[zauber1]

I find it ironic that on the same web page that Tom Ricks posits his statements that the service academies are community college level learning institutions there is a large ad for Colorado Technical University Online. Isn't that a place that once was accused of being a diploma mill?

The main difference between ROTC source commissioned officers and academy grads is that the former may have actually had to hold jobs while in college while USMA grads didn't. IMHO this may have produced a more well rounded officer because of the workplace experience. Some of the very best officers that I had the privilege of serving with had the National Guard as the source of their commission. Those guys had to work for a living before becoming officers.

My opinion and worth what you paid for it.