USMA or USAFA I want to hear opinions of those that have been/are going

MidCakePa said:
+1 to the advice above.

Your question is fairly common but ultimately unanswerable in this venue. I doubt you’ll find anyone who was a cadet at both USMA and USAFA, so you’ll mainly hear about an experience at one place but not at both.

Here’s one way to think about it: If forced to go with your second career choice, are you happy with it. For example, if you can’t get Army infantry or Air Force pilot, are you enthused about option #2? What about #3? And #4...and so on? The longer the list, the more likely you’ll be satisfied with the overall experience. Ultimately the needs of the service come first, so you have to be enthused about whatever Uncle Sam throws at you.

In terms of strictness or fun, forget the reputations. USAFA will be plenty strict. USMA will be plenty fun. Don’t worry about things from that aspect.
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This is absolutely spot on advice with AV related positions in particular. There are a lot of things that can be completely outside a cadet's control that will prevent them from branching aviation for AF or Army mostly due to the higher medical standards flight physicals require. For anyone looking at either service, if you want to fly and you head to an Academy, you won't typically do your flight physical (at least USMA/ROTC side) until your junior year after you've already committed to staying. If flying is what you want to do and its taken away from you for reasons completely out of your control, where else would you be happy serving?
 
I followed some Air Force plebes (or whatever they're called there) around for four days at USAFA leading up to this year's football game. I can give you some honest comparison of life there solely based on that, but nothing else:

Air Force AcademyWest Point
1. Plebe year is "harder" but shorter, hazing is more pointless
2. There is no four-class system. You're a plebe or you're an upperclassman.
3. Plebe academic rigor is lighter
4. More STEM oriented
5. Physical fitness is not universal
6. Upperclassman/underclassman divide is large
7. Cadets are happier
8. Chain of Command dynamic is pointless
9. Cadets quite honestly were just weird people, many with awkward social skills
10. Met many Cadets who wanted to cross commission
11. Cadets are allowed to leave much more often
12. Colorado Springs is great, if you have a car. Mountains beautiful, however very flat otherwise and landlocked
13. Buildings are kindof ugly and many are run down inside
14. Branching process is relatively limited: pilots & others
15. People keep to themselves more		1. Plebe year is "easier" but longer, discipline is generally with purpose
2. Gain more privileges each year, West Point senior = USAFA sophomore
3. Plebe academic rigor is heavier
4. STEM and non-STEM options for academics
5. Larger culture of physical fitness
6. Upperclassmen heavily involved in development
7. Cadets are more cynical
8. Chain of Command runs everything
9. Cadets are typically quite normal and personable with the exception of some
10. Meet few Cadets who want to cross commission
11. Plebes do not leave very much
12. Highland Falls is not great. Hills and river beautiful
13. Prettier environment, most buildings newly renovated
14. Branching is like a career fair
15. Company dependent, everyone spends time with one another
This is based only on my observations from being there for a few days (and at West Point for 200). Take it with a grain of salt. Know that I do want to become an aviation officer and picked West Point to do so because I prefer rotary-wing airframes. We do have an Aviation club, opportunities to complete FAA ground school certs, and an Aeronautical Engineering minor within the MechE major. Air Force is much more like a civilian college than West Point, and I doubt their cadets would argue that.

All depends on what you want. I'm obviously biased. You'll have more fun at Air Force, but I wouldn't change my decision. What comes after is more important.
 
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My WP son had an AFA cadet for a roommate. He was happy at AFA but he was interested in what WP was like so he spent a semester at WP. He said that it was very easy to get a spot at WP because almost no one from AFA actually wanted to attend WP for a semester. He had no competition for his spot at WP. He knew that it would be physically more rigorous at WP (and it was!) but I don't know if he found it academically any different.

My point - if you end up at AFA, you can spend a semester at WP.
 
My nephew is at Air Force. He loves it. They seem to tear down but build up. My son went to West Point. It is prestiges for sure, but they seem to tear down forever. I'd pray about it as really it sounds like you can't go wrong.
 
sugar4 said:
My nephew is at Air Force. He loves it. They seem to tear down but build up. My son went to West Point. It is prestiges for sure, but they seem to tear down forever. I'd pray about it as really it sounds like you can't go wrong.
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I would disagree with that West Point tears you down forever, as the current cadet above compared afa to wp he said they discipline with purpose. I believe the purpose is to turn them into leaders. If you want to be a leader I think West Point is the place to be. If you want to be a fixed wing pilot afa is the place to be.
 
AF-or-Army2024 said:
Aeronautical engineer
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Based on your responses, my natural lean is Go Air Force and Semester Exchange in your 2/C at West Point. That’s me based on your responses including your intended Major and Pilot Career as your #1 choice. I think you lean more to Air Force on career and to West Point for its tradition and historical luster of the brand. Represent the Air Force at Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition at West Point. Air Force won the Sword in 2019.

Congrats again and enjoy your last semester in High School. Just be sure you’re comfortable with high altitude and thin air. You’re from Hawaii, that’s at the sea level. Air Force sits at 7,000 feet above sea level and you’ll spend 6 months to 3 years acclimating to breathing in thin air. You’ll need to be more physically fit everyday. Minor point but something else to consider.
 
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prospective2019 said:
I followed some Air Force plebes (or whatever they're called there) around for four days at USAFA leading up to this year's football game. I can give you some honest comparison of life there solely based on that, but nothing else:

Air Force AcademyWest Point
1. Plebe year is "harder" but shorter, hazing is more pointless
2. There is no four-class system. You're a plebe or you're an upperclassman.
3. Plebe academic rigor is lighter
4. More STEM oriented
5. Physical fitness is not universal
6. Upperclassman/underclassman divide is large
7. Cadets are happier
8. Chain of Command dynamic is pointless
9. Cadets quite honestly were just weird people, many with awkward social skills
10. Met many Cadets who wanted to cross commission
11. Cadets are allowed to leave much more often
12. Colorado Springs is great, if you have a car. Mountains beautiful, however very flat otherwise and landlocked
13. Buildings are kindof ugly and many are run down inside
14. Branching process is relatively limited: pilots & others
15. People keep to themselves more		1. Plebe year is "easier" but longer, discipline is generally with purpose
2. Gain more privileges each year, West Point senior = USAFA sophomore
3. Plebe academic rigor is heavier
4. STEM and non-STEM options for academics
5. Larger culture of physical fitness
6. Upperclassmen heavily involved in development
7. Cadets are more cynical
8. Chain of Command runs everything
9. Cadets are typically quite normal and personable with the exception of some
10. Meet few Cadets who want to cross commission
11. Plebes do not leave very much
12. Highland Falls is not great. Hills and river beautiful
13. Prettier environment, most buildings newly renovated
14. Branching is like a career fair
15. Company dependent, everyone spends time with one another
This is based only on my observations from being there for a few days (and at West Point for 200). Take it with a grain of salt. Know that I do want to become an aviation officer and picked West Point to do so because I prefer rotary-wing airframes. We do have an Aviation club, opportunities to complete FAA ground school certs, and an Aeronautical Engineering minor within the MechE major. Air Force is much more like a civilian college than West Point, and I doubt their cadets would argue that.


All depends on what you want. I'm obviously biased. You'll have more fun at Air Force, but I wouldn't change my decision. What comes after is more important.
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Very good breakdown.
 
If it makes you feel any better I found out yesterday that I got into USAFA but I do have my LOA for USMA as well so I feel your struggle. Than you for posting this thread
 
dreamwiz said:
@OP
My dilemma is "USNA" vs. "USMA". I plan to accept either one sometime in Feb.

A little different aspect and dilemma but it should be same in terms of an ultimate decision.

Although the following old thread is for USNA vs USMA, there are great insights and advices based on many years' hands-on experiences.

USNA vs. USMA

So, I never thought I would ever have to make this decision; however, I have recently been accepted to USMA, as well as USNA from a month earlier. My background: I have been pursuing USMA for 6 years, and it has always been my first choice. When I got the call from my congressman's office, it...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

You seem to have chosen USAFA already but the above link would be helpful. Good luck!
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Yes I have chosen but thank you for the link. I wish you luck in your decision also!
 
Zaggs said:
If it makes you feel any better I found out yesterday that I got into USAFA but I do have my LOA for USMA as well so I feel your struggle. Than you for posting this thread
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Literally in the same exact boat as you. You're welcome for posting the thread and hopefully it will help you make your decision as it helped me. Good luck!
 
I have definetly heard that the Cadet experience at USAFA is a little easier and less harsh. Since USMA is the eldest of the 5 military academies some of their traditions are a bit harsher than that of the others. The USAFA is definetly better if you don't wanna deal with the "Plebe poop" of USMA
 
Congratulations on your appointments. Being from HI, must have had a Presidential nom as the congressional delegation had not submitted their slates by the time you received your appointments. Sounds like you will excel at either place and I wish you all the best in you journey. Keep us posted...Aloha!
 
Aina Haina said:
Congratulations on your appointments. Being from HI, must have had a Presidential nom as the congressional delegation had not submitted their slates by the time you received your appointments. Sounds like you will excel at either place and I wish you all the best in you journey. Keep us posted...Aloha!
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Thank you very much! As for the nom, I got a call from my Congressman who had been in DC at the time and said that they had planned to offer me the next day. So I naturally thought it must be a congressional nom. Aloha!
 
At the end of the day, both are good places to be from. I had a USAFA cadet as my roommate Cow year and still keep up with him. He's a KC-10 pilot and just bought his own plane. It's also a decision that no one can make for you. Try to talk to grads from each on the phone or in person. There's definitely a Chapter of the Association of Graduates for each in Hawaii.
 
Anschutz said:
At the end of the day, both are good places to be from. I had a USAFA cadet as my roommate Cow year and still keep up with him. He's a KC-10 pilot and just bought his own plane. It's also a decision that no one can make for you. Try to talk to grads from each on the phone or in person. There's definitely a Chapter of the Association of Graduates for each in Hawaii.
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Thank you I appreciate it. I actually decided to accept USAFA about February so I’m excited.
 
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