What is the advantage that someone would get in the military by going to West Point instead of a Diff. College

Answer 1

You come out of West Point an Army Officer. You can also become an Army officer, by participating in an R.O.T.C. program while you attend another college.

The difference is in the networking. The ones who came from West Point are already connected. The military can be a very political. You have to be connected to the right people in order to get noticed.

Answer 2

The military schools such as West Point, The Citadel, Annapolis, The Air Force Academy, all produce the cream DE la cream of young military officers. These fine young people normally enter each academy fresh out of High School, yet many are selected from active duty in the service they are serving.

In any case, they are taught leadership and many other traits associated with military officers of the first degree. By the time they finish the academy, they are already seasoned veterans unlike the individual who joins the military service after college who is just beginning his or her apprenticeship in OCS.

Answer 3

West Point is specifically a military college.

Answer 4

It used to work this way.... All West Point graduates were commissioned into the regualr army. All ROTC graduates were commissioned into the Army Reserve.

In the event of a cut back, like after World War II, or during the Clinton years, Army Reserve Officers had far fewer rights to keep their jobs than regular Army Officers.

In 2005 it was changed as follows....

Reserve vs. Regular Officers

Many folks are confused about the differences between a "Reserve Officer" and a "Regular Officer." Being a Reserve Officer does not mean the officer is serving in the Reserves. In the "old days," graduates of the service academies were commissioned as Regular Officers, while those commissioned under ROTC or Officer Candidate School (called Officer Training School in the Air Force), were commissioned as Reserve Officers, who then "competed" later during their careers to be appointed as Regular Officers.

Being a Regular officer means a better chance of being promoted, protects against RIFs (reduction in force), and allows an officer to serve longer.

These days, all officers (including Academy graduates) are initially commissioned as Reserve Officers, and compete among themselves for appointment to regular officer at the time they are considered for promotion to major (O-4). Major-selects who also win appointment to Regular status receive the advantages of being a Regular Officer. This means:

By law, Regular Officers promoted to lieutenant colonel (O-5) may serve for 28 active commissioned years, while those promoted to colonel (O-6) may stay for 30 active commissioned years-unless earlier retired by other provisions of law. By policy, Reserve Officers are limited to 20-years of military service; this may be extended as needed to meet specific service requirements.

Regular Officers may not be involuntarily released from active duty because of a reduction in the size of the officer force. Reserve Officers however, serve at the discretion of the Secretary of the service and may be involuntarily released at any time if the manning ceiling warrants.

Because of Regular Officers' greater tenure, they have some advantage over Reserve Officers. The military must obtain a return on a training investment and; therefore, requires officers to serve a certain period of time after the training is completed. Reserve Officers who have limited retainability may not be able to complete the required period of service. Thus, Reserve Officers may be ineligible for training, whereas, Regular Officers with the prospect of greater tenure are eligible.

Added Note: As part of the 2005 Military Authorization Act, Congress has mandated that all commissioned officers on active duty be given a "regular" commission. Officers commissioned in the Reserves will continue to receive a "reserve" commission. The services are now in the process of implementing this new law.

Answer 5

The advantage to going to a military academy is that you graduate then enter the military as an officer

Answer 6

There isn't suppose to be any difference in the source of your military commission. The academy, ROTC, OCS or direct appointment. But those of us that have served as officers can tell the subtle difference.

But heck, you know that going in so there shouldn't anyone complaining.

Answer 7

Any military acadamy if you graduate you enter the military as an officer and not an E-1

Answer 8

Snob appeal . It is always a one upmanship in the military to be known as a west pointer . It is like your Gold Cadillac.

Answer 9

That ring on the finger makes a huge difference in a career

Answer 10

hell it doesn't make any difference, you graduate as a officer. I dropped out of there. I earned my ranks when I was awarded the sliver star