Military schools in the United States were established out of necessity due to the difficulties faced by the American colonists fighting for their independence. During the Revolutionary War, British forces were commanded by officers educated at the Royal Military Academies at Sandhurst and Woolwich. It wasn't until 1802 that the United States established its first military school: the United States Military Academy at West Point. Under the outstanding leadership of Brevet Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer, West Point became the model for American military schools. From 1802 until 2017, there have been approximately 844 military schools in operation in the United States. Many well-known celebrities have attended such institutions. In Volume Four, you will find the names and accomplishments of military school celebrities who began their careers in the entertainment industry during the 1970s through the 1990s.