Some West Point Seats for Soldiers go Vacant

Some West Point Seats for Soldiers

We heard about this a couple of years ago. My son was DQ from a NROTC scholarship. We were told students who go to service academies want to USAFA or USNA and they have issues with getting students to go to USMA. Not sure how true this is or was true. He was asked if he wants an appointment to West Point. He said he did not want to be a ground pounder. He did go to a great school, but does not contribute much financially.



Disappointed Parent
 
Why do people not want to go to "WP"?...you have just as much if not more of an opportunity to go into a non-combat/'ground-pounder' occupation as with USAFA or USNA. It also disappoints me to see soldier slots go to waste. Someone who really wanted to go from civilian world who didn't get accepted could have used it.:mad:
 
The story about the soldier who had to deal with his friend's death in high school was very touching!!

Also I don't understamd, they are already soldiers, as in enlisted in the army. Is the problem that they are looking to go to other academies or is it that they're just not applying to West Point?
 
I think many soldiers simply do not know/think it is an option for them.
 
Why do people not want to go to "WP"?...you have just as much if not more of an opportunity to go into a non-combat/'ground-pounder' occupation as with USAFA or USNA. It also disappoints me to see soldier slots go to waste. Someone who really wanted to go from civilian world who didn't get accepted could have used it.:mad:

I think they will. I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that any unused slots go to students on the National Waiting List.
 
My father in law was offered a nomination to West Point after serving as an NCO in the Korean War. He turned it down because, after serving for several years in combat, he could not envision himself being chewed out by younger upperclassmen who never saw combat.
 
Rest assured, unfilled slots allocated for active and reserve duty soldiers are ultimately filled by other candidates. That's how the class size remains at about 1300 each year.
 
I think they will. I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that any unused slots go to students on the National Waiting List.

Oh, okay.

My father in law was offered a nomination to West Point after serving as an NCO in the Korean War. He turned it down because, after serving for several years in combat, he could not envision himself being chewed out by younger upperclassmen who never saw combat.

That would be pretty weird, I admit...what would you do as an upperclassman in this position...chewing out someone more experienced and versed than you?
 
I have a feeling that, as a general rule, upperclassmenn pretty much leave combat vets alone. How could you honestly "chew someone out" as an upperclass when you're wearing your NDR and your plebe's got a CIB, multiple decorations and maybe even a ranger tab.

At most I would guess that maybe some "polite correction" takes place.

Anyone care to chime in?
 
My plebe had a prior service veteran in his beast company. They become assistants to the upperclassmen. It is my understanding that, depending on your chain of command, there is not that much correcting going on anyway.
 
My plebe had a prior service veteran in his beast company. They become assistants to the upperclassmen. It is my understanding that, depending on your chain of command, there is not that much correcting going on anyway.

Some upperclassmen are intimated but some will still find a way do their job and not show any preferential treatment while still retaining that respect toward the individual. If they are corrected less it is not because they are combat veterans, but because due to their experience, they mess up less. You have to keep in mind that if they come here, they are here to get the same training everyone else gets to become an officer. Even the most experienced prior service can find more to learn about becoming an officer.

It's good practice for the upperclassmen in my opinion because the moment they commission, they will be fresh from school and in charge of more experienced, more decorated, and older combat veterans.
 
I agree, many just don't know and sign up for some other college, even after getting out of the service. Maybe then need to advertise more during the televising of the Army Navy game
 
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