An O-5 stood in front of my class and told us firmly that there was no such thing as a sub draft and such a concept was just a silly rumor.
In a nutshell, the game is played this way. Here's a typical scenario.
They are about 5 short of the sub quota. Using certain parameters (that would be too difficult to explain for the purpose of this post) they find about a dozen (or more) midshipmen who are qualified; yet, who do not have it as their 1st choice. They want the midshipmen to
choose subs - so the challenge is to trick the midshipmen into "choosing" subs. After all, it's an all-volunteer community. Right?
First, they flatter the midshipman and try to convince him/her how he/she will excel in the sub community. "You may not know it, but you are
exactly what the sub community is looking for. You have the skills, temperament and professionalism to be an
outstanding submarine officer. You come highly recommended. Your career will take off! You will be on the fast track from day one ... oh, by the way, did we tell you about the bonus?" Flattering stuff, huh?
If that doesn't work, they'll try to ferret out just how committed the midshipman is to his higher preferences. Some midshipmen are actually a bit confused or ambivalent about their choices. The interviewers will sniff that out and basically get the midshipman to admit, "There really is no big difference between my choices. I could see myself doing
any one of them." That's music to their ears! Basically, that midshipman just told them that his 4th choice is the same as his 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. To their way of thinking, the midshipman
is getting what he wants. They may even get him to say, "Subs (which is 4th) is the same as my other choices." Voila! That midshipman just got his "1st" choice!
If that doesn't work, they'll go off the "good cop" script and go the "bad cop" route. "You're being selfish! Your country is calling you for a community that needs somebody with your skills and you are only thinking of
yourself. You only care what's best for
you ... not what's best for the Navy. There are over 100 years of naval service in this room and - what? - you've been at the Naval Academy for 3 years? Don't you think we have enough experience to recognize a young officer who would excel in submarine service? We're choosing
you! You'll eventually come to learn that you will always be at your best where you're needed."
Then they'll schedule you for
another interview. They'll wear you down.
Then, ultimately, the beleaguered midshipman gives in. He calls home and says, "Mom, Dad - I got assigned subs today."
"But I thought you were going to fly. You've always talked about going to flight school."
"Well, I had no choice. They
forced me into subs."
The midshipman isn't being completely straight with his parents. The parents will tell everybody that their midshipman was "drafted". What
really happened is that the midshipman finally gave in. He won't admit it. He's not proud of it. He is probably disappointed in himself - maybe even a little embarrassed. He will characterize it as "being forced" - but the
truth is that he eventually agreed.
It will be documented as
volunteering and they will probably re-categorize it a "1st choice" selection.
While all this was going on, the same scenario was playing out with other midshipmen whom they targeted to fill the quota. Some are easier prey than others. This is why I use the "don't be the slowest antelope" analogy. There's a way of respectfully holding your ground and making it clear that submarines is
not your 1st choice.
You are
not confused about your preferences. You would not be
honest (keyword) with the committee if you told them that you had a passion for submarine service. You can't imagine that an officer will excel without passion. You'll do it if
forced (another keyword). If
ordered (another keyword) into submarine service, you'll say "Aye, aye, sir" and do your best. But, you'd be
lying (another keyword) if you told the committee that you are excited about the prospect. Part of the mission of the Naval Academy was to educate me in the different communities with the intent of revealing to me what would be the best fit. Respectfully, I can't imagine that this committee knows me better than I know myself.
You'll take crap - sure. But they'll see you as an "antelope" not worth pursuing. Surely, there is a "slower running" midshipman - and
he'll be the one who will be making the phone call home, telling his parents that he was a "drafted".
Ask any carrier aviator who has ever landed on a pitching deck at night how "rewarding" it is. There are about a thousand ways to get yourself killed in carrier aviation that do not exist in the submarine community. Just walking on the flight deck is dangerous enough. Once you strap yourself into the jet and catapult off, it doesn't get a whole lot better. There's a reason that the "Hanoi Hilton" was packed with downed aviators and not submariners.