NASS advice, tips, and suggestions

CaptMJ, that is hysterical! At least the self-portrait artist got one thing right, your daughter probably will remember him, just not in the same way he would hope.

My son has wanted to attend USNA, and nowhere but USNA, all of his life due to advice from his bomber-pilot grandad. He did attend NASS last summer and LOVED it. Even though he has always believed that USNA was for him, NASS made him feel that he was "cut out" for USNA. He loved the activity level, the traditions, the classes and especially the mock sea trials. The motivation he received from NASS carried him, and his parents, through the long application process. Now, we are hoping he remembers NASS as he goes through Plebe Summer. (Of course, he also has to listen to the teasing from his older brother, who did Navy spec ops boot camp, telling him Plebe Summer is a cake walk! :eek:)
 
Plebe Summer is a cake walk, just a very monotonous one. As for NASS, I met some groupies when I went. I thought they were ridiculous. All of the SA's produce officers, bottom line. They all place high emphasis on honor, leadership, and physical fitness, and the piece of paper they hand you when you leave weighs the same in Colorado as it does in Maryland. If you're overly concerned about which one has greener grass or better food or a better academic climate, than you're missing the forest for the trees. In my opinion, high school kidos should look more towards their post academy goals and ambitions. What are the career options available after commissioning? I know several people who wanted to be doctors, and did not know that USNA isn't the most conducive place to start that sort of career. For me personally, I did not know what I wanted to do specifically in the military. USNA had the best options of service selection (I wasn't going to go to USAFA to become a weather man or an accountant), and Annapolis(the place outside the gate) is a GREAT place. I guess I'm saying that people who go to all of the SA Summer camps are using false logic in doing so.
 
WestTexasmom said:
but please don't assume that anyone who attends more than one is a "groupie", or is any less committed than those who only attend NASS.
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I'd have to second this..... if you are in a very competitive district & state most applicants may not get nominations for their first or second choice.

All the congressional information in our state underscores that fact, stresses it's recommended to apply to any that you would consider and you have to rank your preference in your nomination application.

How else would you be prepared to make that decision?
 
In early spring of my junior year I could only pick 2 seminars to attend, since my school did not let out until all 3 were over. I ended up picking USNA's and USAFA's and just going to an Army sports camp, since at that point I had limited knowledge of all and flipped a few coins to decide! By the time I attended the seminars, I had talked with enough members of all the military branches (CG too) to know I was very interested in USMA. After both seminars and my Army sports camp, USMA was my number one, and that is where I will be reporting in 27 days. So, please, don't pass people off as being groupies. Most are just trying to make informed decisions.
 
Congratulations vampsoul! And thank you for sharing your experience. I think there are others who would like to know what led to your decision, if you don't mind posting.
 
WestTexasmom said:
Congratulations vampsoul! And thank you for sharing your experience. I think there are others who would like to know what led to your decision, if you don't mind posting.
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It was a decision based on what was the best fit for me personally. The Army had the most opportunities(branches) I would be interested in making a career out of. The military members/vets I spoke to showed the Army as more people-direct and more soldier-centered than tech-centered. As a history geek, USMA is a huge draw, for obvious reasons. Since this is the USNA forum, I will go ahead and say that the number one reason I put USMA over USNA was that after being on a ship, I realized that lifestyle was not for me. I love the land! I was NOT, I repeat, let down by any of the academies I visited and would have been just as honored to be reporting to a different one this summer. Keep your options, eyes, and mind open!
 
Vampsoul-

Thanks for the insight! You said that the Army is more people-centered, and that USMA attracted you because of your penchant for history. From what I've heard both WP and USNA view candidates that are talented in math and science with much more favor than those who experience more success in languages, humanities, and such. I've also heard that USMA is very much a math/science school, as is USNA. Could you expand on your choice of USMA due to you being a history geek? And also that the Army is more people oriented?

Thanks,
a
 
mammothchick67 said:
Vampsoul-

Thanks for the insight! You said that the Army is more people-centered, and that USMA attracted you because of your penchant for history. From what I've heard both WP and USNA view candidates that are talented in math and science with much more favor than those who experience more success in languages, humanities, and such. I've also heard that USMA is very much a math/science school, as is USNA. Could you expand on your choice of USMA due to you being a history geek? And also that the Army is more people oriented?

Thanks,
a
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It is not as simple as I stated it. By the history comment, I simply meant that the history of USMA and its grounds is an inspiring place to be, especially since I do plan on majoring in history. The people-centered thing came from the mouths of Army and AF personnel, who described Army leadership as more direct while AF is more managerial. All the academies have engineering-centered cirricula. It is just the "focus" feel you get from each branch. I know I am not explaining this very well and am probably offending someone with my limited knowledge, but I just wanted to point out that it is important to explore all the military branches if you don't have a lot of insight into any of them. You may be surprised with what your gut feeling is. In the end, I think that is what it was that pulled me to USMA. I knew in my GUT that I wanted to be a part of the US Army.
 
Thanks for the CFA warning. I had no idea.

Anyways, I was wondering about what gear I should bring. Obviously my essentials and I'm assuming that we'll be given unit T-shirts. But is there anything specific I should bring besides some PT gear and my every day articles?
 
Is there anything specific I should bring besides some PT gear and my every day articles?
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You may want to bring a big, black trash bag for the clothes you wear for Sea Trials. My t-shirt and sweats were soaked and caked in mud by the end, so I definitely did not want to pack it with my other clothes.

Some random stuff that I took away from NASS last year:

-Always give 100%...During the morning workout, if you simply cannot do more regular push-ups, don't be embarassed and just stop doing them while everyone else keeps pushing out reps. Doing "girl" pushups is better than not doing anything at all.

-Don't be "that person" who is late or loses their cover or canteen (don't drop the canteen either...they had a bad habit of shattering)

-Everyone said that the mock Sea Trials and Indoc Night were the best part; I have to agree

-Always be encouraging

-Weather may interrupt some events...last year's trip (session 2) to see the USMC Silent Drill Team at Arlington Cemetery was rained out and the storm caused many flight delays when NASS ended

-It is helpful to work with squadmates on the memorization sheet
 
The biggest thing is to work hard!! That includes fitness and academics. You will be given a sheet of information on the first day (called "rates") that you will then be tested on during the mock I-Day. Don't be the kid that didn't feel like studying and is the reason why the squad is doing more push ups after Sea Trials.

Go into it with the experience with an open mind. I suffered pretty bad homesickness that tainted my perception for the 1st couple of days. I realized how much I loved the people and the atmosphere so I was able to stick it out and decided it was the place for me. Don't make a decision right away, take some time and evaluate your experience.

On the slightly more off-topic note, I believe that a kid should hit as many SS's as possible because the SAs and the branches all have different cultures. I went to AFA and USNA last summer and realized that I couldn't stand the AF culture. I loved the passion of the USNA and it cemented my decision to become a Marine out of USNA.

Good Luck!!
 
I'd like to throw my input into the mix as well since I am the actual candidate and not a parent.

I am attending 3 seminars not as a groupie but to find what is best for me and to develop a more military lifestyle in anticipation of I/R Day at an academy. There is no social agenda associated with my goals (to make new friends or waste time doing "nothing") but the get a better feel for each the USMA, USAFA, and USNA. This goes without saying, however, that you will make lots of friends! SLS is about confidence, team work, and hard work, if you possess or want to develop those skills, then you will enjoy yourself and you will make friends with like-minded and strong willed individuals.

I say this in particular, having just returned last night from USMA SLS that your opinions WILL change. I am more open minded to the idea of attending West Point, and without the SLS I probably would never have considered it past the internet. The SLS provides more than insight to the campus, but to the outstanding cadets/mids who run and work hard long hours at their respective academies. Anybody who reads this as a rising junior and is uncertain of their decision or just curious about the academies, I strongly urge you to consider attending all three or atleast applying to all three. The financial side, albeit difficult, was rewarding, as I worked 3 part time jobs in order to assist in paying for them. Thanks for your consideration

Matthew
 
mattkurtas said:
I'd like to throw my input into the mix as well since I am the actual candidate and not a parent.

I am attending 3 seminars not as a groupie but to find what is best for me and to develop a more military lifestyle in anticipation of I/R Day at an academy. There is no social agenda associated with my goals (to make new friends or waste time doing "nothing") but the get a better feel for each the USMA, USAFA, and USNA. This goes without saying, however, that you will make lots of friends! SLS is about confidence, team work, and hard work, if you possess or want to develop those skills, then you will enjoy yourself and you will make friends with like-minded and strong willed individuals.

I say this in particular, having just returned last night from USMA SLS that your opinions WILL change. I am more open minded to the idea of attending West Point, and without the SLS I probably would never have considered it past the internet. The SLS provides more than insight to the campus, but to the outstanding cadets/mids who run and work hard long hours at their respective academies. Anybody who reads this as a rising junior and is uncertain of their decision or just curious about the academies, I strongly urge you to consider attending all three or atleast applying to all three. The financial side, albeit difficult, was rewarding, as I worked 3 part time jobs in order to assist in paying for them. Thanks for your consideration

Matthew
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Great reply Matthew - thanks for the input! Best of luck to you as you make a decision, and hope you have as much fun at the next two as you did at this on!
 
When you guys get there, check and see if your sweats fit. If not, find someone to trade with before mock sea trials. I didn't. I am an XS girl who did mock sea trial is XL sweat pants. Not fun :rolleyes:.
 
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