Any former West Pointers have some advice on using the Cow Loan? I am interested in buying a car for around 15k and unsure for the rest?

I bought a new Jeep Wrangler for $12,000 in 1988, and then sold it for $5,000 when I was back at West Point teaching econ with COL Carlos Perez ten years later. I definitely got $7,000 worth of value out of that purchase. No regrets. Loans were smaller back then. The meager remainder joined a small amount I had invested in a diversified group of mutual funds. Diversification and patience is important. Plan your investing strategy to achieve your goals given your risk tolerance and stick with it. All investments not in my IRA wound up "invested" in a honeymoon in 1995. No regrets. Happy to discuss investing strategy further offline if you have questions. There a lots of resources out there online, but sometimes discussion helps put all that information in context.

Having been in your shoes many years ago, my personal opinion is to consider an affordable, reliable car (as you have indicated) and placing the rest in a well diversified mutual fund from a reputable company. The type of fund (growth, value, etc.) would depend on when you think you'll need access to what's in the account. For example, if you have a long investment horizon, a growth fund may make sense. And, if you don't need access until retirement, consider an IRA. I personally would not "invest" in a single stock or a few stocks because that gives up the advantages of diversification.

Invest in a high yield stock. When you graduate and start collecting 2LT pay use the interest earned to help pay off the loan. It is a big suck to have that chunk of money taken out of your paycheck each month. Also, get a cheaper car, you'll drive it, not live in it. The more you put away to pay off the loan, the more money you will have to get nicer things when you are free of the Point, on your own, and have a real pay check.