>"How soon are you thinking about making this career choice, would you go enlisted or commissioned?"< I am 15 right now, so alot of this depends on if I can get accepted into Westpoint or the Naval Academy. I've got the grades and am physically capable, but I have heard that I would need to get a state Senator or Representative to give their signature/approval. As far as making the career choice, I am very firm on what I want to do...I have wanted to be in the military all my life. Most guys/girls my age practice heavily to be good at sports like football, basketball, and baseball, but I practice shooting, running, hand to hand combat, and learning about how to be a good soldier. That's not to say I don't like sports, I love football and basketball, but they aren't my passions. >"Also what are your parents views given the current world situation? My little bro joined the RoyaL Marines and it did not go down well with the folks. Not out of any anti war sentiment, just concern for their child.<" My Dad supports me 100% and says that the US needs people like me who are willing to protect and possibly die for their country, but my Mom is somewhat worried. I know most people are going to read this and say 'he will change his mind before he is 18' or something like that, but I am very focused on what I want to do.

"but I have heard that I would need to get a state Senator or Representative to give their signature/approval" That is generally one of the hurdles to gain admission. My former congressman had a group of veterans who would rate potential candidates for him. Try to find out how your representative makes his selections. In terms of school, in addition to grades leadership/membership on athletic teams, academic clubs, and civic activities can be helpful.

GOP, Don't sweat the congressional nomination process for West Point. If you are well qualified, you'll get one. The way it works is that each member of Congress gets one primary nominee (if that person is qualified, they automatically are accepted) and 9-10 alternate nominees. Once the primary nominees and slots for prior service/prep school/CMH children are filled, the remaining slots (about 40% of the entering class) are filled with the highest ranking candidates that are in the alternate nomination pool. USMA has MALOs (Military Academy Liasion Officers) that assist in the application process, are up to date with the latest admissions policies, and administer the Physical Aptitude Exam. When I went through the application process, my MALO set up several practice PAEs so that candidates could practice and hone their techniques (for example, throwing a basketball from your knees was one of the events that used to be in the PAE - practice here gives you the muscle memory of when to release the basketball to get the best trajectory - this is an example of something where technique can overcome actual physical skills). I don't know how they weight academic/physical/leadership scores, but good grades, test scores, and a strong PAE score isn't enough. You also need to exhibit leadership potential, such as involvement in local activities (church, Boy Scouts), student council/clubs, volunteer work. Doing one activity heavily throughout high school is better than doing 5-6 sparsely. You have to remember that a person who can get good grades and exercise doesn't necessarily make a good leader - you also need people skills, and these activities will demonstrate that you are comfortable with personal interactions and working with people. Like I said, getting in contact with the MALO will be the best thing you can do to guide you through the process. Guys like me can give some pretty good general advice, but the specifics that we know were probably only pertinent for our admissions year, not for current admissions. Contact West Point on their website, , and they can guide you to the MALO. I'm sure the other service academics have similar programs. Good luck.

One other point....if you are in Boy Scouts, get your Eagle Scout rank. It is a specific question on your application. I was told when I applied (back in the dark ages when we used muskets) that I did not get an appointment (I was nominated) because I was not an Eagle Scout....quit 1 merit badge and a service project shy.

Albany I admire the fact you use your failures as examples to learn from it is refreshing to see honesty.In the end the sum of all are experince{including failure}is the core of are succses.

I am not in the boy scouts, but I would love for my school to have a ROTC program. If not USMA, then VMI or the Citadel, or any other college with a ROTC program

The key is extra curricular activities and GPA, I knew a couple people with great GPAs and test scores, but they had few extra curricular activities and were turned down by West Point. Also start talking to you congressman as early as possible you'll need a letter from him/her to get in most likely. Good Luck

Can you earn a billet to be a Ranger if you get into USMA, and if so, can you earn a billet to be a Ranger from VMI, the Citadel, etc? I realize you must first be Airborne qualified, but I am guessing that you can get Airborne qualified while at USMA?

GOP, To earn a slot in the Ranger Battalion as lieutenant, you have to serve as a lieutenant elsewhere first (for infantry, as a rifle platoon leader; for field artillery, as a fire support officer, etc.). Once you have 12 months on station, then you can put in a Ranger packet to be selected. The primary factor in the decision for you to be selected in my experience is the word of a battalion commander/first sergeant/command sergeant major that has served in the Ranger Regiment and vouches for you. Once you have been selected, then you attend ROP (pronounced "rope" - Ranger Orientation Program) for two weeks where you complete different physical training events, receive a pyschological evaluation, and go before a selection board to get the final "thumbs up." I believe that it is very rare to fail ROP, as weak candidates are weeded out during the packet selection process. Your commissioning source has zero effect on your chances to get into Ranger Battalion. Also, timing has a lot to do with your selection; if there aren't any slots when you are available to transfer, then you're not going. The above wasn't always the case. I know that in the 80s, guys who had been solid Rangers had the opportunity to go straight to a Ranger Battalion upon commissioning; however, that's no longer the case. The same thing as above applies for captains. Once you are nearing the end of your command, you can put in a Ranger packet. For CPTs, timing is even more important. If you don't have enough time left on your CPT timeline (prior to promotion to MAJ) to be on staff for a year or so prior to taking a Ranger command, then you won't get selected. Also, with fewer CPT slots, it's just tougher to compete. However, it is not a prerequisite to have served in the Ranger Regiment as a LT to be selected as a CPT. From those that I have known, probably about 1/4 of the CPTs selected were not in Ranger Regiment as a LT.

Based on your comment, then I am one smart SOB since I have made sooooo many mistakes!!! GOP, DON"T GO TO RANGER SCHOOL AS A CADET!!!!!!!! Okay, why do I say that? 1. Your branch of choice is based on how well you do academically (USMA) or at advanced camp (ROTC). Getting Infantry is not automatic....you have to earn it. Also, at Advanced Camp you do learn a lot and get to see other branches and work with other folks. 2. Its a simple matter of economics. As a cadet, you get paid very little and no TDY. As a second lieutenant, you get your basic pay, BAS, BAQ, TDY & jump pay. Big difference. Also, if you get hurt as a cadet and can't pass a commissioning physical, well its too bad and have a nice life.....and unless you are a dependent, you only get the initial emergency medical care from Uncle Sam. As an officer, they at least have to get healthy enough to walk out the door and at worst give you a disability. And frankly, it is a lot easier overall to go after OBC than in lieu of Advanced Camp. All of this fropm someone who broke their leg day 3 of Ranger School as a 2 LT right out of OBC and could never finish. If I had done it as a cadet, I never would have branched Infantry because I would not have completed Advance Camp before my senior year. I did well enough leadership evaluation wise that I got my choice. If I had to defer a year, I would have ended up in FA.