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  1. Memphis9489

    What's next after the phone call from the congressman?

    Funny story. I had identical twin boys who were nominated by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (now a senator) back in 2009. She called our house around noon on a school day asking to speak with one of my sons. I said that I was his father and that he was currently at school. Duh! She asked me to send him...
  2. Memphis9489

    Congressional interview

    There are a lot of things to say about how to have a successful interview. I'm sure you'll get some good advice. One thing that often overlooked is the power of being a likeable person. You might be thinking, "But I am a likeable person." I'm sure you are, but you have to demonstrate you're...
  3. Memphis9489

    Initial Flight Training

    I've known NFOs who have gone on and earned their pilot wings. I never recall them wearing *both* wings.
  4. Memphis9489

    2 for 7 for '25

    One of the biggest myths is that some midshipmen are forced to go into submarines. The word often used is "voluntold." In every case, those midshipmen have submarines somewhere on their preference list. Even if it's their last choice, it's still one of their choices. The problem is that the...
  5. Memphis9489

    "incomplete" status

    Somebody in the IT Department (if there is such a thing) at the Naval Academy needs to get on the stick. The technical problems exist not only within CIS (candidates' portal) but also within BGIS (Blue & Gold officers' portal).
  6. Memphis9489

    Dual citizenship issue

    As far as this issue is concerned, the candidate should not have to proactively research this and contact people. If giving up one's dual citizenship is a requirement for admission, it will be clearly indicated in a "checklist" prior to admission. It will come up in the normal course of events...
  7. Memphis9489

    Personal statement

    I think saying that you want to be a career Naval Officer might be a little too heavy - especially coming from a 17-yr-old. It comes across a bit disingenuous and trying-too-hard to impress. Even midshipmen don't know if they are going to make the military a career. Many commissioned officers...
  8. Memphis9489

    Dual citizenship issue

    When my sons (twins) were appointed to the Class of 2013, I recall it being a requirement to give up any dual citizenship as a criterion for admission. It was not something that would be addressed later. No denouncement, no admission. My sons didn't have dual citizenship of any kind, so it...
  9. Memphis9489

    Personal statement

    When writing your personal statement, put yourself in the shoes of the person who is tasked with reading them. It's likely a very boring job where they read many of the same things, over and over and over again. I'm cynical enough to believe some are never read or, at best, skimmed over. You...
  10. Memphis9489

    10 years since rejection: some words of encouragement for those feeling down

    I’m not sure what you mean by “USNA has a 100% acceptance rate for fully qualified candidates.” That is absolutely not true. Many fully qualified and outstanding candidates are left behind in the very competitive application process all the time - especially in very competitive districts like...
  11. Memphis9489

    When can I schedule my DoDMERB medical exam?

    Anybody with any DoDMERB-type of questions should listen to this excellent podcast on the subject. https://gainserviceacademyadmission.podbean.com/e/dodmerb-disqualification-and-the-waiver-process/
  12. Memphis9489

    6th Wing Players Fall 1984

    I remember it well! Ah yes - the 8th Wing Players. I really looked forward to it each week. There wasn't much music, as I recall. It was mostly skits that usually made fun of the administration. It was comedy! Saturday Night Live was in its heyday and it had a little of that vibe. I can't...
  13. Memphis9489

    Turned Down on I Day

    Everybody has a story about dealing with some bureaucratic organization where something seemingly unimportant created needless complications because somebody clicked the wrong box on their computer screen that set off a chain of events that needlessly spiraled out-of-control. If that same issue...
  14. Memphis9489

    Turned Down on I Day

    Tactically speaking, I wouldn't have reported such a minor surgery. I know you did the right thing and I'm sure it will turn out fine for you. Larry Mullen is probably going to have a cow for my posting this but, personally, I would not have reported such a minor thing because it has the...
  15. Memphis9489

    Turned Down on I Day

    I think this is why all BGOs, during the mandatory interview, should always have this conversation: "I don't want you think that what I'm about to ask you has anything to do with anything we've already discussed. I ask this of every candidate, so don't read anything into it. Do you really want...
  16. Memphis9489

    Turned Down on I Day

    Funny you say that because, the son with the "slight hernia" discovered during his DoDMERB exam - his identical twin brother had a hernia operation as a baby. I think he was just a few months old at the time. I don't know if we reported that to the DoDMERB. I think we did. But, obviously, that...
  17. Memphis9489

    Turned Down on I Day

    One of my sons (twins), when applying, was told that he had a "slight hernia" during his DoDMERB exam. Yet, it showed that he passed the exam. I was skeptical about him "passing." I thought, "There is no way they're going to admit a new plebe with a diagnosed hernia." I thought it was probably a...
  18. Memphis9489

    Going "Rudy" on gaining admission to Annapolis

    Anybody who spends eight consecutive years as an undergraduate strikes me more as an academician than a future military officer. Yet, I can see it working out. But it still seems like a waste of time.
  19. Memphis9489

    Son said there is some big announcement coming Thursday.

    If anybody wants to rail on about the Navy's view on gender/race/trans issues - you can get plenty of that at the Commander Salamander blog. He goes on about this incessantly and even dedicates an entire day of the week to this topic that he calls "Diversity Thursday." There are a lot culture...
  20. Memphis9489

    Going "Rudy" on gaining admission to Annapolis

    I can't help thinking that this is a little bit crazy. When one attends the Naval Academy, their primary goal should be to become a naval officer. A candidate who has already achieved one of the major requirements to earn a commission, obtain a 4-yr college degree, and decides to start their...
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