Phew!!!
Took me about an hour to find this but I think it is worth it for Finnbarr to read.
This was posted by USNA1985 several months ago about leadership.
Pay special attention to the last paragraph.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=11383
As you have already noted, leadership
potential is 30% of your Whole Candidate Evaluation and is the most difficult to measure and therefore the most subjective. USMA measures leadership
potential is 3 ways: EC's, athletics, and faculty appraisal.
EC'S: Boy's State is good - don't downplay that. You also mentioned that you are in a couple of clubs. Try to find a project that you would be passionate about that you could start within one or more of the clubs. You don't even have to do that within a club. You could do it on your own. Ex. If you love animals - volunteer at the local shelter. Start a fund raising project for the animals there. The people there will tell you what they need and could guide you in your project.
Again, look at what USNA1985 wrote and especially the last paragraph.
Athletics: If you do end up being captain of your fencing team then just update your file with an email to the admissions officer.
Faculty Appraisal: In your SOE, the teacher is given the opportunity to rate and provide a subjective evaluation of you in an 11 question form. A teacher can note leadership
potential here.
We all know that sometimes (a lot of times) class leadership roles are popularity contests. Doesn't mean the winner is necessarily a great leader.
In some schools, the captains of the sports teams are voted on by the players - again could just turn into a popularity contest.
These situations can be frustrating.
Create your own opportunities to showcase leadership
potential by taking the initiative to do something on your own - something that you start.
Note the I have emphasized the word '
potential' in this post.
West Point looks for leadership
potential.
It is the world's premier leadership institution and once you are there you will learn, experience and practice leadership.
If you think you have that
potential, then forge ahead with your application and look for ways to showcase that
potential.
And congratulations on being deemed a Competitive Candidate! You have cleared the first hurdle on the road to an appointment!!!