Accepted after five cycles of admissions to USMA. I'm a senior in ROTC who would start over.

What an honorable man you are. Many people go to school 8 years and I’m sure while at WP you can get another major. While your rotc credits won’t transfer I’m sure you can grad with your major. You will have to be humble to get through plebe year. Good Luck!
 
OP. Congratulations on having two phenomenal options. A few things to consider in your position

A. What is your academic major? If you feel it postures you for success in the Army and beyond great. If you go the USMA route choose a major to give you long term benefits and that differs from your ROTC major.

B. What is your branch and component selection through ROTC? If you got top choices for both then realize you are putting yourself at risk at least branch wise.

C. Personally are you ready to be a new cadet and start over and embrace USMA warts and all. You worked hard to get to be a MSIV and the USMA route does mean in four months you would be taking directions from a current plebe. Some people are grounded enough to deal others aren't but it needs to be considered.

D. Are you willing to forego marriage for 4 years? Give up a car for 2?

E. On the other side would you regret foregoing USMA after five years of chasing the dream?

You got to make your decision. Best advice I will give is get out this weekend and do a good long run or ruck ponder it all. Pray or meditate and talk to 2-3 people whose advice you value then make the decision you are most comfortable with and drive on.

Good luck!
 
DDmom said:
You will have to be humble to get through plebe year.
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And going through another four years of college, especially a military college, is a long, tough slog. Our son roomed with a cadet who had already earned a four-year degree, and there was another in his company. Both left before affirmation because, well, they already had their degrees. I'm sure there were other reasons, too, but it was very hard for them to start over when they were already "done." You've already made your decision and have been given some good advice above but, because you will end up in four years exactly where you are now, your reasons for this repeat are going to have to be strong enough to sustain you repeatedly through some very, very tough times. Good luck to you.

(On a totally different note, and not to the OP, I find this post a head-scratcher from the perspective of USMA agreeing to invest the significant cost of four years at the academy on someone who is about to earn the identical commission from another source. I don't understand the use of taxpayer dollars here.)
 
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From A Family of Enlisted said:
I've been accepted to the Class of 2024, and after five classes have passed me by, I'm finally in. Only problem is I'm a senior in ROTC who will, by contract, commission after the spring semester is over. I've received the letter to report, but I'm not sure if they'll let me out of my commission. From the grapevine and other threads, I've seen that once I get an appointment, my ROTC contract in null and void. I need guidance, and this is the best place to look. Please no one lecture me on my decision, and only provide clarity. I promised someone very special to me who has passed away I'd get in and succeed among numerous other reasons to attend. USMA has long been a dream of mine, and not one person can change my mind. For me, it's entirely worth the extra minuscule four years. Thank you for any guidance, and I apologize for being crass with the latter.
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Not a problem. Fine decision with plenty of up side. You'll have two undergraduate degrees. You might do exceedingly well at USMA, which could open up exchange student opportunities while you are there. I know to some it almost sounds like you are starting in reverse. Been there, done that. I went to USMA, graduated, and then "started over" after my five year commitment by transferring to a professional specialty in the Air Force. This meant going from a Captain (O-3) in the Army to a LT (O-1) in AF Reserves...and staying one until grad school degrees were completed (over four years). Started back on active duty as an O-3 and just retired as an O-6. As long as you have a clear path for your goals, and the will to achieve, you can do this. Here's another example, our oldest DS attended three years of undergrad, then enlisted, and was picked up from the USCG fleet to attend USCGA. He is doing great and loving it and is in his third year with his younger brother who also attended one year of undergrad before going to USCGA. It's your life dude, and your path to serving our nation. We need yah, so do what you need to do and press on. Best wishes and don't worry one bit as long as you have the goal in mind. I concur with the suggestions to work with your RC and USMA Admissions.
 
As someone said "Heart and the head, they always fight". I guess most of the folks here are asking the OP to think from the head even though the decision is made from the heart ( clearly stated in the post). Whatever decision you make, just don't look back and regret.

Going to WP: give your best and help others in their journey to be best. Let your experience shine.
Going to commission after your senior year: you understand commitment, loyalty, serving.
 
No advice but Congratulations! Your tenacity and determination are admirable. Good luck!
 
VelveteenR said:
And going through another four years of college, especially a military college, is a long, tough slog. Our son roomed with a cadet who had already earned a four-year degree, and there was another in his company. Both left before affirmation because, well, they already had their degrees. I'm sure there were other reasons, too, but it was very hard for them to start over when they were already "done." You've already made your decision and have been given some good advice above but, because you will end up in four years exactly where you are now, your reasons for this repeat are going to have to be strong enough to sustain you repeatedly through some very, very tough times. Good luck to you.

(On a totally different note, and not to the OP, I find this post a head-scratcher from the perspective of USMA agreeing to invest the significant cost of four years at the academy on someone who is about to earn the identical commission from another source. I don't understand the use of taxpayer dollars here.)
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I am also questioning the tax payer dollars used here.
 
General John Nicholson left USMA, got a degree from Georgetown, reapplied and was readmitted, became First Captain, and graduated with the Class of 1982.

There is no one path that is right for everyone.
 
CLE_42 said:
Hoorah to you brother. Now that shows your preservance and grit for pushing through, the dream you always/truly wanted to achieve, and you did it. Do not listen to those people that say its a waste of time of 4 years. Thats bullsh-t. You don't have to serve now and lead a platoon. Your time will come. I believe with your kind of attitude of chasing your dreams, you will come out of West Point a more humbled leader. There is no rush to lead yet. Your time will come. They just do not understand. Everybody is different. It depends on the individual. Congrats to you bro. I am currently a freshman at college doing ROTC and reapplying again to West Point, Class of 2025. You sir, just proved to me that it is still possible. Thank you!
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I was directly in your boat a couple of years ago. I had been rejected, feeling hopeless of the numbers game my senior year of high school, freshman year, sophomore year, and junior year. I worked every year to develop myself as a man of character and build my extracurricular, leadership credentials, and most importantly my academic resume. I graduated with a 3.25 GPA in high school, but began to take things seriously when I was offered a 3YR Army ROTC scholarship. As well, my math portion was a 550 when I was a freshman. I'm about to graduate a major 4 year institution with a 3.9 GPA with a degree in political science. Believe you can! I used these 4 years to build myself and show the admissions committee I could succeed. The Cadre at my University have all shown their reservations. While being an Army officer is my supreme goal, graduating from USMA is nearly with it. Never let anyone tell you can't. I used to daydream of the day I'd put on the dress grey uniform and be at the same institution that McCarthur, Patton, Grant, Schwarzkopf, to name a few have been. Now hopefully, I'll be living my dream.
 
Cookiemom said:
I am also questioning the tax payer dollars used here.
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VelveteenR said:
And going through another four years of college, especially a military college, is a long, tough slog. Our son roomed with a cadet who had already earned a four-year degree, and there was another in his company. Both left before affirmation because, well, they already had their degrees. I'm sure there were other reasons, too, but it was very hard for them to start over when they were already "done." You've already made your decision and have been given some good advice above but, because you will end up in four years exactly where you are now, your reasons for this repeat are going to have to be strong enough to sustain you repeatedly through some very, very tough times. Good luck to you.

(On a totally different note, and not to the OP, I find this post a head-scratcher from the perspective of USMA agreeing to invest the significant cost of four years at the academy on someone who is about to earn the identical commission from another source. I don't understand the use of taxpayer dollars here.)
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The United States military industrial complex has a budget of nearly a trillion dollars, second only to social security in 2020 and annually spend billions on contracts that are outrageous and wasteful. If they were worried about a West Point cadet breaking the bank and earning two degrees to become an officer, one who has committed his life to the Army, the United States would surely being bankrupt millions of times over in fiscal and ethical properties.
 
MidCakePa said:
Now imagine what could happen in the next four years after entering WP. Many possibilities that might trip you up and prevent you from commissioning. It would be disappointing, even tragic, don’t you think? And as others have said, once on active duty, no one will care from where you graduated.
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Thank you to everyone who has chimed in from their many experiences and backgrounds from young to old, to immature to wise. This decision has been made from the heart, not from the logical brain. For me, I'd have too much to ever quit. My logic is this: when I'm possibly done with the Army, and my retirement has dawned let's say 40 years from now, will I regret not challenging myself to accomplish my dream I only could only imagine when I was homeless? My childhood was filled with parents divorce, homelessness, the challenges of being a minority in a urban city neighborhood, trouble, and being an academically poor student to "fit in" with my friends during my primary education. Once the Army and now hopefully a sect of that institution, USMA, gave me a chance to show how these opportunities have uniquely prepared for leadership of our nation's young men and women it gave my life purpose. West Point is the chance to show perseverance in the face of adversity, a trait that every officer must have. Sure I'm missing out on many financial opportunities, but that doesn't matter to me. I'm sure the 15 year old me wouldn't have ever imagined in his wildest dreams I could achieve an appointment.
 
Interesting....What would happen if the OP decided to leave WP within 1 year?
Would he still have the previous AROTC military commitment?
 
If they were worried about a West Point cadet breaking the bank...
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No one mentioned any concerns about breaking the bank, just an inefficient use (waste) of taxpayer dollars to make a commission investment twice on one person for the sole purpose of indulging that person’s desire for a particular military college experience. Many officers earn multiple degrees at Army expense, but those are usually advanced post-graduate degrees rather than two undergraduate degrees. I don’t mean to be harsh, but whatever your personal reasons are for repeating the commission process, they result in an unjustifiable cost in this taxpayer’s opinion. The military is satisfied with either the academy or ROTC route for producing its officers. Paying twice for the same commission does not result in a better officer.
 
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@From A Family of Enlisted ,

I have to admit, I was in the “get your commission and move on” camp and my Scottish Presbyterian heart questions the allocation of scarce resources.

However, you have made me a believer in you and that you will accomplish your goals. So long as you remember that you are just another Butter Bar when you commission, you will do good for yourself and for those under your command. Something tells me you will not start your countdown to an MBA program and civilian life once you graduate And commission.

I have a son, commissioned through AROTC. He has thrown caution to the wind like a dog buries a bone. He is inexplicably in a place no one ever expected him to be and was never encouraged to be. Whatever your guiding light, you won’t know what could be if you don’t follow it.

I wish you the best!
 
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VelveteenR said:
No one mentioned any concerns about breaking the bank, just an inefficient use (waste) of taxpayer dollars to make a commission investment twice on one person for the sole purpose of indulging that person’s desire for a particular military college experience. Many officers earn multiple degrees at Army expense, but those are usually advanced post-graduate degrees rather than two undergraduate degrees. I don’t mean to be harsh, but whatever your personal reasons are for repeating the commission process, they result in an unjustifiable cost in this taxpayer’s opinion. The military is satisfied with either the academy or ROTC route for producing its officers. Paying twice for the same commission does not result in a better officer.
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I’ll bet my bet my tax payer $ one @From A Family of Enlisted before I would put 1 ct. on this:

www.ngaus.org

Adjutants General Advocate for Space National Guard

Several adjutants general are warning that, without a Space National Guard, states could lose their ability to easily access space resources crucia
www.ngaus.org www.ngaus.org
 
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