Technically, it breaks down like this:
West Points emphasis is on the US Army.
Annapolis emphasis is on the US Navy/Marine Corp
The Air Force Academy in Colorado is for Air Force.
The United States Coast Guard Academy is obviously for USCG.
Getting into ANY of these schools is very difficult. You MUST be the very best of the very best. However, there is slight preferences for enlisted people who have kids who apply to become officers.
West Point I believes- my info is quite old, over 20 years- but it seems they have classes of around 2000 people, and have close to 20,000 apply per year. Call it a 90% rejection rate. The Air Force is even worse, because everyone loves the idea of working in the military but have an easy life.
VMA- Virginia Military Academy- specializes in training for the Academys.
Every now and then, you'll hear of an Army guy going into the Navy and vice versa from the academys. Its seldom but it does happen
