Academy summer programs

andrew_zimba

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What are the different summer programs offered by each academy? My son is not only interested in attending an academy and serving as an officer, he is also interested in obtaining real-world skills, be they piloting both wind- and engine-powered nautical vessels, flight simulation and/or actual flight training, search-and-rescue operations, etc. Are some academies' better known for this type of training than others?
 
What are the different summer programs offered by each academy? My son is not only interested in attending an academy and serving as an officer, he is also interested in obtaining real-world skills, be they piloting both wind- and engine-powered nautical vessels, flight simulation and/or actual flight training, search-and-rescue operations, etc. Are some academies' better known for this type of training than others?
Your son should read every page, dropdown and hamburger menu item and link at each of the 5 federal academy websites. Most answers are there.

SAs deliver a top-quality college degree along with professional development targeted to preparing cadets and midshipman to succeed as junior officers in leading their people, managing resources, making decisions, performing operational risk management, and yes, doing some hands-on stuff. It’s all real world.
 
As MJ wrote, read up on the service academies and what is offered. Some summer programs are military related. Air Assault School. Airborne school. Chilean Mountain ware fare school. Hands on real world training- on a ship, with an Air Force unit. Assigned to an Army unit.
Sometimes they are non military, but designed to help create a well rounded officer. Summer internship at a corporation, a government entity such as NASA’s JPL, or a university.
Then there are alumni study opportunities over the summer. They can range from studying French at the French Riviera, to poetry in Great Britain.
Heck, I’m not sure all the study opportunities are listed.
 
I'd check out USNA, they're the best option for combining maritime and air operations. I know Army has both a flight team AND a sailing team as well, but I'd bet Navy goes into way more detail about flight than we do. As for AF, they'll obviously have the bets options about flight but they're in Colorado so they're kind of lacking in the oceans department.
 
Although my sons have chosen other service academies, were were impressed by the Sea Year at USMMA. Some interested in aviation can arrange some of this time on a carrier and do a flight internship, others just want that “Unlimited USCG license” that will put them in very high demand after graduation (if they stay USNA Reserve) or after completion of active duty. Many cadets told us they choose USMMA because it was easier to get flight slots than out of USNA, others thought the ability to drive large ships would give them an edge in special ops. We were surprised by the number USMMA graduates that were headed to BUDS to try to be SEALs or into the Marines.

One of my sons is currently at USMA and they have an amazing list of summer training opportunities and internships as I am sure USNA and most of the academies. I think it would depend on what your son would like to do in the military, his academic interests, and if he leaves the military - what he might want to do after in civilian life. Good luck to him! You really can’t go wrong with any of the federal service academies. If he attends one, he will NOT be sitting around or bored during the summer.
 
I did a USAFA program called Azimuth. It was an introduction to the Space Force, and we got zero gravity experiences in the water and on a plane. Most of the program was briefs about technology and policy, all from different bases or private companies. It was a great experience.
 
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