What made you choose West Point over other options?

sashadouglas

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Joined
Jun 13, 2017
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Like ROTC, Officer Candidate School, or just straight enlistment? Absolutely ZERO judgment on one path versus another, I'm just really curious!
 
The history, tradition, first class & free education, opportunity to become the best possible version of myself, and of course to be able to commission as a 2LT in the best Army in the world
 
Tradition was a big pulling factor for myself. I'm enlisted right now, switching over to the academy. From personal experience, most officers from Westpoint are really squared away. They have the mentality of a leader and influence the platoon in a positive way from day one. Obviously this is subjective and in no way a knock on other sources of commission. I just wanted to drink some of the Kool-aid up there and see what it's all about.

Also free college is cool
 
The history, tradition, first class & free education, opportunity to become the best possible version of myself, and of course to be able to commission as a 2LT in the best Army in the world

What's "first class"? I'm familiar with Petty Officer, First Class for Navy, but now for Army.

And if you're willing to share, I'd love to hear anything you're willing to share about how it allowed you to become the best possible version of yourself vs an experience in the "regular" Army. I totally get free education, the history/tradition -- and those are more than enough valid reasons for going to the USMA. I'm also really interested in whether there's anything else (not that there needs to be).
 
Tradition was a big pulling factor for myself. I'm enlisted right now, switching over to the academy. From personal experience, most officers from Westpoint are really squared away. They have the mentality of a leader and influence the platoon in a positive way from day one. Obviously this is subjective and in no way a knock on other sources of commission. I just wanted to drink some of the Kool-aid up there and see what it's all about.

Also free college is cool

Interesting, I actually wasn't aware that you could transition from enlisted to the USMA. That's awesome.

Sounds like you're speaking from actual experience of interacting with USMA grads during your time as an enlisted soldier? Curious if you have any specific examples of how they seem more (tactically and mentally) trained/organized/leader-like/squared away/however-you-wanna-describe-it? :)

I likewise mean this as no way of a knock against the place either, but I've heard other comments about "drinking the Kool-Aid," and I can understand: it's badass to be part of an elite club, where you're being tailored for leadership. Like Harvard or Oxford of the Army?
 
We are not a military family and DS had no real interest in going ROTC at another school; I think he saw USMA/USAFA as an opportunity to be part of the 'best of the best' with all the tradition and history that comes with it. Top rated education to boot and unlimited career options later in life regardless if serving 5 or 20+ years active duty.
Turned down admission at top 5 engineering school with nice payday waiting to accept the challenge.
Its kind of rare for 18 year olds to be able to process the advantages they will have at ages 30-40 when making life decisions; some cadets surely expect to retire with stars but others will lead and serve for decades in other roles after they leave the military.
 
The first and best leadership institution, with an Ivy League level academic reputation, and opportunities both while at the academy and for years beyond; be that in the service or civilian years thereafter. Couple that with grounds so beautiful they literally take your breath away, and history which anyone can feel, smell, and touch. But acknowledging all of that, if you asked my son what he believes distinguishes West Point, he would tell you mostly it's the Corps.
 
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