<p>thoughts? personal experiences (or childrens' experiences)? worth it?</p>
<p>There are threads on each of the service academies here:</p>
<p>Best sources of info are visits or books (highly recommend Absolutely American by Lipsky).</p>
<p>Short answer: depends on the kid.</p>
<p>Also, if you are a junior in high school you should investigate the summer programs at each of the service academies. It's a great way to get a hands-on experience to help determine your real level of interest. Each of academies has its own web site with information on the programs.</p>
<p>If interested in a military career, you may also want to consider ROTC programs.</p>
<p>And I agree with KateLewis, it depends on the kid.</p>
<p>Just to make a plug for ROTC. I know that some people like the idea of the academies and all their discipline, but I personally believe that doing ROTC at a school like Georgetown, for example, can be a better 'college experience'.</p>
<p>I have 3 friends attending academies (2 @ annapolis, 1 @ colorado springs), and they are all three from military families, and they know this is what they want to do. I believe that if their are doubts about a career choice, the academies should be avoided, because it is much easier to get out or ROTC than get out of an academy (with all the transfer hassle)</p>
<p>Also, the summer after junior year, if not before, the process for admission to the academies should already have started, with their requirements of recommendations from high places and such, as well as the physical tests, these things take time, and you cannot mail out the application at the last minute.</p>
<p>I agree with soccerguy. I've worked for the military my entire career and have known academy grads. I believe that those who attend academies know from a pretty early age that they want a military career. In many cases because they are from military families. The discipline and regimentation are extraordinary. If you have to ask....it's probably not for you. But I do second the recommendation for ROTC, with the caveat that you know what you're committing to. You could very well end up serving in a place like Iraq. Just go in with your eyes open.</p>
<p>I suspect that a high number of candidates to the service academies have always known that they want a military career. However, some kids come to this decision after quite a bit of soul searching. Also, in my daughter's case as well as so many other high school students, 9/11 had a major impact in their decision making process. My best recommendation is to speak with people in the military (including people who have left), research the different services, and make the decision for the right reasons. If you have an opportunity to speak with cadets and graduates, it should be helpful. Finally, if you're a junior, I still suggest applying for the summer programs.</p>