Category Archives: Military Academy

Military Academies Top Best Colleges List

Barely a week after topping the Princeton rankings for the best American universities, the US military academies again excelled when Forbes magazine and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity ranked the nation’s 600 best colleges.  The US Military Academy at West Point topped the list at #1.  The US Air Force Academy came in at #7, and the US Naval Academy at Annapolis ranked #30.  The complete list can be seen here.  (Both the Army and Air Force also highlighted the news.)

Forbes said they used a somewhat different criteria than some ranking systems:

Will my courses be interesting and rewarding?
Will I get a good job after I graduate?
Is it likely I will graduate in four years?
Will I incur a ton of debt getting my degree?

Given the fact that graduates have secure jobs with reasonable pay and no debt, it make sense that military academies would rise near the top of the list.

Forbes also has an interesting article on “How West Point beats the Ivy League.”

MRFF Files Response against Motion to Dismiss

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation quietly filed its response to the US Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the Chalker v Gates lawsuit.  The lawsuit challenges the practice of allowing prayer at mandatory military formations and ceremonies. It demands that Specialist Dustin Chalker, an atheist, and “those similarly situated” not be forced to attend ceremonies that include a “sectarian prayer.” In comparing the two filings, it seems as if the two groups of lawyers were sometimes speaking past each other.

The MRFF’s response brings up some interesting points, but also ignores some valid issues. It also significantly changes the concept of the original suit. Read more

Fighter Pilot Remembered for Christian Faith

Capt. Mark McDowell perished a few weeks ago when his F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in Afghanistan.  His WSO, Capt. Thomas Granith, was also killed in the crash.  McDowell’s grandfather noted his call to flying:

(Flying) was his life. He died doing what he wanted to do. He wanted to fly. He was called to fly…God called him to be a pilot.

His memorial service was recently held at First Baptist Church of Belmont in North Carolina.  Much of the service focused on “Mark’s strong faith in God.”

“Mark was always seeking to know more about the Scriptures…”

The service concluded with a powerful message on faith in Jesus and an invitation for everyone in attendance to accept him. Read more

New Lieutenants Paid to Earn Graduate Degrees

While many military cadets may look forward to graduation and moving on to the “real” military (getting out of the fishbowl), a small group gets the pleasure of pinning on their Lieutenant bars and heading right back to school.  For example, after graduating from the US Air Force Academy, 87 cadets will have the opportunity to continue their education through a variety of advanced degree programs as varied as MIT and Oxford.  Not only will their attendance be paid by scholarship or stipend, but the young officers will also continue to receive their Lieutenant paychecks.

Advanced education is considered desirable in the military, particularly for officers in specialized fields and those who will go on to strategic ranks.  Obtaining a graduate degree this early gives the young officers an advantage Read more

Dramatic Rise in Service Academy Applications

According to the AP, the US military service academies have seen a dramatic rise in applications.  The US Naval Academy has received over 15,000 applications for a mere 1,200 slots (and has already received another 8,000 applications for next year’s class).  It is possible this is attributable to a poor economy, as the academies offer “free” education and a guaranteed job after graduation.  The economy has also been cited as a reason for higher retention in the US military as a whole, despite the high deployment rates and ongoing combat operations.

Post-Commissioning: Leaving the Fishbowl

As noted in this short article, many military cadets, strapped for time, cash, and energy, dream of the day when they will finally graduate and enter the “real” Air Force, Navy, etc.  They hope for that day when they can finally have the time and resources to do the things they know they should, like give money to their church, read their Bible, or attend a fellowship.  What some don’t realize is that life may be just as busy “on the outside.”

Thus, the time to integrate those Christian characteristics into their life–to turn choices into habits, which are the basis for a lifestyle–is now, because there will never be a “better” time. Read more

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