Aviation and BGO Interview

KCnA333

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Feb 3, 2016
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To prepare for my interview with my BGO, when the BGO asks me why I want to attend the Naval Academy, I want to become a career Marine Corps or Naval Officer, but I also want to be a naval aviator. If I mention Naval Aviation and the Marine Corps specifically in my interview, will this adversely affect my application because I mentioned exactly what I want to do out in the Fleet?
 
"The two areas that interest me most right now are naval aviation and the Marine Corps. Of course, I am keeping an open mind and, should I be fortunate enough to be appointed, would look forward to learning more about those options and other warfare communities."

You know you could go Marine air, right?

The key thing is you are demonstrating you understand there is a service obligation after USNA, done some research, and found some warfare communities in which you could see yourself serving.
 
To prepare for my interview with my BGO, when the BGO asks me why I want to attend the Naval Academy, I want to become a career Marine Corps or Naval Officer, but I also want to be a naval aviator. If I mention Naval Aviation and the Marine Corps specifically in my interview, will this adversely affect my application because I mentioned exactly what I want to do out in the Fleet?

Are you Civil Air Patrol? Just curious...

To your question, adversely affect, no, IMHO. But have a backup... You know, plan B and C. I'm thinking your knowledge of service selection choices (air, land, sea), will help get you a good interview.

Edit: +1 what Captmj said. Marines fly. Navy flight training. Maj. Bear Lassiter and his RIO, Little John Cummings were the only Marine aircrew to shoot down a MIG during the Vietnam war. Flying a Marine airplane, an F4 Phantom. USS America, CVW8, VMFA 333. I was there and still have a tape of the dogfight audio. I also watched Bear do a supersonic flyby past America during an air show... Below the flight deck. 50 feet above the water. Think about it.

Sorry, War Stories....
 
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The Marine Corps Aviation is my first choice for duty assignment. Thanks for the advice.
Yes I am in Civil Air Patrol. I am a Cadet Senior Master Sergeant and my squadron's First Sergeant.
 
The Marine Corps Aviation is my first choice for duty assignment. Thanks for the advice.
Yes I am in Civil Air Patrol. I am a Cadet Senior Master Sergeant and my squadron's First Sergeant.

Good for you! CAP will surely help.

Edit: Recommended reading Sue Ross' book "The Naval Academy Candidate ", Amazon, about 20 bucks. Also the PBS series "Carrier", Amazon. There is a Marine F18 squadron aboard for the cruise and one of the principal characters is a Marine enlisted troop.
 
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It would not adversely impact your BGO interview to express an interest in a certain service selection, in fact it would show you have done some research to learn about the various options. However, you should be also to articulate WHY you are leaning toward those options with more then just 'because I want to be a pilot'. Service selections are competitive just like most things about SA's, so you also need to understand you may not get your first choice of these things.
 
My reason is, "I want to fly in the Navy (or Marine Corps), because I know that aviation units are the first to the fight. Whenever a global crisis erupts, the president asks, 'Where is the nearest carrier?' I want to fly in the Fleet because I know I would be part of the first to help a foreign nation in trouble."
 
I have no issue with a candidate who knows exactly what he/she wants for service selection or one who is still completely undecided. I make sure that the former candidate understands there are no guarantees and he/she should be open to an alternative (but it's still fine to have a burning desire for a particular choice). For the latter candidate, I explain how over the course of 3+ years, he/she will get lots of input about and exposure to various service options. Also make sure the candidate understands that things like restricted line, staff corps, etc. are extraordinarily unlikely absent a medical issue.
 
During Summer Cruise, if I am appointed, will I get to choose which side of the aviation branch I want to shadow (Fixed wing or rotary wing)?
 
Keep an open mind. Like others have mentioned above, say you're interested in Aviation but will be open for other options. You truly won't know what you want until you go through PROTRAMID during the summer going into your 2/C (Junior) year. It will not adversely affect your interview/admission process at all
 
During Summer Cruise, if I am appointed, will I get to choose which side of the aviation branch I want to shadow (Fixed wing or rotary wing)?
You will get to request an aviation cruise, along with several hundred of your classmates. The operational needs of the Navy will dictate what units are available to take mids during the summer training blocks.

That fork in the road between fixed and rotary isn't reached until you are graduated and into the aviation training pipeline.
 
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