I did not mean to infer in any way that ROTC grads are any lesser than Academy grads. I apologize if you read it that way. You have to remember that I'm not even at the academy. If I am declined an appointment again this year, but was also offered an AFROTC scholarship I'd take it in a heartbeat!
Seriously though, my parents taught me the best way to stay out of bad situations is to remove the chances of being put in them in the first place. (It's worked so far!) That's all I meant by what I said.
I'm also not saying that the Academy is perfect. Depending on your class year of course, you have the ability to go out some weekends. I'll give you a great example. In a couple weeks, Boulder is hosting a concert with my absolute favorite electronic music artists. The tickets are cheap, and I know a lot of people who are going. However bad I want to go, I will be not be attending because I'd rather not put myself in a bad situation.
It's just so easy to focus on school, especially during the week, when I'm not even allowed to go anywhere.
OP specifically asked to avoid a "word war" so I'd prefer to talk over PM if you have any questions.
Again, my personal preference is USAFA, but both are different lifestyles with different opportunities. You are privileged to be apart of either!
EDIT: And it looks like CC agrees.
Also, I don't at all believe ROTC participants party every weekend. I just used that as a possible example. Sorry if the way I worded that caused confusion. OP him/herself described the Academy as "four years of torture." I wouldn't call it torture personally, but it is what you make of it.