application & nomination deadlines + general need for help...?

[Yehdo]

Hi yall,
I am a rising high school sophomore as of now, and I'm seriously considering the Air Force Academy (or any of the other service academies) as my main college option. I've been looking around the internet and have found some good information, and I've been compiling all helpful resources and taking notes, but some aspects of the application process still confuse me.

I understand that the application window opens in March of my junior year, so 2024 for me. I also understand nomination from my region's member of congress, a senator of my state, or the vice president is also necessary.

Here's my full understanding of the application process as of now. I need to:
- Complete the pre-candidate questionnaire.
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- Send transcripts and letters of recommendation from teachers,
- pass the candidate fitness assessment,
- complete extracurricular activities record,
- answer written questions,
- pass personal record check,
- complete interview w/ admissions liaison officer,
- pass the medical exam,
- and receive a nomination.

My main questions are about the nominations. I understand that the nomination is required as a part of the application after becoming a candidate, but when should I apply for a nomination? I'm guessing that I need to be an official candidate before I apply for a nomination? Also, a nomination does not automatically mean acceptance and is only required to be considered for an appointment, yes?

Another side-question I had was about improving my "resume" of extracurriculars. What are some ways I can stand out from the rest? I am involved with the cross country team(not varsity yet) and the band program at my school, and I'm hoping to add track & field to the mix this upcoming year. I am not an extraordinary athlete, by any means, nor am I some kind of genius, just... very decent at everything. One thing I've read is that I should become involved with clubs and volunteering, so I plan on doing that as well.

I think I have a decent understanding of the entire process, but I'm sure there are things I may be missing.

I know this all may seem very naive to some of yall out there who have already gone through this process, but I'd really appreciate any helpful input/information/resources on any part of getting into the academy.

Thank youuu
Yehdo

 

[Capt MJ]

Big questions - I’ll bite off a chunk.

Applying for elected official noms is a parallel process to applying to the SA. You are doing both at the same time, but typically you become an official candidate before you owe anything to the elected officials.

Well done on your methodical approach; that will stand you in good stead as you calendar out your strategic action plan.

For your 2 Senators and Representative, go to their websites to the SA nomination pages. All elected officials run their processes and due dates however they wish, and submit their slates (lists of names) by their due date to the SA in the New Year. Do that right now. Many offer SA information sessions and webinars, which you might be able to attend even if it’s not your cycle yet. You’ll get a feel of how this year’s cycle is run and what is required. There are usually dedicated staffers who run the process each year. As incumbents change, though, so can processes and due dates.

The VP nom. No VP staffers are involved - the SAs who are eligible to use that nom make the selections themselves. Follow directions on how to submit.

Teacher recommendations. For the SAs, what you are actually doing is supplying teacher contact info for specified classes, and the teacher is sent a link to enter their responses to evaluation prompts.

Get to know your guidance counselor. Some official things have to come from them and not you.

Finally, I’ve pasted in below some of the standard advice I’ve given over the years, which may be helpful.
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The service academy application process itself tests for qualities and attributes desirable in future junior officers: attention to detail, executive planning and organizing, time management, task prioritization, humility, perseverance, patience. Take ownership of the process.
If you haven’t read every page, link and menu item on your sa.edu of choice sites, taking notes and starting to build out an extended timeline of action items and long-term due dates, now is a great time. That is your primary source, and most answers are there.

Be sure to look at the recommended HS academic courses and plan accordingly.

Do the same kind of research into alternative paths to commissioning, such as ROTC and related scholarships. That is a prudent thing to do, and shows no lack of commitment to an SA. Additionally, a college ROTC unit is another nomination source, if you find yourself re-applying after a SA turndown. There will be thousands of candidates building HS resumes with similar stats, plus college re-applicants; leave no opportunity unexplored. Presumably, your prime goal is to commission as an X officer, with USXA your preferred path. It’s not the only path. Re-applicants to SAs make up a chunk of each class.
Take this time to research all five of the Federal service academies, and subsequent career paths, so you can make an informed decision about ruling them in or out. It’s very important to look past the interim waystation of 4 SA or college ROTC years to see if there are at least a good handful of career paths you could see yourself doing for a minimum of 5-6 years or whatever the applicable minimum active duty service obligation is.

Choose your service, do the research on opportunity and culture, identify some career paths that seem a good fit for you, and reverse engineer it to the best commissioning path for you. The SA is simply a waystation, not “the” goal - think about what you will be doing during your years of obligated service.

For those interested in a Navy career, don’t overlook the Navy Nuclear Power Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program and the Civil Engineering Corps (CEC) officer program (think SEABEEs). These are college programs with financial assistance, but no ROTC time commitment.

Go to your elected officials’ websites (2 Sen, 1 Rep), read and take notes on their service academy nomination process. They can choose submission deadlines, interviews or not, panel interviews, any method they want. If they are having a F2F or virtual info session, sign up and soak it in, so you are well-prepared for your cycle, even a few years out. Stay current with that site, in case the elected official changes.
Apply for all nominations for which you are eligible, including the VP at the DOD service academies. This gives the SA max flexibility, if they want to offer you an appointment, as to what nom authority they eventually charge the appointment to.
Go to the DoDMERB site, the entity which does the physical qualification of candidates. Explore each menu item on the left. This often turns into one of the most frustrating and time-using aspects of the process. Get smart on it now so you won’t be surprised. There are some medications that must be discontinued for a certain period of time prior to entry to military service. IEPs and accommodations also are off the table at a certain point, especially for standardized tests.

Research the CFA or applicable fitness test for the SA or program of interest. Assess yourself and develop a training plan. Women, learn to do pull-ups. It’s worth more points, and you will value that strength and confidence. Do not procrastinate when it’s your cycle. Leaving it too late invites illness, injury, bad weather, family emergency or sudden non-availability of your test administrator or video person, if that is required. There are YouTube videos on various techniques Google Stew Smith’s website and YouTube videos; he’s a USNA grad, former Navy SEAL, now a fitness pro.
If you are a non-swimmer or not a confident swimmer, take some adult swim classes at the Y or other program to get more comfortable in a pool. Though the SAs will teach you to swim to meet various required tests, you don’t want to spend precious time in remedial swim. It’s a good life skill anyway.
Here on SAF, read the Stickies at the top of the Nominations and DoDMERB forums. There is also The Acronym List on the Home page if you haven’t found it yet.

There is a Search function tool inside SAF, and google works well when you include “site:serviceacademyforums.com” in the string. The same questions come up every year. The “Chance Me” and “stats” threads can be illuminating as to ideas for summer leadership programs such as Boys State and Girls State, and other competitive elements. The SA summer programs in your rising senior summer are worth looking into to get a feel for that SA.

There is no one cookie-cutter magic formula; a class is made up of individuals who bring different combinations of strengths.

If you are not involved in a sport, be sure you prepare well for the CFA to prove basic physical ability, and also ensure your other activities supply the leadership, collaboration skills, work ethic, time investment and discipline learned in a sport.
Don’t overlook the Senior Military Colleges (SMCs), which offer a military-type environment and structure, as well as paths to a commission. Some are only Army ROTC; some have Army plus other service ROTC. Though this is an unofficial source, the info is a good intro:



Senior Military Colleges

Senior military colleges (SMCs) are among some of the most prestigious and renowned educational institutions in the Nation. They were established by law to provide a military experience similar to the federal service academies like West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy...



veteran.com



Research the state maritime academies, which also offer commissioning programs.

Maritime Academies | MARAD



Create your organization system - binders, folders, spreadsheets, calendars, wall boards, whatever works for you to plan, track and execute. Many apply to multiple SAs, nom sources, ROTC scholarships, ROTC schools, etc.

If you realize perhaps the military may not be your path, but you love STEM and the idea of service to your country, look into:




SMART Scholarship Program | DoD STEM

DoD STEM seeks to attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the education continuum and advance the current DoD STEM workforce to meet future defense technological challenges.



dodstem.us



Student Programs - CIA

The internship and co-op programs at CIA offer highly unique and rewarding student experiences as you help keep our Nation safe. Work alongside experts in your field as you gain real-world experience within the intelligence community.



www.cia.gov



NSA | Students | Intelligence Careers



Student Programs Search for Intelligence Careers



Students | Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

Students interested in medicine, research and public health can find internship and scholarship opportunities in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service.



www.usphs.gov

USPHS is a uniformed service but not an armed service.



Student opportunities

Find information about educational opportunities that are available throughout NOAA.

proxy.php

www.noaa.gov

NOAA is a uniformed service but not an armed service.





Finally, stay flexible and open to the paths that open before you. The key is to show sustained performance, personal growth and achievement in a well-rounded person.

 

[Academician]

A couple of additions: you should plan to apply to the AFA Summer Seminar, which historically opens in mid-December and closes about 30 days later. That action will act as an early Pre-Candidate Questionnaire. You may want to do the same for the other service academies too. Also, USAFA sponsors sports camps (see the GoAirForceFalcons.com website). The camps are a great way to visit the school, meet cadets and meet staff as you will spend nights in one of the dorms. USMA, USNA and USCGA also feature the same kinds of camps. Visiting the service academies, if possible, is a great way to confirm your aspirations and learn more about the life style, campus, etc. AFASS is a great program. The other three schools noted also have summer seminars. I hope that helps and good luck with your journey!