Editor in Chief Bill | 17 Sep 2016 11:53 a.m. PST |
Which military academy is the best? |
Mooseworks8 | 17 Sep 2016 12:03 p.m. PST |
Probably Sandhurst, but I was always partial to Kemper when it existed. |
David Manley | 17 Sep 2016 12:03 p.m. PST |
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Dennis0302 | 17 Sep 2016 12:04 p.m. PST |
None. No one who has not served at least three years as an enlisted person should be allowed to try for a commission. All commissions should be the result of successful attendance at OCS type programs. One of the best examples would be Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning during the mid to late 1960's. Also the OCC programs for the USMC at Quantico. There is no need to provide a free college degree a taxpayers expense. |
Mooseworks8 | 17 Sep 2016 12:08 p.m. PST |
+1 Dennis0302 Although I would like military leaders to be logical well rounded thinkers. |
boggler | 17 Sep 2016 1:20 p.m. PST |
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Dye4minis | 17 Sep 2016 1:33 p.m. PST |
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martin goddard | 17 Sep 2016 1:35 p.m. PST |
Bit of a poisonous thread??? martin
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Private Matter | 17 Sep 2016 1:36 p.m. PST |
I'm curious as to how many "ring knockers" we have on this forum. |
Dennis0302 | 17 Sep 2016 1:41 p.m. PST |
Not me. I was enlisted before going to OCC at Quantico. |
etotheipi | 17 Sep 2016 1:58 p.m. PST |
Discolsure: Not a ring knocker. ROTC taxpayer-funded degree in EE (and later, a Masters' in Computer Science). USN Surface Warfare Officer, Engineer, Federal Acquisition Test and Evaluation, Military Simulation Program Manager. Went on to do (and still do) several related things as a civil servant. To the OP: Chulachomklao. Professional place, kick-ass people. |
USAFpilot | 17 Sep 2016 2:23 p.m. PST |
I honestly don't know which is the best as I only attended one, but thank you. |
Mitochondria | 17 Sep 2016 2:53 p.m. PST |
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dBerczerk | 17 Sep 2016 3:09 p.m. PST |
The Royal Military Academy of the Grand Duchy of Fenwick. |
Irish Marine | 17 Sep 2016 3:28 p.m. PST |
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ScoutJock | 17 Sep 2016 6:46 p.m. PST |
As they say around Mother Rucker, WOC D does in six weeks what USMA West Point does in four years. |
Charlie 12 | 17 Sep 2016 6:51 p.m. PST |
Bill- You really do want to start war, dotcha? |
Norman D Landings | 18 Sep 2016 8:48 a.m. PST |
The only time you ever see a military academy on TV or in a movie… it's because there's been a murder. (Protip: if the OIC is a recognisable guest star – he's covering it up.) So the 'best' military academies are the ones where you don't get murdered. |
Legion 4 | 18 Sep 2016 8:49 a.m. PST |
I thought the same C12. And to be clear … I was an ROTC grad, and no where near capable to go to any academy. But since my experience is with the US ARMY, I'd have to say West Point based on the officers I served with. But as I mentioned on another thread an interesting fact that may still be true today. Some one more recent correct me if I'm wrong. 70% of the US ARMY officers were ROTC and only about 10-15% West Point. With the rest being OCS, etc., … Again that may have changed since '90. I'm curious as to how many "ring knockers" we have on this forum.
That would be interesting to know just for sake of conversation. How many Academy Grads are on TMP. I'd think not too many ? |
Bismarck | 18 Sep 2016 10:34 a.m. PST |
I have to go with Dennis on this one. The mustang officers I served under were the best. Regarding the service academies, I would have to lean toward the USMA, West Point. A former boss of mine was a graduate, graduated I think in '83. Worked for him in civilian employment for 6 years, but he was a darned fine man and the best manager I ever had. Not sure if it was just him or the Point. We still keep in touch. His late father served in the 3rd Mar Div during WW2. 4 battle stars. |
Lion in the Stars | 18 Sep 2016 11:54 a.m. PST |
OCS. The Academy officers I served with were the worst of the bunch. ROTC officers were better, but the most frighteningly competent officers were the mustangs. Now, if we were going to argue about which submarine Captain's course was the best, the answer is the UK's Perisher. End of discussion. |
Legion 4 | 18 Sep 2016 2:58 p.m. PST |
ROTC officers were better, Nice to hear someone thinks so ! But IMO, it really depends on the individual. And that goes from E-1 to 0-6 and above. |
Frederick | 18 Sep 2016 3:38 p.m. PST |
Depends a lot on how you define best My inclination would also be Sandhurst but in part that is because Sandhurst accepts senior NCOs for admission and a fair number of international cadets – 10% or so; West Point does as well but only about 1% of cadets are international Plus to get into West Point you need a nomination from a politician – not sure that sits right with me |
Outlaw Tor | 18 Sep 2016 4:39 p.m. PST |
NESEP. But for the question…seems real world is very different than as taught, so not sure academies are capable of being "best". |
Legion 4 | 19 Sep 2016 9:29 a.m. PST |
Again … it really depends on the individual. But with little doubt, most academies turn out some very good officers. And this could be said about ROTC[but according to some on TMP, I may not have been one of them ! ] and OCS, etc. The bottom line big militaries need a lot of bodies and along with that many officers to lead them. And all can't/won't be an Eisenhower, Marshal, MacArthur, Patton, etc. And even there, there is a difference of opinions … |
GunnarL | 19 Sep 2016 10:06 a.m. PST |
Well, from this "ring knocker" I may be a little biased, but I believe that when it comes to American academies, USMA is by far the best officer training program. When it comes to actual military lifestyle, environment, and training the other academies pale in comparison. As others have said, this does not make all officers that come from USMA good officers, but I think that the vast majority of graduates end up being fantastic officers. Everyone obviously has their opinion and I feel that ROTC and OCS are certainly just as valuable to the service as they provide much needed diversity to the officer corps. I also know that OCS-trained officers tend to be better liked by enlisted soldiers because they will often be more similar in outlook and opinions. However, it is made very clear in ALL officer training that the men you lead are not to be your friends. You may like them, you may truly care for them outside of a military context, but you may not be friends with them. There is a distinction between the ranks for a reason and many mustangs and enlisted personnel forget that where academy grads and ROTC officers tend to remember better. You can NOT be "one of the guys" when you are expected to order your men to kill or die for you. Mustangs bring something that academies and ROTC do not, experience. This is why they are such a valuable addition to the officer corps. The jokes about clueless Lieutenants do not apply to them as much because they have experience in the Army itself. However, I feel that the idea of only promoting from the ranks is a terrible mistake as you will homogenize the service. Just because an OCS officer has extensive knowledge of the Army and joes does not mean that you want him to lead in an echo chamber filled with like-minded people. That is why we have the different avenues for commission. I have met a lot of joes and I can tell you that there is no way in hell I would want to promote the numbers of officers the Army needs solely from the ranks. Now, as to service academies in the world? I would go with either Sandhurst for purely military. Other notable academies are the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) or The Austrailian Defense Forces Academy (ADFA) along with USMA. If there is any question as to my tone or opinion, I can promise you that I am attempting to be completely civil and academic here. I'm not trying to insult anyone who may be from a different commissioning source or academy nor am I attempting to get anyone riled up. I just saw that people were looking for "ring knockers," a term that a personally can't stand as it represents the worst of us, and I wanted to give my thoughts on the issue from an unrepresented side of the argument. Gunnar |
Old Contemptibles | 19 Sep 2016 12:27 p.m. PST |
Texas A&M – Yeah I know, but I don't care. VMI |
Rod I Robertson | 19 Sep 2016 2:21 p.m. PST |
The Peoples' Liberation Army National Defense University is an up and comer! :-) Cheers. Rod Robertson. |
Legion 4 | 19 Sep 2016 2:47 p.m. PST |
Sounds good to me Gunnar … even if you are a USMA grad … |
Legion 4 | 19 Sep 2016 2:49 p.m. PST |
Oh and nobody mentioned the "Klingon Warrior Academy" … but I guess if I mention that. Then I'll have to mention, Star Fleet Academy too … |