[frmrda]

A question for all of you, and I swear I'm not trying to be a wise guy. I have great respect for any person wanting to serve their country, and from all I know about the Citadel the people who go, and send their kids there are extremely patriotic.

My question is this and please correct me if I'm wrong. Why would anyone want to go there when there is no guarantee that you will graduate and go into the service as an officer?

My brother in law, who's now in Iraq went to West Point and commented on how the cadets there and at the other academies sort of looked down on and scoffed at the Citadel because there is no military obligation that follows graduation and you can go there and be a "poser" or "wannabe" without having the obligation of going in and facing combat.

I undertand that there are programs available (ROTC) that would allow you to become and officer (like you could do at any other school), but a military obligation is not required upon graduation

Also, he says he can't understand why anyone would want to go through the abuse (which as I understand is much different and more "hazing-type" stuff than at the academies) without at least knowing you're going to get out as an officer.

If all I assume is true, I have to agree w/ him. Why would you go to a place like this, if you're not going to go onto the miltary and be an officer. I think that if you want to get anywhere is SC going to the Citadel gets you in doors, but it seems to me its no different than a high school "military academy" that has no ties to the armed forces, let alone pay betweenn $15 and $25K when if you really wanted to you could go the real academies for nothing.

[Rogle]

That is why I didn't finish there. But I assure you that, VMI and Citadel grads are well though of.

[Cit72]

Re: The Citadel. The concept is citizen-soldier. Some folks would say military training serves you well in civilian life.

No, not all graduates enter one of the services, but if you want to receive a commission upon graduation through one of the ROTC programs, it is usually there for you.

FYI, two graduates have died in the current Gulf war.

[Robe]

Well , I’ll take a crack at an explanation......

1.If you think that there is no military connection to the Citadel drop by some time and
have a gaze at the bronze tablets beside the door to Summerall Chapel... it list all the
Cadets which gave their all for their country.
2. The rigors of the school provide the individual with a talent for “finding order in
chaos”
3. 98% of last falls graduating class are either, gainfully employed, in the military, or
pursuing graduate degrees. ( I challenge you to fine a better record outside of the military
academies)
4. As far as graduates from West Point ( Known to the Corps of Cadets as “ The High
School on the Hudson”... they look down on everyone who is not a grad.. so no big deal
there.
5. I damn sure where my son is at 11:00 p.m., he’s not going to be tanking beer at the
local pub
6. The Citadel is an organization which is dedicated to the Spiritual, Physical, Academic
as well as the Military aspects of young men (and now women also) Find that at your top
ten Party schools.
7. 40% of last years Graduating Class were commissioned as officers in the service of the
United States
8. And I damned proud that my son chose a road less traveled in a organization that can
trace its roots to before the American Revolution.....

There I think that about covers it .....

Robe

[Old Sarge]

...how the cadets there and at the other academies sort of looked down on and scoffed at the Citadel...

That always happens at the academies, especially the New York School for Boys aka West Point.

I undertand that there are programs available (ROTC) that would allow you to become and officer (like you could do at any other school), but a military obligation is not required upon graduation

Back in the days when I wore a young man's uniform, I was commissioned thru ROTC. Back then, it did indeed contain a service obligation - in my case, four years. The VMI/Citadel guys were also considered ROTC cadres as well, and that was their commissioning "source".

I think that if you want to get anywhere is SC going to the Citadel gets you in doors...

And THAT is part of the effect, though not all of it. Both colleges have a looong tradition, recognized state-wide. A lot of it is the prestige thing, USMA v. VMI/Cit. They aren't just "military high schools", these are accredited universities, who also are a commission source upon graduation.

Not much, perhaps alumni can help more...

[Old Professer]

Well, at least one's writing is improved by rigorous schooling.

[chudogg]

I undertand that there are programs available (ROTC) that would allow you to become and officer (like you could do at any other school), but a military obligation is not required upon graduation

The first two years of ROTC there is no obligation, but during your junior year you contract and have an 8 year committment after graduation.

[Wild Irish Rose]

Why dont you send your Kids to Harvard or Yale,where they will get an elite education for priviliged Children and learn to become the ruling Class when they are of age.They will especialy want to incorporate there knowledge of nose piercing and hair dying to appeal to the happless masses that will see them into political office at that time. Not to mention there astute knowledge of minority interest and needs. After all, the Middle Class will be long gone along with their principles and traditions that somehow seem to be keeping this Country together for the time being.This will be especialy true if Institutions like The Citadel, and the young men who enter and graduate, cease to exist.