Initial Officer Selection

[JMA]

During the run-up to the recent Royal Wedding I was doing background reading and was introduced to the existence of the RMAS. Am I correct in my understanding that an important difference between the U.S. and British systems is the lack of a similar institution in the U.S.?

You probably need to look at West Point.

I suggest that the Brits have fewer routes to a commission than in the US services but this is understandable due to the every shrinking size of the Brit forces. The Brits went from two-year course to one-year some time ago (with a four-month platoon commanders (MoS?) added on afterwards). Reasons anyone?

You may want to consider a four-year commissioning process which includes an academic degree and look into retention beyond the five years.

West Point like Sandhurst are national institutions which are almost impossible to tinker with... say no more.