<p>I was at a West Point/ROTC information meeting and one of the guys answering questions said "or they(potential West Point Candidates) can do something stupid, like join the Navy". I'm pretty but not entirely sure that this was meant as a joke. The guy had a smile on his face when he said it and the audience laughed. Yet this still got me wondering. Is the rivalry between West Point and Annapolis so strong that they hate each other or was this simply a tactic to draw the better candidates to their academy. Personally I prefer West Point but I would not mind going to Annapolis because in both instances I would end up serving my country.</p>
<p>Clearly a joke as we work hand-in-hand down range.</p>
<p>Think about what you want to do in the long-run though… it’s not just about the diploma, it’s about the commission.</p>
<p>It’s just a little inter-service rivalry. No, they don’t hate each other, don’t forget they are basically competing from the same pool of candidates. Both schools look for students who are scholar/leader/athletes.</p>
<p>In any case, the moment you say the Oath on R-Day you will be a convert as well and “Beat Navy!” will your goal. My daughter was an athlete in high school - I “jokingly” told her if she could just prove to West Point that she could beat Navy she would be a shoe-in and vice versa.</p>
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:):):)</p>
<p>Other reasons to consider Navy:
-Wider range of career options
-Navy football, lacrosse, sailing, golf, etc.
-Better looking uniforms
-More modern American presidents and astronauts have been naval officers (Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Bush, Sr.)
-Higher number of Rhodes Scholars in the past couple of decades from Navy</p>
<p>AND, most importantly, Annapolis is a beautiful and charming colonial/college town close to Washington,D.C., where the parents love to spend time and money!</p>
<p>All kidding aside, Navy has unqualified respect for Army and considers them brothers-in-arms (and sisters). I’m sure the food at Army is better too.</p>
<p>Well USNA09Mom you brought it - let’s see</p>
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I don’t understand this - there are 16 branches to the Army. The Army is a much bigger organization with many many careers available. But if you want to drive ships…</p>
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Army beat Navy in lacrosse last year, Army beat Navy in women’s soccer, Army has a Robert Trent Jones golf course, Army rules Navy in Rugby, but if Football is your game…</p>
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the white works look like pajamas.</p>
<p>Army grads -
4 W P grads and two former faculty members are in the 111th Congress.
Eisenhower, MacArthur, Bradley - all grads.
Grant, Lee, Sherman and Jackson - all grads.
Borman, Aldrin, White and Collins - all astronaut grads.
Coach K - Army grad.
Generals Petraeus and Odierno - grads</p>
<p>Scholarships - USMA is #4 in Rhodes scholars behind Harvard, Yale and Princeton including one last year and one this year.
More Marshall, Truman, Hertz scholarships than Navy.</p>
<p>In addition - there are a wider number of majors than Navy and Army support for those who wish to go to Med school and become an Army doctor.</p>
<p>West Point - Breathtaking views, built into the highlands above the Hudson River just a short train ride from NYC. </p>
<p>I am not too sure the food is better at Army - perhaps cadet complain less!</p>
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True that. and vice versa.</p>
<p>Better looking uniforms …</p>
<p>The white works look like pajamas.</p>
<p>Nice to see a fun give-and-take on this forum … funny.</p>
<p>It’s also been said that 100 men go out on Navy cruises and 50 couples come back.</p>
<p>HAHAHAHA shadow. I got a good laugh.</p>
<p>Shadow. I am laughing so hard I am almost crying. You should write for Leno.</p>
<p>“What do all Army cadets and Navy midshipmen have in common? They all got into West Point!”</p>
<p>Not true in our area…</p>
<p>Ann. I think that USNAMom messed up the quote that you referred to in the last post. The correct quote is actually, “What do all West Point Cadets and Navy Midshipmen have in common? They all wanted to get into West Point.”</p>
<p>I also question why anyone would point to a group of non graduates, including Richard Nixon, to support a proposition that one academy is better than another. The only President on the list that actually attended the Naval Academy is Jimmy Carter, and while Jimmy Carter is without question a wonderful individual, most historians would not put him at the top of our most effective presidents. I find it much more pursuasive to look at the military leaders and presidents set out in JustAMomOf4’s post that graduated from West Point.</p>
<p>Allen 331. All joking aside, West Point and the Naval Academy are premiere military and academic institutions that produce well trained and dedicated officers that serve our country with honor. They are indeed brothers in arms that put themselves in harms way for people like you and me. You will not go wrong selecting either institution. Best of Luck.</p>
<p>No, you sir are wrong. Jimmy Carter is a degenerate.</p>
<p>I agree there is a strong and usually friendly rivalry. When I was a Cow Army beat Navy and Air Force in football (those were the good ol’ days). What’s odd is that USAFA hasn’t joined the discussion. They generally feel they are better than USMA and USNA. </p>
<p>Both Navy and Air Force have to agree that if you’re going to take and hold a piece of ground the only folks to do it are ground forces (worded it that way to keep the Marines in check!)</p>
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<p>All-Time Army-Navy Record: Navy leads, 896-679-39 (.567)</p>
<p>Navy’s Overall Record vs. Army, Last 13 Years (1996-97 to 2008-09) 251-139-6 (.641)
Navy’s Star-Game Record vs. Army, Last 13 Years (1996-97 to 2008-09) 190-85-6 (.687)</p>
<p>Navy’s 2008-09 Overall Record vs. Army 13-8-1 (.613)
Navy’s 2008-09 Star-Game Record vs. Army 11-5-1 (.676)</p>
<p>[NavySports.com</a> - Official Athletic Site for Navy Athletics](<a href=“http://www.navysports.com/ot/navy-army.html]NavySports.com”>http://www.navysports.com/ot/navy-army.html)</p>
<p>Good-natured interservice rivalry among SAs is both healthy and morale-enhancing. But to declare one SA “better” than another based on sports records, # of Rhodes Scholars, # of Astronauts, mission, uniforms, etc. is meaningless. </p>
<p>Each SA has it’s own unique traditions and specific warfare specialties. For the most part, those who are privileged enough to attend have determined that thier particular SA is what’s best for them…and that’s all that really counts.</p>
<p>BTW - I’m a USNA grad who’s son will be entering WP with the class of 2013. He has made his own decision and I could not be prouder of him.</p>
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<p>The Navy/Marine Corps has approximately the same personnel as the Army. However, when people say there are more career opportunities, most are referring to the fact that you can either drive surface ships, subs, fly aircraft (helos, jets, cargo etc), or be a grunt. From this limited perspective, the Army only offers ground and limited air opportunities. I realize that there is a lot more to it than just that(16 branches for example), just as all the folks who go to West Point realize that we don’t all “want to drive ships.” </p>
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<p>Maybe so, however, seeing as they are worn for 6 weeks of an entire USNA grad’s career, they probably are not the best representation of his/her uniforms. However, Navy Whites and Marine Corps Blues are known the world over for the class and elegance. I think it would be a challenge to find many people outside the Army that would contend otherwise.</p>
<p>In reference to Army Grads, you do have us beat there. Both institutions have extremely accomplished alumni, but with an extra 42 odd years of existence, its hard to compete.</p>
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<p>Thats true, the Naval Academy isn’t too shabby either. Nestled in the absolutely gorgeous colonial town of Annapolis along the banks of the Severn River within 25 miles from both DC and Baltimore. For my money I’d take Annapolis over the bore of Highland Falls any day.</p>
<p>Some good points - however (Navy + MC) * 2 = Army.</p>
<p>There are differences between the Academies - not one that make one better or worse - just differences. West Point, for instance, encourages Cadets who are interested in Med school to apply and become Army doctors. USNA is not as supportive. The need for Army doctors is much greater than Navy physicians.
For a kid who wants Aeronautical engineering or Naval Architecture - Navy is the way to go. Kids who are interested in Liberals Arts Majors would do well to examine West Point. They don’t have quotas and encourage those who wish to major in Foreign Lang, History, International relations etc. The AIAD program at West Point is phenomenal.</p>
<p>Army careers vary widely - you won’t be on a ship but there are many jobs from which to choose. There are many more jobs than being a grunt.</p>
<p>Uniforms - I have been waiting and waiting for someone to remark that cadets in dress grays look like doormen (they do!) ;)</p>
<p>Location - I absolutely love Annapolis. one of my favorite cities! For those who crave the mountains, hiking, camping, fishing and love the outdoors - West Point can’t be beat!
My cadet when visited USNA thought it looked “sterile”, she loved the Military Gothic Architecture of West Point though. (until she suffered through the winter!)</p>
<p>Two great institutions and two great services - one big rivalry. The differences are there but for a reason - different strokes for different folks!</p>
<p>Now that we have established that neither academy is “better” than the other, but that good natured rivalry is alive and well, is anyone going to the Army Navy rugby game? :)</p>
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<p>That is very true. What it always came down to for me was that I was a kid from the suburbs who loved venturing into the city. I enjoyed spending a Sunday afternoon in the spring just walking through Annapolis. I was never a boyscout… never your “outdoorsy type” (actually its probably why I became a helicopter pilot instead of the reason I went to Navy… Marine ground). </p>
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<p>I agree with that assessment. There are a lot more jobs than we had to choose from. USNA 1/c are limited to “unrestricted line” (i.e. no supply, intel, or logistics). </p>
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<p>For sure… In my case it was just the right choice</p>
<p>Superdoc2013- I hope this is a joke. If not you should give serious thought to how you want to write or speak about a commander in chief or in this case a former commander in chief. There’s a respectful and appropriate way to criticize and you should get in the habit of using appropriate language now.</p>