Hi. I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion about who one would talk to if he/she had reservations about the integrity of a Blue and Gold officer. Here's a situation to consider: Blue and Gold officer interviewing a candidate within his own congressional district has a son/daughter who is also in contention for the nomination/appointment for the same year. Blue and Gold officer constantly talks about God, religion, type "A" personality, and offers little to no feedback to questions from parents. Interview takes almost 4 hours in home of candidate. Interview takes place on 25th of July, but the recorded date of the interview on status page says 23rd of July (two days before the interview). Blue and Gold officer's son/daughter gets into USNA with LOA. Only one spot available for that congressional district. Candidate wants to reapply next year, but does not want to interview with that Blue and Gold officer. Any suggestions about how to address this would be greatly appreciated. Candidate is in this for the long haul, so no bitterness about the Academy's decision, just not so sure the process was fair.
Blue and Gold officer question
- Thread starter Navypops
- Start date
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,853
A few other points . . .
First, it's not uncommon for a BGO to have a child applying to USNA and, obviously, there is the potential/likelihood for that child to compete with candidates that the BGO interviews. I personally know of this situation occurring in an area near me -- one year, the BGO's child did not get an appointment; another year, the BGO's child (different child) did get one. So the fact a BGO's child is in the mix is not per se determinative of anything.
Second, I would not assume that the BGO gave your DS an unfavorable write-up or that, even if he did, it made the difference. BGO views (both good and bad) carry much more weight if they are supported by facts, not opinion, and if they are backed up by the candidate's teacher recs. And, a pattern of negative interview write-ups -- especially if not well-supported -- would be noticed and viewed unfavorably by Admissions.
Thus, while the atmospherics of your DS's BGO situation don't look good, I would not assume that the BGO interview was a/the deciding factor.
If you believe the BGO acted inappropriately, you should contact the AC and raise the issue. I would note that the mere fact the BGO has a child applying from the same district is -- as mentioned above -- not per say inappropriate. But if you or your DS considered the conduct of the interview to be inappropriate (i.e., too much emphasis on religion), you should say something.
First, it's not uncommon for a BGO to have a child applying to USNA and, obviously, there is the potential/likelihood for that child to compete with candidates that the BGO interviews. I personally know of this situation occurring in an area near me -- one year, the BGO's child did not get an appointment; another year, the BGO's child (different child) did get one. So the fact a BGO's child is in the mix is not per se determinative of anything.
Second, I would not assume that the BGO gave your DS an unfavorable write-up or that, even if he did, it made the difference. BGO views (both good and bad) carry much more weight if they are supported by facts, not opinion, and if they are backed up by the candidate's teacher recs. And, a pattern of negative interview write-ups -- especially if not well-supported -- would be noticed and viewed unfavorably by Admissions.
Thus, while the atmospherics of your DS's BGO situation don't look good, I would not assume that the BGO interview was a/the deciding factor.
If you believe the BGO acted inappropriately, you should contact the AC and raise the issue. I would note that the mere fact the BGO has a child applying from the same district is -- as mentioned above -- not per say inappropriate. But if you or your DS considered the conduct of the interview to be inappropriate (i.e., too much emphasis on religion), you should say something.
Thanks 1985. Your advice and perspective are wise. The BGO has 3 other children in USNA (now 4). There are several students my candidate knows that have been thoroughly turned off the process of applying to the academy after the BGO spoke to them. I suppose it is a personality issue. In any event, we will be looking into seeking another BGO for next year's attempt. I know that there are many instances of candidates being accepted to USNA with far less scores, experience, athletics, and course work than other candidates. Connections do matter. To think otherwise would be, I believe, naive. Sometimes things just don't make sense. Try try again.
NavyPops - is it your child reapplying? I would ask for a new Blue/Gold Officer. My son is also reapplying, this time as enlisted. And not sure whether I agree with who you know as a deciding factor. I think maybe better just high school teachers and/or coaches for recommendation.
Yes, my child is reapplying. Options are plentiful: NROTC scholarship, AFROTC scholarship, athletic scholarships, academic scholarships. That's partially why I don't really get the academy process. There are definitely influences outside of the excellences of these candidates that plays a part. Cynical? Maybe, but the recognition of competitive selection anomalies is something every candidate and parent must recognize and accept. Every applicant is, I believe, exceptional and deserving of praise for their attempts to serve. There is a wisdom factor involved in reapplying that, hopefully, drives success in a process that admits imperfection. Political connections, sports recognition, and racial/socioeconomic quotas do not allow the best to be selected at times.
Wow that's upsetting. I think it's a huge conflict of interest to have a BGO with a child seeking an appointment and I would hope that the USNA would be on top of that. I've been on several scholarship committees where committee members cannot be the parent of a senior (even if they arent applying for the scholarship) for that very reason...it's just not on the up and up. I'm sorry for your experience and hope you have a better one next year!
USNA2016Dad
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Messages
- 290
Restrictions In Place
USNA is on top of this. BGOs are not allowed to interview family members. If I recall correctly when a student reapplies he/she will have a different BGO the subsequent time.
USNA2016Dad
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Messages
- 290
Restrictions In Place
USNA is on top of this. BGOs are not allowed to interview family members. If I recall correctly, if a student reapplies he/she will have a different BGO for the subsequent application cycle.
feartheterp
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2012
- Messages
- 20
Since BGOs are usually assigned by the applicant's high school, there is a possibility you may be assigned the same one. When I started my application this year, I was assigned to the same BGO. Even though we had mutual respect for one another, my BGO encouraged me to request another BGO. He believed there would be added benefit to having two favorable BGO recommendations--one from my first application and one from the second BGO.
To get back to the OP's question, you will probably have to request another BGO through the USNA admissions office at the beginning of the 2018 cycle. This is a fairly simple process that should take no more than a few weeks. Sorry to hear about your situation; I wish your son the best of luck as he begins the c/o 2018 application.
To get back to the OP's question, you will probably have to request another BGO through the USNA admissions office at the beginning of the 2018 cycle. This is a fairly simple process that should take no more than a few weeks. Sorry to hear about your situation; I wish your son the best of luck as he begins the c/o 2018 application.
USNA2016Dad, just to clarify: I never suggested that the BGO interviewed his own family member. I don't believe that happened; at least I pray that didn't happen! Don't know, actually. The real problem is that BGO's family member was competing against others in the district. Only one or two spots were available (mainly because other family members of BGO were already in USNA and taking those spots, by the way). As I understand it, each member of congress is only allowed up to 5 candidates in the academy at one time (over the course of a 4 year enrollment). So, that makes the conflict of interest story even more precarious and worthy of scrutiny, I think. Again, it might sound like complaining on my part. This is not the case. The chances are slim for all the candidates. But the process should be as pure as possible and here it wasn't.
Are you sure the BGO's family member got your congresmembers slot? He or she could have recieved one of your senetor slots or a VP, Pres. Did your DS get nomintions from all sources or just from the MOC?
USNA2016Dad
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Messages
- 290
Responding to dhab
I thought my last response was for a posting by dhabs IRT USNA being on top of a potential conflict of interest situation. From what I've been able to gather there are safeguards in place to prevent preferential treatment. To be honest with you I fail to see how a BGO's child competing for a nomination would fall into this category. This applicant has just as much right to apply for a nomination from his/her MoC as does anyone else, regardless of a family member's BGO status. I believe MoC nominating boards follow similar protocol to prevent the slightest appearances of preferential treatment, that being a sitting board member cannot be empaneled for a family member's interview. To expand on my reply to dhabs I'll also add disqualifying a student for an appointment at USNA because his/her parent is a BGO doesn't pass the logical or fairness test. Good luck to you and your child for the class of 2018.
Sorry, I realize now that your post was meant for dhab. I apologize. I suppose there are justifications for all situations. Listen, it's over this year for my candidate. Next year, this won't be an issue. But, seriously, if you were a BGO and your son/daughter was in competition with another candidate within his/her district would your final report to the academy be one that spoke of a superior candidate or top choice? I sincerely doubt it. The BGO interview IS taken into account. It might actually become the deciding factor in the academy's choice of one over the other. The BGO should never interview any candidates in competition with a family member. Period. That should have been stopped, but it wasn't until all was said and done that we found out about the BGO's child being in the mix, so to speak. Curiously, the date of the interview for my candidate was listed as TWO DAYS BEFORE the interview took place. Typo? Maybe. Fat fingers? Maybe. But you might wonder. Is BGO's family and family members superior to the candidates in the district? Seems so, since 4 members have gone through the academy without a hitch for the past 8 years. I don't know, but it seems a little suspicious. End of story. For future candidates and their parents: you have a right to question the BGO and the process for that matter. Some people are out for number one.
futuremarinemom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2012
- Messages
- 159
USNA 2016Dad, I don't think anyone is questioning the right of the BGO's child to apply. But it seems to me that the BGO should consider the conflict of interest and take a year off when he/she has a child who is applying. The BGO interview would not make a difference in getting the MOC nomination, but it could possibly make a difference, if the slate is competitive, in which nominee gets the appointment. Even if the BGO's child has a different BGO, the one who is the parent could be submitting mediocre interview reports to the Academy, and the child of the BGO could get a positive report, thus skewing the outcome.