BGO Interview
- Thread starter RebelDad
- Start date
Soldiergriz
Husband, Dad, Soldier
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2017
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- 514
My wife dropped our son off, and found a Starbucks. He texted when complete, and she picked him up.
Wife: How did it go?
Son: Fine. He had some funny stories.
Wife: Great!
Wife: How did it go?
Son: Fine. He had some funny stories.
Wife: Great!
That's how I figured it would go.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2014
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- 6,920
It depends on the BGO. A parent should never insist on attending a BGO interview.
What might happen is the BGO will interview the candidate alone first, and then invite the parents to join afterwards to ask any questions they may have.
In our case, the BGO arranged to meet my DS at a coffee shop and conducted the interview there. DS went alone. We did not even tag along.
There are many threads on this forum about BGO/ALO/FFR interviews.
Here are a few:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...and-gold-officer-interview.57305/#post-568811
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.43581/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.15341/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.56507/
What might happen is the BGO will interview the candidate alone first, and then invite the parents to join afterwards to ask any questions they may have.
In our case, the BGO arranged to meet my DS at a coffee shop and conducted the interview there. DS went alone. We did not even tag along.
There are many threads on this forum about BGO/ALO/FFR interviews.
Here are a few:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...and-gold-officer-interview.57305/#post-568811
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.43581/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.15341/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/bgo-interview.56507/
Thanks!
We haven't been involved in the process and don't plan on it unless the BGO specifically requests it.
Soldiergriz
Husband, Dad, Soldier
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2017
- Messages
- 514
If you do have questions about the process, academy, or military in general - then take the opportunity to meet the BGO if offered. I don't believe there is any downside to doing so.
In our case - we simply didn't have any questions. But, I do like good stories - especially from an old sailor.
If you do have questions about the process, academy, or military in general - then take the opportunity to meet the BGO if offered. I don't believe there is any downside to doing so.
In our case - we simply didn't have any questions. But, I do like good stories - especially from an old sailor.
LOL - I grew up on my dad's Navy stories. He has been gone for 20 years and would enjoy hearing them again.
DesertCaliMom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2017
- Messages
- 584
BGO asked to see me for a half hour, I left and went to Panera, DS walked over when done 90 minutes later.
usna1985
15-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
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- 8,081
Typically, if the interview is in your home, the BGO will at least ask to say hello. He/she may sit down with you to see if you have any questions about USNA, the process, etc. If the interview is elsewhere, then unless you have questions or the BGO specifically asks that you attend, there is no need to do so and probably better not to.
To be fair, some parents are anxious about their child "joining the military" and/or don't know much about USNA. In such cases, it's absolutely appropriate to ask to talk to the BGO -- it is one of the reasons BGOs exist and will not be seen as interference, etc.
What parents don't want to do is take over an interview or start saying things such as, "My son/daughter has always wanted to attend USNA because . . ." Or "This has always been my son/daughter's dream. . ." While it may be true, it suggests that the kid can't speak for him/herself and causes the BGO to wonder whose dream it really is . . .
To be fair, some parents are anxious about their child "joining the military" and/or don't know much about USNA. In such cases, it's absolutely appropriate to ask to talk to the BGO -- it is one of the reasons BGOs exist and will not be seen as interference, etc.
What parents don't want to do is take over an interview or start saying things such as, "My son/daughter has always wanted to attend USNA because . . ." Or "This has always been my son/daughter's dream. . ." While it may be true, it suggests that the kid can't speak for him/herself and causes the BGO to wonder whose dream it really is . . .
2022Hopeful
New Member
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- Nov 28, 2017
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- 4
The BGO for our DS came to our house a few months ago. The BGO first met with me, my wife, and DS for about thirty minutes. He talked through the whole nomination/appointment process and even went into what to expect during Induction and Plebe year. He then politely asked for me and my wife to leave so he could talk to DS alone. We went out into our yard to kill time thinking it would only be another 30-45 minutes before he finished. However, almost two hours later, he finally walks out. We were surprised it took so long but figured that was a good thing. We thought if the BGO didn't like our son he wouldn't have spent so much time with him.
DS had is interview with reps from our MOC almost four weeks ago. We are now waiting on pins and needles for word on a nomination.
DS had is interview with reps from our MOC almost four weeks ago. We are now waiting on pins and needles for word on a nomination.
Old Navy BGO
10-Year Member
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- Jan 5, 2012
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There really isn't any standard response -- each BGO is different. When the BGO interview is in your home, I would presume its normal to at least meet the Parents. I do most of my BGO interviews at my office, often late in the workday. I usually don't meet with the Parents, but occasionally have Parents drive or accompany the candidate (some of my candidates live 2+ hours away, so they may combine the visit with other activities in town). When the Parent is present, I greet them in our lobby , talk with them briefly and invite them to call me separately with any questions or concerns . If I don't meet the Parent, I give the Candidate my card and tell them to have Mom/Dad call if they have questions. The truth is, I rarely meet or hear from Parents ...and that doesn't bother me at all. I enjoy meeting the parents, telling them about USNA and explaining the process, but my philosophy is that USNA (and any college) application is the candidate's responsibility, and parental involvement should be limited to support and encouragement.
The length of the interview does not necessarily have any bearing on whether the BGO "liked you" or not. (In other words, if your interview lasted an hour , don't walk away thinking the BGO didn't like you.) Again, every BGO is different -- my interviews usually last just over an hour , including the 10 minute video we are supposed to show. Some last longer, particularly if the candidate has a lot of questions or is particularly engaging. If there is any generalization, I would say the best interviews are the ones that seem the shortest --If you walk out and realize that its been 2 hours, but it flew by and seems like minutes, the BGO probably feels the same way, and if that's the case, you nailed it.
The first part sounded just like DD's BGO interview but in her case she was done in about 40 minutes. He was very nice and came to her academic award night at the end of the school year and presented her appointment.
Last edited:
Old Navy BGO
10-Year Member
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- Jan 5, 2012
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I like going to the Candidates school to present the Appointments ...one of the most rewarding parts of being a BGO. I've had some great experiences ,including traveling 3 hours to present at graduation ceremony of small rural High School (the graduating class was about 20, most had been classmates since kindergarten). There is often a clear correlation between these presentations and the number of students applying from the school in following years.