Exchange cadets/mids

K_Delrosario

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I would like to ask how the exchange process between academies work? Are individuals randomly selected and oblivious to why they are sent to West Point or Colorado Springs? or do they apply to some program for this?
 
They are also sent to CGA. USMMA does not participate because they operate on trimesters instead of semesters.
 
I would like to ask how the exchange process between academies work? Are individuals randomly selected and oblivious to why they are sent to West Point or Colorado Springs? or do they apply to some program for this?

The exchange program is only in effect the first semester. It only involves 2/c midshipmen/cadets (i.e. juniors). You have to apply and be interviewed. Generally, all the academies send very sharp individuals to the exchange program, as you might imagine. Each academy tries to impress the other with the quality of their midshipmen/cadets.

You have to be careful in applying for this program because, invariably, you will be missing out on a some required course in your major that you will have to make up at a later time. It can put you behind.

For instance, I was an Aerospace Engineering major. If I had been an exchange student to USAFA, I would have been fine. However, had I gone to USMA, that would have been a problem.
 
While the exchange program was only 1st semester for awhile, I believe it is both semesters now. If it's changed back to only the first semester, it did so in the last three years.
 
You will also miss out on time with your classmates. I was not an exchange cadet, but my classmates who were enjoyed their time but were ready to get back to their school. You will miss some good times with the people who will mean a great deal to you, but you will also have some good stories from your time away as well.
 
While the exchange program was only 1st semester for awhile, I believe it is both semesters now. If it's changed back to only the first semester, it did so in the last three years.

You may be correct about that. I have not updated myself on that topic in some time. That's good to know. Thanks for correcting me.
 
It's amazing how many things change in a short time....and how many things never change....like the traditions, smells and feelings you get (not all good) when you walk through the front gates of an academy. :biggrin:
 
Just out of curiosity why do cadets want to do exchanges? This is not a slight against USAF in any way but, if I want to be a Naval Officer why would I want to go to USAFA for a semester?
 
Just out of curiosity why do cadets want to do exchanges? This is not a slight against USAF in any way but, if I want to be a Naval Officer why would I want to go to USAFA for a semester?

I guess some people like the change of scenery. Also, don't forget, a lot of people apply to more than one of the service academies and do not always get their first choice. My roommate was commissioned in the Air Force after 4 years of the Naval Academy. He didn't have 20/20 vision and wanted to fly. The Navy didn't give waivers - the Air Force did. He had to do some interviews explaining why he wanted to transfer - and it was approved.

Some look at it as broadening their horizons. And I think it does to some extent.
 
I was an exchange cadet (from WP to Navy) back in 1986 when they only did it first semester, and only 6 cadets. It was a great opportunity! Honestly, I think it's the closest to a "real college" experience that I'll ever have. Not because life was that much easier at Navy, but because we definitely were treated special. Someone mentioned wanting to "show off" and send the best cadets as exchanges, but the receiving academy also wants to "show off" what they have to those exchange cadets. We got to do a lot of cool stuff, and honestly, pretty much got to do what we wanted. If I wanted leave any weekend, I always got it. I wasn't expected to pull guard (come on - would they trust a WP'er? :wink: ). When I didn't like one of my classes, I just asked and got it switched. I'd never have even ASKED at WP, but we knew they wanted to accommodate us with anything. So yeah - it was an awesome experience.

I don't know that I "wanted" to go back to WP when it was over, but I certainly didn't want to stay at Navy forever. It was about the right length of time and definitely a change of pace. By the start of cow (junior) year at WP, I think a lot of people are a bit disillusioned and tired of the grind. This was just a different experience and learning all about another academy (so many similarities, so many differences!) was fascinating!

I can't imagine more people wouldn't want to do it. It seems like SO many candidates here on the boards are considering more than one academy. My son is choosing now between AF and Navy and I know would love to spend a semester at whichever one he doesn't attend. Similarly, I think he'd also enjoy a semester at WP just to see what life was like for mom and dad! :biggrin:

I've heard now (at WP at least) that it's selected by a combination of interviews and class rank. When I did it, it was strictly done by class rank, and - for Navy - passing a swim test. Which is the only reason I got to go. I was ranked around 50th in my class at the time, and was the last person selected, only because the people who'd applied ahead of me couldn't pass the swim for Navy. The other two academies (AF & CG) went out WAY higher in class rank simply for that reason. Luckily I was an IC swimmer so managed to not just pass the test but validate swimming while at Navy. But the point was that my experience was that anyone who "could" because of the rank, certainly tried to go (ie a varsity football player obviously wouldn't be able to!).
 
We enjoyed out exchange cadets as well, from the other side of it. If you go on exchange, please assume the cadets will "screw" with you a little, especially the 4/c. I remember when I was a 4/c, we had an Air Force cadet in our company. My classmates took all of his uniforms one night, left him with a Coast Guard uniform to wear. No harm done...YET. Unfortunately one of my classmates, the one wearing the parade uniform, decided he wanted a fudge pop. He also decided he would eat that fudge pop outside, in the wind. It was also warm that day. Needless to say, there was some fudge spray on the uniform, and that did not go over well with the Air Force 2/c just before drill.

I have some good friends from exchanges. Have a few good Zoomie and Squid friends from their exchanges to CGA. I even have a classmate who married a squid.

Enjoy your time on exchange, learn about the other services and teach them about yours!
 
Roommates at USNA also like the extra space for a semester if they don't get an exchange in return. An extra locker to fill up with a lot of junk.:thumb:
 
Why an exchange program

There could be lots of reasons....

My daughter is at USCGA majoring in Mechanical Engineering but is interested in eventually flying for the Coast Guard. She wants to exchange with USAFA and possibly take an Aero Engineering course or two. She also wants to see more of the "flight" side of an academy, as that is lacking at the USCGA.
 
Typical Requirements For Exchanges?

Ok so I am DEFINITELY interested in doing an exchange program, whatever Academy I go to. For instance, if I go to CGA I would love to see what life is like at AFA, USMA, or USNA (same thing with some of my classmates who are going to those schools! :thumb:).

Does anyone know the average GPA or if majors have anything to do with majors? Could you possibly apply to exchange at all three, in the hope that one accepts you?

Thanks guys!
 
I remember at the army navy game this year (I was there, so I don't think it was on TV), the mids that were on exchange were given back to Navy and one of them even ran to the Navy seats. It was quite funny.
 
My roomate applied for exchange and put USAFA first choice but got USMA. He was an English major. My remaining roomate and I were looking forward to a semester with a lot of extra space, but we got a USAFA cadet in return when the semester started.
 
Ok so I am DEFINITELY interested in doing an exchange program, whatever Academy I go to. For instance, if I go to CGA I would love to see what life is like at AFA, USMA, or USNA (same thing with some of my classmates who are going to those schools! :thumb:).

Does anyone know the average GPA or if majors have anything to do with majors? Could you possibly apply to exchange at all three, in the hope that one accepts you?

Thanks guys!

All of our exchange cadets (meaning of CGA origin) were happy to return. Something about "being home" even if you aren't always happy with it.
 
Does anyone know the average GPA or if majors have anything to do with majors? Could you possibly apply to exchange at all three, in the hope that one accepts you?

Thanks guys!

Navy:eek:fficial minimum 2.7
realistic minimum higher especially for non-engineers (group 3: 3.5-3.8)

Also you need good aptitude barely any if any conduct no honor and be a good mid. A lot of people apply.

Also I believe 3/c can apply. I don't know 100% but one of my classmates was starting the process so we'll see if its even realistic.

Also if you want Aero come to Navy. Little known fact: Navy has more pilots than the Air Force. Also Aero is one of the few majors at Navy that gets the credit it deserves from the ranking magazines.
 
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