Face it, The Academies aren’t going anywhere. Too much tradition and too strong an alumni base. Besides, how can you argue with Lee and Grant and Eisenhower and Patton and Schwarzkopf and Nimitz and Mitscher and Halsey and on and on? The Academies do what they’re intended to do: produce superior officers and eventually senior military leadership.*
*: not entirely objective here; my son is a 2011 USMA graduate. And it’s about the best thing he ever did.
A few weeks ago, I celebrated the 50th anniversary of my graduation from Gonzaga University, and commissioning as a 2nd LT. My ROTC class was small, less than 25. Almost all of us were there all 4 years. Just yesterday, I was on the phone with one of my classmates. Yes, the bonds we developed have been life long.
Despite the times, there were virtually no incidents that I can recall. The worst of it was good natured ribbing. Back then, Gonzaga had only 2000 undergrads, it was a tight-knit community.
We had a good class: a 2-star general, several Colonels, etc. About a third pinned on Ranger tabs, while more than half the class (including me) graduated from Airborne School.
Keep the academies and ROTC. Our country depends on well educated professionals to lead the military now and into the future.