*Official thread* NASS aar

Lazyboy

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Jan 17, 2017
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Session 1 candidates have been home for a few days. Post up your experiences, favorite parts, academic workshops, etc. we want to hear all about it! :bounce1:
 
I was at Session 1! I was part of Bravo 1-5 (silent killers). I absolutely loved my time at NASS. For workshops I did YP cruise, which was kind of boring and not what I expected, Damage Control, this was so much fun especially the fire hose tug of war, Aeronautical engineering we got to play with the high speed wind tunnel which was really cool, Systems Engineering we got to play with robotic arms and inferred cameras. Leadership seminar was more enjoyable than I thought it would be thanks to the mid in charge who was really comical. I finished with guided missile destroyer, the lecture was boring, but the simulator made me feel like a little kid. For briefings they are interesting, but not going to lie hard to stay awake through sometimes. The morning PEP sessions were bearable, but not easy especially the death by push-ups. Sea Trials was amazing. My favorite phase was wet and sandy. Basically zodiac races, different animal walks up a hill, the "Tunnel of Love", and the mud crawl. My platoon sadly didn't get to do any of the obstacles on the E-Course because of time restraints. As for indoc night, I memorized my rates so it was a breeze but a couple kids cried and I did a lot of PT because the squad next to me didn't know their ranks (got punished with them). I only wish it was longer! Made USNA my first choice and already almost finish the application. And Oorah Bravo!
 
I was at Session 1! I was part of Bravo 1-5 (silent killers). I absolutely loved my time at NASS. For workshops I did YP cruise, which was kind of boring and not what I expected, Damage Control, this was so much fun especially the fire hose tug of war, Aeronautical engineering we got to play with the high speed wind tunnel which was really cool, Systems Engineering we got to play with robotic arms and inferred cameras. Leadership seminar was more enjoyable than I thought it would be thanks to the mid in charge who was really comical. I finished with guided missile destroyer, the lecture was boring, but the simulator made me feel like a little kid. For briefings they are interesting, but not going to lie hard to stay awake through sometimes. The morning PEP sessions were bearable, but not easy especially the death by push-ups. Sea Trials was amazing. My favorite phase was wet and sandy. Basically zodiac races, different animal walks up a hill, the "Tunnel of Love", and the mud crawl. My platoon sadly didn't get to do any of the obstacles on the E-Course because of time restraints. As for indoc night, I memorized my rates so it was a breeze but a couple kids cried and I did a lot of PT because the squad next to me didn't know their ranks (got punished with them). I only wish it was longer! Made USNA my first choice and already almost finish the application. And Oorah Bravo!
What exactly are the rates that we have to memorize? Should we memorize them before we go to NASS?
 
It's ranks, mission statement, and a lot of other stuff, I recommend knowing all the ranks, the mission statement, Marines Hymn, and the Honor Concept. Don't memorize until the give you the rate sheet on Saturday, it makes it more authentic of life there.
 
Too bad we didn't get more anecdotal reports from NASS'ters. I'm glad to be getting a text or two each night from my son (session 3). It's funny, I hear how The attendees for NASS are picked for reasons of geographical representation. Soon after being dropped off at Dahlgren, my son recognized a boy from a local school that he bested during varsity tennis this spring.
He sent me a picture this morning of him doing push-ups during the CFA that had been on NAVY's Snapchat. He said he passed.:wiggle:
 
Too bad we didn't get more anecdotal reports from NASS'ters. I'm glad to be getting a text or two each night from my son (session 3). It's funny, I hear how The attendees for NASS are picked for reasons of geographical representation. Soon after being dropped off at Dahlgren, my son recognized a boy from a local school that he bested during varsity tennis this spring.
He sent me a picture this morning of him doing push-ups during the CFA that had been on NAVY's Snapchat. He said he passed.:wiggle:

That's very true. My session I met at least 12 kids from Maryland. Also Texas was very populated at NASS as well. These states are by no means under represented.
 
Keep in mind, there were probably 100's or even 1000's of kids applying from Maryland and VA ---and only a handful from the Midwest or rural West. Naturally more will get in from Mid Atlantic, but also a lot more will not get accepted.
 
Keep in mind, there were probably 100's or even 1000's of kids applying from Maryland and VA ---and only a handful from the Midwest or rural West. Naturally more will get in from Mid Atlantic, but also a lot more will not get accepted.

No I understand that but the stigma from the forum is that kids from that state don't get in. And it's mostly geographic based which I think needs to get addressed and we talked about that there with other candidates that are part of the forum.
 
It's not that kids don't get in from those states, plenty do. SS has plenty of attendees who come from very well represented states and even schools. There are also plenty of kids who come from under represented states and schools too. SS is a recruiting tool. That is even stated by admissions. It's why SS does not give points to the WCS as it is not 100% competitive based admissions to the program. It is a great tool for several reasons:
  • for under represented areas it gets exposure to USNA. They go home and tell their friends, teachers and coaches. More kids apply next year.
  • It gives those on the fence about a SA exposure to make a decision if this is right for them
  • It gives those who know they want to attend a SA a better glimpse into USNA
All anyone is saying is that the top X who apply to SS will not automatically get in to SS. Geography in terms of areas that are under represented definitely are a target by admissions for SS, it doesn't mean other areas or schools are excluded. The reason so many of us old timers on here emphasis the components to SS admissions is we see so many kids Year and Year out who think because they didn't get into SS that they will never get into USNA. There is a thread going on right now with this exact issue and the OP of that thread has a very impressive resume. I would hate for USNA to lose out on this type of candidate because they didn't get into SS and gave up.
 
My DD went to session 1 and loved it. Her favorite was Sea Trials. She enjoyed morning PT and the people she met - NASSters and Mids.
 
My wife dropped him off, and I'm picking him up. Wierd work days and such. She and her parents took the tour, which was led by a great guy. He said that a typical class will have about 40% having gone through summer seminar.
 
Well, I consider myself lucky...my DS texts me every night. He says he is having so much fun! More to follow.
 
Came down a day early. Swung through D.C. and met my congressperson first. After checking in to my hotel in Annapolis, I headed out for a dinner for one. I went to Cantler's, which was awesome. I was seated next to a friendly local couple and stuffed myself with crab.
Looking forward to the drive home when I hear all about DS' experience.
 
My DS had an absolute great time at NASS. Ofcourse he came home tired and sore, but to me that just means that he put forth his best effort. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for all of his squad members. One, I was told, opted out of any thing difficult that were allowed to. Opted out of harder runs, opted out of indoc, ran their mouth all week, etc.

Boys State starts this weekend! :rockon:
 
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