This is super confusing to me and all of these recent emails from non-admission personnel are making it worse. I had a very lengthy call with admissions and this is my understanding. I have been told that they will allow you to change from ED to RD after the first board results are announced - that is only like 10 days. That is only because the ED deadline is before the first board results. If you don't get first board, you go to RD. However, based upon my understanding from them if you do get first board - you then need to pull academy applications and commit to that school. If you are doing just ROTC - probably works for the first board. If you are also doing academy applications, then I don't think it works. I think this gives you a 10 day or so grace period and nothing more. If someone is telling you that you can apply ED and wait 6+ months until April to find out if you get an appointment that is not what I am hearing at all.