8th grade girl hoping to go into the navy

mrfunbun

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Aug 27, 2015
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hi, I am in 8th grade and would like to go to USNA and later become a fighter pilot. Some background on me: I have 20/15 vision, no allergies, and no Athsma. I was wondering what I can do now, aswell as later so I have a chance of getting in to USNA. I don't really care what type of advice you give me as long as it's useful and appropriate. Thank you.
 
You are 13?

Just do your best in school and stay out of trouble. There are many suggestions here for your high school years; search them out under the stickies.
 
I agree with fencer.

Right now here are my 3 suggestions.
1. Academically prepare yourself for admittance to any Ivy league school.
2. Get involved in sports and ECs.
~ NHS, student council, volunteering
3. Be a kid without tunnel vision.

My best advice to you is this:
Most candidates/appointees have excellent time management skills. They are above average in academics, sports and ECs. They are not looking for just the valedictorian (book smart) or the Captain of Soccer, Volleyball and Tennis since their sophomore year (jock). They want someone that maybe not be the valedictorian, but top 10%, and Captain of Soccer (nothing else), plus in NHS, and Student council secretary, while also holding a part time job and volunteers at the soup kitchen weekly.
~ That says to them you can manage everything at a high level of commitment over a very long time without any part of your life (academics, sports, ecs) taking a hit.
 
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Some early advice:

The first things have already been said. Keep out of trouble and do well in academics. Take the hardest courses possible. High school is one of the first few tests in life. It is mostly your show. Grades in high school matter and they usually lay a foundation for your life ahead (college options, internships, etc.). Staying out of trouble isn't too bad if you have good decision making skills and possess good character.

Start thinking about what really interests you. USNA loves to see passion on resumes. The "quality of quantity" statement gets tossed around a lot. It looks better to have two or three activities with heavy involvement and leadership roles than every club and activity under the sun with superficial participation. Really dive deep into those passions. For me, they were Boy Scouting and aviation. I earned my Eagle Scout at 16 and have held a multitude of different leadership roles that increased with responsibility each time. I am also working on my Private Pilot's License. If possible, try to seek out leadership roles in the activities you pursue. USNA uses your extra-curricular activities to gauge your leadership potential and your ability to work towards a long term goal (Such as Eagle Scout or Gold Award for Girl Scouts) as well as to get to know a bit about you.

If you are not already an athlete, become one. You do not have to be a varsity athlete your freshman year, but USNA factors in athletics/physical fitness into their evaluation of you. They want to admit applicants who have the physical fitness to make it through Plebe Summer, the Academy, and out in the fleet. Plus, you need to be in good shape to withstand the rigors of flying an F/A-18, EA-18, or an F-35. Club sports are good substitutes, but the Academy prefers varsity athletics. Also, I have heard that USNA has a slight bias towards team sports over individual sports because teamwork is needed to be a MIDN. Not a requirement by any means though. Plenty of XC runners, Track and Field stars, and swimmers at USNA. Do what interests you, not what you think will get you into an Academy. Seek captain or co-captain slots too. Sports leadership is something USNA loves. It shows your ability to adjust on the fly, make quick decisions, and motivate a group of people to work towards a common goal. Lastly, try and get recruited. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The worst that could happen is that a coach decides not to recruit you and you are just like any other applicant. If you get recruited, your chances increase.

One lesson I have learned through the application process (going through it a second time) is the power of networking. USNA and the Navy in general has a tightly knit and successful alumni network. Just don't hide your desire to go to USNA. You would be surprised about how many people you meet with some connection to the Navy/USNA. All it takes is for someone to say "Hey, I have a buddy who went to Annapolis." Ask for an email address and introduce yourself That person will very likely know people with rank and those people know people. See it's a snowball effect (in a good way). One of my dad's classmates from college ended up knowing VADM Miller. He was relieved by VADM Carter right before I applied, but nevertheless, you never know what could happen when you say "I want to go to the Naval Academy."

Best of luck! Also, take a look at this link: http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Steps-for-Admission/General-Advice-for-Grades-9-12.php
 
hi, I am in 8th grade and would like to go to USNA and later become a fighter pilot. Some background on me: I have 20/15 vision, no allergies, and no Athsma. I was wondering what I can do now, aswell as later so I have a chance of getting in to USNA. I don't really care what type of advice you give me as long as it's useful and appropriate. Thank you.

You've got some good advice here. I suggest you see the link posted by USnavy2019. Go from there and look through the whole USNA website.

For now, STEM and Summer Seminar are events you should try for. Good luck!

If you haven't flown before, here's a place to look:

http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-.../eaa-youth-education/eaa-young-eagles-program

But keep in mind there are many rewarding careers to be had while serving in the Navy.
 
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Dear eighth grade girl, please take a look at these two books: Battle Dress ( http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Dress-...eywords=books+about+west+point+fiction+by+amy) and Absolutely American (http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Am...=absolutely+american+four+years+at+west+point)

OK
, that should give you something to do. Now, please: RELAX. Go to the football game, take up a sport you like, read, dance, sew, make friends, go to church.

And one last thing which the fencersmother will REQUIRE: GO IMMEDIATELY AND TELL YOUR PARENTS, SHOW YOUR PARENTS, THAT YOU ARE 13 YEARS OLD AND POSTING ON AN ANONYMOUS FORUM. For many parents here, your activity makes us nervous, for you and for any advice we could offer.

You may return when you prove that mom &/or dad know what you are doing online. (my advice only, of course, buy MY 13 year olds were not online w/o their parents' knowledge and approval)
 
Dear eighth grade girl, please take a look at these two books: Battle Dress ( http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Dress-...eywords=books+about+west+point+fiction+by+amy) and Absolutely American (http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-Am...=absolutely+american+four+years+at+west+point)

OK
, that should give you something to do. Now, please: RELAX. Go to the football game, take up a sport you like, read, dance, sew, make friends, go to church.

And one last thing which the fencersmother will REQUIRE: GO IMMEDIATELY AND TELL YOUR PARENTS, SHOW YOUR PARENTS, THAT YOU ARE 13 YEARS OLD AND POSTING ON AN ANONYMOUS FORUM. For many parents here, your activity makes us nervous, for you and for any advice we could offer.

You may return when you prove that mom &/or dad know what you are doing online. (my advice only, of course, buy MY 13 year olds were not online w/o their parents' knowledge and approval)

I understand your concerns as a parent re: the internet, but: OK, help me out here, I'm a "newbie" on this forum and a potential BGO candidate. I'm here to learn, but, as I read it, you, as a Founding Member, have basically kicked this person off the forum?

We have no way of knowing, but maybe her Dad/Mom were looking over her shoulder as she typed. Maybe her folk(s) are military combat vets?

If there's an "Age Limit" for questions it should be part of the "Forum Rules".

I'm thinking a legit question from an aspiring kid deserves encouragement. JMHO.
 
This kiddo should be referred to talk to her folks, teachers, counsellors, etc. There is a previous long thread in which she had multiple exchanges with posters and quite a bit of info came up/out. She needs face to face conversations with those who know and care about her.
 
Of course I did not, I cannot, "kick her out." and you are correct, there is no age limit for the forum.

I thought I was relatively encouraging, suggesting two books, one about a young girl going to West Point, the other about a reporter's four years spent there, just before 9/11. These might give her a real taste of what it's all about there, without some of the more adult themes found in other books.

And yes, she should be encouraged to get great grades (not just good), participate in a sport, get a job, lead her peers. But, let's face facts, if she is only 13, there is a long long way to go before she can even begin the process (hint: DO NOT CONTACT YOUR ALO OR BGO AT AGE 13). But, at age 13, she should be living the life of a young girl, not yet even in high school. SO much will change for her between now and the end of her junior year of high school. Physical emotional psychological changes - she may change schools (several times), get a boyfriend, HATE Algebra... who knows? She must live a good life between now and four years from now.

and I truly do hope that a 13 year olds parents know what she is doing on an anonymous forum on the internet.

For the record, I have absolutely NO power to affect anyone's status here, except my own by my own behavior. It was not my intention to "kick her off" but to make sure of her safety
 
This kiddo should be referred to talk to her folks, teachers, counsellors, etc. There is a previous long thread in which she had multiple exchanges with posters and quite a bit of info came up/out. She needs face to face conversations with those who know and care about her.

Found it. I agree with you.
 
Rocket, did you read my last line, my caveat?

my advice only, of course, but MY 13 year olds were not online w/o their parents' knowledge and approval)


I do hope our OP will read the stickies and take some time to read those books I recommended to her.
 
and I truly do hope that a 13 year olds parents know what she is doing on an anonymous forum on the internet.

She says, on her previous thread, that her folks are aware. Given that, thanks for your response, much appreciated as I "learn the ropes"!
 
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