<p>It sounds like you have a gift for learning languages. I know some students who study multiple languages and are fluent in several; there's no reason to think you need to limit yourself. I would assume you are fairly fluent in Spanish at this point. A military future and fluency in a middle eastern language sounds like a fabulous combination! I would guess you would be highly sought after.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that if you will be working in an area of the world where you'll need an additional language, the Army will likely send you to the Defense Language Institute. </p>
<p>Defense</a> Language Institute Foreign Language Center</p>
<p>Oh, yeah, AROTC is lots more fun than NROTC. :) :)</p>
<p>(The 1st smilie is for everyone who needs it. The 2nd smilie is for anyone who thought I wasn't joking.)</p>
<p>My oldest son is a firstie who is a double Arabic/Spanish major. He also speaks Italian and French. You will find the forgeign language department is outstanding, and cadets studying mulitple languages is not unusual. The Arabic text currently used by most of the major university programs in the US was written by one of the department professors. During these times of tighter budgets, this department has had a huge increase in theirs -- the Army having recognized the need for officers who can communicate effectively in a global environment. It is the aim of the department to send each of the cadets majoring in a language abroad for a full semester of study. My son just spent the fall semester at the University of Jordan in Amman. He's had classmates spend a semster in Russia, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Morrocco, Spain, Mexico, etc. There are also untold opportunites for further travel/study for varying lengths of time during the year. For a language major seriously considering a military career, I don't think you could do much better than USMA.</p>
<p>thank you guys all so much for the responses! I will definitely consider your insights in my decision. I hope that the candidate visit will also help me make this choice... but at least I know that both paths lead to my end goal.</p>
<p>Please remember that on the visit you will meet with some curmudgeonly, cynical cadets. We hear every year that they will tell appointees not to attend West Point. Some of it is in fun, but it has been said that griping about West Point is a popular pastime at USMA. Just don't be surprised by it.</p>
<p>When I read Absolutely American by David Lipsky, he stated that although there was griping, by far the students at the USMA were the happiest college students he had seen.</p>
<p>It's what you make of it, really.</p>
<p>yea when I had a visit last year it seemed like they all like to mess around just a little with you. It's all in good fun though, once in a while you'll hear a few honest complaints, but it is what it is.</p>
<p>I decided to pursue the academy route instead of ROTC because I felt that a regimented school would be best for me, and the impression I got was that USMA cadets were a bit more immersed in the structure and were more committed to military life. Just my opinion. I'm sure that if you get with a tight ROTC unit, the experience would be just as committed and structured.</p>