I would like feedback from you all regarding my son's blue and gold officer. Is it odd for the Blue & Gold officer to have a son who is competing for the same appointment that my son is? Is that not like a conflict of interest on his part? How much does his interview weigh in to the academies decision?
Blue & Gold Officer
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usna1985
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Approximately 15,000 candidates will apply for the 1400 offers of appointment (not all accept, of course). Even IF the BGO were biased and thus gave your son a bad write-up, there are still 14,998+ candidates who are competing against both his child and yours. He can't influence them all. 
Thus, I really wouldn't worry about it. However, if it totally stresses you, your son can ask to be assigned to a different BGO -- not sure USNA would do it for this reason, however.
USNA doesn't prohibit someone who has a child applying to a USNA from being a BGO that year -- really wouldn't make sense for the reason expressed above. They obviously don't want the parent interviewing his/her own child.
As for the weight of the BGO interview -- it depends what is said and how well it is justified. It is extraordinarily rare for it to make or break a candidate. A strong write-up can be a slight positive or negative, especially if it reinforces something written in teacher recs.
Thus, I really wouldn't worry about it. However, if it totally stresses you, your son can ask to be assigned to a different BGO -- not sure USNA would do it for this reason, however.USNA doesn't prohibit someone who has a child applying to a USNA from being a BGO that year -- really wouldn't make sense for the reason expressed above. They obviously don't want the parent interviewing his/her own child.
As for the weight of the BGO interview -- it depends what is said and how well it is justified. It is extraordinarily rare for it to make or break a candidate. A strong write-up can be a slight positive or negative, especially if it reinforces something written in teacher recs.
usna1985
15-Year Member
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BGOs are assigned by school and typically are assigned schools near where they live. And, folks who attend the same public school usually reside in the same cong district. Thus, it doesn't completely surprise me that the BGO is responsible for his son's school which happens to be the same school and district for your son. USNA should assign the BGO's kid a BGO other than his dad.
For USNA purposes, it really doesn't matter if they're from the same school -- it's not a competition b/t schoolmates. Lots of folks who attend the same school get appointments; I've had 4 from the same school some years. It's not uncommon for there to be twins at USNA -- same district, same school, even same parents.
In terms of cong district, that primarily matters for nomination purposes and BGOs have no impact whatsoever on those (unless they also serve on the MOC's nom cttee, which happens but is rare and I'd be surprised if a MOC allowed it under these circumstances).
I think you should assume he will be fair with your son and all candidates with whom he works, just as he expects his son's BGO to be fair with his kid.
That said, if it really bothers you, your son can ask the Area Coordinator (sort of a "super BGO") to reassign him to another BGO in your area.
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First, let me assure you that the role of being a BGO is to remain open-minded, unbiased and level headed and to rate each candidate on an individual basis (candidates do not receive a score, but rather are ranked percentage wise and the interview must cover specific topics).
Being a BGO I have been in the position of also being the parent of a candidate, not once, but twice.
Rest assured that as a BGO we are not assigned to our own children. Are they competing with the candidates who are assigned to us? Absolutely. IMHO the position of BGO should hold the same character traits of honesty, integrity and character that we expect of the midshipmen. We do not have access to our child's records or interviews. Just like you, we must wait for our children to share information with us.
Reflecting upon this, it can be even more pressure for the candidate whose parent is a BGO.
Do we as BGO wait in anticipation and ride the same winding road as the rest of you during the application process? You bet! The only difference is that we are hoping that ALL of our applicants, as well as our son/daughter is offered an appointment. The day we find out an exceptional candidate is not offered an appointment disappoints us as much as it does the candidate and their family. And the day we find out one has been accepted we jump for joy right along with you!
Being a BGO I have been in the position of also being the parent of a candidate, not once, but twice.
Rest assured that as a BGO we are not assigned to our own children. Are they competing with the candidates who are assigned to us? Absolutely. IMHO the position of BGO should hold the same character traits of honesty, integrity and character that we expect of the midshipmen. We do not have access to our child's records or interviews. Just like you, we must wait for our children to share information with us.
Reflecting upon this, it can be even more pressure for the candidate whose parent is a BGO.
Do we as BGO wait in anticipation and ride the same winding road as the rest of you during the application process? You bet! The only difference is that we are hoping that ALL of our applicants, as well as our son/daughter is offered an appointment. The day we find out an exceptional candidate is not offered an appointment disappoints us as much as it does the candidate and their family. And the day we find out one has been accepted we jump for joy right along with you!
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See what your candidate would like to do. They can ask for another BGO to interview them.
I also encourage the candidate do it, not the parent.
I also encourage the candidate do it, not the parent.