HC Senior Jackson Clifford is set to be one of the few Kentucky students to attend a military academy after graduation, and the only one from HC this year. Clifford will be attending West Point in New York. Clifford underwent a strenuous application process, and will now attend the academy for the next two to potentially ten years. Although the commitment is long, Clifford will receive free tuition and housing at the academy, receive a monthly stipend during his time there, and receive top tier education for a number of years.
Clifford explains the exact track he will be on at West Point, and how he’ll navigate his years of higher education.
“You have four years of school just like regular college,” Clifford said, “and then five years after you’ll be active duty, and then three years reserve after that.”
There is also a strenuous application process for West Point, requiring multiple tests and letters of recommendation.
“You have to pass a medical test, a physical test, and then just regular college things,” Clifford said. “You also have to get a letter of recommendation from a Congressman, the Vice President, or a Senator.”
Life at West Point is a lot different than it is from your average university, with lots of academics and little time spent off campus.
“Academic life is definitely the majority of what you do,” Clifford said. “There’s not a whole lot of social life outside of the academy because you’re kind of held there. Like for example, for the first year I’m there, I get two passes off base each semester, so mainly I’ll be on base studying and doing work.”
Clifford spent his time at a West Point immersion program last summer, and is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces once he gets back to base.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting up with some old friends that I met over the summer when I went up there,” Clifford said. “I’m excited for the summer training, and to see the military aspect of it all.”
Clifford is stressed about the prestigiousness of the academics, and whether he will be able to keep up with his peers.
“I’m scared of the academics,” Clifford said. “I don’t know how hard they’re going to be. And I’m scared of leaving because it’s kind of remote and I won’t have a whole lot of contact with others.”
