Recent (2020) Grad Questions

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MABlue

5-Year Member
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Jan 1, 2016
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These forums were a huge help to me 5 years ago as I navigated the admissions/USNA experience path, so I figured I would "give back" some and take a shot at answering any questions people might have for a recent grad. For some background, I am a 2020 grad (so about 3.75 years of "normal" USNA life before the pandemic started), and spent the past summer as a TAD on the Yard. Some USNA specific background on me so people can address specific questions: Math major, 4 year varsity athlete, service-selected Submarines, and currently participating in IGEP (masters degree at a civilian school directly after graduation).
 
Hello sir. When will you start training to become a submariner?
 
MABlue said:
These forums were a huge help to me 5 years ago as I navigated the admissions/USNA experience path, so I figured I would "give back" some and take a shot at answering any questions people might have for a recent grad. For some background, I am a 2020 grad (so about 3.75 years of "normal" USNA life before the pandemic started), and spent the past summer as a TAD on the Yard. Some USNA specific background on me so people can address specific questions: Math major, 4 year varsity athlete, service-selected Submarines, and currently participating in IGEP (masters degree at a civilian school directly after graduation).
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What will your Masters degree be?
 
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What subjects do you gravitate toward, and what masters degree specialty will you be doing? Are there any problems that you would like to solve while you are doing your masters work.

—- Edit —- answered my question above
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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What subjects do you gravitate toward, and what masters degree specialty will you be doing? Are there any problems that you would like to solve while you are doing your masters work.
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See above for master specialty. As for subjects, I chose to major in Math because I wanted a broad enough field to explore different technical/non-technical options in the future. While at USNA, I ended taking a large amount of political science/economics courses, which is another passion of mine. As for problems i'd like to solve, I am currently working with a defense research lab at my school on my thesis, however the material unfortunately can't be openly talked about.
 
Did PROTRAMID affect your service selection? How/why did you select subs? Any opinion on ‘22 and ‘23 not having a PROTRAMID, specific to helping to pick a community?
 
PROTRAMID was a blast, undoubtedly the most fun I've had on a summer training, however it honestly did not play a major role in my service selection choice. For some perspective, I came into USNA with the intention of going Pilot, and after a 3/C Sub Cruise + PROTRAMID I was relatively torn between Pilot/Subs. It ended being a a pretty difficult choice that came down to a mix of factors -- service commitment, people in the community, mission set, future opportunities -- which eventually led me to Subs (I did early select during 2/C year though).

Opinions on '22 and '23 not having PROTRAMID -- this is the unfortunate reality of the times we live in. I have many '22 and '23 friends who have expressed disappointment over this, and I really think PROTRAMID can make a major difference for people who go in completely undecided, however it is also important to remember that over PROTRAMID, every community tries to show the best (i.e. most cool) parts of their community, so its not always a true reflection. There are many other great ways to make an informed decision even without a memorable 4 weeks in San Diego.
 
MABlue said:
These forums were a huge help to me 5 years ago as I navigated the admissions/USNA experience path, so I figured I would "give back" some and take a shot at answering any questions people might have for a recent grad. For some background, I am a 2020 grad (so about 3.75 years of "normal" USNA life before the pandemic started), and spent the past summer as a TAD on the Yard. Some USNA specific background on me so people can address specific questions: Math major, 4 year varsity athlete, service-selected Submarines, and currently participating in IGEP (masters degree at a civilian school directly after graduation).
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Thanks for being willing to give back. Is the selection to participate in IGEP very competitive? Also, what additional service obligation do you incur for going through the IGEP?
And lastly, where are you getting your Master's degree from? Sorry for all the questions, this is all new to me that you can start a Master's while at a SA. It's a great opportunity!
 
85USMA said:
Thanks for being willing to give back. Is the selection to participate in IGEP very competitive? Also, what additional service obligation do you incur for going through the IGEP?
And lastly, where are you getting your Master's degree from? Sorry for all the questions, this is all new to me that you can start a Master's while at a SA. It's a great opportunity!
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Dig into USNA.edu. It’s all there. If you haven’t yet read every page, link and drop down menu item on the SA websites, I recommend it. That’s your primary source, and most answers are there.

VGEP is the program that allows mids to finish undergraduate work in Dec of their 1/c year, commute to a one-year Master’s program second semester (Georgetown, GWU, UMD, Johns Hopkins, etc.), continue to live in company area until they graduate with class in May, then live locally, get Master’s in Dec, head to ship, training pipeline, whatever.

IGEP is the one that starts right after graduation, 1-2 years.

Both are highly competitive. A small number are chosen. USNA’s mission is to replenish the Fleet and Corps with new junior officers.

The majority of officers get their Master’s after their first operational tour, never fear. There are a number of programs for that. Use the Search function here on SAF, and you’ll find several discussions. There are full-time student options and Tuition Assistance for after-hours or remote programs during regular tours of duty.
 
What is the submarine training time line usually? Do most sub selects go to Nuke school right after commissioning, or do they split up between different dates like for example group 1 goes to training in July, group 2 goes to training in November...?
 
Usnaprospectivestudent said:
What is the submarine training time line usually? Do most sub selects go to Nuke school right after commissioning, or do they split up between different dates like for example group 1 goes to training in July, group 2 goes to training in November...?
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Figure about 2 years for sub pipeline. Nuke power school, prototype, Sub Officer Basic Course. USNA grad school/training pipeline dates are usually staggered, because school capacity would not allow them, NROTC and OCS to all enter the funnel at once. USNA grads will typically be assigned to a “stash” job at USNA until the school date. Grads also get some weeks of basket (uncharged) leave right after graduation.
 
Why did you choose USNA over other schools? What were some of your goals and/or expectations going into the Academy, and how might those have changed over the course of your 4 years there?
 
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