quitting the naval academy

[usna1985]

If you are going to leave, make sure you are running towards something, not away from something.

A little OT, but this is also true of leaving the military. As is the advice, "Don't look back."

As for leaving the SAs, why do people always think that the person who got the TWE would have made it through the SA and would have stayed? In virtually all cases, the person who received the appointment thought USNA was the school he/she wanted. And then found out it wasn't. That can happen to anyone -- it's more likely to happen to someone who hasn't prepared and/or who had serious doubts about attending in the first place. But it happens to those who are 100% gung-ho on I-Day.

USNA would love to be able to admit the exact number of people it hoped to graduate and have each one of them stay for 4 yrs. It doesn't happen. As Mongo says, there will be attrition -- it's built into the system. An unfortunate reality.

 

[HiMyNameisNick]

for those upset about the whole "took a spot from someone who really wanted it" aspect:

I used to view this in a similar way, because I was not accepted to USNA. However I am learning and maturing quite a bit as a College Program MIDN 4/C at George Washington University. The Navy knows that they're doing, they expect some people to drop out.

Think of this as well: for those who "lost that spot to someone who is going to drop out" : if you are truly qualified and motivated then you will find a way to get your commission. If you deserve it, you will get it. I dream to be a USMC officer. Ive been rejected from both USNA and NROTC. But I know that a Marine Corps officer doesn't give up, so I am now pursuing every comissioning source possible again: re-applying to USNA, CP NROTC, and PLC.

 

[Craig]

Semper Fi

Keep the faith!!! Your determination will probably make you a better officer. If you watched the recent Hall of Fame induction. I love what Shannon Sharpe's :

", his brother Sterling explained that Shannon’s plunge to the seventh round of the 1993 draft both humbled him and replaced a sense of entitlement with competition. And that propelled Shannon toward a career that would end in Canton"

Semper Fi

 

[nlcatter]

running towards something

i tried running -
back to the regular air force I had come from for the war was ongoing.

instead they sent me to a training base as instructor that I didnt want!

you should only stay if you want a career in the military,
for there are those who do and didnt get it.

you can always decide not to re-up but too many go in wanting to fly and get rich on taxpayer dime!

 

[Memphis9489]

I do understand the SA's are not for everyone, but it sounds like someone did not think this through, before they got to the Academy.

You may be right, but I think you're being a little harsh. The original post really didn't provide enough information to conclude that he "did not think this through."

 

[Memphis9489]

In truth, you'll lose 33% of your classmates, so that's a number of spots.

These days, the attrition rate is NOWHERE near that high (33%).

A 33% attrition (1 out of every 3) used to be pretty much standard in the "old" days. They're graduating over a 1000 now! That's an attrition rate of 15-18%.

 

[Memphis9489]

i am a plebe and am leaving the naval academy. just wondering if anyone can tell me what its like to be home again?

1. This is a very odd time to decide to leave - between the 1st and 2nd semester. Just as a matter of educational continuity and logistics, leaving at the end of your Plebe year makes a lot more sense - even if you're sure that the Navy isn't for you.

2. Are you deciding to leave or is that decision being made for you by the academy?

3. Regardless of your reason for leaving - the sad (and unfair) fact will be everybody that is not a family member or very close to you, who finds out that you left the Naval Academy during your first year, will always think one (or both) of the following: a) you got kicked out, or b) you couldn't hack it. Even if you are leaving with a 4.0 GPA, they will still think that - but they'll never tell you that's what they're thinking.

You never "transfer" from a service academy. People always see it as getting "kicked out" or "couldn't hack it". Fair or unfair - that's the reality. To them, it's quitting not transfering.

You'll eventually learn this and will probably avoid telling people that you ever went to the Naval Academy - just to avoid this "stigma."

Again - I'm not saying this is fair. People are ignorant and do not really understand much about service academies other than what they may have seen in movies or what they've read in some melodramatic and ancient book.

 

[Whistle Pig]

Whatever it's like back home, you'll forever have to live with your regret and guilt. That's an unfortunate guarantee.

btw, that's not meant to impose any upon you either. You will do that on your own. But it is your soon-to-be reality, no matter the reason for departure, the timing, or how "ok" folks here and elsewhere will work to make you feel. And the silly arguments that "it's not for everyone" or attrition is built into the system have nothing to do with you and your question of feeling and emotion in light of your decision or the Academy's.

 

[Zaphod]

You know...in retrospect...

I agree.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Yep. I've said it for years.

If you think getting in is tough, try getting out!

That said, and with apologies to the OP and fully recognizing that SA's are not for everyone, I have little sympathy for those who quit.

And yes, I say this as someone who was walking down the hall one day on my way to DOR when a classmate stopped me. The difference now is that I have almost 30 years more experience than that kid who took that walk...