How does alumni network of USMMA compare to that of Army, Navy, and Air Force?

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AcademyHopefulCO25

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Good morning everybody! I have been fortunate enough to receive an opportunity to play football at USMMA, but before that was even a possibility I was set on attending USNA or USAFA. Of course I would love to continue playing football, but I know that it does not last forever and I that is why I am more focused on what school will set me up best for the rest of my life as a military officer and beyond. I may sound naive in asking this, but how does the alumni network of USMMA compare to that of one of the three major service academies? I know that all schools have produced individuals who have gone off to do extraordinary things, but I get myself caught up with what school will help set me up better and offer me more opportunities. I know from reading other threads and by searching the web that the "Big 3" academies commission about 4000 officers a year, whereas, USMMA or USCGA commission closer to 200 officers a year. Does this matter that much in the real world? I know that it comes down to the individual as well and taking advantage of whatever opportunity you are given, but will I have more opportunities coming from one of the "Big 3", solely because the alumni network is so much larger?
 
I would venture to say the smaller classes amplify the tightness and cohesion of the classes at USMMA and USCGA, amply off-setting any class size differences. No doubt USCGA and USMMA posters will pop up, and they often remark they get to know everyone in their class, and usually the classes above and below. This doesn’t happen at the DOD SAs because of sheer size, though the grad and classmate bonds are there.

SA grads also look out for fellow SA grads in the corporate world. They know there is a commonality of experience. One of our USNA midshipman sponsor family members separated from the Navy, got her MBA and was applying for an entry-level job at a financial services firm in NYC. A USMMA grad USN Reserve officer on the interview panel convinced HR she was over-qualified for that job and to consider her for a higher-level job with much better salary. He has continued to be a mentor.

A reliable assumption is that all SAs have a strong alumni network, even if smaller in number, with “guest privileges” in the greater all-SA network.
 
Capt MJ said:
I would venture to say the smaller classes amplify the tightness and cohesion of the classes at USMMA and USCGA, amply off-setting any class size differences. No doubt USCGA and USMMA posters will pop up, and they often remark they get to know everyone in their class, and usually the classes above and below. This doesn’t happen at the DOD SAs because of sheer size, though the grad and classmate bonds are there.

SA grads also look out for fellow SA grads in the corporate world. They know there is a commonality of experience. One of our USNA midshipman sponsor family members separated from the Navy, got her MBA and was applying for an entry-level job at a financial services firm in NYC. A USMMA grad USN Reserve officer on the interview panel convinced HR she was over-qualified for that job and to consider her for a higher-level job with much better salary. He has continued to be a mentor.

A reliable assumption is that all SAs have a strong alumni network, even if smaller in number, with “guest privileges” in the greater all-SA network.
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Thank you very much for this helpful insight!
 
So I'd point out USMMA isn't a military school, it's a maritime school. You can commission AD, but you need to have some passion for the maritime stuff.

With that said, my observation is that the KP alumni network is significantly stronger than any of the other four for a few reasons.

1. Diversity - Our people spread out across more industries from day one than the other academies. Any of the DOD or DOH schools, everyone spends the first 5 years on AD in the military. I'm 5 years away from graduation, and my class has shotgunned out across several different industries. Real estate, special forces, health care, state department, and of course a solid concentration of folks in the maritime industry. My point is that despite our size, no matter what you want to do there is probably already a KP'r there, and KP'rs thrive anywhere. The KP experience is about making sure that you can tackle any situation you're in and do well.

2. Size - I know every single one of my classmates. If you showed me a picture I could tell you a full name, and probably 2 or 3 fun facts about most folks, where they're from, sports played, etc. I think it creates a stronger bond that way.

3. Size - On a macro level, because we're small, we stick together. When all of the KP'rs go to pensacola for flight school they stick together, they're tighter than the Navy kids. It's just a thing the band of brothers thing is real and gets beaten into you all four years at KP.

4. Band of Brothers - There is an expectation that as a Kings Pointer you will look out for anyone who wears a ring. I couldn't tell you why, but it's just what we do. We take care of our own. I needed a thing last year and I picked up the phone and called the CEO of a company with a market cap in the billions. He answered the phone and we talked for an hour about what I needed. Didn't know me before, didn't know who I was, he just knew I called myself a Kings Pointer.

So yeah, I think we're better than the others, but maybe I'm just a little biased. The alumni network is the biggest asset, being able to call myself a Kings Pointer for the rest of my life is a TREMENDOUS value.
 
beyond said:
So I'd point out USMMA isn't a military school, it's a maritime school. You can commission AD, but you need to have some passion for the maritime stuff.

With that said, my observation is that the KP alumni network is significantly stronger than any of the other four for a few reasons.

1. Diversity - Our people spread out across more industries from day one than the other academies. Any of the DOD or DOH schools, everyone spends the first 5 years on AD in the military. I'm 5 years away from graduation, and my class has shotgunned out across several different industries. Real estate, special forces, health care, state department, and of course a solid concentration of folks in the maritime industry. My point is that despite our size, no matter what you want to do there is probably already a KP'r there, and KP'rs thrive anywhere. The KP experience is about making sure that you can tackle any situation you're in and do well.

2. Size - I know every single one of my classmates. If you showed me a picture I could tell you a full name, and probably 2 or 3 fun facts about most folks, where they're from, sports played, etc. I think it creates a stronger bond that way.

3. Size - On a macro level, because we're small, we stick together. When all of the KP'rs go to pensacola for flight school they stick together, they're tighter than the Navy kids. It's just a thing the band of brothers thing is real and gets beaten into you all four years at KP.

4. Band of Brothers - There is an expectation that as a Kings Pointer you will look out for anyone who wears a ring. I couldn't tell you why, but it's just what we do. We take care of our own. I needed a thing last year and I picked up the phone and called the CEO of a company with a market cap in the billions. He answered the phone and we talked for an hour about what I needed. Didn't know me before, didn't know who I was, he just knew I called myself a Kings Pointer.

So yeah, I think we're better than the others, but maybe I'm just a little biased. The alumni network is the biggest asset, being able to call myself a Kings Pointer for the rest of my life is a TREMENDOUS value.
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Thank you so much for this information. It is very nice hearing it from somebody who is actually living it, so thank you!
 
beyond said:
So I'd point out USMMA isn't a military school, it's a maritime school. You can commission AD, but you need to have some passion for the maritime stuff.

With that said, my observation is that the KP alumni network is significantly stronger than any of the other four for a few reasons.

1. Diversity - Our people spread out across more industries from day one than the other academies. Any of the DOD or DOH schools, everyone spends the first 5 years on AD in the military. I'm 5 years away from graduation, and my class has shotgunned out across several different industries. Real estate, special forces, health care, state department, and of course a solid concentration of folks in the maritime industry. My point is that despite our size, no matter what you want to do there is probably already a KP'r there, and KP'rs thrive anywhere. The KP experience is about making sure that you can tackle any situation you're in and do well.

2. Size - I know every single one of my classmates. If you showed me a picture I could tell you a full name, and probably 2 or 3 fun facts about most folks, where they're from, sports played, etc. I think it creates a stronger bond that way.

3. Size - On a macro level, because we're small, we stick together. When all of the KP'rs go to pensacola for flight school they stick together, they're tighter than the Navy kids. It's just a thing the band of brothers thing is real and gets beaten into you all four years at KP.

4. Band of Brothers - There is an expectation that as a Kings Pointer you will look out for anyone who wears a ring. I couldn't tell you why, but it's just what we do. We take care of our own. I needed a thing last year and I picked up the phone and called the CEO of a company with a market cap in the billions. He answered the phone and we talked for an hour about what I needed. Didn't know me before, didn't know who I was, he just knew I called myself a Kings Pointer.

So yeah, I think we're better than the others, but maybe I'm just a little biased. The alumni network is the biggest asset, being able to call myself a Kings Pointer for the rest of my life is a TREMENDOUS value.
Click to expand...
And there you have it! I think every KP grad I have known is just as passionate about his or her alumni status.

That “diaspora” throughout all industries and professions is a powerful thing. The DoD SAs and USCGA all go work for the same “company” for at least 5 years, which creates deeper bonds in another way through shared military service.

It is ALL good.
 
Strong evidence of the all-SA alumni network, the collaborative Service Academy Career Conference (SACC):

Service Academy Career Conference

sacc-jobfair.com sacc-jobfair.com

Fortune 500 companies, Govt agencies and many more staff their booths, real and virtual, with SA grads, in one of the most powerful career networking events in existence.
 
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AcademyHopefulCO25 said:
Good morning everybody! I have been fortunate enough to receive an opportunity to play football at USMMA, but before that was even a possibility I was set on attending USNA or USAFA. Of course I would love to continue playing football, but I know that it does not last forever and I that is why I am more focused on what school will set me up best for the rest of my life as a military officer and beyond. I may sound naive in asking this, but how does the alumni network of USMMA compare to that of one of the three major service academies? I know that all schools have produced individuals who have gone off to do extraordinary things, but I get myself caught up with what school will help set me up better and offer me more opportunities. I know from reading other threads and by searching the web that the "Big 3" academies commission about 4000 officers a year, whereas, USMMA or USCGA commission closer to 200 officers a year. Does this matter that much in the real world? I know that it comes down to the individual as well and taking advantage of whatever opportunity you are given, but will I have more opportunities coming from one of the "Big 3", solely because the alumni network is so much larger?
Click to expand...
That was a GREAT question!
 
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