the academies... difference?

Whenever I've asked about what the differences between the service academies are, I always get the same answer: their missions. My ALO, former NJROTC instructor, Father (Marine Corps officer), and AFJROTC instructor all have placed their advice in this repect... that your choice of an academy should be based more extensively in knowing the mission of each branch and wanting to be a part of that. Obviously Air Force focuses on flight, Navy on sea power, and Army on land-based combat and defence.

Don't go to an academy for the sole purpose of their engineering and international relations sections. In all respects, the education is certainly comparable at every service academy. Don't think that you're going to get a lesser academic experience at any of them. I'd say go for the mission.

And to actually say what I've been told more often and from more people, Army is usually more inclined to blow things up. The sole reason one of my friends ditched the USMA idea was because the summer seminar was run by those who put a large emphasis on the subject of bombs and testing them out rather than learning more academic criteria.
 
The fact is that on land warfare, a war-fighter must be adept at using the different weapons necessary for that type of combat. Plebe summer included orienteering (thank you boy scouts for teaching this!), night-vision tracking, repelling off a cliff, flying in a blackhawk, and throwing hand grenades. This was only a small part of what my son did for his seven weeks of beast. I've heard from many people that the reason why the USMA education has a higher $$ value is because of the cost of the "toys." So yes, they do blow stuff up...but there is just so much more to it. I'm sure the other academies teach the cadets (or mids) to use the weapons necessary for success in their respective branches as well.
 
First off Just a Mom, my chosen Air Force career does not have any commissioned officers. I retired as a Senior Master Sergeant with 21 years of service. This service was performed with assignments directly working the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast guard. I grew up in Arvada Colorado and got to see USAFA several times while in High School. It was not the direction I wanted to travel at the time. I studied for a semester at UNC in Greeley Colorado before choosing the insufficient enlistment (what I believe you were trying to say) in the Air Force. I do not believe any Service Academy is superior to any other. As stated previously the education you receive at any of them will give you the foundation to do great things. The difference is what comes next. I have dealt with people who were miserable because they didn’t like their job. You don’t want to attend an academy for four years and find out you don’t really like sleeping in a tent, or you have a problem with sea sickness, or flying just isn’t what you thought it would be.

I will put my bona-fides as a lowly enlisted service member with it’s limited knowledge of the military up any day with the you.
 
BK; based on your last post, it sounds like you got some very good advice. It is all about the mission. That is what differentiates the academies. Just-A-mom; I don't know if you were implying that "I" was being condescending. If you were, then it only appears that way because maybe you don't understand. If your screen name is accurate, and you are "Just a Mom", then that would explain not understanding. And as such, there is absolutely nothing I can say to make my opinion clearer. Those who have served, are serving, at the academy, etc... hopefully understand what I was trying to convey.

If you think it was condescending, then you misinterpreted my post. For that, I apologize. In no way do I speak down to anyone willing to serve their country. Whether the motive is a deep felt passion that has been there for years; or a willingness to serve a country that provides opportunities no other in the world can, and through the benefits offered, become a better person in the future. Whatever the motivation, serving one's country is the greatest sacrifice one can make outside of dieing for their family. My only emphasis was that the academies are not like any other place. If the motivation is primarily for the education, then I suggest looking into ROTC or other means of a college education and serving after. Those who come to the academy primarily for the education and the benefits usually are not very happy; they "Struggle" through their time; and they question their choices many more times over.

Again, a person's motive for joining the military and serving their country, is totally their personal decision. My opinion however still stands, that if the primary reason for a person to attend a military academy is for the education, then they are probably not going to be very happy with their decision. Even if they feel they can give back 5 years of service for the education.
 
mom3boys, USAFA is actually more than USMA by about $25,000 per cadet. From least to most expensive per cadet: USNA, USMA, USAFA.
 
In any discussion there will be some disagreement. I would just like to remind everyone to keep your comments positive and factual. Attacks against another person serve no purpose and blur the purpose of the discussion.
I am not singling anyone out, and this warning is a general one for everyone on this board. Please keep the discussion within the rules of the forum.
Thanks in advance.

Stealth_81
Moderator - USAFA Forum
 
Size might matter

First of all, I completely agree that the mission and what you might do upon commissioning is the most important thing to look at. But as the father of a USCGA cadet, and a professor at, with another daughter attending, a large, midwestern, Big 10 university, do keep a couple of things in mind.

1. What do you plan on doing upon commissioning? Are you thinking one tour of duty then out, or making this a lifetime commitment. Not putting a value judgment on either, but it makes a difference as to the education you are looking at. For example, a Naval Engineering degree is probably most useful if you stay in the service for a period of time....but if you are thinking one tour and out, maybe a more "civilian" type degree such as CE or ME might be better.

2. Remember that each SA has a certain "flavor" to their degree. Although I suspect all the mechanical engineering programs are similar, I suspect the AFA and USCGA have some differences even in "identical" majors. What "flavor" suits you best?

3. Are you thinking about a masters degree at some point? If so, the type of BS degree you enroll in and the particular SA might affect your choice. If you are thinking of a master, how do most graduates of the SA you are interested in eventually pursue one?

4. And last but not least, does the overall size of the academy matter to you? Large schools have their advantages, (I know....I teach at one with over 35,000 undergraduates), but they have disadvantages as well. Small schools have their place too. It's not always just the faculty/student ratio that matters, the overall size might matter to you as well. I wouldn't care about what others think, instead concentrate on what you feel works best for you?

So look at all of this, digest the information, and talk to others. I have always found that talking to graduates of different programs can be useful. But they always think their school is/was the best (and so do I :smile:). A
good question to ask these people sometimes is

"which school do you think is SECOND best?"

and then ask them why. You might gain some interesting insight that way.

In any case....Good luck

Mike
 
When we were at PW, I heard a lot of talk among the 4*s about "cross commissioning." As I understand it, cadets may elect to commission in a different branch of the military. In my sons' cases, that would mean as AFA grads, they could commission in the Marines, or Navy, or CG or Army. How common is this practice? I cannot imagine after four years of the intense study and training, and especially after graduating with your class, too many would want to take that option.

Also, I might check out just how many of the cadets who graduate do a "five and fly."

MNolan makes some very good points in his post.
 
More people are turned down to cross-commission than are allowed. Plenty want to do Army or Marines, but now a days most need to have familial reasons (like a grandparent and parent that was army/marines) to cross-commission.

I think that its easier to cross commission from AF to Army or Marines rather than the opposite due to the need to fill Army/Marine junior officer ranks with the retention going down.
 
As Hornet said it does not happen with great frequency. The exception is the Army (USAF actually had a program called blue to green) becuase they were afraid they would exceed end strength goals in the Company Grade Officer slots (2nd Lt, 1st Lt, Capt.).

The Marines are much more difficult. Even the number they allow to enter from Annapolis is extremely competitive. More Mids apply then slots available. They definately keep to the "Few the Proud" motto.

Dont take this as a knock on any other branch. The Army just has the greatest need. As for the Five and fly, again I believe Army has the highest attrition by choice. The actual numbers are published and I'm not sure if it is at the DoD or individual services websites. Still most who graduate from an Academy stay unless they are affected by a drawdown.
 
Blue to green still exists. They are trying to pull junior officers that are likely to be force shaped out of the AF.

As far as cross-commissioning, I asked my AOC here about that a few days ago ironically. I was prior Army enlisted and both my father and grandfather were Army officers so following that tradition appeals to me, but I don't think I will do it because I love the Air Force. She told me that of all the people that applied under ten got to do it last year, and then only the ones with legacies in the army, everyone else was slotted to space and missles.
 
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