Boy's State or Navy JROTC Leadership Academy?

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USSEnterpr1se

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Hello! I am currently facing a dilemma on whether to attend Boy's State of NJROTC Leadership Academy.

I'll get straight to the point. I have the opportunity to attend Boy's State with a sponser and all of that or attending my area's NJROTC LA. I'm sure everyone here knows what Boy's State is so I'll explain LA. For those of you who aren't in NJROTC or don't know what LA is, it's essentially a 1 week bootcamp experience that works on developing your leadership skills, physical fitness, and discipline. Every NJROTC battalion sends 2+ of their best cadets to Leadership Academy so that they bring something back to contribute to the battalion. Each NJROTC "region" has their own Leadership Academy and a couple hundred are selected every year. The thing with mine is that Boy's State and NJROTC LA is on the exact same day. I am projected to enter a high leadership position in NJROTC next year and attending LA would solidfy that.

I know that Boy's State is seen highly by service academies. I am wondering if the Leadership Academy would be held the same. I am currently in a pickle. Any thoughts?
 
I was in a similar situation last summer and I chose not to go to state. It’s not something I regret but that’s a choice everyone has to make for themselves. Will a week of Boy’s State look better than LA? Yes. But on the other hand being in a leadership position may help you get a NJROTC nomination (if one is available). So whichever you think will benefit more in the long run. Is there a possibility you could go to a different regions?
 
As a JROTC cadet who attended LA and is the c/Commanding Officer of my unit, I would recommend you go to Boys State.

Leadership Academy is good for leadership, but not much else. The benefits of being an athlete who went to states are arguably much more beneficial than the little leadership experience you might get as a cadet. I was in Area 6, Area 7, and Area 3 for high school and Leadership Academy was very underwhelming for me after Summer Seminar. The DIs still light you on fire and you’ll do SOME physical training, but **in my opinion** the medals and achievements I earned were empty and short lived. Boys state will prepare you athletically and will show the academy you have more to offer than just being a good leader. I noticed a lot of JROTC cadets only put JROTC achievements on their applications and resumes because they think leadership alone will get them to an academy. ROTC is also a safe space for them and they are scared to go anywhere else or try a club with people who aren’t cadets.
Boys State will show that you are well versed and do more than just wear a uniform.

The choice is yours, and the fact that you have an invitation to both events is phenomenal. Wherever you go this summer you will likely succeed at!
 
Sk8life59 said:
I was in a similar situation last summer and I chose not to go to state. It’s not something I regret but that’s a choice everyone has to make for themselves. Will a week of Boy’s State look better than LA? Yes. But on the other hand being in a leadership position may help you get a NJROTC nomination (if one is available). So whichever you think will benefit more in the long run. Is there a possibility you could go to a different regions?
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I cannot attend another region's LA because you are not a member of a battalion that is located in said region. And I'm pretty much guaranteed an NJROTC nomination from my unit (we are a honor's unit with distinction) as my Senior Instructor assured my himself.
 
USSEnterpr1se said:
I cannot attend another region's LA because you are not a member of a battalion that is located in said region. And I'm pretty much guaranteed an NJROTC nomination from my unit (we are a honor's unit with distinction) as my Senior Instructor assured my himself.
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Then I would definitely go to Boy’s State
 
USSEnterpr1se said:
Hello! I am currently facing a dilemma on whether to attend Boy's State of NJROTC Leadership Academy.

I'll get straight to the point. I have the opportunity to attend Boy's State with a sponser and all of that or attending my area's NJROTC LA. I'm sure everyone here knows what Boy's State is so I'll explain LA. For those of you who aren't in NJROTC or don't know what LA is, it's essentially a 1 week bootcamp experience that works on developing your leadership skills, physical fitness, and discipline. Every NJROTC battalion sends 2+ of their best cadets to Leadership Academy so that they bring something back to contribute to the battalion. Each NJROTC "region" has their own Leadership Academy and a couple hundred are selected every year. The thing with mine is that Boy's State and NJROTC LA is on the exact same day. I am projected to enter a high leadership position in NJROTC next year and attending LA would solidfy that.

I know that Boy's State is seen highly by service academies. I am wondering if the Leadership Academy would be held the same. I am currently in a pickle. Any thoughts?
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If you have been a member of the NJROTC for a number of years, I would assume much of what you would learn at the LA would have already been taught to you through the years. LA is just a continuation of NJROTC. Boys State is a once a year event, competitive entrance (congratulations on getting it) and unique when compared to your current resume. My DD went to Girls State and is a member of the CAP. She is now going to NAPS. I would vote for Boys State and add new skills to your resume. IMHO.
 
BubbaCool12 said:
Boys State is an unofficially mandatory EC when it comes to service academy applications, it's a crucial part of being a competitive candidate. I would pick Boys State.
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I would disagree with the thought that it is mandatory or crucial. It is a nice addition to a resume, but if you look at the stats for recent classes, it doesn’t even make the list for top composition percentages.


Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
I would disagree with the thought that it is mandatory or crucial. It is a nice addition to a resume, but if you look at the stats for recent classes, it doesn’t even make the list for top composition percentages.


Stealth_81
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The low percentage could be to that fact that both Boys and Girls State are relatively unknown even though the American Legion has been sponsoring them for over 75 years. A better stat would be to take the Boys and Girls State applicants and see their acceptance rate vs non State applicants.
 
USSEnterpr1se said:
Hello! I am currently facing a dilemma on whether to attend Boy's State of NJROTC Leadership Academy.

I'll get straight to the point. I have the opportunity to attend Boy's State with a sponser and all of that or attending my area's NJROTC LA. I'm sure everyone here knows what Boy's State is so I'll explain LA. For those of you who aren't in NJROTC or don't know what LA is, it's essentially a 1 week bootcamp experience that works on developing your leadership skills, physical fitness, and discipline. Every NJROTC battalion sends 2+ of their best cadets to Leadership Academy so that they bring something back to contribute to the battalion. Each NJROTC "region" has their own Leadership Academy and a couple hundred are selected every year. The thing with mine is that Boy's State and NJROTC LA is on the exact same day. I am projected to enter a high leadership position in NJROTC next year and attending LA would solidfy that.

I know that Boy's State is seen highly by service academies. I am wondering if the Leadership Academy would be held the same. I am currently in a pickle. Any thoughts?
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I'm an NJROTC Commander currently with an appointment. I had a similar decision where I could attend Flight Academy and come away with my pilot license or attend Boy's State. I chose the Flight Academy. I attended LA the year before and would say go to Boy's State. You will come away with more on the board if you still think you can get the leadership position you want. Explain to your instructors your situation and I'm sure they will understand and see your determination to hold a leadership position still, they might even be able to tell you advice which will give you an indication of your future leadership position changing by LA attendance. Boy's State has leadership learning too.
Also, make sure to file the paperwork for the NJROTC nomination. If it's anything like my school, it's just a matter of asking, and then you have the nomination as long as you have the determination and are squared away, then again not many people here want to go to the academy, so it could just be me.
 
BubbaCool12 said:
Boys State is an unofficially mandatory EC when it comes to service academy applications, it's a crucial part of being a competitive candidate
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"Unofficially mandatory" - Source of this statement ? What does it that mean ?

Boys State is a good program, and certainly worthwhile to attend, but the only prerequisites for Appointment are listed clearly in the USNA Admissions website. Everyone has a different path to appointment, and Boy's State is certainly not mandatory.

There are many threads on SAF about the benefits of Boys State v. other leadership programs (including attending Boys State v. NASS). I suspect there are as many opinions as people posting. One thing for certain -- Boy State is well recognized (OP recognizes this when he merely refers to Boys State and then explains what NJROTC LA is ). That said, I've always wondered whether the true benefit of Boy's State to the USNA application is the recogniztion that Boys State is looking for for the same type of participants -- well rounded student leaders...that Service Academies seek.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
"Unofficially mandatory" - Source of this statement ? What does it that mean ?
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Reading posts on the board, one would think that AP courses (especially Calculus), Calculus, and National Honor Society were unofficial mandatory for the Service Academies but they're not.
.
Don't get me started on Community Service hours which seems to be an obsession with quite a few folks. I think that the high schools are telling
them that colleges want/require it or something.
.
Then again, when I was in High School, we were told that if you wanted to become an engineer to take German for a foreign language.
After a career in the Engineering/tech world, I have yet to have seen or experienced something where German would have helped me in any way.
That includes serving as a NATO Staff Officer and working for a civilian manufacturer with one of our design teams in Germany!
 
As I understand, Boys State is one of the few "maximum points" programs a prospective candidate can attend, which doesn't necessarily make it mandatory, but very wise to attend.
 
davy1dave said:
As I understand, Boys State is one of the few "maximum points" programs a prospective candidate can attend, which doesn't necessarily make it mandatory, but very wise to attend.
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What does the term "maximum points" mean? I've never heard that one. My oldest ds was told by USMA admissions that Boys State is roughly the same amount of WCS points as Eagle Scout (we assumed that was a high point amount but no additional info was given). They are the only SA admissions that addressed that topic in an official capacity. He chose not to complete his USNA application so I am not as familiar with the process and terms as I am USAFA and USMA.
 
davy1dave said:
Boys State is one of the few "maximum points" programs a prospective candidate can attend
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USNA has never revealed its candidate score (whole person ) algorithm. Apparently West Point did years ago (it's available on SAF somewhere) and people have turned it into the gospel here. Two problems with that --1) it is several years old and times and things change, and most important ... USNA is not West Point.
 
Boys State was meaningless to my son’s application we surmised because he had a ton of leadership positions already.

It was also one of the best experiences my son had in high school and well worth it regardless of applications.

Old Navy BGO is exactly right. My son looked around at high achieving students from across the state. His peers.
 
Anecdotally...

DC high school classmate attended Boys State, was Eagle Scout, athletic team captain, class president multiple years, strong academics & test scores, all the other data points and multiple nominations...no admission to any Academy. Ended up accepting scholarship to very prestigious private university on the East Coast.

Other DC classmate did not attend Boys State, no Scouting, not athletic team captain but solid athlete, no student government, worked part time virtually entire high school career, excellent grades and test scores, only one nomination...received appointment and is now a JO.

There is no hard and fast recipe of ingredients that will guarantee an offer of appointment to any Academy. The only thing an applicant can do is to push themselves to be the best candidate they can be by excelling academically, conditioning themselves physically, and pursuing those extracurricular activities and leadership roles that speak to them passionately on a personal level. Put forth the package that represents your unique qualities and achievements. It is basically the same advice that is given when it comes to writing essays - write YOUR essay, not what you think the recipient wants to hear. So compile YOUR profile, the one that only you can submit, not some artificial construct that you think they want to see.
 
A1Janitor said:
Boys State was meaningless to my son’s application we surmised because he had a ton of leadership positions already.

It was also one of the best experiences my son had in high school and well worth it regardless of applications.

Old Navy BGO is exactly right. My son looked around at high achieving students from across the state. His peers.
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I suspect this is the case with many Boys State attendees. DS#1 was told something similar by his USMA RC about his leadership and ECs. These high achieving students will likely go on to do great things whether at an SA or not. He recently had an unexpected Boys State reunion. He was in a computer science exam at USAFA and the doolie next to him remembered him from Boys State. Ds was a bit surprised because they were a virtual year and he didn't remember many faces. Turns out they will both be Comp Sci majors and will cross paths often.

What he does remember was, even in a virtual environment, how much he learned from his fellow attendees, the program, and the counselors. He also had a lot of fun! He highly recommended it to his brothers and ds #2 will attend this summer. Our American Legion rep keeps telling ds#2 how much better and impactful it will be because it will be in person and in our state capital. I'm excited for him to have this experience.
 
Due to a cancellation, my DS has been offered a slot for Marksman high adventure through Boy Scouts. It conflicts with Boys State, however an wanted to gauge the room to see if it would be that big of a deal to not select BS. Program details are below...seems like this wouldn't be a bad thing to miss.

"The Marksman program provides a depth of shooting knowledge and experience for even the most advanced participants. This program includes three days focused on marksmanship fundamentals while providing an environment to push participants beyond their normal comfort zones. Our three day intensive shooting program includes: high powered rifles (.223 and .308), shotgun (12g trap and sporting clays), pistol (Sig .22 and 9mm), static & long range archery, LaPorte Archery (Sporting Arrows) and 3D target simulation.

You and your group will shoot: 5 stand shotgun, Sporting Clays, .22 pistol, 9mm pistol .22 rifle, .223 rifle, .308 rifle, and .224 Valkyrie on our 1000 yard gun range.

Spend three days and two nights on “A” Ridge with the shooting staff and leave with the best training the Boy Scouts of America has to offer. Finish your week with a ride on the Big Zip."
 
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