Interservice Transfer

blackhawks20019

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Jan 16, 2015
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New to forum and I wanted to know if it is possible to commision into the navy after attending USMA. For some background, I want to go into nuclear engineering, therefore I find that I would have a better time serving on a submarine. I know it sounds selfish, but in the end I will be serving no matter what branch. Obviously, some are going to ask why I don't just go to USNA, but I didn't get a nomination, and I would not decline West Point. So does anyone know if you can directly enter the navy after USMA, or how hard it would be to transfer after your first five years?
 
New to forum and I wanted to know if it is possible to commision into the navy after attending USMA. For some background, I want to go into nuclear engineering, therefore I find that I would have a better time serving on a submarine. I know it sounds selfish, but in the end I will be serving no matter what branch. Obviously, some are going to ask why I don't just go to USNA, but I didn't get a nomination, and I would not decline West Point. So does anyone know if you can directly enter the navy after USMA, or how hard it would be to transfer after your first five years?
Previous thread someone had the same problem, giving a year of your life then reapplying to usna would be your best option. There is many ways to a career in nuclear engineering, I wouldn't say doing a 5 and dive from a transition job isn't your best option either way, but in the end it is your decision. But from the last thread it seems very unlikely to get a transfer.


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I agree that reapplying is your best bet. It shows you're dedicated and really want this. Transfers do happen, but rarely...Why not go to civilian college and take a rigorous course load and reapply to USNA? If that doesn't work out, you can still commission through the ROTC program at the college (and study nuclear engineering).
 
Thanks for the advice. I know I have to do what's best for me, but I just feel as though it would incredibly hard to turn down West Point after I worked for so long. I am highly considering doing NROTC, but it is very hard for my parents and extended family to comprehend declining West Point.
 
You can be a nuclear engineer without being on a submarine. One of my good friends is out of the Army now (she was a pilot) and majored in Nuke at USMA. She's now finished her masters in Nuclear Engineering and is working on some nuke-type PhD. One of my other buddies from USMA was an Armor officer, got out, and is getting his PhD at Michigan State (one of the best nuke physics programs in the country). Whoever told you you need to spend 5 years hating your life on a sub is selling you a bill of goods. Don't make a life decision because someone told you that you need to take one path to get to what you want to be.
 
Just to clarify, I would like to go into nuke engineering, but whether I want to go into a civilian career after service, I don't know. That is why I want to serve on a sub because I think I would enjoy being on a sub, and would maybe even make a career of it.
 
I think you've really barked up the wrong tree, then, and probably didn't put enough consideration into applying to USMA. Do any jobs in the Army even interest you? Or was USMA simply a play to get into a service academy? I'm curious as to what you told your congressman that he would give you a USMA nom over a USNA nom, seeing as your goal is nuclear engineering.

You are now facing the question of what matters more: your dream of a SA, or your (idealized, totally inexperienced) dream of working on a submarine and being a nuclear engineer. I caution you about the latter. When I was your age I was sure I wanted to be a tanker.
 
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You could always show more dedication by putting on your usna profile (if you reapply) that you turned down usma to reapply. Worth a shot


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