Decisions

My DS has an appt. to USMA. Honestly, we are unprepared for this. He had always really thought he wanted Naval Academy, but have not heard from them. He has somewhat ruled out AFA because he is working on private pilot, but isn't just crazy about flying, and feels like without wanting to fly, the AFA is not the best fit.

Right now he doesn't have a choice, but any suggestions for deciding between Naval and WP should a decision need to be made?

He definitely realizes there is more to it than just 4 yrs at the academy. I know it is probably a long shot, but he is really interested in special forces. He feels like the Army may have more options for this path than Navy, but we aren't sure. He doesn't know who he can even ask to get a good comparison/ contrast of the two.

He has been to Naval Academy and we are trying to work out a trip to WP, but again he is thinking past just it being an academy and wants to figure out the best career path, all while realizing it will probably be nothing like he expects.

Thanks for any advice.

First, what does he want to do immediately after graduation? Special operations isn't an option in the Army until you've proven yourself as a lieutenant. Only then can you apply. As we like to say, Army special operations is "adults only."

Ultimately, there are far more special operations roles in the Army than the Navy. Though all four services contribute to SOCOM, 50% of SOCOM comes from the Army.

Does he have any real interest in USMA or did he apply just to apply?

Don't forget that lots of LTs get the option to go to Ranger school, and snagging a Korea rotation then puts a relatively young LT in a position to apply for a job in the regiment. Of course, a vast majority of cadets are broken of this desire by Buckner. If SF is a new desire, then it may not be that strong to endure WP training.

Here's just a mom's perspective. My DS (2012 grad) had appointments to USNA and USMA. He looked at all the possible jobs in both. Sure, he had preferences (but you can't guarantee you'll get what you want, so it was important to see all the options). For my son it came down to this statement: I don't want to live on a ship, land a plane on a ship, or live in a sub....so I'm going to West Point. The Naval Academy is a little behind USMA in the admissions cycle, so it's entirely too early for your son to give up hope, if that's what he wants. I was rooting for mine to choose Navy for a while--those little sailor suits they wear with the square collars and the cute little square knot tie are just darling--reminds me of my boys wearing them when they were toddlers. Every man wants to look darling, right? ...Beat Navy!

Haha Mom of 3 boys... I definitely agree I love those uniforms. Pretty sure DS doesn't care about looking darling, but it is a selling point for me!

Thanks for the responses. SF is not a new desire, but he realizes how difficult and selective they are and wants to be sure he is prepared with a plan B that he will like should he not get that. His biggest desire is to serve, but how is the question right now.

USMA is not just a whim. Honestly, we had always heard that it was the hardest one to get into and we kind of felt it might be a reach for any academy for him. He has some great things going for him as far as admissions, but his GPA, while not bad is on the lower side of what the class profiles show. His class rank is low. Maybe we had misinformation, but when you are starting a process like this, you tend to hear lots of stuff. At this point, we are trying to sort out the information, and should a decision present itself, be prepared to make the best one for him.

I really do appreciate any input on the best way to sort this out.

Jamjam said:

Right now he doesn't have a choice, but any suggestions for deciding between Naval and WP should a decision need to be made?

Click to expand...

It sounds like your DS wants to go to Navy. If so why not just wait a bit. I believe you have until April 15 to decline West Point appointment.

or

Figure out what's important and evalute based on those things

- life style at school
- major
- optins after graduation
- likely duty location
- being close or far away from parents

Agree, it sounds like if given the choice, Navy is what he wants. Its great he is thinking Service first before the SA itself as that is the ultimate goal. It appears that if the Navy offer comes in that is where his head and heart are at. Obviously as a Navy grad I love to sell the school, but it is ultimately what service someone wants to serve in that is most important. The great part of Navy is your DS can select senior year Navy or Marine Corps. There are SF options for either Service. Navy is the only Service (between Navy, MC and Army) that allows someone to enter SF training immediately upon graduation. Yes, SEALS is hard to get, but if that really is his goal and he does the work, it is attainable. I say that because when my class graduated I knew every single one of my classmates who went SEALS, so I know it can happen. Marine Corps he can select out of USNA and then he gets his MOS about half way through TBS. He won't be able to select SF immediately, but there is natural path to it for Infantry and Ground Intel (others can go this path, but these are the most natural MOSs that move over to SF).

MemberLG has great advice on factors to look at for each SA. Good luck to your DS and you on this adventure. Hopefully he will have two great options to choose from. If possible a WP visit is a great idea. Since he has been appointed it can really help him decide.