Important News

murfthesurf said:
Not to sound too pathetic, but it would be neat if someone provided an itemized content list or even photographed the contents of a BFE from any SA.

Perhaps even that rare person who gets (2); just what is contained.
Click to expand...

I'll try to post a photo of his later. Can you do that on here? Anyway, USNA's is a plastic folder with a pretty cool picture on the left (I think it's fighter jets taking off from a carrier, can't really remember) and a commemorative certificate on the right. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. Thrilled that he got one. Best of luck to all those still waiting for any of the SAs.
 
The blue plastic folder the BFE is in is the pretty much the standard folder you will see throughout your career in the Navy or Marine Corps. They are used for awards and promotion certificates for Marines. Officer promotion certificates are actually larger and come in the mail. Those folders are actually pricey and cost units big bucks on small budgets. As officers, we used to always hand them back to the admin clerks to re-use them for other Marines to save dough as we either put the award in a box or big enough they are framed at home. USAFA has obviously chosen to go a different path... Not sure why, but guessing it saves a lot of money. Plenty of kids post picture of their BFEs on Twitter. I am sure your kids can show you. I still have my BFE... It was actually a TWE with an appointment back in the day. We didn't get anything fancy, just a letter. And even back in the dark ages, our MOCs were given a chance to call. We didn't have portals back then, actually kind of glad we didn't.
 
I have been on the rollercoaster long enough to know that I won't be getting off until March or April. My stomach doesn't even go loop-de-loop when I see things like "appointment thread" or BFE. I know, within reason, where DS is "stacked and racked" given the plethora of competitive "stats" given here. That means he is just as awesome as the rest but what we need now is just a little bit of luck and perhaps a touch of divine intervention. I am starting to relax into this process now. Funny thing is, DS never even climbed on the rollercoaster and for that I am grateful. Not to say that he isn't anxious but if you have seen "Bridge of Spies" you will be familiar with the quote: "Don't you ever worry? Why, would it help?" Get that security blanket secured and hold tight.
 
I've read some replies here that talk about a "trifecta" or getting responses from 'all 3 service academies.' Really? This isn't a civilian school where you apply to a few state schools as fallbacks and some private out of state schools and maybe a few Ivy league schools. You are committing to a branch of the service for at least 5 years and possibly a career. Do some research and apply to the branch that is most appealing and then the ROTC branch that matches up with it. I suppose you could be a person that says, "I don't care what I do in the service I just want to serve my country," but I find it hard to believe you'd be just as happy driving a tank versus flying versus a submarine. Anyway, just my pet peeve. It holds up everyone else waiting to see who of these applicants is going to turn down so it frees the slot back up.
 
I respectfully disagree, like you said it is at least a 5 year service decision if not a career decision. For some people, especially at the young ages of 17, it is a lot to think about and extremely difficult for some to make the decision as to which branch they want to possibly commit the rest of their life's too.
Although yes it would be nice that applicants would not "waste" appointment spots by applying to more than one and getting appointed to more than one, but I also understand why they have done so, and I do not criticize that choice to apply to more than one at all.
Personally I am just applying to the Naval Academy, but I still recognize how hard it is for some to make a commitment to one of these amazing branches- I simply applaud them for their recognition and desire to serve.
 
usnagrad1988 said:
I've read some replies here that talk about a "trifecta" or getting responses from 'all 3 service academies.' Really? This isn't a civilian school where you apply to a few state schools as fallbacks and some private out of state schools and maybe a few Ivy league schools. You are committing to a branch of the service for at least 5 years and possibly a career. Do some research and apply to the branch that is most appealing and then the ROTC branch that matches up with it. I suppose you could be a person that says, "I don't care what I do in the service I just want to serve my country," but I find it hard to believe you'd be just as happy driving a tank versus flying versus a submarine. Anyway, just my pet peeve. It holds up everyone else waiting to see who of these applicants is going to turn down so it frees the slot back up.
Click to expand...
To the extent that you knew exactly what you wanted to do in your career at age 17, and ultimately were spot on in that assessment, I applaud you. With all due respect, I didn't, other than understanding a little bit about my general interests, strengths and aptitudes, leaving me with some conceptual ideas of who I wanted to become. My son has several things he currently would love to do in the service, but is not so naïve as to think he can pinpoint his aspirations specifically.

When a young man or lady sets sights on service, and the academies, it isn't a given that he or she will be admitted to any school, and therefore, if they don't know with certainty which branch they want to serve, it is wise to apply to each; unless they can rule out one or two for sure.

Even now my son isn't certain. He was admitted to WP, and is waiting on USNA and USAFA. He is leaning to USMA, but would like to visit USNA and speak to more people before deciding. It would be nice to be selected at all three, and have the option.

I used the term trifecta to describe the accomplishment of being offered an appointment in all three schools. That's impressive, as it is a reflection of an outstanding record of academic, athletic, and leadership success. In the end, even those who are admitted to all three can only attend one, and thus the other spots will be afforded to other deserving candidates. They won't be lost, so all is well.

My son is a patriotic kid. Indeed, I am most proud of him for that. You could pick a service for him, and tell him that he will be able to lead in that service, and he would make no complaints about what branch you chose for him. But on the other hand, the kid has earned the right to choose for himself, and has earned the right to ponder that choice right up until whatever deadline they give him.

For those who receive more that one appointment, congratulations!!
 
Last edited:
brovol said:
Nice job by your son! Mine also hoping for the trifecta. Which academy will your son choose, and why? He must have had real nice numbers and resume to receive all three appointments this early. I am curious, if you are willing to share the highlights of his resume.
Click to expand...

Someone else asked that on another thread. I cut and pasted it below: I think what he has going for him is that he is very well rounded between academics, athletics, leadership and service. Coming from a small school both helped and hurt him. example-easier to get leadership positions but very few AP classes

He has narrowed it down to Navy or Air Force planning visits very soon.

Class rank 1st out of 33, G.P.A. 4.0 (Unweighted), SAT 2060 (super-scored) Math 700, Reading 720, Writing 640, National Merit Commended Scholar, Math UIL Team Texas State Champion 2015,
National Qualifier in Beta Club Science Competition, Texas Math and Science Coaches Association State Meet- 2nd in Science (individual), Texas Math and Science Coaches Association State Meet- 2nd in Math (team)) 2014 and 2015, Texas NASA Aerospace STEM Scholar 2015, AP Calculus (scored 5 on exam),14 Varsity letters in 4 sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track) Football- All Area Defensive Tackle 2015, All-District Defensive Tackle 2014, 2015, Team Captain 2015, Bi-District Champions 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, Area Champions 2013, Track Regional Qualifier discus, Class President Senior, Sophomore and Freshman years, Elected by peers as Point of Contact Liaison at NASA Aerospace Scholars 2015 ,Beta Club (an honor society) School President 2014-2015, 2015-2016, Church Youth Leadership Council 2012-2015 (ongoing), Named to District, Bi-District and Area All-Star Cast in One Act Play, State Finalist in Beta Club Talent 2014, Bass and Vocals,Music- Play Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums and Ukulele, Church Praise Band-Bass, Guitar and Vocals 2012-2016 (ongoing),Publish/contribute to a blog, Helped organize and execute a bottled water drive for tornado victims. Multiple community service mission trips, Serve meals at homeless shelter 2013-2016 (ongoing) Camp Counselor, Vitals-6'1" 187lb 20/15 vision
 
I think each individual is different. I always knew what I wanted to do. My DS is like me in that regard. He never considered any other SA as he saw them all so differently. We had a difficult time getting him to apply to more than one Plan B school.

Numerous adults tried talking him into applying to their SA alma mater and he would respectfully tell them it just wasn't him. My DS has a clearly defined 10 year plan and realistically says...barring too many bumps and curves...this is where I plan to be in 10 years. Some kids really are that sure.

I can understand the frustration some have though. The SAs are so different it's hard for some people to understand why anyone would apply to more than one. But since there is no rule against it, then all is fair.
 
My son just knows that he wants to serve and hopes to fly, some of my experiences and stories through the years rubbed off on him. Some I wish he wouldn't have taken to heart so much. Through my deployments and travels I have experienced some absolute horrible leaders in the Army. My personal experiences... and those stories through the years impressioned in him that the army is not for him. In reality, he might have done very well, we will never know as he wouldn't drop an app to West Point... a huge surprise is our district typically has a lot of applicants that list WP #1 on their list. I was told by a congressional rep that only ONE thats right, only ONE applicant in his district listed WP as their #1 choice.
 
Like Brovol said:
brovol said:
In the end, even those who are admitted to all three can only attend one, and thus the other spots will be afforded to other deserving candidates. They won't be lost, so all is well.
Click to expand...
One amusing thing that has occurred since locally word has got out that DS has multiple appointments. Everybody seems to want tell him how one academy or another is best. He does not mind, in fact he said he is impressed with how deep peoples branch loyalty runs and hopes his will too someday.
 
My DS only wanted to apply to USNA because his passion for engineering, naval architecture, naval history and serving our country made it a perfect fit. We are still waiting to see if he gets the appointment. But as a father, I am already very proud no matter what happens from this point as only a few get triple Q'ed and receive a congressional nomination.

These kids are already far ahead of most and will have a great future even in a civilian college. For the ones that apply to all service academies, congrats and even more props to you! Having more choices is always better and no need to defend that decision here.

My view is that all the applicants and parents that care enough to post in this forum are the right kind of people (or raised the right kind of people) that we all want serving our country. And for that, I hope all of us get the BFE soon!
 
Next Generation said:
It looks like about 10 names have been added to the 2020 Appointment thread this week, so maybe not a wave, but at least a ripple. Holding our breath...
Click to expand...
I heard it was the first wave of denials for applications that weren't completed, didn't get nominations, didn't qualify with DoDmerb, etc. So, after yesterday thinking no news is still good news? Thankfully our candidate seems at ease with the wait... he did his very best and then some, now come what may :)
 
Last edited:
My DD only applied to USNA, and that's the right choice for her and the career she's aiming for.

I'm also a little perplexed by those that apply to all academies. However, I can see applying to more than one academy if your goals could be reached through more than one route. For instance, one of my younger kids is extremely interested in nuclear power, she's been researching both USNA & USAFA because they both have nuclear paths. Same for flying, if that's your interest; flying can be reached at either USNA or USAFA and even USMA to a smaller extent. I can also see overlap between USNA & USCGA & USMMA, certainly different missions but all involve water. (Not trying to start any argument here, simply pointing out that maybe there is a kid applying to all these because he doesn't care what he's doing as long as he's on a boat :) )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top