Has anyone attended a Junior or Senior Military College?

2015-07-28T20:04:22-04:00

SMC's are known for their Corps of Cadets and recognized by the DOD. What was your experience like? Would you recommend it to servicemembers? Would you do it again? I'm considering attending one after my contract ends and compete for a commission.

Response by 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-07-28T20:09:37-04:00

Would I do it again, no. But it's worth it depending on what you want to study and what school you want to go to. You just have to remember it's not the real military and that there's a bigger purpose behind your freshmen year

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-07-28T20:12:18-04:00

Yes. The Citadel. It's a more strict society than what I experienced in the navy. For someone fresh out of high school I would recommend it. Not for prior service. Attend any school for a degree and apply for a commission.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-07-28T20:16:57-04:00

I went to Marion Military Institute. It has it's perks to go to a MJC because you get commissioned in 2 years. However, you don't get BOLC qualified until you finish your degree. So you're basically drilling without knowing the basic fundamentals of your job.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 28 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-07-28T20:28:04-04:00

By way of this comment, I'm asking LTC Stephen F., USMA, Class of '80, to weigh in on this subject and perhaps give some counsel!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-07-28T20:45:32-04:00

Yes. North Georgia College and State University...now the University of North Georgia. I would definitely do it again. Attending an SMC, you are fully immersed in the military way of life each and every day. It is a strict environment but puts you ahead of your peers physically and mentally (in my opinion). Some of my peers brand new to the Army and prior service, as newly minted 2LTs, did not know basic leadership skills that were second nature to those of us who learned those leadership skills at an SMC. Time management is just one of those things that you will notice people struggle with...especially officers in high OP Tempo environments. Also, one thing that I was told...and did not know prior to attending the SMC...was that you automatically earn an Active Duty slot unless your Professor of Military Science (PMS) does not allow it because of your performance during your time at the SMC or you ask for a National Guard or Reserve position. However, peers who attended ROTC programs at other universities were competing for Active Duty slots. North Georgia has many prior service cadets and works with those cadets who may report to classes later in August while they finish schools like Air Assault or Jump School. The university also works with those who are in the Guard/Reserve and must train during weekends and cannot attend university SMC events. It is a very military friendly campus and offers many financial incentives to those who join the Corps of Cadets who are prior service. Contact me if you would like more information. No regrets here. Great question.

Response by LTC Bryan Wood made Jul 28 at 2015 8:54 PM

2015-07-28T20:54:18-04:00

I was in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M for one year. I was not ready for college so I left. I would highly recommend it. I have one son who is a USMA grad and another one who wants to go. If he can't get in, he's going to A&M and be in the Corps. A couple of advantages to attending a Senior Military College is you can marry, live off campus and have a car. You still get a top notch education and an opportunity to commission AD or Reserve or Guard.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 28 at 2015 9:32 PM

2015-07-28T21:32:25-04:00

SPC Kevin Campbell Lopez I attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) from August 1975 to July 1976 when I was admitted as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. and graduated as an of Infantry 2LT on May 28, 1980.
The curriculum at USMAPS consisted of English [two sessions per day] and Mathematics [two sessions per day], physical training and competitive sports with some drill and ceremonies. The goal was to prepare us to do well at USMA and help us get nominated and accepted. WE were soldiers and drawing the pay associated with our rank.
Requirements for the United States Military Academy include being nominated by a Congress person, the President of the USA or the Army, being under age 23 at admittance, having never been married, doing well on the entrance examinations - physical aptitude test, academic record and good Aptitude test results (when I went through we had to do well of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)). At West Point you begin with what is known as Beast Barracks where new cadets learn basic military skills akin to BCT as well as basic requirements fro West Point which include memorization of important information - training on memory as well as useful and some not-so-useful information. As prior service you would be at an advantage and a disadvantage because you would known to be prior service and expected to be proficient as well as train your squad mates. After Beast Barracks you enter Plebe year where your day is full from about 0600 to 2200 - academics occupies about 8 hours per day and 4 on Saturday. Formations, other duties, parades or intramural or intercollegiate (Corps Squad) sports in afternoon, studying in the evenings. The summer after Plebe year is built around Camp Buckner where you are introduced to the basic branches of the Army. When I went through a SF group helped train us in recondo and other similar activities. We were able to go though most of the branch training at West Point but were flown by C-141 to and from Fort Knox to learn about armored vehicles - that probably takes place at Fort Benning now. After some leave time the sophomore year begins which is known a Yearling year. Similar to Plebe year academics, parades or intramural or intercollegiate (Corps Squad) sports in afternoon, studying in the evenings. After that year many cadets go to jump school at Fort Benning while some jump qualified cadets go to ranger School. There is also an opportunity to be a 3rd LT in a tactical unit for a month in a regular army unit. I spent that summer as an acting drill sergeant at Fort Dix for 2 months. The Junior year is known as Cow year and consists of similar activities as the previous year. The summer after Cow year many cadets are cadre during Beast and Camp Buckner phases. I went to be a 3rd LT at a Signal unit in Germany and came back for jump school at Fort Benning. The senior year is known as Firstie year [nor sure of spelling) and consists of similar activities as the previous year but the Firstie's are at the top and hold the leadership positions. West Point is challenging - we started with over 1,450 cadets and graduated 996 - a few died but most dropped out with a few forced out for violating the honor code which governs cadet life - "a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do" was the wording when I was there.
LTC Stephen C. i hope this helps.

Response by PFC Kyle Corcoran made Jul 28 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-07-28T21:40:15-04:00

I graduated high school from Camden Military Academy in Camden, South Carolina in 2006. They had an excellent bridge program to The Citadel that I really wish I took advantage of. At that time I thought I would never join the military. How foolish/naive of me! Though I can say that when I joined the army 2 years later in 2008, I owed a lot of readiness and preparation to Camden Military Academy. As a matter of fact, my 10 year reunion is coming up soon and my fiancé and I will be attending. Im really looking forward to it.

Response by James Jones made Jul 29 at 2015 12:39 AM

2015-07-29T00:39:35-04:00

If you had an interest in switching to the Marines or Navy, any ROTC program in the nation will grant you an active duty commission instead of only a select few as the Army does with their ROTC program. Not sure about the Air Force. Just another consideration if you decide you want more freedom to be an adult and end up thinking SMCs may not be for you. Always good to know your options.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jul 29 at 2015 6:03 AM

2015-07-29T06:03:14-04:00

I have not attended, but I have had mixed experiences with officers who attended these schools. They tend to be VERY competent, but don't necessarily interact well with non-military types. A former roommate of mine, RDML Anthony Gaiani, is a Citadel graduate, and an immensely successful combat leader. I guess it all comes down to how rounded you want your life experience to be.

Response by Jacob Casaus made Jul 30 at 2015 12:37 AM

2015-07-30T00:37:53-04:00

I'm heading over to NIMMI after high school, and if God leads the way hopfully I will go to west point

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 8:00 AM

2015-07-30T08:00:35-04:00

I am a proud alumni of the Virginia Military Institute. Our program is hard, but rewarding. If you want to get the most out of college I suggest you go there. The alumni network is unbelievable and the memories you make will last for ever. Good luck. Rah Va Mil!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-07-30T15:45:23-04:00

I attended Valley Forge Military College. I loved my time at the school - so much so that I now work there as a TAC officer. You have to know what you want to take away from a program at a SMC or MJC before setting foot on campus. Their commissioning programs are unique and can be stressful if you're not prepared for what you're walking into. I went to VF to be a bandsman and decided to give ROTC a shot. While I was 100% dedicated to my service (I was an enlisted Soldier before going to college), I wasn't prepared for what the program was, and I struggled to find reasons to stay. I am greatful for the experience and have enjoyed every moment of being a commissioned officer, and I am thankful for having had the opportunity to learn how to lead outside of ROTC.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-08-11T20:29:58-04:00

I attended Norwich University, but based on the changes in administration over the past four years I attended, I would NOT recommend going in as a cadet. The Army ROTC battalion is excellent, but the overall school has gone downhill over the years--this is seen not only by current students but by longtime alumni. If you push yourself, the professors will challenge you academically and the ROTC units will challenge you physically, but be prepared for little to no training in the Corps of Cadets. A lot will depend on the initiative of your cadet leadership, and even then they may be criticized for taking such initiative.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Sep 30 at 2015 1:20 AM

2015-09-30T01:20:44-04:00

Yes, I graduated JC from NMMI. It's a great school. I wouldn't change a thing. I'd go again. NMMI has a two year commission program AND is a prep school for the Academies.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 9 at 2016 5:26 PM

2016-09-09T17:26:27-04:00

Nope ... I went full head first into Reality...

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Oct 21 at 2016 11:13 AM

2016-10-21T11:13:28-04:00

Does USNA count?

Response by LTC Bob Kiser made Oct 30 at 2016 9:28 AM

2016-10-30T09:28:40-04:00

I did not....but wish I did....many of my peers attended The Citadel, VMI and Texas A&M....they were exceptionally well prepared for the challenges we faced....go for it and enjoy the ride!