Life at Military Academy—Deployment Concerns

I'm a junior in high school who's recently been pondering the possibility of a military academy. I know cadets undergo rigorous training while studying, but I have a question I hope some of you might help me clarify. Do cadets get deployed while in the military academy, or is deployment something that only happens post-graduation? Thank you!

Cadets who are enrolled at a military academy in the United States, such as West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy, are full-time students and do not get deployed while studying. Cadets are on active duty, but their primary duty is to be a student and they are considered to be in a training status.

Attending a military academy is more akin to a standard college experience in terms of stability and schedule, albeit with a military focus and different rules and expectations than at traditional colleges. As a cadet, your day-to-day responsibilities will involve attending classes, completing coursework, participating in physical training and drills, and being part of the academy community.

Upon graduation, cadets are commissioned as officers in their respective branches of the military. This is when the possibility of deployment becomes a reality, as officers can be assigned to various posts around the world depending on their branch of service and military needs at the time.

The exact role and location will vary based on several factors, including your chosen specialty within the military, current geopolitical events, and the needs of your service branch. You should consider these possibilities carefully when deciding whether to attend a military academy, as service to your country and potentially being deployed are significant commitments.