Iraqi Students Apply for Service Academies

Colleges & Universities Service Academy Parents
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<p>BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that it will begin accepting applications from Iraqis who want to attend U.S. military academies. </p>

<p>Iraqis between the ages of 18 and 22, who are fluent in English and in good physical condition can apply to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., said Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari.</p>

<p>“For over 40 years we’ve been cut off from the world and from technology,” al-Askari said. “And due to the unstable situation in the country right now, it’s hard to establish efficient training institutions. So, we welcome this cooperation with our friend and ally,” the United States.</p>

<p>A U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad did not have details, but said it was “common practice for the military academies to select foreign students from among our allies.”</p>

<p>“This is a long-standing program intended to build bridges between the United States military and those nations we work with for security around the world,” Lt. Col. Barry Johnson said.</p>

<p>High school and college graduates as well as students who are currently enrolled in Iraqi military colleges and are within the specified age range can apply. However, active members of the Iraqi forces are not eligible, al-Askari said.</p>

<p>It was not immediately clear how many positions would be open to Iraqis at the academies. However, al-Askari said, “It is going to be a very competitive process, they have to be very qualified. We’re not going to be accepting just anyone.”</p>

<p>Upon graduation, the students will become officers in the Iraqi military and must serve for a minimum of 10 years.</p>

<p>In June, West Point welcomed its first cadet from Iraq, a 19-year-old identified only by his first name, Jameel, because of security concerns for him and his family. The Air Force Academy also is taking an Iraqi cadet this year.</p>

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<p>I remember reading that for the afganistan military academy, the commitment is 25 years.</p>

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<p>UIUC is 50 years :D</p>

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<p>The commitment in Iraq is for life! </p>

<p>Or, death . . . </p>

<p>[and what happened to the toolbar that let you put in smiley faces, etc.? Am I the only one missing it?]</p>

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<p>now bill, when was the last time YOU used a “smiley face???” :wink:
(you know I’m teasin’ ya’ll) Frankly, I’m a little out of sorts because I just put $50 worth of gas in the car and it’s only half full! Hey, our kids just got a raise–why am I putting gas in her car???</p>

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<p>My Plebe Year roomie was from South Korea. He had been a Junior at the South Korean Naval Academy when he joined my class. His commitment was 20 years after graduating from USNA, and JUST for graduating from USNA.</p>

<p>My other roomate and I almost fell over when he told us that. :eek:</p>

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<p>The thorpedo roomed with a kid from the pakastain naval academy for a few weeks this summer! Will have to ask him about the committment time- but I know he said he was picked from “thousands” who wanted to attend!</p>

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<p>From what I’ve heard, the international competition to get into the service academies each year makes the competition American kids go through look like a free ride. </p>

<p>It would be interesting to get some first-hand information on the subject. I could have gotten a ton (probably did) but 19 years is a long time, and I doubt I’d be very good at memorizing chow calls anymore, let alone what my roomate told me between rates back then.</p>

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<p>I know our son was thrilled to room with the kid from pakastain- he was in the naval academy in his country, and according to our thorpedo, he was “great” at hospital corners- so much so that the cadre finally stopped putting our son’s mattress in his locker each morning for improper corners! Apparently the kid did the corners, while the thorpedo did the “pillows”…ah, gotta love teamwork!!!</p>