Going to West Point and graduating basically gives you a pathway to a career for life. Even if you don't stay in the military, once your time is up, there's no shortage of places that would hire a West Point grad who has 4-5 years of experience. Depending on your duties in the army, that security clearance you might have becomes insanely valuable outside of the military. An old friend of mine served in the army and got the clearance. Once his time was up he got a job in a field he knew nothing about because it was cheaper to train him to do the job than spend the money to get somebody the proper clearance. Don't overlook the financial aspects of graduating from West Point.