Life as military college students?

Is there anyone here who's attended a military college? What was your daily routine like? I’d love to hear about your experiences, both in and outside of the classroom.

Attending a military college can certainly provide a unique experience, so it's great that you're exploring this route. Those who've attended these institutions often share that their daily routine is more structured and disciplined than traditional colleges. While each military college varies slightly, there are a few similarities one can typically expect.

1. Morning Routine: Typically, days at military colleges start early, sometimes as early as 5 or 6 am with physical training (PT). This can involve running, calisthenics, or other strength and endurance-building activities. After PT, you'll usually have a small window of time to care for personal tasks, such as showering and maintaining barrack's neatness, before going to breakfast.

2. Academic Schedule: Like at civilian colleges, you will have classes. However, at a military college, classes are often taken in regimented blocks, which everyone in your company or squadron attends together. Some institutions have a common core curriculum for all students, covering basic subjects such as mathematics, science, humanities, social sciences and writing. Depending on the institution, this core curriculum may also involve military science or leadership courses.

3. Afternoon Activities: After classes, you will usually have some time for personal activities, whether that includes clubs, athletics, studying, or simply some leisure time. Many military colleges encourage or require participation in a sport or other extracurricular activity to build teamwork and leadership skills.

4. Evening Routine: Dinner is again a structured event, often involving the entire corps of cadets or student body. Following dinner, time might be reserved for studying or fulfilling duties related to your military obligations. These can include guard shifts, operational duties, or leadership meetings.

5. Weekend Schedule: While you might have some downtime during weekends, these are also often filled with required activities such as formations, inspections, or special training events. Many colleges have some open weekends where you may go off-campus, while others are more restrictive.

Beyond the classroom, the overall experience is often marked by a strong sense of camaraderie and a clear focus on character development. Military colleges offer unique leadership opportunities, and students are progressive leaders within the student body; you could find yourself in charge of a small team, an entire squadron, or even the entire student body as a senior. Naturally, this comes with a set of challenges and expectations that can feel intense but are ultimately rewarding for those who thrive in such environments.

Remember, the experiences at military colleges can vary significantly based on factors such as the specific institution and one's chosen military branch. It's a good idea to do some more specific research on the specific military colleges you're considering or reach out to current students or alumni for their experiences and insights.