<p>I have heard of a new policy from the Army that in exchange for three additional years of active duty service on top of the original five committed to upon graduation from West Point, the government will pay for post graduate education provided the applicant is accepted into civilian graduate school. Is anyone familiar with this program? Can one pursue a higher degree during the initial five year commitment, or must the five year commitment be completed before pursuit of an advance degree can be begin? Any advice is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I think you're pretty close. After your initial 5-year commitment is complete, you may attend your choice of graduate school and it is paid for by the Army. There will be an additional service requirement.</p>
<p>A very few cadets will attend medical school immediately following graduation. Winners of scholarships like the Rhodes will be allowed to attend graduate programs after graduating from WP.</p>
<p>Yep - there is a program available to West Point grads to try and increase retention of junior officers beyond the standard 5 year AD committment.</p>
<p>Currently, there are three ADSO (Active Duty Service Obiligation) for programs where graduating cadets can buy a "perk" by signing on for three more years. This includes:
choice of branch OR
choice of post OR
guaranteed graduate school</p>
<p>Now - keep in mind, these programs are to fulfull the "needs of the Army". There is no guarantee they will be in effect next year or when your son graduates.</p>
<p>2% of the corps may attend medical school. From what I have seen, cadets are identified very early in their West point career for this program.</p>
<p>At some point nearly every career officer does attend graduate school. Having a Master's degree (or making headway towards) is looked upon highly for promotion to Major.</p>
<p>In the ADSO for graduate school program - the timing is normally upon promotion to Captain. 3-5 year mark.
These slides may help - The</a> Army is offering these programs because it values the contribution that West Point graduates make</p>
<p>This website is actually a little more current and applicable to the Class of 2008:
USMA</a> Incentive Programs</p>
<p>Again, all subject to change according to the needs of the Army.</p>
<p>I ADSOed for the grad school option, here's how it works:
you agree to do 3 additional years active duty in addition to your 5 year commitment (normally those 3 years are spent in the inactive or active reserves). Between years 6 and 9 after graduation, you apply to grad school, army pays if you can get in. While in grad school, you incur pretty much 2 extra years of service for every year you were in grad school. If you decide you dont want to go to grad school, you stil have to do the 3 extra years on active duty, but then you can get out at the 8 year mark. Keep in mind that the USMA instructor program is another means to send you to grad school without the ADSO option. Let me know if you have any questions.</p>