Officer Schools and Continuing Army Education programs

WestPoint Military Academy

As one of the best universities in the United States, West Point Military Academy has become known as a producer of some of America's top leaders. Founded over 200 years ago in March of 1802, the academy graduates over 900 Soldier-Scholars each year, all highly developed in four important areas; intellectual, military, physical and morals and ethics. It is a four year course that has been dubbed the West Point Experience.

On the path to becoming a commissioned officer in their Army career, WestPoint offers thirty-one academic courses and nineteen optional majors, designed to offer the candidate a well-rounded basis for educational development and their career, awarding a Bachelor of Science degree designed specifically to blend with the demands required from a career as a commissioned officer in the Army. The physical classes and competitive athletics programs offered each semester also bolster the requirements a candidate must lean on as an Officer, as does the skills and leadership training acquired through the military programs, which begin upon arrival at the academy. Just as the ROTC Army training provides, the WestPoint program begins with basic training, however in the third and fourth years, cadets have the opportunity to travel the world, participating in active Army units and attending advanced courses including military sciences. The moral and ethical training is provided throughout the entire officer training experience and includes instruction in values, voluntary religion-based programs and public speaking courses.

The Academy is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, and the Engineering Accreditation Commission and Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

WestPoint has established over 100 campus activities, earning itself the notoriety of having one of the most robust extracurricular programs in the nation, ranking third in the Princeton Review in the category of More To Do on Campus. Activities include a variety of sports clubs and religious and hobby clubs.

Academy Admissions and Requirements

Demand for entry to the Academy is competitive, and candidates may only be qualified once their potential can be evaluated. A recommendation for entry to the Academy must be received from either a member of Congress or directly from the Army. The application minimum should consist of a nomination from a US Senator, the applicant's member in the House of Representatives, and an application should be made directly to the Vice President. A member of Congress is afforded the ability to nominate 10 applicants for each of the five vacancies open to the member. Should an applicant not be accepted to WestPoint, but nominations made on their behalf, then that candidate will be moved to a national waiting list, from which 200 are offered admissions each year.

Admissions are open to motivated men and women who are seeking one of the most advanced and respected educational programs in the United States. Not only is the entire four year course fully funded by the Army, but as a member of the Armed Forces, cadets receive more than $6,500 in annual salary. The Academy welcomes over 1,100 men and women from all backgrounds and from all over the nation each year, and represent the broad diversification required for cadets to obtain the cultural and educational experience necessary to excel.

For the class of 2011, approximately one in eight applicants were selected to participate in the academy, three quarters of whom ranked in the top fifth in their class.

It is highly recommended that applicants begin their journey towards Academy cadet development early in high school, with special attention paid to vigorous and competitive team sports, and a curriculum of exercise and physical effort. Scholastic endeavors should include a focus on math such as algebra, geometry, foreign languages, sciences including chemistry and biology or physics history and geography and economics. Successful applicants are also chosen for their backgrounds in displayed areas of leadership including study body government positions, boys and girls scouts, public speaking and community and religious organizations. For students who will be juniors in high school in the fall of 2008, a Summer Leaders Seminar is available online between December and April.

Graduates serve in active, commissioned Army duty for five years minimum post-graduation, and many graduates have gone on to lead highly successful Army careers and civilian careers and make up some of the most respected and accomplished people in American history.

Located on the west bank of the Hudson river in New York State, the academy is only 40 miles north of New York City, five hours from Washington, DC, or four hours from Boston.

Contact WestPoint Academy for further information.

Officer Schools
ROTC
Army Officer School
Warrant Officer School