Current USMA Instructor reach out
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How hard is it to get assigned to WP during an officer's career? Did it require that you get a master's degree first? What is the process? Is it unlikely that a WP grad would ever be able to come back as faculty without having graduated with a high GPA from WP? Do you live on base? What is that like, and how are the accommodations? Last question: do you regret opening the door to someone like me who asks too many questions?
Both of my older brothers went systems management and loved it. More math obviously with the engineer degree but great program for learning how to oversee any kind of project and organize all the moving parts, very versatile degree for career in military or future leadership position in private sector from what they have told me.
TotheTop
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I've heard it is a great program and as USMA21 said, it can be very useful as an officer. I'd say go for it if he enjoys it!
TotheTop
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It's a bit complicated, and this isn't exact, but the MS grade is worth 1.5 credit hours for a semester, so that ties into your academic grade slightly. It is also worth about 25-33% of an academic years Military Grade, and that Military Grade is overall worth 30% of your cumulative GPA. It's a bit complicated, does that make sense?
TotheTop
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Haha, I do not regret it, you actually sound exactly like the Cows I teach, they are always asking me this stuff. It is not particularly difficult coming back as an instructor if you do well as a Commander and you have the time to go get a masters and then teach. They generally will only take high performers from the various branches. I'm an Engineer officer so I got my degree at the Career Course. I do not believe your WP GPA has an effect on your hiring packet. Maybe a slight one but they are more interested in your performance as a Captain. I do live on base, it's awesome. Keep the questions coming!
It does. My son just got an A on a test in MS and seemed pretty happy about it. I wasn't sure how it all figured into the overall picture, and now I have a better idea. Seemed more pleased with that than if it were a regular class. Looks like it almost figures in twice.
Thank you for taking the time to answer questions. My DD has accepted her appointment and is concerned about course validation.
She took Calc BC last year and is currently taking and doing well in multi variable Calc as well as AP Stats and Chem. Do you find your students who do validate courses are at a disadvantage to those that do not? I worry that she will be overwhelmed. Do you find the tests they take during beast accurately assess who is prepared to validate a course?
She took Calc BC last year and is currently taking and doing well in multi variable Calc as well as AP Stats and Chem. Do you find your students who do validate courses are at a disadvantage to those that do not? I worry that she will be overwhelmed. Do you find the tests they take during beast accurately assess who is prepared to validate a course?
I can say that my son contemplated the same questions when he was in beast last summer, and it is a commonly discussed issue on these boards. Everyone is tested during beast, and then the results dictate what the kids options are. With math the plebes are in one of three courses when they start. I forget the names, but mine opted for the middle math course, which the majority of plebes have. He could have taken the harder class but did not want to start off with something so chalanging. He is glad he did what he did.
I think if a kid is really advanced in something, testing out of classes is a great thing, and will give the cadet more elective options later. So it really depends on the student.
UHBlackhawk
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DD is a 12B deployed right now. Should be coming back soon so she can outprocess and make it to R-Day.
TotheTop
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Sappers Lead the Way! Always good to see prior service guys and gals go to West Point, they make a big difference. I wish her luck! She may end up in one of my classes.
TotheTop
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So I am not a good one to give you advice on this. When I was a cadet I didn't validate anything, and as an instructor I have no clue which of my students validated what during Beast. I thought I was brilliant as a high schooler but once I got to R-Day I realized I was very, very average. In the long run, it literally makes no difference though, almost everyone goes on to graduate and your academic achievements have almost no bearing on how your career turns out. In no way am I discouraging doing one's best, however overloading academics could lead your DD or DS into a overloaded schedule that may take away from the leadership experiences that ultimately are more important. Just my opinion.
UHBlackhawk
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I don't think you will be able to miss her. I think she was hoping she could come back at the last minute, out process on the C-17 ride back, and do a combat jump with her stuff over The Plane to report.
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I like this mental image - very superpower-ish, going over The Plane enroute to The Plain?!?!
Very cool prior. [emoji41]
