Academy Info

Hi Everyone!
So I'm new here, and excited to start hearing about people's experiences! I wanted to start by separating fact from fiction. I have a friend who is in the process of applying to the USNA, and he has a neighbor who is a recruiter for the USNA's crew team, which both of us would like to be a part of. He's told, most of which I could verify online, but I do have a couple of questions.
To start, the physical part of the Academy, so the training that is required. I'm a small (105 lbs) female with exercise induced asthma. I don't have anything against exercise, or high risk/adrenaline activities. Mostly, I just want to know what this entails.
Next, he told me that when you graduate the USNA, you are eligible to become an officer in whatever branch of the military you would like. I couldn't find any confirmation of this whatsoever, and wanted clarification.
And finally, daily life at the USNA. MY understanding is that it is not the quintessential college experience. More rigorous, more scheduled, etc. I wanted to get a feel for the academy before I apply there.
I do intend to apply for the 6-day summer session they offer, to get insight into daily life.
Thanks again for reading! -Emma

To start, the physical part of the Academy, so the training that is required. I'm a small (105 lbs) female with exercise induced asthma. I don't have anything against exercise, or high risk/adrenaline activities.

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Exercise Induced Asthma is a medical disqualification;

you are eligible to become an officer in whatever branch of the military you would like.

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Go down to the Section that says "Service Selection" at this link: http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/firstie.htm
that's pretty much the break down of how people commission (they aren't the most recent stats but the trends are pretty much the same) and you can see that of the 1000ish grads 2 went to different branches, so it's possible but it's complex and rare
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Your other questions can be answered by looking around on this website, usna.edu and other internet resources

Research...

Emma,

I cannot comment on asthma; however, I can talk a little about CREW. Female at 105lbs...your a coxswain! This is a leadership position in the boat, there are 8 rowers, each with a skillset that a coxswain will need to understand. In short you become the coach during a race. It's not an easy job, there is a great deal of mental challenges you will cope with. You may be 105 lbs but you would become Chris Berman with attitude when you race.

I can only assume you do not have experience as you did not mention any. That said they will take you as a walk-on so all is good.

Do some research on the asthma, there are many here that will give you some really good guidance. There are options pending your situation.

If all works for you and you begin the journey attend the Navy Crew camp next summer.

Good luck...

The asthma will mostly likely be a big issue...I haven't heard of anyone who's been admitted with current asthma, just of people who used to have it.

Am not a DODMERB doctor, so I can't comment on the medical question.

I think first off you need to be sure you want to make the military your career and then do your research from there. What the USNA day to day experience is like would take a book to describe and no one can summarize that in a few sentences here.

You do NOT get to choose any branch of service upon graduation. It is VERY RARE for anyone to be commissioned in the Air Force/Army, for example. Even within the options the Navy offers, there is a selection process you go through when making your service selection and there are no guarantees on what you will get, to imply otherwise is incorrect.

Hopefully, you realize that 90%+ percent of your peers will have been varstiy athletes in h.s. whom you will be expected to keep up duiring plebe summer.......these are physically demanding programs, and it appears many don't fully grasp that. It sounds like from your statements that you have never been part of any sports in h.s. which could be a concern for you. USNA already expects you to be athletic and have established work out routine (for example), BEFORE you show up for I-day. With many applicants, this is something they have been doing for years during grade school and high school. Your main motiviation to want to attend USNA should NOT be that you want to paritipate on a specific sports team.

Sports recruiters may tend to paint a rosier picture then what is reality, perhaps leaving out important details or glossing over some other things. Better to talk with current mids/visit the academy....etc. to get a better background and be sure this is what you really want to do.

Let me clarify; I do in fact have sports experience. I play basketball, I ski, I run, and I swim on my pool's swim team. I also am a coxswain for my school's crew team, and have been running on three years. I started as a rower, and did several years of summer camp and one fall season as a rower, and then became a coxswain for the novice girls team my 9th grade year. In tenth and now eleventh grade I was/will be a coxswain for the varsity boys team. Sorry for the confusion! -Emma

As for my asthma, I did some research. Apparently you can get a waiver if you pass a Pulmonary Function Test, and I've had and passed them for several years now. My asthma doesn't hinder me from exercising, as long as I use the inhaler before. Thanks!

Excellent...

You have the experience so you know exactly what I'm was talking about. Half, half, three quarters, full!!

Nice... 105lb rower first, that would be bow, having the actual rowing experience adds to your value as a coxswain!

Asthma - I believe as long as it came befor you turned 13 you can go for the waiver. Again there will be some that have really good feedback on this do not take my post as all to be so.

Esch44 said:

As for my asthma, I did some research. Apparently you can get a waiver if you pass a Pulmonary Function Test, and I've had and passed them for several years now. My asthma doesn't hinder me from exercising, as long as I use the inhaler before. Thanks!

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For USNA, the fact you need to use an inhaler is certain to be disqualifying and most likely not waiverable.

I don't want to discourage you but also want to be realistic. You might check with USNA Admissions and pose the question to them before you get too far along in the process.