Appropriate shirt for BGO interview?

CEMAsoftware

JamesSmith
5-Year Member
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Hello, I don't own much "nice" clothing and my only collared shirts are an aloha shirt and a black collared shirt with a SEAL Trident logo on the chest (a gift from my mother's friend who's a former SEAL). Would it be appropriate to wear this black shirt to my interview or should I go out and buy a better shirt? It's note worthy that I intend to be a NSW Officer after graduation (if accepted). Also, the interview won't be at my house or with my parents, I'm flying over to my BGO's area and he's picking me up at the airport.

Thank you in advance,
Cameron.
 
usna1985 gives the following advice in the "Role of the Blue & Gold Officer (BGO) and BGO Interviews" thread:
usna1985 said:
Again, this is my opinion as there is no “dress code.” Most men come in a collared shirt, pressed slacks (chinos are OK), and non-athletic shoes with socks and women will dress along the same lines. I cut folks some slack when the temp is 98 degrees with 98% humidity. Sweat gear, shorts, shoes without socks, ratty T-shirts, torn jeans and the like should be avoided. Dressing more formally (coat & tie) is certainly appropriate and some BGOs may expect it. I realize that, in some areas, jeans and a T-shirt are "dressing up." BGOs live where you live and will understand dress codes in the area. Also, if the interview is in your home, still dress appropriately. For example, bare feet should be avoided. A good "rule of thumb" is to dress as you would for a funeral or an afternoon wedding.

In my opinion, you should NOT wear the shirt with the SEAL trident. I don't think it matters what your career intentions are; it's just in bad taste, I think.
 
usna1985 gives the following advice in the
In my opinion, you should NOT wear the shirt with the SEAL trident. I don't think it matters what your career intentions are; it's just in bad taste, I think.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. I'll most likely just buy a nice plain collared shirt soon.
 
Wear a dress shirt and tie, with a blazer and very nice slacks at a min. A two piece business suit if you can get one. If time or $ are an issue, borrow what you need. Surely Dad or a friend is of a similar size. You need not have a professionally tailored look. One simply needs to look and act like you want to be taken seriously, as in business. If you have not been dressed in a suit/tie before, put it on a few different times beforehand for an hour at a time. This will give you some sense of how it looks/feels and you can work out all the kinks beforehand.
For what its worth, I've seen plenty of Jr ROTC people wearing their Jr ROTC uniform to congressional interviews/academy events/etc. Don't be that guy. Same applies to any military type apparel. Following the "wolf in sheep's clothing" analogy, wearing someone else's 'coat' to get in good graces only works if you think the other guy is as stupid as a 'sheep.' So, lets not send that message.
If your friend (former seal) has spoken with you at length about the service and expectations and obligations, then mentioning that you have become familiar with those things would be worth while. Similarly, if one is in Jr ROTC or Sea Cadets, or CAP, mentioning ones accomplishments there is a good thing.
 
Dress shirt and tie is nice but not necessary IMO. Khaki slacks and a nice collared polo is sufficient if that's easier for you to accomplish.
 
Wear a dress shirt and tie, with a blazer and very nice slacks at a min. A two piece business suit if you can get one.

That's a bit overkill.

A nice, collared shirt (light blue is good and white you can wear with anything) with decent pants (not jeans) is fine. If you have a tie and it matches, go ahead and wear it.

In my opinion a blazer isn't needed. A two-piece suit certainly isn't needed.
 
You never get a second chance to make a first impression

We live in Colorado where, IMPO, the style of dress is likely more casual than what one would find on the east coast. DS interviewed for AROTC in a dark blue suit with a red tie,white shirt and polished shoes. He was awarded a 4YR scholarship. My advice is to dress in a suit if possible. If that is not possible then I would certainly wear a tie at the very least. You might as well start getting comfortable in blazers/suits/coats as they are part of any branches uniform. Good luck:thumb:
 
I would not recommend a suit if the OP is not accustomed to wearing a suit. Nothing is more distracting than watching someone unconsciously re-adjusting their body every few seconds because they are uncomfortable in what their wearing.... yanking around the shirt collar, trying to get the suit coat/blazer out from underneath them because they sat on it, moving their shoulders/arms around because their not use to the constriction of the jacket.

They aren't going to award anyone anything just because of a suit. They understand that many kids don't have 200 bucks to buy a suit.

I would agree, polish the shoes, cut the fingernails, get your hair trimmed (not shaved, just groomed). Our DS had hair to his shirt collar, way out of regs. He got all 3 MOC noms. Number 1 pick for his AFA ALO (equivalent to BGO), and an AFROTC scholarship. He wore khakis, white button down shirt, no tie and black loafers.

Girls, no funky nail polish, no chipped nail polish, limit the jewlery .... big dangly earring or tons of bracelets are a detraction...everytime you shake your head the earring will move, same with your hand regarding bracelets.

If you have nervous quirks, such as moving around a charm on your necklace, playing with a ring or twirling your hair; don't wear the necklace, or the ring, put your hair up. You will do it subconsciously, and not realizing you do it, but the interviewer can become off put by it.
 
Shirt with a collar and pressed slacks for BGO is probably fine. It is informal., at least in our case. Women should be well dressed in normal presentable attire. For the Congressional and Senate interview it steps up some. I have seen some in Business Suits (Male and Female) and some in full HS ROTC Uniforms with all their fruit salad. Son just wore a sports jacket and slacks and refused to wear his MMA uniforn for one of his interviews.

PIMA: Try to get them adjusted to a tie if they haven't worn them except a few years in a uniform.
 
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AF6872, our DS is now an O1 and engaged...it is up to his fiance now! :shake:

Our DS did wear a blazer for his MOC interviews, along with the same khakis and white button down, but still no tie. We were in NC, and it much more casual in the South than compared to other states. He still got all 3 noms.

I do agree at the nom interview level it goes up a notch. Many kids were in their JROTC uniform, several were in suits, and the others were dressed like our DS. FWIW, 2 of his classmates were at the interview for the MOC (it was done on one day). One wore their JROTC uniform, one wore a suit. The only one to get the nom, was our DS. The rule of thumb we were given is Sunday dress for MOC noms.

I only say this because many kids can't afford to buy a suit or even a blazer. They need to understand that it is not going to be a make or break if they show up in just pressed pants, and polished shoes. It is not a pageant. It is substance.

Now showing up in cargo pants, tee shirt and sneakers, with dirt under your nails and your hair looking like you just rolled out of bed is a different story because it does show a lack of respect.
 
Hello, I don't own much "nice" clothing and my only collared shirts are an aloha shirt ...

Also, the interview won't be at my house or with my parents, I'm flying over to my BGO's area and he's picking me up at the airport.

I wonder whether we all missed something culturally significant in this question. The OP mentioned that he has an "aloha shirt", which we mainlanders often refer to (incorrectly) as a Hawaiian shirt.

I did business in Hawaii for years, and wearing a proper and tasteful Reyn Spooner aloha shirt was (and is) considered proper business attire. Showing up to a business meeting in Hawaii wearing a typical suit and tie would be something like showing up to a business meeting in New York wearing a tuxedo. You certainly aren't under-dressed, but you look really out of place.

The OP also refers to the fact that he is flying to his BGO interview. Inter-island flights in Hawaii are a little like taking a bus ride here on the East Coast. I used to pick up inter-island flight coupons at Bank of Hawaii ATMs.

I checked the OP's profile, and no location is given, but I am guessing that he is from Hawaii (kama'aina), and I am further guessing that his BGO is as well. If both of those guesses are correct, and only if both are correct, then wearing tasteful aloha wear would be totally appropriate. And it would make Coach Niumatalolo very proud.

Sorry to overcook a simple question.
 
True, we can only answer the original question based on the information given. BGO's interviews are less formal then for the MOC. Many BGO interviews take place at the applicants home since they also want to talk with the parents to get a sense of why the person is applying.

I seriously doubt that h.s. student sit around their home wearing a 2 piece suit. Good casual attire is fine. Since the OP indicated he is flying somewhere, a suit/dress shirt would probably get wrinkled by the time you arrive. That is really overdressing for a BGO interview.

Wear a good casual shirt and slacks and you will be fine.
 
PIMA:
Hope you get to Emerald Isle when ever you can. One of the best places on the coast. Son got all three noms but did interviews prep casual in jacket and slacks. Made him wear socks.:shake: Interviewed in Starbucks and in our kithchen without us present for interview but dressed up with tie for MOC. Believe me if you have seen Prep School casual dress in New England you wouldn't complain. Jacket and tie but they still can't tie a windsor.
 
You can bet it varies by region. Down here in Central FL (the very rural areas between Orlando and Tampa), I wore flip flops, khaki shorts and a polo shirt to my BGO interview. My BGO wore the same. Dressed slightly more formal for the MOC interview: plain white button down and either a nice pair of blue jeans or casual khaki pants (don't quite remember). I received a nomination to both of my chosen SA's. My girlfriend applied the next year, same MOC and same BGO. Also dressed very casually (comparatively). BGO again showed up like it was August in Florida (as it was) and she received congressional nominations to USMA, USNA, and USAFA.

As a caveat, I will say that I live within about 2 hours on both sides of towns that didn't recieve electricity or running water until the 80's.
 
As a caveat, I will say that I live within about 2 hours on both sides of towns that didn't recieve electricity or running water until the 80's.

Every day I just get more and more confirmation that Florida is The Worst.
 
I recall my DS's BGO mentioned upon meeting my son for his interview that being in a suit (at our home... not a usual place for a suit) was good... showed him my son was serious. Yes, indeed, DS was taking his 'game' up a notch.
Perhaps I am too old school, but I also feel that dressing 'up' is as much about the applicant's mindset as it is about any impression given to the interviewer. It subconsciously tunes the applicant up, too.
But whatever...wear flip flops and pajamas. If the BGO recommends your application after that, it must be ok and they must be representing the academy well... Oh and be sure to fist bump rather than shake hands, too. One would not want be uncomfortable with formalities. I mean, its all about 'me' (the applicant) and not about making the other person feel comfortable that there time and effort is being respected as valuable.
I wonder if the folks that specify the details of the uniform have given adequate thought to the cultural/regional differences?... and I can think of some hand shakes I've seen in some inner city neighborhoods nearby that may be good substitutes for a hand salute.
Ok. Enough of my rant... I'm tuning out.
 
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