1. United States Military Academy
Familiarly known simply as “West Point,” the United States Military Academy was founded in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson. Interestingly, the academy’s history actually dates back even further than its founding, as its location was believed to be highly strategic in the Revolutionary War, and was thus employed as a fortified military command by then-General George Washington. The academy has a rigorous application process, which includes standardized testing, above-average academic performance prior to application, above-average physical fitness as determined by various tests, and recommendation from elected officials. As a four-year institution, the academy provides its cadets with a wide range of skills, leadership, and academic training, all of which factor into their class rank, which subsequently determines their army branch and assignment upon graduation. West Point boasts a litany of notable graduates, including Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight Eisenhower (former presidents of the United States), CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and 18 different NASA astronauts. With such a distinguished collection of graduates, it’s clear that getting into and graduating from the United States Military Academy is no small feat, making it number one among the toughest military training academies in the world.
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