Why West Point over Navy and Air Force?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
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<p>I was just wondering why people here are more interested in West Point (and the Army in general) over Annapolis and Air Force. For me, I think the Army is the service where I could do the most good and because I think I can learn the importance of sacrifice and obedience better from the Army experience than the other two.</p>

<p>That, and Navy's campus was too small for me, and I grew up on the Air Force Academy and don't want to go back. (sort of shallow at the end, but still reasons for me!)</p>

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<p>Leadership</p>

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<p>There are as many reasons to choose one over the other, and they are as varied as the candidates that attend each! Visit all of them- stay overnight- then choose the one that will get you closer to your life's goals- in the end, you will get an excellent education and experience at any one of the 5 federal academies! </p>

<p>Just one caution: be careful about elitist attitudes- remember that in the end, you will all be comrades in arms! Having said that, Go Navy- beat the rest of 'em! ;)</p>

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<p>I want to protect my country first and foremost, so really either army or navy will allow me to do this IMO. A few reasons why I am leaning USMA are because I've been there and had a great time, I come from a family of army vets, and I have heard absolutely nothing from the naval academy concerning my status, ect whereas USMA accepted me more than a month ago. Another reason why I what to go to West Point is because of the history (much moreso than Annapolis) it has and the difference it has made our country.</p>

<p>This is not to say Annapolis is out of the question, I'll have to weigh the options when I get them.</p>

5

<p>The Army, the Navy, and the Air Force are different animals. I woudl pick one academy over the other because of the service you will be going into. Personally, it would be very cool to lead men in infantry, as opposed to being on a ship or flying planes.</p>

6

<p>I also thought about the careers of the different services. I can't fly because of my eyes, and I know that any career in the army will be more exciting than one in the Navy or Air Force. </p>

<p>Besides, I'm color deficient, and USNA and USAFA will automatically not take me for that.</p>

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<p>jq722: "I have heard absolutely nothing from the naval academy concerning my status, ect whereas USMA accepted me more than a month ago." That may be true but consider this: What do all West Point and Annapolis kids have in common? They all got into West Point. :-D Just because they accepted you earlier does not mean they're a finer university etc.
"Another reason why I what to go to West Point is because of the history (much moreso than Annapolis) it has and the difference it has made our country." West Point has been established longer. The past is one thing, the future is another. </p>

<p>michaelburt: "Personally, it would be very cool to lead men in infantry, as opposed to being on a ship or flying planes." What better way to lead men in the field than to be a marine (usna)? ;)</p>

<p>yoyo24: "I know that any career in the army will be more exciting than one in the Navy or Air Force." rriigghhtt...</p>

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<p>I am really leaning towards West Point because I have loved the place since I was in 5th grade, I read about it in a history book. It wasn't until 10th grade that I learned about USAFA, which is still an extremely good place. I also like the general attitude coming of cadets at USMA, although I have met really great people from both academies. I am leaning towards USMA also because I don't have a great desire to fly, and really don't want to have a desk job. The Army seems to have a bit more diversity, I want to be in on the action, not a world away. This is a personal opinion and in no way meant to offend anyone! ;)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
West Point has been established longer. The past is one thing, the future is another.

[/quote]

Every service has important missions, present and future. The Army is especially important (for the GWOT) right now due to specialized capabilities that simply don't exist anywhere else. Everyone has a role to play, the question is where do you fit in?

[quote]
What better way to lead men in the field than to be a marine (usna)?

[/quote]
What better way, in the Army of course! This comparison boils down to preference. We both kill bad guys. The Army is larger so there are more varied opportunities as far as assignments and other things...

[quote]
yoyo24: "I know that any career in the army will be more exciting than one in the Navy or Air Force." rriigghhtt...

[/quote]

Once again it depends on what you want to do. My preferred career field exists only in the Army. Now, if you're going to West Point wanting to be something like an AG, finance officer etc, and you have no existing preference for service, you might want to weigh your options. If that's your plan,(males) you might get branch detailed into a combat arms branch anyway. Needs of the Army. Very important phrase.</p>

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<p>I know that thread starters can't be expected to rule over their threads, but I just wanted to clarify that this is NOT a thread to discuss why one academy is better than another or how each academy is equally great. Of course each academy is great: I grew up on USAFA, I was raised by an USAFA grad, I know myself that the other academies are top-notch.</p>

<p>This thread is for why people are choosing Army over Navy or Air Force, not for telling people they are wrong. Of course, bringing up the facts in order to make people reconsider is just fine by me, but let's not kid ourselves here people: many of the posters on this board (and hopefully on this thread) have made their decision of Army over the other two for good reasons.</p>

<p>Sorry if I sound like I'm whining, I'm just sick of trying to force the idea of all the academies being equal into this thread. Each academy is great, but in different ways-some ways that are better for some people rather than others. This read isn't for discussing how each academy is equally good. I'd hope that people already knew that.For the record, I applied to all three and my mind isn't completely made up, though I'm definately leaning Army right now.</p>

<p>Again, sorry if I sound like I'm whining, I'm just sad where this thread has gone.</p>

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<p>Each one exacts a slightly different lifestyle. Certain ones befit certain people over others. Really, that simple. ;)</p>

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<p>skirbyy</p>

<p>You need to look at life beyond the academy for your answer if you are truly undecided. Look at the various branches and decide what it is you want to do with your life and your career. Then pick the academy for that service as it will be the one to best prepare you. Its not so much about the academy as it is about the career. You might love west point and hate the army, or fall in love with the campus and traditions of annapolis and then find yourself wondering how you will be able to stand being in the Navy for a career. In the end its about what you see yourself doing AFTER you graduate that really matters, and is what should guide your decision.</p>

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<p>shogun- well said. </p>

<p>Skirbby-As I tried to point out earlier- the decision to attend one over the other is unique to each having to make the choice- and it is something you have to find within yourself, independent on why others made theirs. While it makes for an interesting "read," the solution needs to be yours and yours alone- you will be the one going through it- and from what many, many have posted before, you will question your choice over and over- and it is for that very reason you have to find what it is within YOU that will give you the determination and will to survive the worst that will come your way. Looking at your life's goal after the academy is perhaps the best starting point- 'cause the 4 years on the Hudson or by the bay will pass by in a blink of an eye- (well, hopefully)- so try and determine what you want to do 4 or 5 years from now and work backwards to find the best route to that end! Look at ALL the opportunities available to graduates of each of the academies- while some overlap,most don't- and the roads can be very different. Pick the one right for you! Best of luck~ choices can be hard, but how lucky you are to get to make them!</p>

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<p>If you are POSITIVE you want to go to an Academy, I'll tell you several reasons why Army over Navy or Air Force.</p>

<p>A) If you're looking for discipline, West Point is the place to get it. I know people that go to all 3 Academies, and I've visited all three overnight. There are several people that I know here that went to the other Academies for a Semester and came back absolutely appalled at the lack of discipline. I've grown to love the discipline as much as and even more than I hate it (being a Plebe, we're normally on the receiving end). If you want discipline, West Point is the place to get it.</p>

<p>B) Tradition. West Point is full of tradition, and has a massive place in American history. As the History Department is fond of saying, "The History we teach was made by the people we taught". It's true.</p>

<p>C) Because you want to be an Army Officer. That's why I chose to come here. I wanted to roll in the dirt and shoot M16s and drive Humvees. I've done all of those things. You'll get much more versatility job-wise as an Army Officer than you would as a Navy or Air Force Officer.</p>

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<p>A woman I know worked for the Air Force, Navy, and Army. She used to work in the hospital near USMA. She has seen USNA (her son lives nearby). She has been able to watch (and talk with) some of the cadets and mids. Anyways, this lady knows I'm trying to decide between USMA and USNA. </p>

<p>She said that both were beautiful campuses, had a good sense of camaraderie, and were both great schools in general. I pressed her further. She likes Annapolis because her son lives nearby and she likes the mids in their nice white uniforms. She also likes how it's in the city. (Hehe. She doesn't know that I'd love to live on a farm...or in the rural area.) BUT she looked at me and continued to say, "...if it's military you want...West Point." I guess she saw something about the cadets, as marines4me said, that was more disciplined. [She joked around how the cadets barely looked at their girls let alone touch them (straightlaced) and how the mids just swung their girls around and laughed with them (human, j/k).]</p>

<p>I always told myself, "It's going to be USNA no matter what." I really wanted to be a Marine...but now I'm seriously considering Army. When I started to get really interested in USMA (after I applied, I will admit), I began to fall in love with it too. Now, as someone said above, I'm trying to find out exactly what I can do in Marines vs. Army after the academy. I want to be up in the action. Moving around. Excitement. Rolling in the dirt. Adventure. All while doing something for America. I find myself in something similar to shogun's daughter and marines4me's shoes. They both chose West Point. </p>

<p>I'm just praying to God for a sign. I really wanted to enlist after high school, but I don't want to pass up the opportunity for education either. Now I hold both appointments in my hands, thinking back on how I can succeed at each place, but I can only choose one. (Wouldn't it be great to be able to do Beast Barracks and Plebe Summer? Well, that's what I'm saying now, at least. Hehe. I'm pretty much a masochist, though.)</p>

<p>EDIT:
I just realized. I'm like Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Sorry, had to say it. My sisters are watching it right now.). You know that song...</p>

<p>[Belle:] Is he gone? Can you imagine? He asked me to marry him.
Me, the wife of that boorish, brainless . . . </p>

<pre><code> "Madame Gaston!"
Can't you just see it?
"Madame Gaston!"
His "little wife"
No sir! Not me!
I guarantee it
I want much more than this provincial life
I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more than I can tell
And for once it might be grand
To have someone understand
I want so much more than they've got planned
</code></pre>

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<p>dictatoranna, you're totally awesome.</p>

<p>Here I was thinking I was the only one who thought Disney songs applied to them. For me, it was "Go the Distance" in Hercules, mostly because I had to apply to all three academies twice due to a medical thing that prevented me from going last year. So it's been a heck of a ride for me, so that song was pretty appropriate.</p>

<p>I definately want to roll around the in the dirt and shoot M16s. I do ROTC at the neighboring Virginia Military Institute, and it was an incredible, exhilirating experience. It made me remember that everyone dies some day, and that I'm a lot less significant than I'd like to think myself as being.</p>

<p>I'm also looking for a sign, because I currently attend Washington and Lee University, which is an amazing school with a lot of incredible opportunities I'm not sure I'm willing to give up. Let's hope we both go where we're supposed to go.</p>

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<p>Officers have to be able hold their own with their enlisted peers, but if they are spending more time on the rifle and off the radio, they are probably not doing their job, or somethings gone seriously wrong and they are fighting for their lives.</p>

<p>There are plenty of opportunities to "play soldier" Army or Marines, but the Marines sure do know how to advertize...</p>

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<p>
[quote]
There are plenty of opportunities to "play soldier" Army or Marines, but the Marines sure do know how to advertize...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>be careful- this is anything but a game- just ask your parents- they will loose many a night's sleep as long as you have that uniform on. </p>

<p>Learn the lessons well, young grasshoppers- your life, and those around you, will depend on it- no matter what color the uniform is! Take care all of you! Everyone wants you safe!</p>

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<p>"they will loose many a night's sleep as long as you have that uniform on."</p>

<p>well said--those restless nights have already begun. Just turn on the news, it doesn't take much to get the old folks worrying!</p>

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<p>I have about a week left to decide between USNA and USMA. Does anyone know of any resources that list the exact options you have after attending each academy? Thanks in advance.</p>