Donald Trump’s journey to the New York Military Academy (NYMA) was not a choice he made, but rather a decision imposed by his parents during a tumultuous period of adolescence. By age 13, Trump had begun to exhibit signs of restlessness and academic struggles at Kew-Forest School in Queens. His father, Fred Trump—a World War I veteran—believed that the structured environment of military school could instill discipline and responsibility in his son.
At NYMA, nestled in Cornwall-on-Hudson, students adhered to strict codes of conduct and rigorous schedules. Uniforms were mandatory; drills were daily routines. For many cadets, this atmosphere felt punitive. Yet for young Donald, it became an unexpected turning point. He embraced the challenges presented by military life with surprising enthusiasm—rising through the ranks to captain while also joining the football team as a cadet commander.
In The Art of the Deal, he reflects on these formative years: “I learned discipline at NYMA...to be organized...to take orders—and also to give them.” This duality between obedience and leadership would become central to his later endeavors in business and politics.
Life at NYMA equipped him with essential skills that transcended traditional education outcomes: time management from adhering to strict schedules; confidence from holding leadership roles; resilience forged through physical demands; public speaking honed via drill commands—all vital traits that would serve him well throughout his career.
Psychologists note that such structured environments can significantly influence identity formation during adolescence. In Trump's case, they amplified his natural assertiveness—he didn’t just follow orders; he aimed for command positions within any hierarchy he encountered.
Critics argue this mindset contributed to an authoritarian communication style evident in both corporate boardrooms and political arenas—a reflection perhaps not only of personal ambition but also shaped by those early experiences at military school.