Here’s what my current Plebe/MIDN 2022 did for his USNA Apps. There's a lot of advantage applying early. Most of all, you can better time manage and pace the stress, have enough time to respond, and better able to deal with many deadlines. I am sharing my DS experience. We were very content with all his Apps to the Academies and Colleges. It is as detail as I can remember. As you can see, it took 1.5 years for the USNA Plebe Journey from start of Application to Reporting on I-Day: you need patience, energy, motivation, determination, qualifications, completion - earlier the better, and a continuing desire to be a Plebe at the United States Naval Academy. I am now finding time to assure other Plebe Parents on facebook to stay positive and encouraged as they hear from their Plebes with mixed ups and downs of emotions during the Plebe Summer. It is a challenging time for both parents and Plebes.
Once there, you will either thrive, cry, struggle, suffer, hate, or quit. Most will endure and complete and join the Brigade following the Reform after PPW.
I am happy to report that my Plebe is thriving and absolutely enjoying everything as a Summer Plebe at the Academy including things that will suck during Plebe Summer because he sees it as temporary and as a journey to get him ready and to earn his place in the Brigade in August. He’s made many friends and reconnected with friends from his hometown and those he met at West Point SLE and USAFASS. He absolutely enjoys Sailing and plans taking the family on sailing during PPW. He's now trying out Varsity Rowing-Crew. He was also invited to Varsity Pistol. It is his first time in Rowing but he really enjoys it. In Spring, he was invited by the Rowing Coach to join the Crew this Summer. In middle school - high school he did Varsity Swim, XC, Mixed Martial Arts, and Marksmanship.
A detail break down is provided for those who are actively competing for the Class of 2023. DS process was almost identical to other SAs with some similarities applying to ROTC Scholarships.
DS’ USNA JOURNEY Jan 2017 - Present:
Jan 30, 2017 - USNA Apps Open for NASS. Completed Part 1 of the Application.
April 2017 - Latest Scores on ACT sent to USNA
June 1 - Faculty, Guidance Report, Other References (Total 14) Completed and Ready for Submission. Informed the school to send type of references as requested by Colleges.
July 16 - Started Part 2 USNA App
July 30 - Completed USNA Apps
Aug 3 - BGO Interview
Aug 10 - BGO Interview Submitted
Aug 11 - CFA Submitted (Accepted)
Aug 14 - DODMERB Triggered
Aug 16 Contacted by Admissions with a Congratulations from Regional Commander for completing the Apps and got invited to CVW
Sep 7 - School sends all relevant references, Senior Classes, latest transcripts, confirms Student activities as truly stated
Sep - College Board Subject Tests Sent to USNA and other Academies and Colleges
Sep 29 - Received an LOA from USNA via email and Status on Portal changed to LOA - Conditional Letter of Appointment.
Oct 2-16: DODMERB Approves and Qualifies Medical for USNA, USMA, USAFA, USCGA, NROTC, AFROTC, AROTC
Nov 1-3: Received invitations to MOC Interviews: District Rep and Senators.
Dec 7 - Interview with District Congressman Nominating Committee
Dec 14 - Interview with Senator’s Office
Dec 26 - Received a call from Congressman’s Office Chairman of the Selection Committee on the Offer of Nomination.
Jan 3, 2018 - Received a call from Congressman himself to congratulate DS on Nomination to the Naval Academy.
Jan 5 - Status on USNA Candidate Portal changes to Full Appointment - Congratulations!
Jan 10 - Received the Official Nomination Letter from Congressman’s DC Office
Jan 12 - Received the Official Appointment Certificates and
a Letter from the Superintendent.
April 7 - Accepted the Naval Academy Appointment.
April 10 - Submitted Police Report to USNA
May 1 - Sent all documents fulfilling Permit to Report requirements including completed Security Clearance form, body and shoe measurements for uniforms, eye prescription, complete security clearance forms for parents seeking to get MIDN Parents IDs.
Join the USNA Alumni Association for DS and Parents. Join the USNA Club House for $150 for all 3 members for 9 years. Unlike the other Academies, USNA Parents also become members of the USNA Alumni Association.
June 16 - attend USNA Parents Picnic to meet and greet.
June 27 - Made Parents USNA ID Cards at the Visitors Center. ID Card can be used for Academy access and proof of USNA MIDN Parents whole on Academy ground. Each card holder can escort 5 people, so 10 total.
June 27 - Received temporary MIDN Store Card. Parents get same buying privileges at the MIDN Store.
June 28, 2018 - Reported to the Alumni Hall on I-Day
Plebe Summer Kicks-Off!
Plebes practicing 5 formal parade in front of visiting 3 Star Vice Admiral parties, most important is the parade on PPW and Reform.
Received 2 Phone Calls from DS lasting 30 minutes each, and weekly letters about 7 letters to-date. Most Plebes get about 25 minutes of free time daily. Most morning on Sundays are for you. Liberty ends at 12 Noon.
Parents send their Plebes goody snack boxes almost weekly enclosed in plastic sealed boxes to prevent from getting eaten by rodents. But I stopped sending now, sent too many! ^^
Now entering Week 5 and preparing for PPW - Plebe Parents Weekend on Aug 9-12.
Continuing to enjoy photos taken by: Legacy Studio, Thorton Studio, MIDN Parents on the Academy Ground, USNA Alumni Association - via facebook and emailing list.
The rest is History! I hope this has been helpful. Good luck candidates and to dedicated parents and sponsors!