Getting in is the esay part.

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SEABEE

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For those who have received a LOA or have received an offer of an appointment, what you have done thus is child's play for what is about to come. First, and foremost you must be convinced and determined to become a Naval Officer. From this point you have to be willing to be away from your family, friends, your car, and most everything else you have enjoyed. This is the most serious decision you are making. Once you have made the decision to accept the appointment, know what you are getting into. 1. You are subjecting yourself to other Mids having real police powers over you. Meaning a Mid might not like you whatever reason and use the Honor system to falsely accuse you of a violation. Other common things that you want to watch out for is, the upper class believes for some reason they have the duty to determine who graduates USNA. It is well known that some upper class will attempt to run Mids out if they don't like them. The moral here is. Make many friends and Watch your six. keep your face in the books and follow every order to the letter. The reward is you just might EARN a commission as a Naval Officer upon graduation from USNA.
 
1. You are subjecting yourself to other Mids having real police powers over you. Meaning a Mid might not like you whatever reason and use the Honor system to falsely accuse you of a violation. Other common things that you want to watch out for is, the upper class believes for some reason they have the duty to determine who graduates USNA. It is well known that some upper class will attempt to run Mids out if they don't like them. The moral here is. Make many friends and Watch your six. keep your face in the books and follow every order to the letter. The reward is you just might EARN a commission as a Naval Officer upon graduation from USNA.

Do you know this personally or have seen/experienced this or this just anecdotal or rumored? What's the intent here...to intimidate or scare prospective candidates? Your message is that upperclassmen have to power to determine who graduates from the USNA and use the Honor Code to falsely accuse and weed out those they don't like...is that right?
 
Having close friends at SA's and I myself attending a very similar institution, I will say the OP is very correct in what they are saying.
 
Do you know this personally or have seen/experienced this or this just anecdotal or rumored? What's the intent here...to intimidate or scare prospective candidates? Your message is that upperclassmen have to power to determine who graduates from the USNA and use the Honor Code to falsely accuse and weed out those they don't like...is that right?

I believe this Mid (or former Mid) parent experienced this process through a child or other close friend. I would take it as a cautious reminder that not everybody is going to be your best friend at the academy.
 
Unless things have radically changed for the worse since my day and unless every parent and current mid I've spoken to over the past few years (and it's quite a few) are lying, I can't agree with many of the OP's comments.

Yes, you are now in the military and, at least initially, will be without your civilian clothes, electronic "toys," car, significant other, TV, texting, etc. Most of those things you'll eventually get back. As they like to say, when you walk in the door certain "rights" are taken away and handed back to you over the next 4 years as "privileges."

Yes, as a member of the military, your superiors have certain legal rights. That said, the upperclass do not run the brigade with abandon and their ability to do much without officer approval is extremely limited. Each company has a company officer (O-3/O-4) and senior enlisted (E7/E-8). Each battalion has a senior batt officer (senior O-5/O-6). There is a Commandant (senior O-6) and Superintendent (Vice Admiral). Not to mention lots of officers in other positions (e.g., professors, coaches, chaplains). The Navy is not about to let a bunch of 18-21 year olds run the Academy.

In the old days, some "bad stuff" happened. But I've not heard of people bringing false honor charges against other mids or trying to run people out in recent times. Some people who end up at USNA really shouldn't be there -- it's not for them. Most figure it out on their own; what they may perceive as being "run out" is often simply the process of their figuring out the military isn't for them. Not a value judgment, just reality.

If you enter USNA paranoid, it will be a long and miserable four years. Any SA is tough; the upperclass and your classmates will help you get through it. And, for the most part, in the long run, you will respect most of your upperclass and officers. These days, close to 90% of those entering each class end up graduating; the overwhelming majority of those who leave do so voluntarily.

Be smart. Work hard. Always do your best. Don't overstress or overthink things. You'll be fine.
 
I believe this Mid (or former Mid) parent experienced this process through a child or other close friend. I would take it as a cautious reminder that not everybody is going to be your best friend at the academy.

I'm guessing this OP is either being kicked out, is in trouble, or has a best friend who is getting the boot.
 
Being a 2018 candidate myself, what seabee said is slightly worrying. But I take comfort in the fact that the Naval Academy has successfully maintained one of the highest graduation rates in the nation out of all colleges and universities since 2006 with an 88% graduation rate. I have no idea if what he said is accurate or exaggerated, but I just hope prospective candidates who are in freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school don't get scared away by it. If you really desire to become an officer, the service academies are a great path to take. (as well as rotc)
 
As a current mid, my DS hasn't had any of the experiences that the OP warns against nor have his friends. Furthermore, my daughter just married a 2003 grad who would also say his experience with the upper class was positive.
 
For those who have received a LOA or have received an offer of an appointment, what you have done thus is child's play for what is about to come.

There is no doubt that attending the Naval Academy is hard work. However, the percentage of those who manage to get in and go on to graduate is far higher than those who apply and earn an appointment.

Getting in is extremely difficult. There are many very qualified candidates who will never receive an appointment. However, there are very few appointees who will not graduate.
 
According to a previous post by the OP, he or she is a "I am a 100% Total and Permanent service connected disabled Naval Veteran, a Shellback and a USNA MIDN parent."
 
...Don't suck and 99% of the time it won't be an issue.

+1 Hurricane12.

I feel like I just skimmed a supermarket tabloid. It is likely threads like these that make the Admissions folks "diss" this forum during their presentations.
 
....and also a good reason to get input from a wide variety of individuals. I wouldn't base your view of the academy solely on the opinions of one apparently disgruntled parent of a mid who is making statements that have rarely been voiced on here.
 
Agree with USNA 1985. Life during and after Academy can be a great ride. DDE is current 1st SMC Paris Island..
 
According to a previous post by the OP, he or she is a "I am a 100% Total and Permanent service connected disabled Naval Veteran, a Shellback and a USNA MIDN parent."
You are correct and your point would be?
 
....and also a good reason to get input from a wide variety of individuals. I wouldn't base your view of the academy solely on the opinions of one apparently disgruntled parent of a mid who is making statements that have rarely been voiced on here.

You are mistaken, I am far from a disgruntled parent. I love the Navy and USNA. I am proud of USNA working vary hard to produce the best Leaders possible for the Fleet. However, All that attend USNA are quite aware of how things are yet it is rarely expressed. Everyone should know what to expect and what to look out for. You are correct with regard to statements that have been rarely been voice here. That is why I posted them, they are all facts and all Candidates and Parents should be aware of these things. I don't sugar coat anything such as most of what is posted about life at USNA.
 
Unless things have radically changed for the worse since my day and unless every parent and current mid I've spoken to over the past few years (and it's quite a few) are lying, I can't agree with many of the OP's comments.

Yes, you are now in the military and, at least initially, will be without your civilian clothes, electronic "toys," car, significant other, TV, texting, etc. Most of those things you'll eventually get back. As they like to say, when you walk in the door certain "rights" are taken away and handed back to you over the next 4 years as "privileges."

Yes, as a member of the military, your superiors have certain legal rights. That said, the upperclass do not run the brigade with abandon and their ability to do much without officer approval is extremely limited. Each company has a company officer (O-3/O-4) and senior enlisted (E7/E-8). Each battalion has a senior batt officer (senior O-5/O-6). There is a Commandant (senior O-6) and Superintendent (Vice Admiral). Not to mention lots of officers in other positions (e.g., professors, coaches, chaplains). The Navy is not about to let a bunch of 18-21 year olds run the Academy.

In the old days, some "bad stuff" happened. But I've not heard of people bringing false honor charges against other mids or trying to run people out in recent times. Some people who end up at USNA really shouldn't be there -- it's not for them. Most figure it out on their own; what they may perceive as being "run out" is often simply the process of their figuring out the military isn't for them. Not a value judgment, just reality.

If you enter USNA paranoid, it will be a long and miserable four years. Any SA is tough; the upperclass and your classmates will help you get through it. And, for the most part, in the long run, you will respect most of your upperclass and officers. These days, close to 90% of those entering each class end up graduating; the overwhelming majority of those who leave do so voluntarily.

Be smart. Work hard. Always do your best. Don't overstress or overthink things. You'll be fine.

Yes things have radically changed for the worse since your day at USNA. As a USNA Grad. you should know Leadership is firm, fair and consistent. You claim "your classmates will help you get through it" Well that is what should happen. Also, leaving USNA voluntarily includes those who have been wronged and don't wish to continue to allow the abuse to continue.
 
SEABEE, can you please elaborate on what you outlined in your original post? What is the basis for what you write? I'm trying to get a figure out why you're saying what you're saying when others have said that a lot of that doesn't go on or at least, not to the extent you suggest it does. I am fairly close friends with a plebe and he's never mentioned anything like that, especially about the upperclass purposely trying to prevent someone from commissioning/graduating.
 
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