Military academy questions

[summer]

I am all in agreement with a strong military and I completely understand and agree that we must fight and have a strong front to protect our freedom.

 

But I want to know..about military academies...do those students go to combat? Either while students or after? I would think they would, but then I thought, if they are a bunch of engineers and such..will they end up state side programming things and designing things and such? In otherwords, what exactly do they do after graduation and for how long?

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I am all in agreement with a strong military and I completely understand and agree that we must fight and have a strong front to protect our freedom.

 

But I want to know..about military academies...do those students go to combat? Either while students or after? I would think they would, but then I thought, if they are a bunch of engineers and such..will they end up state side programming things and designing things and such? In otherwords, what exactly do they do after graduation and for how long?

 

They are military officers. And if it came to it for the troops they led, they would go into combat. (Except for females, then they would be more support, unless they are pilots. In which case, they could on occasion deliberately put themselves directly in the line of fire sometimes.)

 

They have a military committment after they leave the academy to "pay" for their college education. Six years? Something like that. They are officers just like any other officer -- some combat arms, some not.

[summer]

My daughter wants to be an aerospace engineer so I was wondering if she would even be doing that on graduation for the military?

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

As far as I know no mids/cadets have gone into action while students since the end of Vietnam. At least not as a planned action such as during WWII and before.

 

Upon graduating they are going to be serving like any other military officer with a commitment of 5 or more years depending on their situation/job specialty. The commitment is for having a free education and post graduate training in their career field. This can and does lead to combat or combat support depending on their career field.

 

If your daughter is interested in the academies I suggest that you both get in touch with the admissions department and present them with your questions. In addition to those who work at the academies' admissions offices they also have retired and currently serving graduates who are willing to meet with applicants and discuss life and scholarship at the academies and service in the military.

 

I'm sure that someone out there has more current info than I do!

[Suzanne in ABQ]

My daughter wants to be an aerospace engineer so I was wondering if she would even be doing that on graduation for the military?

 

My dh spent 21 years as an aerospace engineer in the Air Force. He just retired three years ago, as a lieutenant colonel. He never saw combat. Our "over seas" tour was on Maui. :o)

 

Yes, he worked with satellites: research, design, manufacture, launch, operations, etc. His early years were technical, but his later years were managerial.

 

I need to go right now, but you're welcome to e-mail me of you want to chat further. Just click my name to send me a personal message through the board.

Suzanne

[AFwife Claire]

My dh is an astro engineer, and also an Academy grad (87). We also never even had an overseas tour, and he did a lot in research labs, etc. Often USAFA cadets, no matter what their majors, go on to pilot or navigator training, and then of course they would deploy after all their training. It seems that more and more officers who would not normally deploy are in fact deploying in support roles, and doing joint work (like with the Navy or Army), so just the fact that one's child is an Air Force engineer no longer means they probably won't ever deploy. But it is less likely that they will be in continuous combat situations than if they graduated infantry from West Point, LOL, and we know a lot of people who deployed to Qatar and places like that.

 

A really good book to read to get a realistic idea of the 4 years of being a cadet and the preparation they receive for combat is Absolutely American by David Lipsky. It follows cadets through 4 years at West Point, and 9/11 happens during the course of the book as well, so the cadets are aware that they will be going into combat somewhat shortly after graduation.

 

Hope this is helpful!

[Mrs Mungo]

I am all in agreement with a strong military and I completely understand and agree that we must fight and have a strong front to protect our freedom.

 

But I want to know..about military academies...do those students go to combat? Either while students or after?

 

Not while they are students, no. As Margaret pointed out, they *have* put students in combat in the past but they don't do that now. In the case of a national emergency I suppose it would be possible.

 

But by "military academies" do you mean the service acadamies (such as West Point) or do you mean *all* military academies (such as private schools like VMI)? My hubby attended a military academy that was a private school. Only those who went through ROTC training/received military scholarships incurred an Active Duty Service Obligation.

 

Anyone who recevies an ROTC scholarship owes the military an 8 year service obligation. Four of those eight years must be served on active duty, the other four can be served in the National Guard, Reserves or Inactive Ready Reserve. You can also incur other Active Duty Service Obligations by attending military schools (such as the Officer Advanced Course), accepting new orders, moving overseas, etc.

 

I would think they would, but then I thought, if they are a bunch of engineers and such..will they end up state side programming things and designing things and such? In otherwords, what exactly do they do after graduation and for how long?

 

I answered some of this above and I can only speak to the Army, every branch of service does things differently but to answer the other questions:

 

In the Army officers do not get to choose their branch. Almost completely regardless of their education the Army will decide where they need them and will give them the training they need (specialists such as doctors and dentists are a different story). We actually know a few people with Engineering degrees who never used their education in the military.

 

Army Officers serve in many different types of positions. Typically, as a Lieutenant they will be a platoon leader and be responsible for a platoon of soldiers, they may or may not serve on a staff position as a LT). As a Captain they will serve in various staff positions and probably serve as a Company Commander.

 

Where they serve is completely dependent upon the needs of the service...and eventually where you have friends to pull you into jobs.

[pqr]

I would highly recommend an Academy, if your child is mentally tough and understands what attending an Academy entails. For the big 3, Annapolis (Navy and Marine Corps), West Point (Army) and the Colorado Springs (Air Force), your child will receive a salary, a military identification card and a military rank. A midshipman or cadet is senior to all enlisted, but junior to commissioned officers (to be technical, the rank falls within the spread of a warrant officer).

 

Life at the Academies is tough, especially during the first year, but with the right attitude and a supportive family is is certainly something that can be survived. The Academies, despite stories in the papers, generally have a strong system of honor and your child will likely find many friends who have been brought up with the same values many of us on this board attempt to instill.

 

Upon graduation a commission as an Ensign or Second Lieutenant will be granted and a minumum of (I believe) 5 years service will be required.

 

Yes, graduates frequently see combat within a year or so of graduation. As I said a child has to be mentally tough and understand what is required.

 

Finally as Samuel Johnson stated- "The character of a soldier is high. They who stand forth the foremost in danger, for the community, have the respect of mankind. An officer is much more respected than any other man who has as little money. In a commercial country, money will always purchase respect. But you find, an officer, who has, properly speaking, no money, is every where well received and treated with attention. The character of a soldier always stands him in good stead."