Service Academies

Posted by Chris at 10/6/2007 6:11 PM ...

I realize that most people have almost no connection to the modern military, and little inkling of what the military is, what service members do, or why it is all necessary, but how on earth does a senior in political science at Columbia not know that the purpose of a service academy is? For that matter, how does any high school graduate not know that the mission of the service academies is to turn out trained officers for the nation's military?

I understand how parents and siblings might disagree with the choice to enter the military, perhaps even fear it, but not even understanding what the service academies are for? I'm not sure if that is incredible ignorance, willful denial, or wishful thinking.

Others may disagree, but I think this is just another reason to have ROTC at elite schools, and to have active duty officers go to graduate school at civilian universities.