The military academies provide an “Ivy League” caliber education and unparalleled training experience…why do they need additional training at home?
“High school hero…West Point zero.” The young men and women who attend the United States service academies are the best and brightest our country produces each year. They are the valedictorians, team captains, student council presidents and community service leaders yet when they arrive to the academies; they are a small fish in a big lake of overachievers. Almost immediately, they are placed in a super competitive environment and are graded and ranked according to performance. Placing high earns the cadets better positions of responsibility, more privileges and opportunities unavailable to those who don’t fare as well. Like academy graduates, ROTC and OCS officers choose their branch of service (infantry, armor, special forces, flight school, etc.) and post assignment in order of class rank at the end of their training. These young, ambitious Saint Louisans compete for the chance to serve their country in a very dangerous environment…shouldn’t we do what we can to help insure their su
