Is a laid-back/carefree personality not a good fit for USNA?

Learning to Cross the T at Trafalgar might just save their lives and win a battle down the road. Think outside the box.
 
OP: I understand your concerns and think you have gotten some great responses here. Full disclosure: I didn't go the Naval Academy but I sure ran into a lot of grads in the Fleet (both Navy and Marine). From my perspective, all that hard-charging, in-your-face, highly motivated attitude must be left at the Academy because it sure isn't evident in the Fleet. Active duty Marines are shocked at how relaxed and "chill" Navy Officers are. On the other hand, Marine Officers, who are more intense than Navy Officers, seldom imitate drill Sergeants at Boot Camp. In real life, successful Naval Officers have high expectations, high standards, discipline, and excellent leadership skills (which are unique to their style).

I do think that anyone going through an Academy or other Officer program must develop strong discipline or they won't make it. If "laid back" means lax discipline, then he will have problems. If “laid back” is how he handles the problems thrown his way, he will do fine in the military.

As long as you guys are watching videos, here is a good one that may be of interest: https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=b6SqWpPvN87wjwOs45f4AQ&q=admiral+commencement+speech+make+your+bed&oq=admiral+commencement&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0l2j0i22i30k1l2.6817.10194.0.12310.20.11.0.0.0.0.683.1522.2-2j1j0j1.4.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..16.4.1521....0.POpBZu-VqTM
 
Great video - thanks! Will share with my DS - he has tremendous respect for Admiral McRaven... maybe this will motivate him to start making his bed before Plebe Summer! :)
 
ADM McRaven actually turned the speech into a small book called Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World. It's a short read but adds some details to the amazing commencement speech he made.

I plan to give it to my DS at his commissioning next year.
 
ADM McRaven actually turned the speech into a small book called Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World. It's a short read but adds some details to the amazing commencement speech he made.

I plan to give it to my DS at his commissioning next year.
What a great gift. I feel so unworthy now! :D
 
I still make my bed every morning, too.
It's an immediate win, even if I get nothing else accomplished all day.
 
Hello all,

I wasn't sure what my subject line should be, but that's what comes to mind right now. We are very proud of our son who just received an appointment at USNA for class of 2022, and we will be visiting (CVW) in April, and greatly looking forward to it!

My questions/thoughts are around his happy and cheerful personality, and also about how he's not super disciplined right now. He gets things done, he's a star athlete who competed and won at state and national level, academically good (not excessively strong), good ECAs, but he's just a bit too relaxed most of the time. We have to remind him to do his laundry or clean his room for example.

He's thrilled about USNA but he's not the kid who wanted it badly since he was 8 years old. Reading about a lot of prospective midshipmen on this forum makes me wonder if he'll be a misfit, or if he can keep up with the demands of being at USNA. We watched the videos on Youtube (making of an officer, Plebes 2020, 2021 etc.) and this has been nagging us. Would love to hear any perspective from others.
Sounds like my DS. I think this type of personality is good. Too many uptight people is no fun. If he was qualified to get in then he will be a great fit.
 
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