"Careerwise USNA/ROTC/OCS makes no difference"
As I understand it, part of a new law Pres Bush just signed into law makes it so USMA grads get Regular commissions again instead of reserve commissions beginning with the class of 2005. I know that is the case for WP, is it the same for Annapolis? See below:
"The Fiscal Year 2005 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by the President Oct. 28, contains two provisions that directly affect cadets and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, said Alan Fox, a policy and planning officer in the academys Office of Policy, Planning and Analysis.
Graduates will once again receive Regular Army commissions and cadets and midshipmen of the service academies are now eligible for medical care, dental care and disability benefits.
Fox explained that since September 1996, all newly commissioned second lieutenants, regardless of commissioning source, received a Reserve commission. Historically, USMA graduates received Regular Army commissions. They were a source of pride and viewed as recognition for having graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. There was also a number of Army policies linked to the RA commission that provided a perceived advantage over the Reserve commission, such as protection during a reduction in force. Over the years, Congress gradually eliminated those policies to provide a level playing field for all officers regardless of commission or commissioning source.
Since 1996, however, Congress, the Department of Defense and the services continued to study and discuss the Regular versus Reserve commission issue. Academy alumni also voiced their concerns to the Armys leadership until earlier this year, when Congress decided to return to the policy of awarding Regular Army commissions for original appointments. At USMA, the Class of 2005 will be the first class to again receive RA commissions, Fox said.
Graduates who received Reserve commissions and are currently still on active duty lists will be transitioned into the RA over the next one to five years, according to West Points Maj. Bill Willis, deputy adjutant general/strength management.
The provision making cadets and midshipmen eligible for medical, dental and disability benefits is a very significant change to the status quo, Fox said. This change was brought about after Congress ordered a study on the subject. The findings by an outside contractor recommended that medical and dental disability treatment and care be provided for cadets as it would be for any other individual on active duty, according to Fox.
Historically, cadets and midshipmen at the service academies were specifically excluded from disability by law, he said. We viewed that provision as being inconsistent with the active duty status of cadets, especially given the military training they are required to participate in to graduate and be commissioned.
Fox said the disability legislation is not retroactive, but added that DoD and service specific regulations still need to be written, which potentially could take until next spring."
