USMA vs USAFA

Zaggs

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Feb 19, 2017
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As of right now, I have an appointment to USMA and USAFA. I've read previous posts about this and looked at both cultures and personalities of the branches. I talked to admissions officers from both academies and I know that I will be happy at either place. I love flying (father is a flight instructor) and I love getting hands-on and in the mud (AFJROTC orienteering and o-courses). My question right now is more of where will I be happiest. If anyone can give insight that's more than giving info about jobs or about how each branch operates, I would be very appreciative.
 
Neither is a bad option. And I'll agree with what has been said above about non-pilot fields. When I started at West Point, I wanted to be Armor. About Cow year that changed and I wanted to be a logistician. I really love it. I did my platoon time in a light infantry battalion doing distribution and maintenance and loved doing tactical level support. There's two things that have really resonated with me that I love about what I do. The first was during a planning exercise prior to a JRTC rotation. I was the Brigade Assistant S4 and the Brogade CSM stopped the staff and said "You guys are warm here in this tent right now, just don't forget the 18 year old kid that's going to be executing this plan in the rain tomorrow." The other is this A-10 pilot's TED Talk.
 
Speaking as an appointee (not a retiree) I'd say my advice is inherently limited. That said, this is one of those decisions that there is no wrong choice. Definitely visit each academy if you haven't already. Although not an exact mirror image, doing so will give you a better picture of the culture of each branch. Also, spend a bit of time thinking about what happens 10 or so years down the road (yes I know things will probably change), do you make the military a career? Do you get out? If you do get out, what is appealing to you, and which branch would align well?

At the end of the day, its the people that define an organization, not the job or the equipment. Good luck!
 
@OP
Several candidates asked the same question and there are tons of invaluable answers that make us humble.
As a SA candidate, I am so honored to see these writeups based on many years' hands-on experiences.

There are similar threads about USNA vs. USMA as well.

The common advice was "Don't focus on your 4-year education at a SA but try to feel the Big Picture on your life as a commissioned officer in the specific branch." I think that this is the best advice for all candidates.

Isn't it amazing? :)













 
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@dreamwiz
You just dropped the mic on Siri and Alexa. Very kind of you to do the research for a fellow traveler in your road.
Thank you, ma'am,
Actually, your insightful advice in several threads (some of them are almost 10 years old!) has helped me to make the right choice.
I realized that I will need more salt in my career path, and this would be the "optimum" path not only for me but also for this great country. 🌊

I hope that OP can also find good advice from the above working for him or her.
 
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