Enlisted to USNA questions

I am currently an airman in the USN. I am 18 years old. I am a AD (Aviation Machinist Mate) currently in a squadron in Norfolk Va. I always have had my goals set on USNA. Now I understand thoroughly the process from enlisted to USNA. My asvab was 85. I have around 25 college credits not including basic training or A and C school. I took classes in trig (D), spanish 101 (B) and spanish 102 (C), auto body (B), calculus (C), chemistry (A). My GPA was a 3.5 in high school, I know not the best grades at all. I am not trying to make an excuse but more as an explanation. I was the age of 16 taking these college courses, and an emancipated minor working a full time job to support myself. What it came down to really I was not mature enough to handle some of the workload of college while being an emancipated minor at that age. Now I bring that up because the difference from where I was at then to now is huge. I also was doing highschool at the same time it was a charter school which allowed me to enroll in community college for free and take classes. I too played football for my highschool all 3 years was quarterback and captain my JV year. I graduated early,reason why I only played 3 years. Now that is my background before enlisting. I enlisted at the age of 17 and a half during February this year. I know I was in the top ten percent of both my A and C schools. I have a year till I can shoot for an appointment to work with, due to just getting to my command 3 months ago and needing the COs recommendation by the end of January. Now I got my background out of the way I was wondering if maybe some who may have gone this route or know people who have, give some insight on exactly some things they accomplished in their squadron that really made them stand out. Some things I am working on now EAWS, enlisted air warfare pin, plane captain a huge qualification I have to get, trying to get some Clep and Dantes or PACE classes done. Going to try to get blue jacket this upcoming quarter. I go up for 3 rd class in march. I haven't taken my ACT yet so I am studying for that. I also know when I get my Plane captain qualification I will be heading out to the sandbox, so I will have a detachment under my belt. These are all the thing I have been working on. Any help, ideas would be much appreciated, or even thoughts on chances. I apologize for all the specific information and long post. If you need anymore information please don't hesitate to ask me

There is a senior enlisted person (Senior Chief Maxwell) within Candidate Guidance whose primary mission is to help enlisted personnel who are interested in USNA. I suggest you start by contacting him/her.

Thank you I will definitely contact him and get some information. Much appreciated.

Shipmate, you sound like a great young Sailor, doing all the right things in terms of your professional advancement and researching the path to USNA enlisted application process.

During my career, I had the pleasure of forwarding sailors' packages, sitting on their interview boards and writing their recommendations, and later, seeing many prior enlisted midshipmen at USNA while I was on staff there. You will bring deckplate experience as an underpinning to your midshipman and officer career, if you succeed.

Be sure you know why you want to be an officer, and how the role of an officer differs from serving as an enlisted person - different, not better or worse. You will have to articulate that to several people along your journey, and it can't be "because officers make more money." (something I heard one unfortunate candidate say) (we didn't recommend him)

If you are not already doing this, volunteer for things at the squadron - help run the PFT, assist with Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society Drive, or CFC drive, or blood drive, or anything that gets you noticed by other parts of the chain of command than your own. You want CPOs in other departments to know you're a sharp Sailor, working hard and dreaming big. I am not telling you to suck up - just be that go-getter, can-do, go-to Sailor whom everyone wants on their team.

Check out the ribbon bars on the officers around you. See a Good Conduct ribbon? It's been a few years, but I think it's still true that if you see one of those, they have prior enlisted experience. Officers who have not served in an enlisted capacity don't rate them. Of course, LDOs and CWOs would have them. If they seem approachable, nothing wrong with asking, "sir, ma'am, may I ask if you are prior enlisted and how you got your commission?" LDOs and CWOs are also excellent sea daddies and sea mommies, because of their perspective on both enlisted service and serving as an officer.

And, of course, avoid those impulse-driven moments that take you to see the skipper on the wrong sort of terms - but you seem to be mature and focused on what you want.

Keep us all posted here. We are rooting for you.

I run into enlisted all the time who ask me about the Academy and I always ask "Do you want to be an officer or do you want to be an Academy grad?" They're always confused at that question.

I never recommend USNA to enlisted because your time in service counter stops once you start at the Academy. I'd encourage you to research other college commissioning programs instead because financially the Academy is not in your best interest long term unless you really want to be an Academy grad.

navyasw02 said:

I run into enlisted all the time who ask me about the Academy and I always ask "Do you want to be an officer or do you want to be an Academy grad?" They're always confused at that question.

I never recommend USNA to enlisted because your time in service counter stops once you start at the Academy. I'd encourage you to research other college commissioning programs instead because financially the Academy is not in your best interest long term unless you really want to be an Academy grad.

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Unless things have changed, you do get credit for time served as an enlisted after you leave USNA. IOW, if you serve 3 yrs enlisted, you are eligible to retire after 17 yrs as an officer. Yes, your time at USNA doesn't count but, it doesn't count for anyone. Again, unless things have changed.

USNA is a terrific place for prior enlisted who want to be there. Financially, you'll have no problems there. Everything is paid for and you get a stipend of spending money every month. Since you have only yourself to support, it's more than enough money and I would argue that from a financial perspective, it may be a better choice for a prior enlisted. Also, you may be eligible for NAPs, which is designed to help prior enlisted transition to USNA -- a great program as well and also free to you. That year would also count toward your retirement.

NROTC is another great option and you should seek to attend USNA because you want the lifestyle, etc. that this means to a commission will bring. It obviously isn't right for everyone but the presence of prior enlisted in the Brigade benefits both the prior enlisted and the many, many others who have not yet served.

You are correct, but I'm referring to other programs where your time in college continues to count for time in service. I've known a lot of people who have done these other programs going from enlisted to officer and there's great benefit to keeping your service clock running while in college.

Capt MJ gave some great advice. In addition to talking to LDOs/CWOs, you should also pursue any USNA grads within your squadron (normally any JO is a good choice). If you don't know who is a USNA grad, you can ask around or a YN.

Great Advice!

I hope this thread isn't dead! I sincerely forgot I posted this. What great wisdom. I really take all of it to heart. Capt MJ I did talk to some officers in my command that were prior enlisted what great information did they have. There is only maybe two officers that came from the academy in my command but the prior enlisted officers, ( which both came from sta 21 ) still were a lot of help and really have my back.

Ok progress update. I took my third class exam and find out if I made it in May. My EAWS is around 30% done. I board for my plane captain qualification on May 9th. My AD apprenticeship will be done May 31st. 310 CDI will come right after I am designated a plane captain. I am Vice President of the new CSADD ( Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions) chapter at my command and we plan alot of volunteer events. The goal of CSADD is to get sailors, especially ages 18 to 25 in social gatherings, volunteer events, and evolved in the community. We also try to get new sailors away from the idea they have to drink to have fun.

Plans: 310 CDI, make 3 rd became shift supervisor, EAWS, get application all ready, apply for CO recommendation, and SECNAV nomination, also apply for a nomination from my congressional district, and apply for senatorial, take ACT and SAT again, finish up everything in my application.

To answer navyasw02 question. Yes I want to be a navy academy graduate. The financial part does not matter to me whether or not my time stops at the academy and would still continue if I did another program is irrelevant to me. Some may think that's bizarre but it is a dream of mine to go to the academy and I will try any way I can, and work as hard as I can to succeed. Now with that being said if I was to try all these years and fail each time, which I have atleast three tries till I suprass the age limit, that is when yes my overall goal is to be a naval officer and I would exhaust my other options sta 21 etc.

Sorry for the late reply and forgetting about this post thank you again for the great advice
Very Respectfully,
ADAN SMITH

joelbradford525 said:

I hope this thread isn't dead! I sincerely forgot I posted this. What great wisdom. I really take all of it to heart. Capt MJ I did talk to some officers in my command that were prior enlisted what great information did they have. There is only maybe two officers that came from the academy in my command but the prior enlisted officers, ( which both came from sta 21 ) still were a lot of help and really have my back.

Ok progress update. I took my third class exam and find out if I made it in May. My EAWS is around 30% done. I board for my plane captain qualification on May 9th. My AD apprenticeship will be done May 31st. 310 CDI will come right after I am designated a plane captain. I am Vice President of the new CSADD ( Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions) chapter at my command and we plan alot of volunteer events. The goal of CSADD is to get sailors, especially ages 18 to 25 in social gatherings, volunteer events, and evolved in the community. We also try to get new sailors away from the idea they have to drink to have fun.

Plans: 310 CDI, make 3 rd became shift supervisor, EAWS, get application all ready, apply for CO recommendation, and SECNAV nomination, also apply for a nomination from my congressional district, and apply for senatorial, take ACT and SAT again, finish up everything in my application.

To answer navyasw02 question. Yes I want to be a navy academy graduate. The financial part does not matter to me whether or not my time stops at the academy and would still continue if I did another program is irrelevant to me. Some may think that's bizarre but it is a dream of mine to go to the academy and I will try any way I can, and work as hard as I can to succeed. Now with that being said if I was to try all these years and fail each time, which I have atleast three tries till I suprass the age limit, that is when yes my overall goal is to be a naval officer and I would exhaust my other options sta 21 etc.

Sorry for the late reply and forgetting about this post thank you again for the great advice
Very Respectfully,
ADAN SMITH

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Get your EAWs, and keep charging hard in your command. Drop your completed USNA package as soon as you can even though they probably won't get to it until after May (due to commissioning ceremonies). The sooner you get accepted, the sooner your Academy experience will begin. You sound like you're doing all the right things, but don't let those things become a distraction. Write a letter to yourself, telling yourself why you want to become a naval officer, and why you want to attend the Naval Academy. When times get hard at the academy (after you get accepted Lord-willing) you'll have something motivating to read. But now you have an entire year to think about it because you just missed this years USNA/NAPS class (assuming you haven't submitted an application for c/o 17). Don't get into any trouble over the next year...Good Luck and Stay Focused.