ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Applications have surged at the nation’s three top military academies as tough times coincide with stepped-up recruiting by Army, Navy and Air Force schools, making the prospect of free college look sweeter.
The recession already has helped drive higher military recruitment and retention. Stronger student response to recruiting by the three academies, which seek to increase minority ranks in the officer corps, comes as the recession has reduced college scholarships and other financial aid.
As of this week, the U.S. Naval Academy was out in front with a 40 percent increase in applications compared with last year. The Annapolis school received about 15,300 applications for about 1,230 positions — the highest number since 1988. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., saw a 9 percent jump, and the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs reported a 10 percent increase in applications.
