Accepted to the Air Force Academy - Desperately want to stay in the Navy

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P0wderedM1lkMan

5-Year Member
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Jun 25, 2012
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Hello Forum,

I just received a call from my Congressman that I have received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. The problem is that I love the Navy (I love the Air Force too~). I have spent the year in the NROTC unit, on scholarship, at RPI. My dream is to become a Navy SEAL but I would love to attend a place like the USAFA, especially to be within its aeronautical engineering program.

This is an incredible opportunity and this might seem like a silly question... but is it possible to remain within the Navy and get an education at the Air Force Academy? I did not receive a nomination to the Naval Academy by the way so I don't think I will receive an appointment there either.
 
There are opportunities to cross-commission from one academy to another service. I'm not sure what the rules are, but I would expect it would be highly selective and may also depend on a mutual "trade" (i.e. in your case, a middie wanting to join the Air Force too).
 
P0wderedM1lkMan said:
Hello Forum,

I just received a call from my Congressman that I have received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. The problem is that I love the Navy (I love the Air Force too~). I have spent the year in the NROTC unit, on scholarship, at RPI. My dream is to become a Navy SEAL but I would love to attend a place like the USAFA, especially to be within its aeronautical engineering program.

This is an incredible opportunity and this might seem like a silly question... but is it possible to remain within the Navy and get an education at the Air Force Academy? I did not receive a nomination to the Naval Academy by the way so I don't think I will receive an appointment there either.
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Sure, it's POSSIBLE to receive a cross-commission back to the Navy after USAFA but you are AF while a cadet. The likelihood of a cross-commission varies based on service needs, but given the expectations for now, it is HIGHLY unlikely.

If all you want is to be in the USAFA Aero major, you are missing the vast majority of what the experience is. Especially realize that major a total of 1/4 - 1/3 of your courses will be Aero and the rest are core courses.
 
P0wderedM1lkMan said:
Hello Forum,

I just received a call from my Congressman that I have received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. The problem is that I love the Navy (I love the Air Force too~). I have spent the year in the NROTC unit, on scholarship, at RPI. My dream is to become a Navy SEAL but I would love to attend a place like the USAFA, especially to be within its aeronautical engineering program.

This is an incredible opportunity and this might seem like a silly question... but is it possible to remain within the Navy and get an education at the Air Force Academy? I did not receive a nomination to the Naval Academy by the way so I don't think I will receive an appointment there either.
Click to expand...

I have to wonder why someone so enthralled with Navy would even apply to AFA. Nevertheless you saw something at AFA that attracted you enough to apply even if it meant not going Navy. I suggest you get back in touch with that as I have found we need to take our opportunities where and when we find them.

Of course you are already at an excellent engineering school on a Navy scholarship. Is the program at AFA so much better than what you're studying at RPI? If not, stay put.
 
I would like to clarify that the reason I would prefer to attend an Academy is more for the environment. The education I receive at RPI and the AFA is probably comparable, but I feel like I would perform a lot more efficiently while in a more locked down place. I started reapplying to both academies as soon as I was rejected last year and did not understand which branch I truly wanted to be in until I had attended a semester within an NROTC unit.
 
kinnem said:
Of course you are already at an excellent engineering school on a Navy scholarship. Is the program at AFA so much better than what you're studying at RPI? If not, stay put.
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+1

Besides, you said you want to be a Navy SEAL. That was your first expressed desire/dream in the OP.
 
P0wderedM1lkMan said:
I would like to clarify that the reason I would prefer to attend an Academy is more for the environment. The education I receive at RPI and the AFA is probably comparable, but I feel like I would perform a lot more efficiently while in a more locked down place.
Click to expand...

I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way.

As an employer, comrade, father etc. I would have greater confidence in a person who proved him/herself in an "unlocked" environment than one of equal proven abilities coming out of a "locked down" environment.

Everything I've ever seen or read about the Navy SEALs tells me these are the guys who are most comfortable operating in an uncontrolled environment with all accompanying temptations and distractions.

Believe me, I feel like I'm swallowing a bowling ball every time my AROTC DS mentions his Fraternity.

You seem thoughtful enough about your situation that you shouldn't worry about not being in a locked-down environment.

Best of luck!
 
+1 to cb7893. I would add that you're only a 4/C. At best you've served a semester as a squad leader. Responsibilities will increase, and they will increase more and more rapidly in NROTC. You'll feel 'locked down' soon enough and will not have time to screw around with distractions.

Also, to add to my earlier post, I wouldn't choose AFA unless I were willing to serve as an AF officer. In some sense you can't go wrong with either choice, but personally I don't think the academies are for everyone, nor are they the be all end all. :eek:
 
Which is more important to you, trying to be a SEAL in the Navy or getting a degree from USAFA? It is unlikely you will be able to do both.
 
Agree with everything on here... what is your end state? If its to be a SEAL, stay where you are. You can't go to the AFA and become a SEAL. Ok, so you can, but the chances are extremely remote. If you go to the AFA, will you be happy being an AF officer? What would you want to be in the AF? You are at a great school and on the path to become a Naval Officer. If you can't handle balancing the college life and ROTC, you think you can balance BUDS and the rest of your life? See it as a training opportunity for the future. It takes extreme discipline to make it through BUDS and all the other schools required, just see it as prep for that.
 
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