Boy Scouts?

Jason922

Future USNA Candidate '20
5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2012
Messages
119
I'm a 14 year old Freshman in HS, and I noticed quite a few members applying are Eagle Scouts. I'm in a dilemma of whether or not I should go for Boy Scouts, or my secondary option, the Sea Cadets. I'm in touch with the CO at my local squadron, but I just want to have some public feedback.

Thanks,
Jason:biggrin:
 
It's one of those extra things that could push you ahead of say another candidate.

My personal expierence, I was not an Eagle Scout and strengthened other areas to compete with those candidates who were. It's all about your preference and local squadron, just keep in mind it certainly can't hurt.
 
I'm a 14 year old Freshman in HS, and I noticed quite a few members applying are Eagle Scouts. I'm in a dilemma of whether or not I should go for Boy Scouts, or my secondary option, the Sea Cadets. I'm in touch with the CO at my local squadron, but I just want to have some public feedback.

Thanks,
Jason:biggrin:

So you`re not in Scouts yet? Correct me if I`m wrong someone, because I very well might be :rolleyes:, but I thought it usually takes quite a while to achieve Eagle Scout. I have a friend who`s who recently attained Eagle Scout and he`s been doing Scouts since about 1st or 2nd grade.

I think Sea Cadets is a good idea if you want to do it. Definitely don`t do something just for the sake of your application, but do do it if you want to.

I`m not sure what category Eagle Scout would be for the class portrait, but as you can see, 17% has JROTC/CAP/Sea Cadets.
 
So you`re not in Scouts yet? Correct me if I`m wrong someone, because I very well might be :rolleyes:, but I thought it usually takes quite a while to achieve Eagle Scout. I have a friend who`s who recently attained Eagle Scout and he`s been doing Scouts since about 1st or 2nd grade.

I think Sea Cadets is a good idea if you want to do it. Definitely don`t do something just for the sake of your application, but do do it if you want to.

I`m not sure what category Eagle Scout would be for the class portrait, but as you can see, 17% has JROTC/CAP/Sea Cadets.

Wow, it takes that long to become an Eagle Scout?
The Sea Cadets is something I've been looking into for a while. I'm going to try and get into it within this year.
 
Yep, he`s been in Scouts for a while, and I think it normally takes that long for everyone. They have to do a whole service project too to get it. I think most Scouts don`t even attain Eagle.
 
You must complete the requirements by your 18th birthday, and it takes most Eagle Scouts somewhere around 4 years to make Eagle.

I joined just before I turned 14, and helped start a new troop. It can be done, but the timeline starts getting tight if you join much later.
 
Sea Scouts

Hi
For what it is worth, I was in the sea scouts growing up and it was the best time of my life. Great friends, great learning, growing time...I went Navy!!
Regards
John
 
Wow, seeing as it takes 4 years to attain Eagle Scout, and the Sea Cadets has things that would fit my tastes better I might go for that.

I did a bit of research and they seem to have "SEAL" training. Anyone know what that is like? Just like a little boot camp?
 
Jason, It appears that you're too focused on what you think will look good on your application. That's a big mistake for any number of reasons not the least of which are:

1 - You might not enjoy the activities and therefore won't give 100%,
2 - You might change your mind about USNA,
3 - You might not get nomination/appointment regardless.

The usual advice is to do those things that you enjoy doing. Show committment and leadership while doing them. Yes, if your activities need balance think about filling any gaps (For example: All academics but no sports? Then perhaps you should think about taking up a sport - that you like.)
 
If you are a freshman now, it might be difficult to achieve Eagle before you turn 18. And even then, because you apply to the service academies from spring of your junior year to fall of your senior year, it probably would not be possible to become an Eagle Scout in time for application purposes.

Sea Cadets (depending somewhat on how strong your unit is) would give you some awesome experiences. You must attend a boot camp before you can achieve rank or do advanced training, but there are some excellent training opportunities. Why not contact your local Sea Cadet unit now, and check it out? If you join now, you should be ready to go to boot camp this summer (there probably isn't time to do the required course work - the Basic Military Requirements course - before the winter boot camp). If you work it right, you could make it to PO2 by the time you apply to the service academies. ( and, yes, there is a "seal training," although you usually must be at least 16 and pass a fitness test in order to attend.)
 
Correction on my last post: You could make it to PO1 by application time if you go to boot camp this summer and keep up with the requirements.

Also, I didn't mention the outstanding leadership experiences you may have in Sea Cadets. If you participate in the color guard, you may have many opportunities to present colors throughout your community, and to meet some interesting people. (DS got to meet the Superintendent of USNA at a fancy dinner, among others) The leadership positions are true leadership positions, not just titles. From Company Commander to Master at Arms to Leading Petty Officer, you will have real responsibility.

I'm obviously partial to Sea Cadets. DS is an Eagle Scout, but his time in USNSCC has been, by far, more valuable to him.
 
I'm probably going to do Sea Cadets instead of Boy Scouts. Thanks for all the people who gave feedback. I don't want to burn myself out Freshman year, I'm already beginning wrestling season.
 
I'm a 14 year old Freshman in HS, and I noticed quite a few members applying are Eagle Scouts. I'm in a dilemma of whether or not I should go for Boy Scouts, or my secondary option, the Sea Cadets. I'm in touch with the CO at my local squadron, but I just want to have some public feedback.

Thanks,
Jason:biggrin:
I've been in both and I highly recommend sea cadets. Mainly because you get more discipline and you will have a much better time
 
Wow, seeing as it takes 4 years to attain Eagle Scout, and the Sea Cadets has things that would fit my tastes better I might go for that.

I did a bit of research and they seem to have "SEAL" training. Anyone know what that is like? Just like a little boot camp?
My DS is an Eagle Scout and Petty Officer in the Sea Cadets. He started scouts in 1st grade. It takes a long time to get your Eagle. The Sea Cadets are awesome. My DS actually attended one of the "Seal" trainings this summer. And it is not some small boot camp. It was the real deal taught by active duty special ops. Ruking with 60lb packs up to 15 miles a day. shooting 50 cals, no sleep, no food (1 MRE) a day. It is a lenghtly application and physical process to get accepted. They only take 16 out of 200-300 apps. So start training now! Also for alot of the intense trainings you have to be over 16. It was a life changing experience for my DS and no other program I think offers this.

Go for Sea Cadets, there is lots of time to make Petty Officer and the trainings that are available are unbelievable.
 
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My DS is an Eagle Scout and Petty Officer in the Sea Cadets. He started scouts in 1st grade. It takes a long time to get your Eagle. The Sea Cadets are awesome. My DS actually attended one of the "Seal" trainings this summer. And it is not some small boot camp. It was the real deal taught by active duty special ops. Ruking with 60lb packs up to 15 miles a day. shooting 50 cals, no sleep, no food (1 MRE) a day. It is a lenghtly application and physical process to get accepted. They only take 16 out of 200-300 apps. So start training now! Also for alot of the intense trainings you have to be over 16. It was a life changing experience for my DS and no other program I think offers this.

Go for Sea Cadets, there is lots of time to make Petty Officer and the trainings that are available are unbelievable.

"It takes a long time to get your Eagle." - Nothing worth while is easy or free. You'll never regret being an Eagle Scout.
 
Sea Cadets is Boy Scouts on steroids. I cannot say enough great things about the USNSCC. The opportunities are amazing. Three of my kids are in the program. They get to do way cooler things than I do!

Long before you'd be eligible to apply for a SEAL training you will first attend recruit training (boot camp), and also another training such as Field Ops. You have plenty of time since you're a freshman, although you might not be able to get into RT this summer since you have not yet joined a battalion. You could join now, aim for recruit training during winter break of your sophomore year and do a field ops training the next summer, then apply for SEAL the following summer after your junior year. Most Sea Cadet summer trainings do not conflict with any USNA SS/summer stem dates.

Good luck!
 
Highly recommend Naval Sea Cadet Corps! It's a highly funded program and their are endless training opportunities in the winter & summer. Very very good program!
 
I also Highly recommend Sea Cadets. I am the XO of a unit and both my kids are in Sea Cadets. My oldest is a senior applying for the Coast Guard Academy and he went to AIM over the summer. I think it is an awesome program and definitely a good place to start if you are thinking of applying to any of the academies.
 
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