Boy's State

CadetUSAFA

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I was nominated for Boy's State along with about 8-9 other boys. I just found out that I will have an interview with the American Legion reps on Wednesday and my counselor told me to dress professional and be myself. Any other tips or pointers that could help put me ahead of the game?
 
Be prepared to introduce yourself and explain why you wish to attend. Your attire should reflect respect for the process and the audience.
 
Know what you will do at boys state, what boys state is, and how you plan on running for an elected position. Also, be up to date on current events
 
If you are in AFJROTC or Civil Air Patrol wear your uniform to the interview. Make sure it looks sharp! If you get selected to attend, run for office, or at least try for a leadership position.
 
I respectfully disagree with the suggestion to wear a CAP uniform to an interview for a non-CAP activity. A CAP cadet myself, I have heard all sides of this argument, but will caution against it. It could create confusion as to what organization you are a part of, and has backfired in a few instances I know about. An alternative is a CAP lapel pin or tie bar/tack. That is all I will say about that.

Interview tips: Take your resume and a notepad even if you don't think you will need it - be prepared. Also, have 1 or 2 intelligent questions to ask the interviewer(s). These should not be simple (what is Boys State like?) but a little deeper. Dress professionally (suit + tie) and your counselor said it best: be yourself.
 
Know what you will do at boys state, what boys state is, and how you plan on running for an elected position. Also, be up to date on current events
What sort of current events? Like politics or foreign relations type events? Also I'm not really sure where to find the information on how to apply for an elected position.
 
If you are in AFJROTC or Civil Air Patrol wear your uniform to the interview. Make sure it looks sharp! If you get selected to attend, run for office, or at least try for a leadership position.
How would I go about running for office or for a leadership position?
 
I respectfully disagree with the suggestion to wear a CAP uniform to an interview for a non-CAP activity. A CAP cadet myself, I have heard all sides of this argument, but will caution against it. It could create confusion as to what organization you are a part of, and has backfired in a few instances I know about. An alternative is a CAP lapel pin or tie bar/tack. That is all I will say about that.

Interview tips: Take your resume and a notepad even if you don't think you will need it - be prepared. Also, have 1 or 2 intelligent questions to ask the interviewer(s). These should not be simple (what is Boys State like?) but a little deeper. Dress professionally (suit + tie) and your counselor said it best: be yourself.
Thank you that is very helpful information!
 
Just to update, I wore my AFJROTC uniform as did another cadet, and we were both selected (out of 3 total chosen). You might be right about the Civil Air Patrol uniform; although, I've never heard of it backfiring.
 
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How would I go about running for office or for a leadership position?
That is all covered there. In WI you need to have a certain amount of nomination stickers for state level but at city it's whatever you want and county you just need a nomination
 
My DS went for the experience without aiming strategically for a position. He ended up on the press corp and LOVED it. He got 5 hours sleep a night.
 
Btw, I did girls state in California in the late 80's. From my experience, you'll know how to run for office and if you have the support to do so. Top spots aren't for everyone. You'll see.
 
If you are genuine, enthusiastic and patriotic you'll do fine in the American Legion interview. If you have family that had served, I think that is important.
 
Thank you all so much for the feedback. I am very enthusiastic about getting involved. I unfortunately am not in JROTC or CAP but I do have extensive family military service.
 
Do some research on your local government, my interviewers asked me who our senators, congressman, mayor, and assemblyman were.

Be prepared for out of the blue questions. One of them was, if you could have any person in the world, dead or alive for President right now, who would it be?

Be calm, collected, confident in your answers. Use your sirs and ma'ams (I wasn't used to this). I treated it like a job interview. Good luck!
 
What sort of current events? Like politics or foreign relations type events? Also I'm not really sure where to find the information on how to apply for an elected position.
I was asked mainly on the upcoming presidential election and what direction I thought our country is heading. For the elected position, just have an idea of how you would run for that position. Would you be yourself and honest about what type of leader you are or would you step out of your comfort zone and make a lot promises on what you would do if elected. Look are current political leaders and the different ways they run for a position.
 
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