No. The decision seemingly came out of nowhere as I’ve related here several times.
Our son, like almost every other grad, would describe West Point as the gray prison, a great place to be from but a very tough place to be. By design. No one goes to any service academy for a good time. The program tears you down in your first year and takes the remaining three to build you back up and shape you into a competent leader of soldiers (regardless of your major or the branch you are eventually selected for). It’s a tough way to get through college and will test your mettle every minute of every day. Every year, 200-300 cadets will separate before graduation for various reasons. The Army knows this path is not for everyone and allows cadets to walk away from the program anytime during the first two years with no financial or service obligation.
Service academies are not regular colleges. They are designed to produce officers for the military. The “experience” just is what it is. Most power through to commission and are glad to put West Point in the rear view mirror. Affection for the academy comes later as Stockholm Syndrome sets in. 