<p>BTW an article by John Reed who I mentioned earlier specifically about whether a person should go to West Point is at Should</a> you go to, or stay at, West Point by John T. Reed I strongly urge the OP to read it.</p>
<p>There are many true things in that article. However, Mr. Reed has a different set of priorities than many. He obviously greatly values his independence, creative freedom, and ability to make changes without longwinded processes (something I value, as well). </p>
<p>If you want to be a wildly sucessful businessperson, a service academy is NOT the place for you. If you want to be a doctor, a service academy is NOT the place for you. If you want to be a military leader, take the responsibility for your soldiers, and do everything in your power to keep our military the best military, then a service academy MIGHT be the right place for you.</p>
<p>You can still become a second lieutenant via the ROTC route and get a real college experience. Definitely go to West Point a) if you can get in, b) if you want to excel through the ranks of the military and have a military career.</p>
<p>I'm actually in ROTC right now. Its good. Training is good. I like it. No lights out at 11 am every day for PT in the morning like I hear at West Point. lol That sucks.</p>
<p>ROTC is definitely a way to get a commission. In some ways, I wish I had gone ROTC; however in other ways I'm glad I chose a service academy. Going ROTC will, generally, be a more conventional experience (because a service academy experience is very real :P ). I consider myself fortunate to have the oportunity to do some less conventional stuff. I agree that a lot of academy training could be done differently. I also believe that there are real benefits to some of the "BS" things we do...but those benefits sometimes only surface in extraordinary situations.</p>
<p>nice. <em>nods solemnly</em></p>
<p>Nice, pulling up a FIVE year old thread.</p>