West Point or USNA 2024?

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desertlover12

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I'm an applicant to the class of 2024 and have received LOA's from both the Naval Academy and West Point. Before my nomination interviews, though, I'd like to make a decision as to which is my true #1 school. I attended summer seminar and SLE so I've seen both campuses and have nothing left of my applications but a nomination. As a female I've heard the Navy is a bit better, but I'm more interested in liberal arts than STEM (which puts West Point over USNA). Additionally, I'm attracted to the Terrorism Studies minor at West Point as I would like to major in political science at either school. There is no intelligence branch straight out of the Naval Academy as there is out of West Point so I would probably branch SWO, but they have long tours and I want to have a family (Navy is the worst branch for having a family is what I hear). I think USNA would provide more freedom and an "easier" lifestyle if I can say that. I am not a recruited athlete either. For my interests, West Point seems the obvious choice, but I liked the campus and lifestyle at USNA more. As far as post-academy, branching MI from West Point fits my interests.

I also posted this thread in the Naval Academy discussion, but I thought I may get different responses here. If anyone can provide insight to my decision I'd be very grateful!
 
My first read through of this speaks USMA to me. My advice is to focus on your life post-academy. You will only be there 4 years. And you will make friends either place and have challenges either place. Look at what you want to do after you commission.
 
desertlover12 said:
but I liked the campus and lifestyle at USNA more. As far as post-academy, branching MI from West Point fits my interests.
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(cross posted with justdoit19)
Both academies are prestigious and arduous. Yes, Annapolis has a nicer environment outside the gates, but it still represents only four years of your life. Focus on what your career interests are and whether you see yourself as a Naval Officer or Army Officer.
 
This was my post on the USNA forum:
1. Not sure why you heard Navy is a bit better than the Army for females. I've seen females succeed and fail in both services.
2. Both services can be a challenge for those who wish to have familial units, but there are many successful women in both services who have well-adjusted scalawags. Now if your spousal unit, (1 EA) is also a service member it can be a challenge to juggle careers and caregiving for the rug rats. My wife and I have found the auto feeders available on Amazon work well. https://www.amazon.com/WOpet-Automa...s=auto+feeder&qid=1568218729&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I think MJ's response is right on. Figure out your branch, then back plan from there. But be aware, people change their minds on branches. Also, while things may change, right now there is a push for 90% of West Point graduates to go into combat arms. Think infantry, armor, field artillery, air defense, aviation, and engineers. MI is possible, but assume you will be in one of the branches I listed.

Yeah, Highland Falls is not Annapolis. But the friends you make and being happy with your career will be more important in the long run.
 
Are you willing to branch combat arms? Do you want to train in the field or want to learn nautical things? Focus on the actual branch of the military, and then weigh the benefits of each school after that.
 
usma28 said:
Are you willing to branch combat arms? Do you want to train in the field or want to learn nautical things? Focus on the actual branch of the military, and then weigh the benefits of each school after that.
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I hear of combat arms, MI as branches of Army. Where should I read more about all the branches that SA grads can go into? I would like my DD to look at those options , what’s her interest and then speak with alumni or USMA for more info.
 
Be aware that once you reach the rank of captain in the Army and have a command (“branch qualified) you normally compete for a “functional area”. This can be anything from comptroller, FAO (foreign affairs officer), or maybe operations and stay “in your branch”.
I knew aviators who went comptroller and spent the rest of their careers doing budgets; others who went FAO and spent their careers in foreign affairs.
Someone with more recent experience can chime in.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Army_careers
 
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txfwindian said:
usma28 said:
Are you willing to branch combat arms? Do you want to train in the field or want to learn nautical things? Focus on the actual branch of the military, and then weigh the benefits of each school after that.
Click to expand...

I hear of combat arms, MI as branches of Army. Where should I read more about all the branches that SA grads can go into? I would like my DD to look at those options , what’s her interest and then speak with alumni or USMA for more info.
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There are 17 branches which West Point cadets can enter for their first 5 years.
Here are the statistics for the class of 2019:

Branch Results for the Class of 2019

Infantry – 214
Field Artillery – 150
Engineers – 121
Aviation – 100
Armor – 96
Military Intelligence – 60
Air Defense Artillery – 55
Signal Corps – 48
Ordnance – 30
Quartermaster – 26
Cyber – 25
Transportation – 24
Military Police – 18
Medical Services – 7
Adjutant General – 2
Chemical – 2
Finance – 1

It is extremely likely that unless you are top 10-20% of the class that you will have to do IN, FA, EN, AV, AR, or ADA. However, they are trying to integrate a talent based branching system in order to account for cadets' strength and weaknesses.
 
If you have any specific questions about being female at West Point, don't hesitate to ask. The vast majority of my experiences so far have been positive and all of my instructors emphasize and enforce the importance of equality. I would not consider gender differences as a factor.

If you want liberal arts and military intelligence, I think USMA should be a no-brainer for you. The academic opportunities, especially in the summers, will be better suited for you here (NSA FBI Congress Pentagon are some popular ones). I am pretty biased, however.
 
prospective2019 said:
If you have any specific questions about being female at West Point, don't hesitate to ask. The vast majority of my experiences so far have been positive and all of my instructors emphasize and enforce the importance of equality. I would not consider gender differences as a factor.

If you want liberal arts and military intelligence, I think USMA should be a no-brainer for you. The academic opportunities, especially in the summers, will be better suited for you here (NSA FBI Congress Pentagon are some popular ones). I am pretty biased, however.
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Thank you so much.. I’ll pm my daughter’s email. I am sure she will have some questions. Is that ok?
 
prospective2019 said:
If you have any specific questions about being female at West Point, don't hesitate to ask. The vast majority of my experiences so far have been positive and all of my instructors emphasize and enforce the importance of equality. I would not consider gender differences as a factor.

If you want liberal arts and military intelligence, I think USMA should be a no-brainer for you. The academic opportunities, especially in the summers, will be better suited for you here (NSA FBI Congress Pentagon are some popular ones). I am pretty biased, however.
Click to expand...

When exactly would those opportunities be open to me as a cadet? I know the summer after your 4/C year is more field training, so would it be during following summers? Thank you!
 
While the overviews of the branches hit the high points, please keep in mind that all (well 99%) of new 2LTs will be platoon leaders in whatever branch the pick. If you branch MI, you are more likely to be in the field leading your soldiers than sitting in some office studying intelligence.
 
txfwindian said:
Thank you so much.. I’ll pm my daughter’s email. I am sure she will have some questions. Is that ok?
Click to expand...
Sure, that is fine.

desertlover12 said:
When exactly would those opportunities be open to me as a cadet? I know the summer after your 4/C year is more field training, so would it be during following summers? Thank you!
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I can't tell you exactly because the only West Point summer that I've experienced is CBT. However, either before or after CFT (Plebe-Yuk summer, five weeks) you will have the opportunity to go to Air Assault school, or potentially Airborne. You can also opt for an AIAD (academic trip) if you receive one of those opportunities. During other summers things are more flexible. You'll have CTLT, CLDT, and a leadership detail, but have much more time to plan MIADs, PIADs, and AIADs during those summers. There are many more chances as an upperclassman, as you are starting to specialize your skillset and focus on potential careers.
 
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