I'm really interested in studying military strategy and was wondering if any of the strategy books used at West Point are available to high school students or the public. Do they have any recommendations for beginners aspiring to join the military?
West Point's Department of Military Instruction (DMI) does utilize a list of military strategy books for the courses they offer. However, the exact syllabi might not be publically available. Nonetheless, you can find several books on strategy and warfare used in many military academies, including West Point, that are in the public domain or can be purchased like any other book.
Here are a few titles often referenced in military curriculum:
1. "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: This is probably the most well-known classic on military strategy.
2. "On War" by Carl von Clausewitz: This book is considered a fundamental work regarding the philosophy of war.
3. "Strategy: A History" by Lawrence Freedman: This is a more modern overview of strategy in various fields, including military, political, and business.
Make sure to keep in mind, these are challenging reads and require some significant thought to digest fully, especially for beginners.
Also, joining a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, if one is available at your school or nearby, could be a great way to gain some preliminary knowledge about the military. You'll learn not just about leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, but also basics about U.S. military policies and procedures—plus, it looks great on college applications, especially if you're interested in applying to military academies or ROTC programs.
Stay engaged, read widely, and best of luck on your military journey!
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