A Story to Share

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lovey_lovey176

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My heart has been set on USMA for years, ever since I was in middle school. However, the reason as to why was selfish; it was for the money.

Before I started middle school, my parents would complain about their financial issues in front of me and so I decided to join the military so they wouldn’t have to worry about paying college. I also did it to make life easier for me because Money is everywhere.

Turns out that life was harder when I was preparing for USMA.

The application process went fine until I had one major concern: the CFA. I wanted to prepare for it but the problem was that my parents were heavily strict.

I wasn’t allowed to go outside the house by myself; everywhere I go I was with my family. If I went by myself it had to be school-related. No boyfriend until I’m 21. Location tracker on my phone. No walking off campus even though I was a senior in high school (seniors were allowed to go off campus). No hanging out with guys. No going out.

I started preparing for the CFA by running on the treadmill in the garage, but the problem was that it was too hot and humid in there. I wanted to go outside but I only had the garage because it was the only place I could practice running. The treadmill was crappy so I couldn’t put it inside the house or it’ll be too noisy enough to annoy my siblings and family. I told my dad about it but he ignored me. Where was I supposed to run if I couldn’t go outside by myself ?

Then I asked my parents for a pull up bar so I could practice. They ignored my request and I tried to talk to them about how much I needed this for my future but they didn’t understand. I had to wait months until my birthday in late September to get it. I had to request the pull up bar as my birthday gift. It was so late I felt like I was going to fail the CFA, and my instinct came true.

I took the CFA late in the application process and ended up with these results.

BB: 25’
Shuttle Run: 10.4
Flexed Arm Hang: 11 sec.
Sit Ups: 72
Push Ups: 38

I knew my mile run was the biggest fail because I got 11 minutes. Humiliating.

I received a TWE in the mail early February. Then I took down the award stating my Congressional nomination to the USMA. I knew Prep School wasn’t an option for me since I had high academic standings. So I decided to enlist in the Air Force to help myself reach the physical standards of USMA for the class of 2025. If I went to college my parents would still be in control of me. I wanted my own money and freedom. I need the freedom so much. I wanted to go out on my own without having to ask my parents for permission and I wanted to get whatever I needed without having to asking them first.

however this was on me because I didnt stand up to them and I didn’t take much opportunity in the sports offered at my high school. I didn’t talk to anyone about it. If I went back four years then I wish I could have taken a rigorous sport just to prepare myself. But I wasn’t interested in them.

The moral of the story is to prepare early and if someone is in the way of achieving your dreams, stand up to them and speak up. Even if it’s your own family have a conversation with them and help them understand why your future is so valuable you have to actually work hard to get it. My parents thought it was easy for me to finish the application but I never actually told them how difficult it was. If I brought up the communication aspect then I would have had a good chance.
That’s why I wanted to share this story for those who are seeking admission into USMA. Communicate with your point of contact, parents, and everyone who is helping you!
 
lovey_lovey176 said:
My heart has been set on USMA for years, ever since I was in middle school. However, the reason as to why was selfish; it was for the money.

Before I started middle school, my parents would complain about their financial issues in front of me and so I decided to join the military so they wouldn’t have to worry about paying college. I also did it to make life easier for me because Money is everywhere.

Turns out that life was harder when I was preparing for USMA.

The application process went fine until I had one major concern: the CFA. I wanted to prepare for it but the problem was that my parents were heavily strict.

I wasn’t allowed to go outside the house by myself; everywhere I go I was with my family. If I went by myself it had to be school-related. No boyfriend until I’m 21. Location tracker on my phone. No walking off campus even though I was a senior in high school (seniors were allowed to go off campus). No hanging out with guys. No going out.

I started preparing for the CFA by running on the treadmill in the garage, but the problem was that it was too hot and humid in there. I wanted to go outside but I only had the garage because it was the only place I could practice running. The treadmill was crappy so I couldn’t put it inside the house or it’ll be too noisy enough to annoy my siblings and family. I told my dad about it but he ignored me. Where was I supposed to run if I couldn’t go outside by myself ?

Then I asked my parents for a pull up bar so I could practice. They ignored my request and I tried to talk to them about how much I needed this for my future but they didn’t understand. I had to wait months until my birthday in late September to get it. I had to request the pull up bar as my birthday gift. It was so late I felt like I was going to fail the CFA, and my instinct came true.

I took the CFA late in the application process and ended up with these results.

BB: 25’
Shuttle Run: 10.4
Flexed Arm Hang: 11 sec.
Sit Ups: 72
Push Ups: 38

I knew my mile run was the biggest fail because I got 11 minutes. Humiliating.

I received a TWE in the mail early February. Then I took down the award stating my Congressional nomination to the USMA. I knew Prep School wasn’t an option for me since I had high academic standings. So I decided to enlist in the Air Force to help myself reach the physical standards of USMA for the class of 2025. If I went to college my parents would still be in control of me. I wanted my own money and freedom. I need the freedom so much. I wanted to go out on my own without having to ask my parents for permission and I wanted to get whatever I needed without having to asking them first.

however this was on me because I didnt stand up to them and I didn’t take much opportunity in the sports offered at my high school. I didn’t talk to anyone about it. If I went back four years then I wish I could have taken a rigorous sport just to prepare myself. But I wasn’t interested in them.

The moral of the story is to prepare early and if someone is in the way of achieving your dreams, stand up to them and speak up. Even if it’s your own family have a conversation with them and help them understand why your future is so valuable you have to actually work hard to get it. My parents thought it was easy for me to finish the application but I never actually told them how difficult it was. If I brought up the communication aspect then I would have had a good chance.
That’s why I wanted to share this story for those who are seeking admission into USMA. Communicate with your point of contact, parents, and everyone who is helping you!
Click to expand...
What’s your academic stats ? If you don’t mind sharing
 
Do you not PT in JROTC?

The colonel and sergeant major at my school PTs their cadets like a stable of race horses.
 
lovey_lovey176 said:
I’m going to join right after I graduate high school this year
Click to expand...
I can tell you from direct personal knowledge and experience that there are pathways to Commission other than USMA. An ROTC scholarship is slightly easier to obtain but JUST as valuable. At the end of four years you are still a 2nd LT and will receive the same pay and opportunities as an Academy Grad. If you are determined, look into it. Different pathways, exact same benefits. The end result is serving as an officer in the US Army and all that that entails. USMA is without a doubt prestigious, but it comes at a price (I have had that growled at me across the dinner table many times in the past 18 months). All this being said, enlisting in the USAF is also a very respectable option. You will very quickly find yourself in your own room with your own salary and a great benefit plan. Play the long game, it's your life and up to you how you serve. Either way, hats off to you!

Best!
 
Devil Doc said:
Do you not PT in JROTC?

The colonel and sergeant major at my school PTs their cadets like a stable of race horses.
Click to expand...
All the highest ranking commanders are put in a specific period / class as a whole and since we have to work on events, data, paperwork, etc, we don’t have time for physical training. So basically we are a bunch of horses in the audience section with glasses on and paperwork in front of us while the other horses (aka the lower class cadets) are running around the track
 
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Walman888 said:
I can tell you from direct personal knowledge and experience that there are pathways to Commission other than USMA. An ROTC scholarship is slightly easier to obtain but JUST as valuable. At the end of four years you are still a 2nd LT and will receive the same pay and opportunities as an Academy Grad. If you are determined, look into it. Different pathways, exact same benefits. The end result is serving as an officer in the US Army and all that that entails. USMA is without a doubt prestigious, but it comes at a price (I have had that growled at me across the dinner table many times in the past 18 months). All this being said, enlisting in the USAF is also a very respectable option. You will very quickly find yourself in your own room with your own salary and a great benefit plan. Play the long game, it's your life and up to you how you serve. Either way, hats off to you!

Best!
Click to expand...
Thank you for the detailed advice! I do want to become an officer and because of that I have considered ROTC as a backup plan, but I have become hesitant towards attending an ordinary college. I also am willing to take a break from academics and to just focus on physical training (enlisted). I think it’s inevitable to be rejected because I don’t turn 18 until October and I started school early so technically I am supposed to be a junior. But I appreciate the feedback. My heart is set on the service academies I’ve always wanted to learn through their prestigious education. It’s either USMA or USAFA (USAFA is my second choice).
 
Thank you for sharing your story - and advice at the end. I'm sorry about the difficulties at home and lack of support from your parents. I'm an FFR, so my advice would be to do exactly what you're doing, which is to take a step toward opening doors for future opportunities. By enlisting, you'll be able to determine if serving as an enlistee and moving up the ranks is right for you. Maybe OCS if you perform well? It possibly opens the door to an Academy appointment via the Prep School. Or you can simply re-apply next cycle to USMA or any of the other academies in the next cycle. The bottom line is that many cadets have 1+ years of other experience and school prior to an appointment, so stay positive and work to achieve your goals. (Oh, and use that year to hit the gym and practice up so you have a killer CFA score next time around!)
 
lovey_lovey176 said:
My heart has been set on USMA for years, ever since I was in middle school. However, the reason as to why was selfish; it was for the money.

Before I started middle school, my parents would complain about their financial issues in front of me and so I decided to join the military so they wouldn’t have to worry about paying college. I also did it to make life easier for me because Money is everywhere.

The application process went fine until I had one major concern: the CFA. I wanted to prepare for it but the problem was that my parents were heavily strict.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't know, but I think your "hook" at the beginning may have unfairly misrepresented you. In my opinion, it's not selfish to want to serve in the Armed Forces with the reason for financially supporting yourself and/or your family. On the other hand, it shouldn't be the one and the only reason to go to West Point. In the civilian world and even military (excluding service academy), there are good and perhaps better ways to live a financially stable life. Everyone who obtains an appointment to USMA knows why they were chosen to serve. Someone who is selected has demonstrated excellence that goes far beyond the motivation of "free college."

I personally understand your reason for enlisting instead of attending a civilian college (while living with parents). Some people prosper when they're independent of their parents. I'm sure that you will be physically competent by the time you take the CFA again. I suggest you apply to both USMA and USAFA so that you can ultimately decide between the two.

Also, sharing learned experiences like this can be emotionally therapeutic.
 
You seem like a good candidate to me. Mature.

A freshman year in college with stem classes while running 5 miles a day might go a long way as a reapplicant.
 
@lovey_lovey176 Your academic and leadership credentials are good and I can see why you got the congressional nomination. I think you will make a huge improvement on fitness out on your own over the next academic year. I think you are on your way with Plan B.

As a mother, what I am most concerned about is the extreme control your parents are exerting over a 17/18 year old girl. If you have brothers, I wonder if they are/were treated the same way. It is shameful that you are not allowed to go anywhere alone especially to run to achieve a goal to join the military. I personally think you need to get the heck out of Dodge as you are doing as soon as you can after graduation. Don't burn bridges with your parents as I am sure you love each other but you need to get out and live an independent life. Good luck to you.
 
Some thoughts:
If your parents really don't have money, then you would be eligible for need-based scholarships at colleges.
If that is your motivation then have them run the Net Price Calculators for colleges.

If you are trying to get of under their control, do realize you will not really have freedom as an enlisted soldier/airman. Just someone else telling you what to do. That may be worth it for you to be able to get out of their house/control, but keep that in mind. That said, I have known others to do this...they knew the only way they could get out of their parents control is if they were in a position where they literally couldn't be forced/monetarily controlled to go back.
 
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