If he comes out of them successfully he is admitted to the cadet corps, and becomes a full-fledged cadet.
The candidate must report at West Point on the first of March.
If he succeeds in entering the corps, and keeps in it, four years and three months later the young man is graduated from the Military Academy.

The President now commissions him as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army.

Thus started on his career, the young man may, in later days, become a general.
While the cadet is at West Point he is paid a salary that is just about sufficient for his needs and leaves enough over to enable him to buy his first set of uniforms and other equipment as an army officer.
West Point is no place for idlers, nor for boys who dislike discipline.
It is a severe training that the cadet receives, and the education furnished him by the United States is a magnificent and costly one.

It costs Uncle Sam more than twenty thousand dollars for each cadet he educates and graduates from the United States Military Academy.
The same general statement is true regarding the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

In the latter institution, however, the cadet learns how to become an officer in the United States Navy.
Now, here were both grand opportunities, offered together.
While Dick Prescott had been waiting, hoping and praying for the cadetship at West Point; Dave Darrin had been equally wistful for the chance to go to Annapolis.
"Our chances have come, old chum!" cried Dick, looking into the glowing face of Darrin.
"Yes; and of course an Army or Navy officer should be a brave man.