I just visited West Point. Are the best Army officers often from West Point?

I thought they come from dedicated and experienced NCOs when they have enough sense to listen. Don't doubt the top, he's got a closet full of "been there done that" shirts.

The best officers are those that understand leading the best soldiers to ever exist in history is a privilege and an honor that requires the officer to make demanding sacrifices for his soldiers' well-being every day. One who accepts that his NCOs have a completely different mission in regards to his soldiers, and gives them the time and the support that they need, without excuses or delay. One who accepts nothing but the best effort from each member of his unit while realizing and taking advantage of the fact that each of his soldiers has unique strengths and weaknesses. Those qualities are not unique to academy graduates.

There are 4 officer sources. West Point, other Military Schools, ROTC, and OCS. In my opinion the ranking of best officers is in direct opposition to the order of this list. OCS are the best because they understand the needs and attitudes of the enlisted personnel under their command, while having the ability to interact with other officers. As you go through the other groups, you'll discover an increasing level of entitlement and lack of understanding.

I know officers on both ends of the spectrum (excellent-terrible) from all sources (West Point, ROTC, OCS, Direct Commission).

Coupled with your ability to learn and adoption of the service/school values, it is really your character that is the primary determinant of the type and quality of leader you will become.

IMHO the best officers come from the enlisted ranks. OCS. They understand how the lower ranks feel. They're smart enough to have made it through that level of training and the ones I knew were more respected than most other types of officers.

All three sources produce great officers, capable officers, and poor officers. Being a jerk equal opportunity.

NO, or rather not necessarily, some were "90 day wonders, others were ROTC with prior service... and a few were Battlefield commissions.

It's funny you ask that...the Army ROTC unit I was in before USAF OTS traned a good deal at West Point, in formations by the barracks, on the obstacle course, rappelling off the cliff, on the orienteering range, so I got a pretty fair idea of what the place was actually like, as far as I could...also, had I known that ROTC unit commanders can apparently nominate for the academy for their svc, I'd certainly have asked, I only learned that little tidbit much later on...my next younger brother was USMMA Kings Point, I commissioned him when he finished, so I got a pretty fair description of his place also, from all he'd told me...the deputy base commander where I was had been Annapolis, he opted for USAF when he'd finished, the Lt. Gen. of my installation had been a B-17 tail gunner who'd gone West Point then USAF after WW2, also, one enlisted guy where I was did get into USAFA in CO, while I'd been there, I'd read in the installation newspaper...I worked with a good many USAFA grads, also SUNY Maritime College grads, known many other USMMA grads as well, also had a chance at one point to have done a one-year temp faculty spot at SUNY Maritime that I'd chickened out on, for which I kick myself fairly regularly, I also kick myself I never applied there, I very nearly did and might've actually had a halfway decent chance, I think...I just figured you might find such trivia of interest...last, my best friend in USAF had been from VMI, so I got his perspective on his place, as well....

The best officer is found in the quality of his soul, not where he received his training.

Best as I see it are former enlisted. OCS. If you are a west point grad and do not make col you failed. Had one when I worked for army recuiting support center. He was a fool. Selling real estate on the side because both of his wife's divorced him.