<p>Just a heads-up. The MIlitary Channel will be rebroadcasting "Inside America's Military Academies" once again on Wednesday starting at 5 PM PST. Check you local times for the correct start time.</p>
<p>It's getting a bit dated since it was originally shot in 1998 but it's still relevant and gives a glimpse of life at the Four Military Academies.</p>
<p>Awesome! I have been waiting for the Military Channel to broadcast this forever! I watch it every single time its on. I dont care how dated it is...its still one of my favorite shows! Thanks for the heads up, I really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Hello MDNDAD,
The last time I checked there were 5 US military academies, The US Naval Academy, West point, Airforce, Coast Guard, and last but not least, The US Merchant Marine Academy. My son is a Plebe candidate at Kings Point. I Wonder if the Military Channel mentions them.</p>
<p>That show does not mention MMA. Not that they're not important, but they are not feautured.</p>
<p>I'll stir up the nest a bit . . . .</p>
<p>It may be because, technically, the USMMA is not a "military" academy.
While it should be considered a "service" academy, the USMMA does not come under DOD funding; furthermore, distinguished from the Coast Guard, I am not aware of a statute that recognizes the "merchant marine" as an armed service.</p>
<p>So, it seems, the Academy is not really a "military" academy.</p>
<p>Yes . . . graduates are obligated to "serve" their country and do so proudly. Many graduates from many different universities do so also.</p>
<p>Yes, gradutes may be commissioned in the armed services [the "military"] but they do not have the same service obligation as gradautes from the "military" academies. </p>
<p>Yes . . .mids are currently "serving" in combat zones, but I don't think mids are considered active duty "military." Are they? Do they have DOD identification cards?</p>
<p>A subtle distinction, perhaps, but one that is noteworthy. The USMMA has many good things about it that should be touted, but I don't think it is a "military" academy.</p>
<p>Bill is correct(and nicely stated). USMMA IS a federal service academy(DOT funded). USMA/USNA/USAFA are federal military service academies(DOD funded). USCGA got 'rebranded' into homeland security/dod funding bucket after 9/11. </p>
<p>For USMMA, 30%+ go Active Duty... numbers vary by year.
And they are well appreciated for their specialized training, and service branches are happy to get that level of experience.</p>
<p>But from the get go, they take the same oath as a part of the United States Naval Reserve(<=2005)/United States Navy Reserve(>=2006) as Midshipmen ANYWHERE else.</p>
<p>(Kudos to all the kids who chose to serve).</p>
<p>USMMA is indeed a Military academy. There are plenty of military academies and colleges and even high school around. They all provide an education in a strict military environment.
Some states even have military colleges - The Citadel, VMI for example. These grads are not required to serve in the Armed Forces, unless they have contracted with ROTC. Hence, they are not "Service academies".
USMMA is a service academy as well - a committment to serve the United States is made as a part of attendence. They are US Navy midshipmen who must serve in the Naval Reserve and work in the maritime industry. Of course some go active duty and that fulfills the service as well.</p>
<p>I can't speculate on why USMMA is not highlighted in the documentary - perhaps because the grads are not all commissioned into the same service.
They do highlight officer education for the four branches of the Armed Forces.</p>
<p>Interesting perspective . . . .</p>
<p>If I understand you correctly, you would define any college, even within a University, that maintains a strict military environment as a "military academy." Even expanding the definition to include military high-schools.</p>
<p>Does that mean members of a military-style corp, say the Tex. AM Corp of Cadets, could also be taken to be attending a military academy?</p>
<p>But, I am confused, the term is "military academy" not "military-style academy." Without the modifier, the implication is that it is an academy "owned" or "sponsored" by the military, generally t hought to be the armed forces of a country. That is, upon graduation, the academy has trained you to serve in the military and that you are required to serve in themilitary.
The same can be said of "police academies." There may be many police-style academies but only one [within a jurisdiction] police academy that is tied to a sponsoring organization..<br>
The term "para-military", is often used to describe police forces. While police forces can legitibately be described as "para-military" that does not make them "military." </p>
<p>According to your standard, the VMI and Citadel should be defined as "military academies" but not "service academies" because their graduates are not required to provide any "service" to the country?
What about grads who do, ultimately, serve in the reserves or active duty? </p>
<p>The correct term, therefore, for VMI, Citadel, AND USMMA is that they are "para-military" academies, that is, they are military-style but not military in that they are not sponsored by the military.</p>
<p>What percentage of USMMA graduates go active duty? On another thread that number was presented and it seems it was less than 50%<br>
How does that compare to VMI or Citadel?
How does that compare to the USNA, USMA, USAFA, or USCGA? I think the answer to the last question is obvious.
Many schools produce excellent graduates who go into active duty, yet they are not generally described as "military" acadamies.</p>
<p>By including VMI and Citadel, ar eyou suggesting that graduates from those schools are comparable, in their training and demeanor, to USMMA graduates? </p>
<p>Whatever floats your boat [so to speak].</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.amcsus.org/%5DAMCSUS%5B/url">http://www.amcsus.org/]AMCSUS[/url</a>]</p>
<p>this link provides a directory of military colleges that are approved by the DoD.
Bet you didn't know that The Citadel and VMI have military programs that are approved by the Department of Defense. The would make them "Military". By Definition.</p>
<p>Are the rest of your questions rhetorical?</p>
<p>VMI and the Citadel along with VPISU, Norwich, Texas A&M are all designated by the DoD as "Senior Military Colleges" that are recognized and defined under 10 USC as inherently different than ROTC at other colleges- they most definitely are not para-military colleges and VMI and Norwich predate USNA and USAFA. Having said that they are not military "academies" and most definitely not Federal Service Academies, and while many of the aspects of a cadet's experience are pretty similar to those experienced at a Service Academy clearly they are different places with different missions from the Federal Service Academies. As far as why USMMA isn't featured in the TV special- probably some staffer somewhere looked up the 4 seperate branches of the Armed Forces and away they went. I don't think it's a reflection on USMMA.</p>
<p>^^^
well said & thanks - you explained much better than I.</p>
<p>I should also add that the DoD also recognizes Military Junior colleges - which include Marion Military Institute and New Mexico Military Institute (among others). Many service academy prep students attend these schools for one year - they are however two year junior colleges. Fully recognized by the DoD but not run by the federal government.</p>
<p>I agree with Keydet. Since 1998, I am sure that USMMA has gotten a lot more publicity and more people have heard of it now that time has passes. It could have simply been a mistake of the creators of the documentary, considering that USAFA, USNA, USMA, and USCGA stood out more. I wouldnt take it as an insult to USMMA though, if a documentary was made today, I have a pretty good feeling that USMMA would be included...especially since they're USCGA's rivals in sports lol.</p>
<p>Hey, keydet, you left out one on your list of Senior Military Colleges - North Georgia College and State University. </p>
<p>oops- sorry!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Don't blow Bill off. This is kinda cool. Makes me think our Military schools are a part of a South American junta. It is the only other occasion which I have heard referred to as a para military organization.</p>
<p>I could be incorrect on this, but from what I recall USMMA does not require service other than 5 years in the merchant marine- which can be substituted with naval reserves, or commission into Navy or Army. Where is Jamzmom when we need her?</p>
<p>From the USMMA:
[quote]
No other federal service academy offers you the career options of Kings Point. You may choose to seek your opportunity as a ship's officer at sea, ashore in the maritime and intermodal transportation field, or as an active duty officer in one of the Armed Forces.</p>
<p>Since the Federal Government has provided your education at King Point, you will have a service obligation when you graduate -- in the maritime and/or transportation industry, and to Armed Forces Reserve duty.</p>
<p>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oh goodie! Another KP discussion. Gee thanks Navy2010. LOL Ok. I'll bite but I'm putting on my safety gear first. KP grads going active duty to any service branch must serve five years. For those going Reservists into any branch, its 8 years of service. They are all Naval Reservist while KP Mids and as I found out, they go nutty on you with all the choices. Yay, I'm getting a Coastie. </p>
<p>Hey Bill, let me ask the boy about the DOD card thing. Good question. I think he had one while on official orders with MSC during Sea Year. I remember the thing was green & had an expiration date so it was temporary per his orders. I saw it was a boat load of paper work to get. I dunno. Will ask & post back. </p>
<p>About 35 to 40% go active duty at graduation while the rest remain reservist. A good portion of the reservists stay Navy.</p>
<p>At KP we get DOD cards. </p>
<p>I must say when I read Bill's comments I was a bit ticked off. However, that was over twelve hours ago and now I've calmed down a little bit. </p>
<p>Don't you guys think that you are splitting hairs a little too much perhaps? Ok, so I don't have to join the Army, AF, CG, or active Navy...and yes I can take a civilian job. Yet, everyday I wake up at 0630, shave, put on a US Navy Uniform, salute the flag at morning colors, eat in a "mess hall", go to six hours of class, march to lunch, take part in parade practices/parades, keep my hair to US Navy regs, and well...the list goes on. Yeah, I think one could make a convincing argument that KP is a military college...or at least has a military based regimental system. Why some parents, but not all, who have never been through one of these schools passively attacks them is beyond me. I'm sure my normal day is nearly as bad, as bad, or worse then a MIDN or Cadet at one of the four more prestigious service academies. </p>
<p>On top of all this, I don't see the reason why parents feel the need to make it seem like the other four academies are a cut above because they are real military academies (this is how I am interpreting some of this at least). Are adults really having a "mines better match" over the internet? Get over it! Fine, think your son/daughter school is "cooler" I'm still going to school for basically free and when I get out I can do what I want...and I still even get to wear a class ring (that thing is heavy, lemme tell you). </p>
<p>You guys can go at it all you want, but in the end why waste the key strokes?</p>
<p>Well said, DG3! You have all posted some great information, and links I'll take a look at as well. Thanks. Didn't realize some of these existed.</p>
<h2>Those kids .. .don't waste time splitting hairs on academic arguments of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. They seem genuinely helpful to others at other academies -- although my firsthand observation is that they won't hesitate to let the others know how lax standards must be getting 'over there', just look at how long your hair is getting! All in good fun. </h2>
<p>The show should be great... We got DVDs of 'Surviving WestPoint' series... and enough of it translates pretty directly to life at a service academy. It's hard, there's a LOT to balance, no time, regimental and traditional requirements -- and (most importantly) there are exceptionally dedicated young adults who have stepped up to the plate.</p>