders for the Army. Upon graduation you will serve the Army's needs whatever they may be, but as a leader. If you care more about seeing combat, enlistment may be the better option for you.

I see your concern and I have thought about that question. (A LOT) I feel truly confident in my leadership capability and I believe my judgment and decision making skills are sound. I also believe in my ability to motivate, not only myself but other people as well. I believe I can serve America best as a leader of men. I recognize that my job might not always be the way I want it as I realize I would have responsibility for not only myself but the others under me. I also recognize that there are set rules to follow and they are often strict and I may have no control over my situation.

But as I pointed out before, I do want to deploy as I personally believe one should have that experience as soldier in combat to fully understand stressful situations and the importance of leadership.

I'd also like answers to applying to USMA as enlisted.

nickm5 said:

I see your concern and I have thought about that question. (A LOT) I feel truly confident in my leadership capability and I believe my judgment and decision making skills are sound. I also believe in my ability to motivate, not only myself but other people as well. I believe I can serve America best as a leader of men. I recognize that my job might not always be the way I want it as I realize I would have responsibility for not only myself but the others under me. I also recognize that there are set rules to follow and they are often strict and I may have no control over my situation.

But as I pointed out before, I do want to deploy as I personally believe one should have that experience as soldier in combat to fully understand stressful situations and the importance of leadership.

I'd also like answers to applying to USMA as enlisted.

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West Point has 85 slots for active duty enlisted Soldiers in every class. It also has 85 slots for reserve/national guard Soldiers in every class.

Prior enlisted Soldiers add a lot to every class, especially those that have been to Combat. Many will have to go to the USMA Prep School because of the length of time out of the classroom.

Only enlist if you want to be an enlisted Soldier, though, as the requirements of active duty might make applying difficult, as you still have to complete the entire application while possibly serving in a Combat zone.

More info: http://admissions.usma.edu/pros_cadets_soldiers.html

Although USMA has 170 slots available for both Active Army and Rerserve/Guard, they almost never fill them so if you are triple qualified and get the Commander's Endorsement which justifies as a Component Nomination, you're chances go up greatly. USMA also lowers the standards if you are prior service, as it says on their admissions page. The admissions process is definitely a long road and being on active duty will put a strain on it, especially if you end up going to Afghanistan. I am currently in the Army Reserve so that made the admissions process a little less stressful, but I will be joining the Class of 2015