<p>Hello, I am currently a high school senior who is very interested in The United States Military. I have a fairly competitive academic records that is supported by a wide-spectrum of activities. Although I may not be the perfect 2400 or all 5s on APs, I do have this ambition to lead and stand out. The biggest difference between me and my peers is my outlook in my future. I don't just look at my undergraduate program, but is hoping and question which graduate program would best suit an individual who is interested in both economics and politics.</p>
<p>So, how many cadets become successful when he or she goes back to civilian life after 5 years. Does West Point or any of you guys know the percentage of WP graduates who stays in active duty after 5 years. Do West Point cadet have a competitive opportunity to pursue business - like a CEO status position or politics - like a Senator or Rep. </p>
<p>I personally don't have concrete idea of what I want to be or do. I just naively like economics and politics. I'm sure that when I face the reality of it, my position may sway. However, concerning the issues on top, please feel free to discuss and share ideas.</p>
<p>There is a report published on the West Point Association of Graduates website that details retention rates of graduates; I haven't read the report thoroughly but from what i saw i think it may answer some of your questions concerning retention percentages.</p>
<p>As for the success of graduates in the civilian world, these</p>
<p>^^^^^Oops, accidentally posted before i was finished!</p>
<p>kpsong87:</p>
<p>There is a report published on the West Point Association of Graduates website that details retention rates of graduates; I haven't read the report thoroughly but from what i saw i think it may answer some of your questions concerning retention percentages.</p>
<p>As of October 18, 2008, the Oldest Living USMA Graduate is COL Maury S Cralle USA (Retired), Class of 1928 , born on Aug 05, 1904. </p>
<p>As of 18 October 2008, the Mid-Point of the Long Gray Line belongs to MAJ Mark S. McConkey USA Class of 1983. There are 47,011 living graduates.</p>
<p>Just to supplement my previous statement/comment.<br>
For the West Point graduates who have past their 5 year commitment and are looking to the civilian life, do you feel like the 5 years was not a waste of time but a time that "other" students used to get a well-financed job, internship, or master degrees, as a disadvantage? Honestly, i do not know clearly what position or job that I truly want to pursue; however, if anything is clear, I do want to become a leader who can represent the "good" in this world. I know that is just a naive statement. But, many leaders in this society have succumbed into their dark desires as greed. I have been reading some of the post from West Point and have continuously saw the negative outlook on the "5 and fly" attitude. If a West Point candidate represent the Long Gray Line in any fields of success, is not that as good as becoming an officer? I feel that if i do commit a 20 year or longer at the military, I would not create a more diverse impact in our society as in business, politics, or law. I know I just ask a lot of comments/questions/concerns very bluntly, so I sorry the lack of eloquence. </p>
<p>Thank You AmericanSoldier for your advice and comments. The Statistics was very helpful. But I think what the statistic lacks, if the positive impact/success that West Point candidate bring to our civilian society.</p>
<p>Please feel free to comment, and thank you for your advice</p>
<p>There is a negative stigma about "5 and dive." </p>
<p>Look at the mission of USMA
[quote]
To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.
[/quote]
Notice the last part. </p>
<p>Yes, WP does a good job at producing leaders who excel in the civilian world, but that is not the purpose. If you are looking at WP as a stepping stone to civilian success, and don't care too much about the whole military aspect, WP is not the place for you. Now, if you really want to be an officer and then become a civic leader, that is different.</p>
<p>West Point grads leaving the Army are heavily recruited for a wide variety of civilian jobs. I agree with raimius though, that your primary goal in attending West Point should be to become an outstanding Army officer. Then, when you decide to leave (it may be after retiring rather than after 5 years) you will have many options available to you.</p>
<p>I've thrown my two cents in on this topic time and time again; you go to West Point to become the best leader of America's sons and daughters in combat that you can, nothing less. I've been out of West Point for 28 months, 13 of which have been in Iraq, and I would not consider a second of it to be a "waste." trust me, if you want this to be a stepping stone to some corporate job, you are in it for the wrong reasons. You will most likely see great young Americans die, you will have friends that you've grown and developed with get maimed and killed. If at the end of the day, you want to go through that so that you can "get ahead," more power to you, but those great young Soldiers you are responsible for deserve better.<br>
You go to West Point to become a commisioned leader of character. If you decide after being in the Army its not for you, thats fine, but going in under the premise that you'll get out is like quitting before you even started. Soldiers deserve better.</p>
<p>Response to ScreamingEagle:
First, thank you for your "two cent" response. I understand the standard premise that West Point is instituted to create Army officers- I cannot disagree. However, didn't West Point began to create leaders who can defend and serve our country? Thus, defending our country during pivotal times, as we are currently in, as an Army Officer is crucial, but what about the times when America is not in a "tight" situation. </p>
<p>I believe that West Point graduates do not have to be in the brink of battle to serve or defend our country. Servicing and protecting our country can simply be through helping the American people become more active in politics, or eliminating the gridlock or corruption in the foundation of Congress. There is so much more problems within American than outside of our borders. I personally believe that West Point graduates, with the attitude of service, can bring more to the table through fixing smaller but crucial building blocks this nation was founded upon. Now, I do agree, that purely using the USMA experience for one's own personal gain is a very negative attitude. However, to simply perceive the "5 and fly" group any lower than the cadets who are pursuing their careers 10 to 20 year should be correctly redefined. Honestly, i seek West Point to become a exemplary leader who can create positive, wide-spread impact that changes the grassroots of America than to become a 20 year Officer. I also know that one of West Point's fundamental purpose is to create leaders of America not only officers.</p>
<p>Screaming Eagle, maybe its your niche or desire to serve the sons and daughters of America. But what about the other cadets who want to serve their district or state constituents. Someone who wants to go into the business world to fix the unstoppable corruption and greed that has created a 750 billion dollar debt. America is not only fighting a war with Iraq. It is fighting a war with itself, and I believe if there is ANYONE who can truly solve its complex issue through an objective, pure perspective, it is a West Point cadet. </p>
<p>The reason why I feel so passionate about the "5 and fly" issue, is b/c i think i want to pursue a career beyond an Officer. And whenever this controversial topic appears, there is nothing more than negative comments and disdain. I want to go to West Point to become an American leader.</p>
<p>Thank you for your comments and ideas. Please speak freely to help me and others to fully understand this topic.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with getting out after 5 years--once you've commisioined and decided that you've done your time and you want to do other things. However, the mission of USMA is: "To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army." You'll note it says as an officer, that was recently changed.<br>
I understand our nation is in a time of domestic need, but simply put, West Point is in the business of making officers, not politicians, lawyers, CEOs, or what ever other career you might choose, regardless of how well intentioned it may be. I hear what you're saying, and I understand that you want to help this Nation and that is admirable; I've also seen too many ****ty officers come out of West Point who saw it as a free education and a great thing to have on a resume when they moved to the corporate world. If you truly want to go to West Point, you need to do it because you believe in this Nation, you believe in the Constitution, and you are willing to give your life in its defense--that's the bare minimum. As an officer, you further have to be able to awknowledge that the decisions you make may very well lead to the deaths of some of your Soldiers, and you have to be able to live with that fact. It's a grave position to be in, but that is why the American taxpayer funds your education, it's why you get chances to see things other students in the world could never dream of seeing and doing, and its why, at the end of the day, West Point is the best leadership institution in the world. That's what being an officer is about.
I'm not trying to attack you here, I'm not trying to dissuade you from going to USMA, what I'm simply trying to say is that you need to do it for the right reason--because you want to be an officer, first and foremost.</p>
<p>Screaming Eagle has nailed this. USMA exists to produce Army Officers. What happens beyond that is a fine by-product of the USMA education and valuable on the outside as well as in the Army, because the outside world truly does need people of character who understands the values of honor, integrity , professionalism; and soldiers (or subordinates) and mission before self.
But having said that- if you are looking at this with the expectation of doing the minimum and then milking it for a lucrative career on the outside you are already on the wrong path. To discover while in the Army that a career in the Army is not your forte is one thing- but to go in with that expectation seems to me to be dishonest to yourself and to the Army- as would engaging in any other enterprise where you begin by deciding that you will only do the minum requirement. If 5 and out is your intention before you even are nominated, then I think that you need to reconsider your pursuit of a service academy and consider other high quality schools that will prepare you for a civilian career.</p>
<p>The above 2 posters make some excellent comments about what your true motivations need to be to attend and be successful at any military academy.</p>
<p>In addition, if your main motivation for wanting to be part of the 'real' world of business is based on seeing yourself as:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Someone who wants to go into the business world to fix the unstoppable corruption and greed that has created a 750 billion dollar debt.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>you also need to do a lot more research there as well.</p>
<p>Time2: Would you please briefly explain the "more research"? Thanks.<br>
I was wondering, because according to AmericanSoldier's statistics that more cadets would use West Point and be a "5 and fly", where would and what would West Point "5 and fly" graduates do? Do they become lawyers? engineers? doctors? or businessmen? I derive this question because other students who study hard and get internships during the 5 years while West Point graduates are in the military are going the be the same students that West Point "5 and fly" will be competing against for a graduate school position or a certain profession. So, doesn't West Point graduates have a disadvantages when wanting to come a lawyer, business, doctor, or engineer since they have to compete with students who have been study in those specific subjects who the last 5 years? Therefore, how does West Point become a stepping stone? Isn't it the opposite of a stepping stone, if you want to become anything else but the military or maybe even politics</p>
<p>I would offer that seniority has very little to do with determining who becomes successful at whatever field they happen to choose.</p>
<p>You asked for our thoughts and ideas so we can only go on what little we know of you based on what you have previously posted. You also posted:</p>
<p>
[quote]
What are some of the key guidelines and path that one must take to embark his direction towards becoming a CEO?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So it appears to me you are thinking of using your time in the military as a stepping stone in your career, which most everyone says is not the recommended way to approach this.</p>
<p>Just as there is a lot about the commitment you need to understand if you truly want to attend an academy, there is much more to the business world than quoting stereotypical soundbites about 'greed & corruption'.</p>
<p>“I also know that one of West Point's fundamental purpose is to create leaders of America not only officers.”</p>
<p>Read the mission statement again:
"To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."</p>
<p>Remember that the WP experience offers numerous opportunities at graduation and all of them involve being an officer in the United States Army for a minimum of 5 years full time, and an additional 3 years in the reserves. At this point that Army is at war. If that is not what you are committed to, don’t apply/accept an offer of appointment.</p>
<p>"where would and what would West Point "5 and fly" graduates do? Do they become lawyers? engineers? doctors? or businessmen?"</p>
<p>That's like asking what do graduates of XYZ university do. I have a friend who graduated in the top 10% of her class in the 80s and she is now a Kindergarten teacher. Did West Point prepare her any better for that "battlefield" than a traditional university? Beats me.</p>
<p>The Congressman who nominated my Cadet is a West Point grad and continued to serve in the Reserves for 20-some years after his original commitment was over. Did West Point prepare him better than a traditional university for a career in politics? Again, beats me, but it seems like there are an awful lot of politicians without that WP connection. So there you have it; Kindergarten teacher to politician. I would venture to guess that there are occupations everywhere in between. But I must agree with other statements that if you are looking for preparation for the corporate world or a life in politics, West Point may not be your best choice. That is not the mission.</p>
<p>West Point creates officers. End of story. Why does West Point exist when there are ROTC programs and OCS? Because West Point produces superior leaders of character and has a proven track record of doing so. But first and foremost, this school produces officers; you throw around leaders of America like it's something that's issued with your diploma. But there are plenty of leaders of America who came from schools other than West Point. Our school develops character in cadets, who then graduate to fulfill the mission statement: to be officers in the United States Army.</p>
<p>The point I'm trying to make is: many West Point graduates and parents of graduates disdain on future cadets who use West Point as as 5 year stepping stone. I understand that. However, what I cannot fathom is, how is West Point a stepping stone for other corporate careers? West Point is not KNOWN for biology, law, political science or business. There may be some classes or majors, but West Point does not have a strong background in those fields like UPenn = business or Harvard = law; therefore, how or why would anybody use West Point as a stepping stone. Wouldn't West Point BE THE OPPOSITE OF A "STEPPING STONE" if those cadets TRULY wanted to become a lawyer or a businessman. That is my point.</p>
<p>If you any question regarding to this issues or want to elaborate, then please feel free to express your comments/ideas. And the fact that West Point = Army Officer is already clearly stated.</p>