First of all, thanks a lot for your detailed response. As for your questions:
- One signature is slightly better, as only my mom is heavily opposed to me attending the academy, my dad less so. However my mom kind of "rules" the family, so if my dad were to sign off on this without her it would definitely be very divisive and I don't want to do that to my family, I'd rather do this amicably. If I were not able to gain consent from both by the time I needed it, I would probably just attend a civilian college for one year and apply after that, or maybe look into the CSPI program that the Coast Guard does. I may be able to convince them eventually, I had a talk with my mom last night about it.
- I plan to major in marine and environmental sciences, (affectionately called "Fish Kissers" at the Coast Guard Academy) as that is what I have been interested in for a while and aligns with my participation in the ocean sciences bowl team. I'll definitely try out for volleyball, it's a fun sport. As for leadership, I hold an elected position in the school government (Board of Appeals, as the sole representative from my class) which does not, in actually do a whole lot, but it might bolster my application. There is definitely a really good chance I will end up as editor in chief of the newspaper, as currently I am the only sophomore editor on a board of 16, and next year it is likely that I will become Managing Editor, from which it is the next step to Editor in Chief. It is also likely that I will become a captain of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team, as I have participated in it at a fairly high level since freshman year. I am definitely planning on joining the National Honor Society. Right now, I have 114 logged community service hours with the school (we need 40 to graduate). I also forgot to mention in my original post that I play the trumpet in the top band at my rather musically proficient school, which would hopefully look good considering the amount of musical groups at the academy. I probably will not be able to have leadership in music though, as there are many talented musicians in my year and it would take a miracle to be elected co-president of the band my senior year.
- As for fitness, I am not above 200 on the PFE right now, but I know I need to be. Right now, I am hovering around 165, which definitely needs to go up. I'll take a look at the exercises you suggested, and start working them into my daily routine. Finding good places to run and train shouldn't be a problem, but it is a bit cold and icy at the moment.
- my parents' (really just my mom's) concerns:
1. worried about the government "owning" me
They won't "own" you. Yes, you will need to do things and you will have bosses and responsibilities, but this isn't unique to the military. I think the big difference is, if you obey a lawful order in the military, you could receive administrative or legal correction/punishment. In the private sector, if you don't do what you have to do, they could fire you.
2. thinking I'll just be learning how to kill people at a military academy
I spent nine years in the Coast Guard, four at the Coast Guard Academy and five as an officer. I learned how to shoot. I learned how to "compel compliance" aka, get a bad guy to do what you need them to do so they don't hurt you or someone else... but in my nine years I spent FAR FAR FAR more time trying to save people. That includes responding to possible down planes, possible people in the water, people who fall overboard from a cruise ship, and far exceeding all of these, thousands of migrants.
3. concerned about my safety at the academy, both after I graduate (saying that the U.S. has enemies and they'll all be trying to kill me) and thinking that the government will "test things" on me in the academy and while I serve.
You will be safe on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. There is a police force on campus (called "P3") and there is a fence with spikes. Chase Hall (where the cadets live) is far more secure now that it was when I was a cadet, and I always felt save. We all lived in the same building. And when I got out I served a ship with guns and guards (felt pretty safe) and at a pretty locked-down Coast Guard Headquarters... and the current CGHQ is MUCH more secure than the one I worked in. Could people target Coast Guardsmen? Sure. They can also kill Americans in malls, at schools, in parades, etc. But in the Coast Guard you'll have training to protect yourself and others and you'll have security around. Finally, in my experience, nothing was tested on us (except changing the design for the running suits... but that's GOOD testing).
4. my parents are very anti-gun, so they are concerned about me using weapons in the military (I myself have rather different views from them, which creates other debates at home). I have mentioned what rtp9799 said above, in that the Coast Guard's primary mission is not fighting in wars, and that 6 out of 11 of their central missions are classified as non-homeland security.
You will learn how to shoot. You will likely be pepper sprayed. You will learn how to use pressure points and joints to get people to do things. That's training. In nine years I never shot someone. I never shot AT someone. I carried a gun in my personal time more than I carried one in the Coast Guard. Some people WILL carry often. They'll do boardings. They'll arrest people or issue tickets. As an officer, you'll see less of that. That doesn't mean it should scare you, but you just won't get your hands dirty as much. You will have homeland security missions, but as you can see in the news (or lack of news), that doesn't often involve using a firearm. You will have plenty of non-homeland security missions to keep you busy too.
5. Thinking that "this isn't best for me" and questioning my temperament to serve and saying that my brain isn't fully formed yet so I can't make this big of a decision (basically telling me I can't think for myself)
Your brain isn't fully formed or done growing, but this is a major decision for you, and in the end will affect your life. If you're a minor, your parents have a say, but it's important for them to know that you can make decisions too... especially like this. And, you have two years to decide if it's for you or not.... so that should make them a little more comfortable. Having said that, I think you should only go if you want to go.
6. Questioning my motives to go to the academy and serve in the military.
People will always question motives. Don't let it get to you. People will even question motives of cadets and midshipmen.... heck they'll question the motives of officers and enlisted members.
7. Thinking I am really smart and creative (I have a whole lot of hobbies, like playing other instruments besides the trumpet and woodworking) and that my talents would be wasted in the military, though I try to tell her that my talents would be best put to use serving the country.
You'll have MANY smart and creative classmates. You'll feel less smart. I'm a card-carrying member of Mensa and my classmates made me feel dumb (not that they were trying to). They can sing and dance and build things and write things... they can do so much. It's fun to see. I ONCE played trumpet... and now I play the banjo. The military is pretty structured... but that doesn't mean it's members are robots or carbon copies of their services. You'll still be a human. They will be PLENTY of opportunities to share your talents at the Coast Guard Academy.
My mom is very overprotective and has been my entire life, but she really doesn't seem understand that I should be allowed to make decisions concerning my future. I don't want to sound like a brat, trashing my parents on a public forum, and my parents have sacrificed a lot for me, but in this I really disagree with them.
Maybe she should talk to someone who has experienced the Coast Guard Academy and/or the Coast Guard? That might help her understand a little.
I'll continue with researching the academy, and thanks again for reading this.