Inside 6 Of The Most Intense Military Colleges In America, From West Point To Annapolis | Boot Camp
Every year, thousands of high school graduates enroll in military academies and colleges, committing to four years of an intense military lifestyle filled with physical challenges and mental discipline. It's a completely different experience than that of most of their peers who choose traditional colleges. And in the case of military service academies like West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, attending those schools comes with a contract to serve in the armed forces for years after graduation.
Some young people choose to attend military colleges like The Citadel and The Virginia Military Institute that don't require a commitment to serve. For the last five years, Business Insider has gone inside these institutions to see what it's like on the first day when these high school graduates take the first step of their military college experiences.
0:00 Intro
0:56 US Military Academy (West Point)
7:28 US Naval Academy
16:32 US Coast Guard Academy
25:39 US Air Force Academy
35:18 Virginia Military Institute
48:17 The Citadel
1:09:22 West Point Basic Training
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Inside 6 Of The Most Intense Military Colleges In America, From West Point To Annapolis | Boot Camp
I think there is a lot of value in the training, especially for promising student straight out of highschool. It kills a lot of bad habits and lazyness that a regular college will let you get away with. Keeps you fit and helps build mental toughness. But the service itself? I have no comment
No thank you.
They are paying you for the 4 years and the college was free. You owe the army. Not imagine if a gov took care of all their citizens like this. Paying them just to do what they are already doing. Imagine how people would treat a gov that helped them and provided for them. That would be something. Cheaper than capitalism I bet.
@@johnrivera922 I hear that worked out well whenever it was attempted in the past!
I regret not joining the service
@@user-hs8wc3ol6o don't. Ever. It's a giant factory of bs.
@14:30 I had to choke back the tears. I remember taking that oath as I entered Oregon State National Guard Non Commissioned Officer Academy 1968. Following graduation I immediately enrolled in Officer Candidate School both located at Camp Withycombe in Portland, Oregon. I graduated and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1970 and graduated US Army Artillery Branch Qualification in 1971. That oath ment so much to me because my Father was in the Navy during WWII, after the war he took an interservice transfer into the (at the time a NEW branch of US Military) US Army Air Corp. He retired as a US Air Force TSGT in 1965. My Son enlisted in the US Army and was commissioned in 1994. His Son qualified for and was appointed to West Point by Congressman Denny Heck. He's now an Army Airborne Ranger, 1st Lt. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Damn, FOUR generations in the military!!!
Conservatives like Alex Jones and Roseanne Barr say all education, training, learning, done by government is indoctrination, brainwashing, useless, nothing to do with the real practical world. Conservatives say that government is never the answer for anything. Conservatives say government is always wrong and cannot do anything better than private individuals, civilians, companies. So why should I or anyone suffer the exhaustion, pain, abuse of boot camp to defend antiAmericans like conservatives?
I talked to two guys who were members of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M and Virginia Tech and they said they were both pretty rough. I'm kind of surprised that Norwich University wasn't mentioned.
Norwich is a shit school
Had a guy in my unit that graduated from Norwich. One of the traditions he told me about is all graduates would get a tattoo of the school crest on their leg.
@@PrinceAnt722that is for the football team, I’m a graduate of Norwich and I have a separate Norwich tattoo on my thigh. Tradition is deep at Americas first private senior military school!
@@ryanleonard4648 As a current student, I can confirm that it ain't just alums, one of the Corporals I share a class with got an 'I will try' tattoo before Rook Week. Guess it's a good thing he didn't drop!
I hope they also add the US Merchant Marine Academy to the list.
VMI Alum here. Believe it or not, the popularity of military academies go through cycles. Back in the 70s, these type of institutions were "disliked" among the young college youth. In 2023, it is also mocked and questioned. However, with enough time, this leadership pipeline will be great again as the results are always consistent. For the most part, whenever I meet a fellow graduate from the Naval Academy, Norwich, Texas A&M, or even the Merchant Marine Academy, I know I can trust them to be a hardworking leader with a moral compass. Our similar experience is what bonds us I think.
why do believe it, that you had to go to a military branded institute to find your moral compass ? ....I didn`t need someone shouting in my face for weeks on end to find my way in life nor did my older brother that went thru Nam, who found ( I believe it was when his bingo ball blew up on the board) his well before entering and went on to successful business careers....If you want to blow out your chest when you`re hangin out with the boys at the VFW, just do it Lad, or is it Vmi grad
At least with West Point or Annapolis or Zoomie U, you get a prestigious degree and a free education. Everyone respects those 3 Universities.
@@scottjoseph9578 C`mon now zoomieU, My old man and now my nephew were/are in the AF so can`t we give Colorado Springs some love, Padna
We are very excited and really like your creative ideas, made it enjoyable to watch and keep watching, hope you continue this great idea forever.
a funny, a cadet came to a ship I was on. I was allowed as an enlisted to make him do anything I wanted. Well, a few years later, he became my Ensign. Luckily, He didn't hold that against me. A great man and even better Officer. Hopefully, He ended up a better Officer because of this.
Looking to join the military when I graduate high school so this documentary was helpful thanks for an awesome documentary
step 1 change that pfp
You left out the Va Tech Corps of Cadets. i graduated in 1973 and we had a transfer cadet from WP (who had to to through our rat system) & he said VTCC was tougher then WP. Nevertheless, Im grateful for the experience I had as I had shown up as a lazy HS grad. The VTCC pounded discipline and good study habits into me that carried me through a successful life & career after my Army service as a Financial Advisor. Even if you aren't career military oriented, the VTCC has a great Civilian Track Option. I highly recommend any military college (WP, Annapolis, etc) or military/civilian college (like VTCC or TXAM or Norwich). Go Army!
You guys should do a Marine OCS video
you should do a video about the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)!!
I wanna be in a lot of forces when I grow up in the army thank you for this information about it too
Please do Norwich University!!!!
CORRECTION: Norwich University is the oldest private military college having been formed by Alden Partridge (former superintendent of the USMA) in 1819. Virginia Military Institute was formed in 1839. No disrespect to "Brother Rats" who attend a very fine school. Saluting the 8 dead VMI who gave their lives in the Battle of New Market where they plugged a gap in the line turning back the Union Army. I attended Norwich and was prepared to leave after the first months of hell but stayed in, made the deans list junior year and graduated. It was an experience to get a good engineering degree and learn how to work with people; those above and below my "command".
They said oldest “public senior military college” not oldest private military college. Technically their statement was correct.
Norwich Forever.
Right on brother. Class of 1980. @@MichaelDao
I've met many West Point Grad Officers and they think they're the greatest since the school engrained that mentality to them. They go to their unit thinking that they know how to lead but sub par at best.
I’m actually going this summer. I am currently enlisted, hopefully I don’t come back into the Army with that mentality. I’ll do my best to stay humble.
So Thankful for "All"Branches that "protect and serve".Thankyou.
Amazing video!
16 mile walk after basic training? Wow that’s no joke
😂😂😂
🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Can I keep my hands in my pockets? 😃
Nice job missing the US Merchant Marine Academy.
I love everything about the US military ❤
Should do a video on VT corps of cadets and texas A&M, both have great corps and are also embedded into a larger state university, making it a unique experience.
CMD. Regoli USNavy!!! We served together in VP-40 years ago when she was a Ltjg and then a LT. Beautiful woman and such a sweetheart!! The P-3 navy world was a much different animal when It came to taking care of your own and being able to visit with or hang out officer/enlisted, whether that was allowed is a different story, but good friends were made on both sides. I miss the life and the comradery deary!
West Point football games are outta control !!!! 💪🏽
Watching air force kids try to yell is so adorable lol. Jumping up and down makes you look like a cartoon.
Yes, that exaggerated shouting is in my opinion useless. Our Commando's and Marines are getting exellent training, but without exaggerated shouting.
Go Army Beat Navy! hehe ;) Army 23 Years. We're all on the same team anyway lol all in good fun. Thanks for your Service! God Bless!!!
I am in the draft, I am currently in Virginia and it sure is peaceful and I’m blessed by my front liners that must start learning la vida civil. and I want to start taking my Oath in front of The United States of America
Could you cover the 7 state maritime academies? Also you completely skipped the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) despite residing under the Department of Transportation rather than the Department of Defense.
If you think the Merchant Marine Academy isn't worthy, Watch all of the movie "Greyhound". "During the Battle of the Atlantic, over 3,500 ships carrying millions of tons of cargo were sunk. 72,200 souls were lost forever." I sailed the Atlantic from NYC to Cherbourg and from Southhampton to NYC. It is a rough crossing.
We just are not this ridiculous about military training. So we don't make good video, I guess.
i think high school students unsure of what direction to go in should try one of the military bootcamps. my older brother finally did it after a year on and off with community college and that really helped him find his path after becoming a marine.
@40:19- Proud to see my BR Bob Phillips in the role of Chaplain of the Corps. MG Winns was 2 years ahead of us. Good men are leading the Corps of Cadets these days.
I put two girls thru VMI. They are both tuff as nails. One is now a lawyer & the other flys C-17’s in the Air Force.
Women can indeed be tough as nails. This is proven in a number of country's all over the world. Even in the past. To give one example: During WW2, the Soviet Red Army had complete women battalions who were fighting the frinking Nazi's. And they did an exellent job!! Actually, the Germans were totally flabbergasted, that WOMEN cought fight them, and even could drive them back! And so it is today. In army's like the US, Britain, and Germany, women are doing an exellent job. Also as soldiers.
Did you mean C-17's? I don't believe there is a F-17 -- only a YF-17.
@@jimholloman4457 There is a F-117 Nighthawk. The very first steatlhbomber the US had put in service. And, there is the C-17 Globemaster, a pretty big transport aircraft from the US Airforce, altough not the biggest. That is the Lockheed C-5 Supergalaxy.
And I put two children through VMI also, son 82nd Abn (Afghanistan) now a successful lawyer and daughter USMC (x 9 yrs) in Iraq and Afghanistan now a successful psychotherapist. I think VMI is the best of all the military colleges. That is all.
24:47 oooooh boy that hurts to watch
The loving acting of a drill officer is as good as motherboard teaching.
Loved this video, Thank you for sharing it. My grandson is a 2021 graduate from West Point. Rite after graduation he graduated Jump School and Ranger School. He's just finished his first overseas assignment and is back as a 1st Lt commencing his stateside assignments. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
I believe the military is a good way to start your new career. Dad fought in W.W.2 but would not sign for me to join. Alberta Canada
Can yall do the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets next?
They should do one about US Merchant Marine Academy’s
I'm a Vietnam Vet I served in the New Zealand military we were attached to 4 RAR we don't talk to people who haven't served as they cannot comprehend what we you go thru to survive it was inbred in everyone that served look after each other regardless of the situation. Proud to have served.
Do Norwich bro please
Great school made Great nation. Proud of The Citadel South Carolina.
44:53 What VMI calls "straining", we call "bracing" at The Citadel. It's an exaggerated position of attention. When done correctly, it improves your posture over time. Most of these cadets were committing a common rookie mistake. You do not lean back. That will only put undue stress on your back. The female cadet was the only one doing it correctly.
At the Philippine National Police Academy we have "hands -back" you put your hands at the back and no one can insert their arms between the back and the hands to shake hands. By doing the "hands-back" you will have an exaggerated "breast-out" while in "chin-in" . To cheat the "hands-back" let your pinkies entwined.
These schools are pillars of USA greatness… keep calm and carry on
The Coast Guard fitness test…lady looked very well fed..hope she can beat the Swabs..
not to mention these schools are WAY HARDER to get in than Yale, Harvard, and Princeton combined.
hows that?
@@stephenjay3133 have you not notice that these places have a strict physical, health and academic standards to even be considered?
So glad to see Antinatalists and Birthstrikers fighting back against the selfish spoiled entitlement of militaries who think they are entitled to free slaves. Glad to see people NOT REPRODUCING, not producing kids, and forcing militaries to struggle to maintain recruitment numbers. Conservatives like Alex Jones and Roseanne Barr say all education, training, learning, done by government is indoctrination, brainwashing, useless, nothing to do with the real practical world. Conservatives say that government is never the answer for anything. Conservatives say government is always wrong and cannot do anything better than private individuals, civilians, companies. So why should I or anyone suffer the exhaustion, pain, abuse of boot camp to defend antiAmericans like conservatives?
@@strumminandwrenchin9162 Then why are all these brainwashing camps whining about being unable to meet quotas? If they really were struggling to find recruits they would let anyone in.
My throat, neck and head is really sore from watching this..
I’m also getting dandruff just seeing that trimmer 😅
touch grass.
That's Because U Eat Chip's & Drink Soda's & Play Video Game's... Get Off Ur Ass & Do Something In Ur Life...
You can never learn this on social media. This is real.
I just remember when you get back general Patton's got a big 💜 for ya ha lk Learn the drills 😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
As a former sailor, some of the comments I believe are from non military. This is the best school for anyone. The only negative comment I have is, the enlisted barbers are better.
I get mixed messages, many ex-military don't even want the current generation to serve, let alone go to an entire school program grooming them to be military personal.
The difference among a VMI, Citadel and West Point grad is only one got into west point 🤷♂️
EVERY teenager needs to go through this. It teaches them how to be adults, responsibility, discipline and other much needed lessons for the rest of their lives.
Man that shit to easy
Merchant Marine Academy, when?
Imagine spending the years 18 to 22 at a monastery (military academy) when you could go to a civilian university and get laid.
Anyone who could survive one of the U.S. service academies could probably earn an engineering degree at a state university and make more money.
You ain’t had a real Army cut until Mr. Shortz at 30AG get you.
치타텔/Citadel 이나 버지니아 인스티튜드 Virginia Institute는 일종의 주립사관학교 출신은 학군단/ROTC이나 OCS를 통해 임관해야 합니다. 자동 임관이 아니란 것이죠
"Remember that yelling does not make you skinny, PT does." - SMA Dailey
Can you do TAMU corps of cadets? Is that anything similar?
라틴어: In Pace Decus, In Bello Praesidium 영어: In peace a glorious asset, in war a tower of strength 라틴어: Consilio et Animis (on seal) 영어: By courage and wisdom (on seal)
Love seeing kids today going to the first day wearing slides. Like you have all the technology in the world but you couldn't find out the best thing to wear?
I would think twice about showing up with the haircuts some of these guys have.
4:54 damn 😮💨
28:00 absolute dad
The disgusting part of the academies is the holier-than-thou attitude they have toward non-academy commissioned officers.
Kakrot3, this is John Rodriguez: As a Prior Service Enlisted Marine and Soldier from 1987 to 1998 ,with 1 Year and 4 Months in the Army National Guard ( ARNG) and US Army Reserve ( USAR), I Myself NEVER, EVER, had a problem with Commissioned Officers from the Service Academies, especially Prior Service Enlisted - turned- Officer, called " Mustangs".🇺🇸🇺🇲🪖💣💥🔥🗡️⚔️🛡️🇺🇸🇺🇲‼️
Navy veteran here (female), I never experienced the attitude your speaking of from academy graduates. As a matter of fact, my experience was, Naval Academy graduates asked us what they do to make our rates better, faster and asked for help. Your opinion is based on nothing.
I’m commissioned from OCS, and I have never experienced that kind of attitude from academy graduates
At an academy. This is not true. Always taught to respect our fellow officers and NCOs
If anything, we walk on eggshells to avoid that appearance. There are bad apples, but it’s easier to blame the academy for it than recognizing that some officers will just be assholes. There’s nothing to blame for an OCS or ROTC commission being an asshole.
The difference between a college or university boot camp with the military academies is those who undergone with the later live full time inside the boot camp. they wake-up and sleep under control of time.
I can kind of understand going to one of the service academies (very prestigious and free) but why would anyone pay to go through all that hazing at VMI and the Citadel? It just makes no sense.
Learn about USMMA..more than a third of graduates chose an active duty slot in all the branches. USNR for 8 years if no other commitment is made.
Usmma?
@@stella-vu8vh U.S. Merchant Marine Academy :)
Damn no Norwich or merchant marine academy in here.
you forgot the merchant marine academy
Why wasn't Norwich mentioned?
those are like one state away annapolis is in maryland and west point is in conneticut just don't choose annapolis or the coast guard choose the air force its in colorado
west point ny
Talk about a double standard. Men loose their locks while women get to keep theirs. If women want to play with the big boys they should also be subject to the same rules. No partiality!
Does the United States Merchant Marine Academy not count as a Military Academy? Their graduates are able to join any branch of the military that they choose as an Officer.
You are correct. I graduated from Norwich. When I relinquished my company command (US Army) years ago, my successor was a Merchant Marine grad who decided to get commissioned in the army.
There is not one branch of the military named " Merchant". That school trains for work in shipping companies.
@@johnregan2077 John, you are partially correct. Though the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) isn't a "military" academy per se, its regimental programs are fully integrated into its academic setting (e.g. regimental formations, discipline, uniforms, chain of command, etc.) that are essential to operating maritime assets. Its graduates must then serve on U.S. Flag vessels with their U.S. Coast Guard license for five years. They must also serve as an officer in any reserve unit of the armed forces for eight years or serve on active duty in any of the nation's armed forces for five years. That's basically it. Hope that clears things.
The Air Force, Army and Navy I can understand. Theses private military colleges seem a bit strange.
A lot of folks who weren’t accepted at one of the official academies will go these schools. As they explained in this video, the acceptance rate at the academies is very low.
My man General Wins with the 2-12 Crest
The Citadel/치타델의 경우 굳이 따진다면 일종의 South Carolina주에서 운영하는 '주립' 사관학교 정도로 보시면 됩니다. West Point의 경우 미 육군성에서 직접 운영하는 '국립' 사관학교이죠. 치타델 군사대학은1842년 설립된 대학으로 상당수의 미군 수뇌부들이 여기 출신이라 West Point 정도급의 뼈대는 아닐지라도 우수한 명문 대학교에 속하며, 미군 내에서도 The Citadel 출신끼리의 연례행사를 가질 정도로 그 위력은 상당합니다. 실제로 2011년 미국 남부지역 주립대학교 순위에서 5위를 차지했죠. 대학 총장도 퇴역 장성들이 맡아오고 있습니다. 하지만 The Citadel(번역은 사우스 캐롤라이나 군사대학교) 은 사관학교라고 부르기 보다는 군사대학이라고 부르는 것이 더 맞습니다. 그 이유가 일단 재학생 들은 무조건 군사교육을 받아야 하지만, 졸업후 반드시 임관해야 하는 것은 아니기 때문입니다 (하지만 졸업후 임관하지 않는 학생은 소수에 불과). 즉 장교양성이 '주목적'인 사관학교라고 하기 보다는 장교양성을 위한 군사교육을 '제공'하는 주립대학교 정도로 보면 되겠습니다.
Why do they train Coasties on sailboats? That’s like training soldiers on horses.
SO many of them say the exact same thing “i want to be a part of something bigger than myself”… the recruitment brochures said the same thing, verbatim, back then… what a wonderful batch of thoughtless cannon fodder er i mean “free thinkers”…
As a retired U.S. Army Infantry NCO who served 23 years (1986-2010) and deployed to combat zones multiple times, I couldn’t care less WHY a person joins. All I care about is what they do when they join. I won’t have to worry about you though, because; 1. You don’t have the guts to join. 2. Even if you had the guts to join, you wouldn’t last a week before getting the boot 🥾💥.
Cool.
1:05:55 this guy seems cool n kinder than others😅
Most of the upperclass in this video are juniors and seniors. This guy is one of the few sophomores there on day one, hence why he has a little more empathy
I rather go to a regular traditional college rather than getting yelled at for no reason glad me and my brother didn't went to military college
We’re glad you chose not to join us as well!! 👍🏻😃🪖🇺🇸
VMI는 버지니아가 아닌 지역에서 온 생도들의 비율이 45%가 넘으면 안된다는 목표를 가지고 있기 때문에, 버지니아의 주민이 아닌 경우에는 입학이 더욱 어려울 수 있다. 또한 주에서 지원받는 다른 학교들처럼, 버지니아의 주민들은 학비를 할인받는다. 2008-2009학년도의 경우 타 지역에 거주하던 생도들은 34,000달러의 학비를 냈던 반면, 버지니아 주민들은 17,000달러의 학비를 냈다.
I was 16;when I went thru MOP gear training
Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP)
Honorables, please be sane to join us back as civilians with awesome vacations ❤
AEEUUUUGGHHHUUUGGGGHHHH - first guy.
God bless and Long live United States of America 🇺🇸 🙏🤗💕
It's funny that there is a competition or a competition, who will be the best in hair forms for tamales cadets
Is the general Patton says nothing wrong with a good hair kutter
I will share a simple fact as a honourably, retired Federal officer, highly decorated combat veteran, instructor, and educator. Military career professionals DO NOT perform their duties in this manner. It is completely counterproductive to instill discipline and promote trust in leadership.
Take those sun glasses off when talking to the new recruits, that's ignorant.
No Norwich?!
correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't all services require a congressman/woman to recommend them?
Yes, however if you are enlisted in any branch you can get your commanders nomination (or whatever the non-Army equivalent is). Airforce is more selective and only offers entry to Airmen.
I give crap to the Air Force, but I want to give a shout out to Col. Buck. He was a retired Air Force COl. I met at the beginning of Desert Storm. He started by saying that if any Officer gave me crap, let him know. I will give cred to them. They all knew what was up and did everything needed to get the job done.
Intense, hysterical 😂
Be all that we can be....
there ain't no way the Col got Air Assault above Airborne!!!
CPTSD for generations….
VMI and citadel are just like that alpha male boot camp scam.
VMI looks harder than West Point.
The fella's with the most 'obvious' hair, lol, you see a film crew and know who's likely getting on the telly as the barbers chair 'example'. The fella with the ginger afro, he went to that chair KNOWING he was going to be immortalised, unlike his hair, he was never going to see a cutting room floor.
My Son completed Knob year at The Citadel. One of the worst experiences of his life!!!! They do not expel for hazing. My son is super tough and what they allowed others to do to him, was just horrendous. It was a horrible year. My son is much happier at another ROTC School. I wanted to love the Citadel, it became a major disappointment. I would advise not to send your child here. he could have dealt with the knob hazing, but the abuse they allowed him to experience, and from other knobs, made it a horrible experience. I would never recommend anyone sending their child here.
From a Brit, these military colleges seem very outdated and cult like
Hazing is illegal in ALL U.S. government institutions. This is common knowledge. If your son was hazed so badly then why didn’t he, you or anyone else who had knowledge of this initiate a congressional investigation? If hazing took place the investigation would have definitely confirmed it and heads would have rolled. This stuff is taken seriously. I’m a retired U.S. Army Infantry NCO who served. 23 years (1986-2010) and deployed to combat zones multiple times. I only stated this to make you aware of my former military affiliation.
Navy seems like a summer camp compared to the army.
You forget , they won't be tiptoe thru the tulips . They wi.l be taking a big chance on drowning . How long can you tread water ? I served 10 years usmc and on ship quite a bit . These guys do one hell of a job 24 7 .
Civilian that knows nothing about military vs schooling here. What reason is there for a young adult to try and enter these prestigious cadet schools rather than just enlisting an an army, naval, MC, etc through a recruiter/recruitment office (ones you see commonly in cities and at college campuses and whatever)? My only thinking is that you start at a higher rank or something or officer status if you do these cadet school?
free collage degree and commissioned which is better pay/ opportunities. can do the same thing by just going to collage and commissioning. If you enlisted you would graduate bottom of the bottom in your perspective branch whereas commissioned graduate as an officer which is a leading position and required for many jobs like pilots
And the best is: they have no more mobile telefon..