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Your Career
The choice to enter West Point is a choice to join a distinguished, time-honored
profession that is rich in tradition. Becoming a cadet is only the first step in a demanding,
exciting and rewarding career that can be yours as an officer in the United States Army.
An officer must meet the subtle challenges of leading and motivating soldiers to do their
best.
An officer must master complex and sophisticated military equipment and weapons systems.
Leadership and management skills are stressed in the early years of officer service in the
U.S. Army, so West Point graduates immediately gain an opportunity to test their leadership
skills.
The satisfaction of service is real. The Army was one of the first professions in
America to judge a person on merit rather than on social class. Imagination and talent
continue to be the keys to success in the Army. Continuing military and civilian education
are melded with on-the-job experience that ensures professional growth. The majority of
West Point graduates who stay on active duty beyond their initial obligation obtain
graduate degrees with many funded by the government. The quick warmth and camaraderie
shown by their neighbors when they report to their first assignment pleasantly surprise
new lieutenants. These shared experiences forge strong personal bonds.
Upon graduating, you will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and serve for at least five years of active duty as an Army officer. The Army has a wide variety of specialized fields called branches. Each branch has its own brand of technical and tactical expertise. Depending on the needs of the Army, and your personal desires, you will pick from several branch choices that are available, including Infantry, Field Artillery, Armor, Aviation, Engineer, Signal, Air Defense Artillery, Chemical, Military Intelligence, Ordnance, Military Police, Quartermaster, Transportation, Medical Service, Finance and Adjutant General. There are specialties within several of these fields that may also be chosen.
Whatever branch selected, you will be responsible for the training, health, welfare, safety, and morale of your soldiers and the maintenance and employment of your equipment. Your assignments around the world will test your leadership and managerial skills acquired at West Point.
