2020 Appointments

My DS may have some hard decisions ahead and I hope someone can help us understand how things will work going forward. Being in the US Navy has been his dream since he was very young. Although he's applied to USNA, USMMA and NROTC, to make sure he's on track, he's already enlisted in the Navy Nuclear program to start next summer if none of these materialized (scored a perfect score on the qualifying exam). His contract allows him to instead go to a US service academy or NROTC if one of these comes through. His SAT scores were 760 math and 630. His GPA is 3.65 and majority of his classes are honors or AP (AP calculus, AP physics, AP English, etc.). He's an outstanding musician on saxophone and guitar and involved in marching band, jazz band and city HS honor band all years of HS. A lot of service at work camps in West Virginia summers to help the poor. He's a top level ice hockey player who's been a captain and MVP on his HS hockey team for 3 years and led his team to the city championship last year and played on top travel teams. Also pays lacrosse. He's had other leadership positions in HS. He excelled on the CFA. One obstacle he's had to overcome was having cold-induced bronchitis when he started hockey at age 7 and until 9 or 10. He was treated for that for a few years and then it just disappeared and meds were stopped but "chronic bronchitis" was carried forward on his electronic medical record until he was 14 despite never having anything beyond 10. He passed the methacholine challenge test with flying colors two year ago and pulmonary specialists documented he had no evidence of asthma or bronchitis past age 10. Despite this, DODMERB disqualified him and he needs a waiver. He's received 2 MOC nominations each for USNA and USMMA in the past two weeks. We think both MOC use the method where they have no primary nominee but send the list to the service academy and let the service academy decide.

USMMA gave him a waiver on his DODMERB disqualification and sent him a LOA two weeks ago, and has noted he's "fully qualified". Of course, if you graduate from the USMMA you can join the US Navy as an officer. One of the Blue Angels is a USMMA, so it seems you have a wide range of opportunities if you enter the US Navy from USMMA.

His USNA application is complete and only lists "Complete Medical Qualification Exam" as remaining before his final consideration. His two MOC nominations were listed on the USNA site this week.

So here are the questions:
1. How long will USMMA allow him to wait for a final decision from the USNA before accepting his appointment to USMMA that is likely to come?
2. My DS talks about possibly declining USMMA and going to Navy Nuclear or NROTC (if offered) and then reapplying to USNA again a year or two later. His concern is somehow USMMA graduates might not have all the same opportunities in the US Navy as USNA graduates. Is that a real concern? My advice to him is to take the bird in the hand if USNA appointment doesn't happen this year because who knows if he and his commanding officer will get along and who knows if DODMERB will derail him again in the future.
3. Is it common to get a DODMERB waiver from one service academy (USMMA) and not from another (USNA)?
4. When is USNA likely to complete evaluation of his DODMERB disqualification to determine whether he gets a waiver from them or not?
5. Is a NROTC experience as rich as the USMMA experience is likely to be?

Thank you for any information you can give us. Any insights will be much appreciated.
 
1. Not sure on #1. For USNA and the other SAs they give a requirement for Appointment Acceptance Date. Its usually in April to May timeframe. Not sure on USMMA. If it really is that long of time, then sit on it and see what offers come. It is always a draw for someone to be wanted, but wait until all the offers come and then really make a decision.
2. Once he commisisons he will honestly have the same shot at everything in his career path of anyone else, regardless of career path. There are plenty of examples of officers succeeding at all ranks from every commissioning source possible.
3. It is a mixed bag on this. Depends on the waiver also. Color blind varies between places like USNA and USMA. I think its a good sign, but it really varies.
4. If he is deemed a qualified candidate he will be submitted for a waiver. With the MOC slates being entered now and due at the latest 1/31, if he has a Nom and is deemed 3Q, the chances are good he would be evaluated for a waiver. What did his BGO say on his competitiveness?
5. I would say the experiences are different and almost hard to compare. Also what is right for one, is not right for another. What place feels the best and set him up to succeed? Also, I think it depends. ROTC at an SMC is probably a different experience then one at State U. What environment is best for him?

Couple of comments, and they are just purely my opinions. I hope someone from USMMA can chime in and give theirs. Take a look at the USMMA threads and really understand the mission of the school. USNA's goal is to commissions Naval Officers, while USMMA is to make Merchant Mariners. The training and education is all geared towards making a qualified and prepared professional mariner. I think its also important to research and understand the rates of commission from USMMA for the Navy. How many get pilot as their first pick? Subs? SWO? Can he participate in summer training? What is your son's goal and how do these numbers match up. Have you visited USMMA to see and feel if its the right fit? Regardless of his desired path to upon commissioning, hopefully someone from USMMA can correct me if I am wrong, to graduate he has to pass his licensing exam and will go to see for his trimesters regardless of what he wants to commission.

The Nuke Enlisted path is an interesting one. If you look at USNA stats, the Nuke program, provides alot of prior enlisted. In fact they will pull highly qualified kids from the pipeline who have impressive resumes, have done well in Nuke school and demonstrate the maturity and leadership skills and send them to USNA. I think out of the 4 priors I had in my company 2 of the 4 were "priors" but had never seen the fleet as they were pulled from this program. But, as I caution anyone going this path of enlisted, be prepared to serve your entire enlistment if you sign on the dotted line. Yes, he can always apply later, but CO's endorsement is required. A CO could simply say, I want to see him perform for 3,6, or 12 months prior to endorsing.

Good luck!
 
NavyHoops, thank you. Very helpful. He's visited USNA twice and USMMA and West Point. He decided against applying to West Point because he ultimately wants to be a US Navy Officer. He really liked USMMA but loved USNA. USMMA has told him once you finish there, you can get commissioned in the Navy, Air Force or Army, or go to merchant marines or even be an officer on a commercial ship or harbor master, etc, but you will have commitment to Naval Reserve, which he would love in any case. For NROTC it would likely be Ohio State, Miami Ohio, U. Michigan, or Purdue-all engineering. The recruiter for Navy Nuke told him and gave him literature showing that after completing the program in two years, given good performance, you can be admitted to USNA and there are spots for that route that go unfilled every year. USNA also gave him literature showing 6 midshipman in the class just admitted came from the Navy Nuke program. Many options, and it is all his decision to make, but I'm guessing he will wait until he gets a USNA appointment this year or it becomes clear he won't get one before he decides on the others. By the way, I think he needs a DODMERB waiver for NROTC too (?), but he's heard nothing about that and nothing is listed about it on his DODMERB page (the USMMA and USNA are listed with the UMMA waiver noted).
 
I guess it's been a busy couple of days for representatives and senators. My son just got the call from his representative (and we believe a missed call from a senator) informing him of his appointment to USNA class of 2020. Portal not updated yet (NOM is in and status listed as pending) but based on othe posts are confident it will be in a couple of days. Whoo whoot, go Navy!

Thanks to all on this board for advice and encouragement (and to 14mcaa for the offer for some local advice fro the NY 22nd).

Wishing all the other candidates good luck.
 
Congrats!! I-Day will come fast.

We're enjoying the ride with our plebe. He just took his last final of the fall semester and is heading home tonight ⚓️ Go Navy!
 
Remember the recruiter is painting the best picture possible. There is no guarantee he will be allowed to apply. To be honest 6 from nuke school directly almost seems low compared to some years. I know a current 3/C who did exact path. His dad was a grad and his twin brother went USAFA directly. He rolled the dice and it worked.

Take a look at the USMMA thread as you will hear the honest truth and stats regarding going active duty from USMMA. It's not as simple as saying I want to go AD even for the Navy side. It's a great school, but really understand its primary mission is merchant Mariners. Not all who want AD get it.
 
NYDsDad said:
I guess it's been a busy couple of days for representatives and senators. My son just got the call from his representative (and we believe a missed call from a senator) informing him of his appointment to USNA class of 2020. Portal not updated yet (NOM is in and status listed as pending) but based on othe posts are confident it will be in a couple of days. Whoo whoot, go Navy!

Thanks to all on this board for advice and encouragement (and to 14mcaa for the offer for some local advice fro the NY 22nd).

Wishing all the other candidates good luck.
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Congratulations to you and your son! Go Navy!
 
I received a LOA in October and discovered the nomination this morning! I've seen BWEs and BFEs.. What are they?
 
I am so relieved that others have many of the same questions I do. My DS received his LOA in Oct. and MOC nom on Dec. 12 and Senator Nom on the 18th. Nothing has been updated in his portal as of yet. Should he call the admissions office and ask? The last thing he needs for an offer is his nom. Since he has received both of these nominations and is otherwise qualified, that means he will get an offer of appointment correct? I ask because his NROTC scholarship school has a deadline of January 1 and as long as he gets an appointment he does not need to complete his application.
 
BFE can take awhile at this time of year - unfortunately! As a point of comparison, DS had an LOA and was notified of Senator Nom (by phone) on 12/20/2013. The BFE didn't arrive until 01/22/2014 - felt like an eternity! Hopefully your DS hears sooner - the BFE will come!
Keep calm and carry on.
 
Hey, so I recieved a conditional offer of appointment. All I have to do is get a tape test for body fat determination. If I pass it does this mean I recieve an appointment? Also what are the body fat standards for going in? Thank you for any info you may be able to provide.
 
Do they even send the appointment offers by mail anymore? My daughter had an LOA and then received a nomination. About a week after the nomination the portal was updated to reflect an offer of appointment and she had the ability to either accept or decline the offer online. She accepted and the portal then notified her that there was additional paperwork and provided links to the documents (body piercing, background check, proof of citizenship).

Nothing in the mail at all. Actually, looking back, even the LOA was all electronic (email/portal), so I am wondering if the BWE still exists?
 
Yes it does. It took me about 5-7 days after appointment showed in portal to receive BFE. And I live on the east coast.
 
navymom17 said:
I am so relieved that others have many of the same questions I do. My DS received his LOA in Oct. and MOC nom on Dec. 12 and Senator Nom on the 18th. Nothing has been updated in his portal as of yet. Should he call the admissions office and ask? The last thing he needs for an offer is his nom. Since he has received both of these nominations and is otherwise qualified, that means he will get an offer of appointment correct? I ask because his NROTC scholarship school has a deadline of January 1 and as long as he gets an appointment he does not need to complete his application.
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If his portal hasn't updated to reflect the Noms it means USNA hasn't received them yet or possibly processed them. MOCs have until January 31st to submit their slates. USNA won't be able to issue an appointment until they receive the official slate from the MOCs. He needs to line up a Plan B regardless. What if he breaks his wrist 2 weeks before I Day? I hate to bring things up like that but its a reality. A poster on here was DQ'd just prior to I Day for a wrist injury and had to wait another year. A poster on the West Point hurt his knee getting off the bus. It happens every year. Its why we all say bubble wrap. His Nom will get entered and his appointment should be coming soon.
 
2020 Parent said:
Do they even send the appointment offers by mail anymore? My daughter had an LOA and then received a nomination. About a week after the nomination the portal was updated to reflect an offer of appointment and she had the ability to either accept or decline the offer online. She accepted and the portal then notified her that there was additional paperwork and provided links to the documents (body piercing, background check, proof of citizenship).

Nothing in the mail at all. Actually, looking back, even the LOA was all electronic (email/portal), so I am wondering if the BWE still exists?
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A BFE will eventually show up with a nice blue folder. If you look at social media for the class of 2019 plenty of folks posted theirs.
 
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