United States Naval Academy

I would urge students considering the academies to choose ROTC or alternative officer programs instead. I believe that most students who are able to be successfully admitted to USNA are ultimately failed by USNA's restrictive environment and its inability to modern times which greatly retards their social development and ability to work with people within and without of the military. Students who attend the academy are undoubtedly some of the best and the brightest but at the end of the day the Academy hinders rather than advances their development as young officers and people. While the Academy may be a good fit for a small fraction of USNA students, the obnoxious bureaucracy and ancient system of restrictions provides students with the worst aspects of the military while programs alternative officer programs like ROTC provide their prospective officers with the best of both military and civilian college worlds with meaningful field exercise training and exposure to the diversity, social maturation, and academic freedom provided by college life. USNA's students come in as the cream of the crop from their hometowns and yet, after being allowed off-base for a handful of hours per weekend during plebe year, people still wonder why they start behaving as they do with binge drinking, synthetic drug usage and even sexual assaults. There is no excuse for such behavior but, for pete's sake, let's give these young men and women some fresh air and let them take a walk-off campus during the week and relax some of the absurd weekend policies so they can come back ready for success. I wouldn't abolish the academies as some would but I would definitely advise the administration to get over the romanticism and optimize academy leave policies so as to prevent the midshipman from going insane or getting miserable and depressed as many of them do. Another negative aspect of the academy is the "soccer mom" culture which pressures the midshipmen into acting like they are absolutely in love with the place to outsiders when in reality most of them are completely miserable and would transfer out if not for the tremendous pressure from family and classmates. Honestly, a lot of the time it feels so artificial and even cult-like when everybody here knows everyone else is miserable but they put on a fake smile even though they dream of doing ROTC at a civilian school. Ultimately, I would like to thank prospective future officers for their willingness to serve but I strongly advise attending a different officer program to become the best officer and young leader you can be.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2015

Friendliness: A+, Useful Schoolwork: F

To be honest, I wish I hadn't wasted so much effort to try to get in. Long story, but I would have rather gone to a ROTC university, and ultimately, I left in the second year. I wanted not so much to go to the Academy, as to be a naval officer. So, I did become a naval officer (OCS) and ultimately had a great career that culminated in command-at-sea. But wanting to be a naval officer isn't enough, and wanting a degree isn't enough (I have three graduate degrees now). I think you have to want to go to the Naval Academy. Period. I was an introvert in a lot of ways and I think that hurt me. Twenty-five years later, I still have nightmares about this place, though one enduring friendship continues. I continue to wish that going ROTC had been an option in my (very unique) situation...I'm sure it would have been fun to have a normal college experience instead of doing either USNA or the route I eventually took to get my degree finished.

1st Year Female -- Class 1993

Campus Maintenance: A, Education Quality: F

If you want to serve as an officer in the armed forces, gain leadership experience at a young age that will enhance your civilian career for a lifetime, if you want to reach your highest potential - do ROTC. This place is not what it used to be 10, 20, or 30 years ago. Years ago this was THE place to get an education and gain benefits that last a lifetime, both in and out of the service. No longer is this the case. No longer is it necessary or worth it to choose the academy over ROTC as it provides NO benefits apart from initially knowing more people in the fleet. The reason that the reviews for this place are so good are that 1) many of the reviewers graduated at a time where it was advantageous and worth it to go to the USNA, and 2) half the reviews are not only about the school, but the Navy as well (it can be an awesome career). You would see similar (and better) reviews if there was a similar ROTC review site. If you talk to old graduates they will have many fond and hilarious memories of the USNA, which involve experiences you won't find anywhere else. If you talk to young junior officers (recent graduates) they will talk of how shitty the place is and how they wish they took that ROTC scholarship to university X.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2017

University Resource Use/ spending: A+, Useful Schoolwork: F