<p>OTB@C:</p>
<p>a “liberal” democrat will be welcome at West Point, as will a “conservative” republican, and anything in between. Our armed forces consist of and are supported by both “types”. The US Military is not the private preserve of any political persuasion.</p>
<p>Same goes for religion.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I was hoping for ‘boots on the ground’ type of reponses. I would have asked this question even if we were at peace. The military has a ‘right of center’ reputation, and to inquirer if a ‘left of center’ student would be accepted by peers seemed reasonable.</p>
<p>Love of country should not fall under any political ideology (left or right of center). That’s what makes this country great.</p>
<p>^^^^^^
agreed.</p>
<p>I’m not a cadet, but from my understanding you have people from all different races, religions, cultures, political parties, and even countries. I don’t think you will have any problem at all whether you support candidate “A” or candidate “B”. West Point strives to get a group of young men and women who represent the Army, that means a little bit of everything. Having one view will not hurt you at all, but will only strengthen your peers at the academy. Having a set track and not differing from it is bad, it’s great to have multiple views. One sided beliefs or debates never work. That being said, I think you having a liberal view is only going to give you a better shot at fitting in with your peers, people don’t like one sided discussions and bringing in something fresh and of your own mind is awesome.</p>
<p>Make no mistake, the culuture of West Point, the Army, and the Military as a whole is conservative, I think we’ve established that. The majority of cadets tend to be conservative, but I knew many liberal cadets as well. During the 2004 election, when I was a cow, was about the only time this was an issue, but it was an issue among my friends. If you are a vocal liberal, I think you will have a much harder time gaining acceptance than as a vocal conservative, but no one is going to hold anything against you unless they are ignorant.
In the Army, I think it’s a bit different. As I said, the Army is conservative. As an Officer, you have Soliders to lead, and brining your political beliefs to them is the wrong answer, because you’re the one who gives them orders, so even though its not like you’re telling them who to vote for, etc., you’d be suprised at the influence you have. I wont discuss politics with enlisted Soldiers, period. The only time I’ll talk politics is with my peers in private. I believe that this is the way it has to be.
Essentially, the same goes for religion. I have never been religious, never gone to services, and I was perfectly fine at West Point. I know USAFA had issues with relgions being forced upon others, but I can say with certainty that was not the issue at USMA. Never once did I feel uncomfortable because of religion. In the Army, it’s about the same. I’ll see my Battalion Commander and many other officers go to services on Sunday, but because I’m not there, does that mean they hold it against me? Absolutely not. I had an instructor at West Point who, as a lieutenant, got his Battalion Commander relieved because he was essentially forcing the officers in the Battalion to join and participate in OCF. The Army wont stand for it at all.</p>
<p>Bottom line is what’s already been brought up here: You are to support and defend the Constitution, everything else is secondary.</p>