<p>I am really interested in both USNA and USMA.
However, I just noticed something attention-grabbing.
I think that you are obligated to serve for at least 5 years for army if you choose to go west point.
And I believe USNA wants you to fulfill that mission as well. However, I have seen some cases that some USNA graduates go to NFL after only serving 2 yrs at navy.
Are there any similar cases or leniency for west point graduates too?</p>
<p>Or Is this for only USNA graduates?</p>
<p>The purpose of United States Service Academy's is to train and prepare young men and women to be officers in the military. If you are there for any other reason it is not the place for you.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, USMA requires 5 years active duty, followed by 2 years of reserves.
USNA requires a minimum of 5 years of active duty, more depending on what service line you choose.</p>
<p>While football at the academies is a "good thing," just remember it is clearly "secondary, optional and conditional." The mission is to develop you to be a leader....and while the grid iron can be a battlefield, it is not the one they are training you for! </p>
<p>There was a case last year of a USMA grad that was drafted for the NFL- and for a short time it appeared it was going to happen- until the word got out to much "negative press", leading to a reconsideration of the public dollars used to educate this young man- the outcome is that he is currently fulfilling his service obligation.</p>
<p>The committment to serve is the same for all services in all Service Academies. This is 5 years Active Duty and 3 years Reserves or IRR. This includes USNA. AD service time can be added depending if you get extra schooling etc. i.e. flight school - this applies to all services - not just Navy.</p>
<p>You may be thinking of Kyle Eckel - the Navy football star who is currently playing in the NFL. The US Navy released him from his service - the conditions are slightly mysterious.
Don't plan on this happening to you - in fact you don't want to be a Kyle Eckel - IMO.</p>
<p>The commitment is generally the same for USMA, USAFA, and USNA. At a minimum, you owe 5 yrs active + 3 inactive reserves (you don't have to drill but are subject to call up). For the USN, if you choose to become a pilot, your "payback" doesn't start until you earn your "wings of gold" and then it is more than 5 yrs, depending (I believe) on the aircraft you fly. However, it IS your option to become a pilot. Ships, submariners, and USMC types do 5 yrs. (I should add that the other SAs may also impose longer commitments for certain warfare specialties (i.e., USAF pilot) but I'm not familiar with those so can't comment).</p>
<p>Note that, as an officer, you always serve at the pleasure of the President. Thus, you aren't guaranteed to be able to leave the moment you want to (although, in practice, officers are rarely forced to stay on). Also, certain other choices (schools, new orders) can result in a slightly longer commitment -- again, it will typically be your choice whether to accept those. </p>
<p>Do not even concern your self with whether certain athletes may or may not be granted a reduced obligation. It has happened about once a decade at USNA -- that's one individual in 10 years out of the 40,000+ graduates during that time. </p>
<p>Finally, I realize that it's important to understand what your commitment is. But if you're choosing a SA based (even in part) on how little time you will spend in that service . . . may want to consider whether this is the right career for you.</p>
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<p>40,000+ graduates in 10 years? :confused:</p>
<p>That's the new USNA math. :confused: Trusting she meant approximately 10K fresh alumni over the decade. ;)</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Yep. Knew there was a reason I was a bull major!</p>
<p>Regarding Eckel, he graduated last in his class and was soon released from the Navy for poor performance. He owed the Navy at least 90k (maybe more, correct me if I'm wrong). I'm sure he didn't have much of a problem paying it off with his signing bonus and subsequent contract.</p>
<p>Didn't he originally sign with the "patriots"? How's that for some irony. :p</p>
<p>Sounds like his separation might have been a not-so-disguised blessing for his USN teammates. And that he might have been one of those miscast Mids to begin with.</p>
<p>P.S. And 1985 ...you're as shrewd as Perry Mason and Ironsides combined. You were just checking to see who was listening to your final argument, right. ;)</p>
<p>(And our less "mature" readers are wondering ... Who the **** are Perry Mason and Ironsides. The one's a ship but who's the dude??? :confused:)</p>