College or Service Academy?

[pinknprincess]

I have less than a month to decide if I want to make the commitment to serve my country and attend a service academy this summer. I've always wanted to go to a service academy and now that the time is here...I'm really nervous.

I don't want this opportunity to pass me by. Everyone is telling me to choose what I want but what should I do if my heart tells me to pick USNA when I may have a better chance to pursue the career I want if I attend a civilian college?

P.S. Sorry for the long post but any insight into how a service academy grad or college grad decided to attend their colleges would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Maplerock]

Do you have an appointment already? If so, you should already have an idea of what it will be like. If you are just wondering if you should apply, that's different.

I would hope it's the latter, because if you already have an appointment you seem woefully unprepared.

 

[pinknprincess]

Do you have an appointment already? If so, you should already have an idea of what it will be like. If you are just wondering if you should apply, that's different.

I would hope it's the latter, because if you already have an appointment you seem woefully unprepared.

Yes I already have an appointment and I do feel unprepared but I don't want to let fear be the only factor that prevents me from attending the academy. I don't want to look back from college and regret my decision.

Do you know if after the first two years of attending a service academy and you decide that it isn't for you, if you have to pay back the tuition?

 

[Capt MJ]

I have less than a month to decide if I want to make the commitment to serve my country and attend a service academy this summer. I've always wanted to go to a service academy and now that the time is here...I'm really nervous.

I don't want this opportunity to pass me by. Everyone is telling me to choose what I want but what should I do if my heart tells me to pick USNA when I may have a better chance to pursue the career I want if I attend a civilian college?

P.S. Sorry for the long post but any insight into how a service academy grad or college grad decided to attend their colleges would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Huge question, with many aspects to address.

If you choose service academy, and take on the minimum 5 years of uniformed service after that - you should commit to that 100%.

The good news is, you will learn, grow and build a toolkit of executive skills while in uniform AND you will not be teetering on the edge of the grave if you get out in your mid to late 20’s. If you serve sufficient time to earn the full Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can go to a top-ranked business school, med school, nursing school, vet school, anything. They love vets because the GI Bill pays full freight, and often offer additional scholarships. Age ranges in post-grad programs are all over the place.

If you decide to enter the corporate world, compared to most of your civilian HS classmates, you will have more leadership experience, resource management, security clearance, understand how to work as part of a high-performing team, have an astonishing network of veteran-friendly employers and the justly-famed USNA and SA-grad network out there in the corporate world.

The truth is, you can go in a thousand different directions from your uniformed career. You can be a History major with a BS, go Marine, and become a process engineer with a major corporation. You can be a field agent with the FBI. You can serve 24 years as a good friend of mine did, as a personnel specialist, get a veterinarian degree, and start a large-animal practice in ranch country out West in your 40’s. You can become an entrepreneur and run your own business. There are junior officer placement firms eager to put you with the Fortune 500 companies they have on retainer, and get you launched up the corporate ladder. You will have a phenomenal launching pad, lifelong pride in serving and a group of close friends unlike any other college experience.

So, no sweat there, unless you want to do something that’s age-limited.

Now, look deep into your heart. Every year, applicants get caught up in the romance and competition to get a nom, and then the hard-fought race and thrill of the offer of appointment. Family is excited. Navy shirts are bought. Tickets are booked for I-Day and PPW. Your HS is proud to have an appointee. It’s all over your social media. You’re chatting with people you met at NASS or CVW. Local USNA grads have congratulated you at a welcome event. Your Congressman or woman has a photo op with you. You’re featured in the paper. You feel like you’re in the riptide being pulled out to sea.

It is perfectly normal to have some jitters and unease. This is a big decision and big change. Think about why you applied in the first place. Read the essays you wrote. Think about your desire to serve. Does it have to be in uniform? Or can you fulfill that desire through volunteer work at a non-profit in the community or for a cause? Will you forever regret a decision not to go to USNA and try? If your unease is true dread and the feeling this is really, truly, not for you, it’s time to take charge of your life.

It is okay to actually say “stop the rollercoaster, I want off.” Every year, plebes and upperclass voluntarily leave, because the fit is not right for them. Some felt steamrollered into accepting and felt helpless in the face of perceived pressure and expectations.

If you wanted to share your civilian career interest, I predict others will post on how it’s possible after a Navy or Marine Corps career.

 

[Capt MJ]

Yes I already have an appointment and I do feel unprepared but I don't want to let fear be the only factor that prevents me from attending the academy. I don't want to look back from college and regret my decision.

Do you know if after the first two years of attending a service academy and you decide that it isn't for you, if you have to pay back the tuition?

This is a basic research question. Yes, you can attend the first two academic years and walk away with no service obligation or payback. If you have an appointment in hand, and have not read every page, dropdown and link on USNA.edu about what you are getting into, I recommend it.

 

[pinknprincess]

Huge question, with many aspects to address.

If you choose service academy, and take on the minimum 5 years of uniformed service after that - you should commit to that 100%.

The good news is, you will learn, grow and build a toolkit of executive skills while in uniform AND you will not be teetering on the edge of the grave if you get out in your mid to late 20’s. If you serve sufficient time to earn the full Post-9/11 GI Bill, you can go to a top-ranked business school, med school, nursing school, vet school, anything. They love vets because the GI Bill pays full freight, and often offer additional scholarships. Age ranges in post-grad programs are all over the place.

If you decide to enter the corporate world, compared to most of your civilian HS classmates, you will have more leadership experience, resource management, security clearance, understand how to work as part of a high-performing team, have an astonishing network of veteran-friendly employers and the justly-famed USNA and SA-grad network out there in the corporate world.

The truth is, you can go in a thousand different directions from your uniformed career. You can be a History major with a BS, go Marine, and become a process engineer with a major corporation. You can be a field agent with the FBI. You can serve 24 years as a good friend of mine did, as a personnel specialist, get a veterinarian degree, and start a large-animal practice in ranch country out West in your 40’s. You can become an entrepreneur and run your own business. There are junior officer placement firms eager to put you with the Fortune 500 companies they have on retainer, and get you launched up the corporate ladder. You will have a phenomenal launching pad, lifelong pride in serving and a group of close friends unlike any other college experience.

So, no sweat there, unless you want to do something that’s age-limited.

Now, look deep into your heart. Every year, applicants get caught up in the romance and competition to get a nom, and then the hard-fought race and thrill of the offer of appointment. Family is excited. Navy shirts are bought. Tickets are booked for I-Day and PPW. Your HS is proud to have an appointee. It’s all over your social media. You’re chatting with people you met at NASS or CVW. Local USNA grads have congratulated you at a welcome event. Your Congressman or woman has a photo op with you. You’re featured in the paper. You feel like you’re in the riptide being pulled out to sea.

It is perfectly normal to have some jitters and unease. This is a big decision and big change. Think about why you applied in the first place. Read the essays you wrote. Think about your desire to serve. Does it have to be in uniform? Or can you fulfill that desire through volunteer work at a non-profit in the community or for a cause? Will you forever regret a decision not to go to USNA and try? If your unease is true dread and the feeling this is really, truly, not for you, it’s time to take charge of your life.

It is okay to actually say “stop the rollercoaster, I want off.” Every year, plebes and upperclass voluntarily leave, because the fit is not right for them. Some felt steamrollered into accepting and felt helpless in the face of perceived pressure and expectations.

If you wanted to share your civilian career interest, I predict others will post on how it’s possible after a Navy or Marine Corps career.

Thank you so very much. You're post is so helpful. I really love USNA and every opportunity and task that comes along with it. I probably have been pulled in by the riptide of NASS, CVW, and all the YouTube videos but every time I talk about college I always come back to USNA. I don't think I'd be happy with myself if I turned down my offer but I also don't want to take someone else's spot if I'm not 100% confident in my decision. I'm not a good swimmer and the water and physical requirements are the only things that I feel I may not pass.

However, when I think about my dream job, and in terms of a civilian career, I think of something in the medical or law fields. I know that graduate opportunities for these fields are few in number especially directly after leaving a service academy (and I could wait until after I've earned the post 9/11 GI Bill) but I would prefer to go through school without a break in between.

 

[Capt MJ]

The water thing - “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” - Winston Churchill. Act, don’t react. If there is a Y nearby, or community pool, book lessons and commit to pool time and practice to improve your self-confidence and skills. Just do it. You don’t want to stress about that during Plebe Summer and other swimming requirements. You will feel immensely better. Not everyone coming to USNA is an ace swimmer; help is available.

You have some thinking to do. USNA is, in many ways, just a waypoint to real, live service in the field. If you like being a full-time student, nonstop through post-grad, there are some opportunities for that but not many. Medical school, yes, for roughly 13-15 in each class. Law school, no. There are programs to request law school - again for just a few - after you have earned your warfare qualification a few years into your career.

Take all the time you need up to the deadline to make a decision; it’s your time to use. Don’t worry about others. USNA always offers more appointments, with the expectation some will be turned down, and they will get what they need to hit the target class size range.

 

[kinnem]

I don't think I'd be happy with myself if I turned down my offer but I also don't want to take someone else's spot if I'm not 100% confident in my decision.

First, you earned your spot. You're not taking it from anyone. This is your spot, especially reserved for you.
Second, no one is ever 100% confident in any decision they make. Very confident, sometimes. Right about that all the time? Never. I don't care if it's a decision about the academy, a decision to hire someone, or a decision to execute a particular plan.
Third, everyone going is just as "unconfident" as you... even if they don't know it.
I say go for it! Give it at least 1 year.

 

[Dadof2]

I've always wanted to go to a service academy and now that the time is here...I'm really nervous.

This is perfectly normal. If you weren't at least a little nervous there would be more reason for concern.

Do you know if after the first two years of attending a service academy and you decide that it isn't for you, if you have to pay back the tuition?

This is a very basic question. Not to sound harsh, but if you are asking this question at this point in the process you have not done your homework well. Follow the always great advice of Capt MJ and read every page, dropdown and link on the USNA website. There is also a ton of information on this forum. Search for threads about others who have been nervous or having second thoughts.

I can tell you that my DD (current 2/c) was very nervous before I Day and had questions and doubts during Plebe summer and even Plebe year. Perfectly normal for an 18 yr old adjusting to a drastic change in lifestyle. Try to take fear out of the equation and ask yourself "what would I do if I were not afraid?". You do have the option of leaving after two years without owing tuition, but if you decide to go to USNA make sure you are all in and give it everything you have. Listen, be humble and always try your best and you will be fine. You'll be good at some things and not so good at others. Help others with the things you are good at and ask for help when you need it. You'll know by the end of your 3\c year if you are in the right place or not.

 

[Capt MJ]

@pinknprincess

This reminds me of a different situation, but parallel feelings - I had orders to be Executive Officer (XO, the CO’s #2), the first big steppingstone to eventual command, with the performance bar set so high it was almost out of sight. As I prepared to depart my current job to execute those orders, the admiral I worked for sat me down for an advice session whose major points I recall clearly, and have used many times since as I coach-counsel others. The applicable nugget here is, “You will never have 100% of what you need and want to know for every decision, especially the big ones. Heck, you’ll be lucky to have 60%. Remember that hesitation, or no decision, is also a decision in and of itself. Do the best you can with what you have. Listen to your gut as well. If you make a mistake, own it, adjust as necessary, keep going.”

You can go to professional schools as a civilian in your later 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and after. You cannot do that with USNA.

Another friend of mine served 30 years active duty, then went to law school, and is happily working for a veteran non-profit. She runs ultra-marathons in her 60’s. Though she (like me!) may seem a grave-edge-totterer to you (normal), please trust me, the arc of your life can be as boundless as you want to make it.

You’ve worked hard to get into USNA. It feels right to your heart. Go.

Figure the doctor-lawyer stuff out later. If you were smart enough to manage the SA application obstacle course, you can handle planning paths to other dreams.

Most of the senior officers I know did not plan to stay past their initial obligation. I was going to do my time and get out, get advanced degrees in chemistry and do research, maybe a PhD-MD. The Navy was the making of me. Once I had a bite of the leadership apple, the joys and challenge of service, smelling salt air in all corners of the world, learning and growing my entire career, serving with some of the best people you will ever meet, and sharing the bonds of service in uniform with complete strangers - no regrets. I used the analytical part of my brain that excelled in science stuff to good advantage in understanding ship repair and operational logistics modeling, and currently apply it to corporate business decision analysis.

Decide, don’t look back or sideways, get on with life. You will have time to figure out if another path is better.

 

[KYparent]

Nerves are perfectly normal in this situation. I work in college access and many of the young people we encounter will be the first people in their families to go to college. I don't know your circumstances but if you are either a first generation college student, or, like my daughter, going to a Service Academy while coming from a non-military family, you may be experiencing something called "impostor syndrome". It is basically the notion that somehow, someone made a mistake and you don't really belong in such elite company. If you think that may be the case, keep in mind that it is incredibly common and some very elite people have felt it before. This may not be what you are feeling, but keep in mind that USNA was under no obligation to admit you, even if you were the only nomination your Senator submitted. USNA thinks you can succeed and they get it right an enviable percentage of the time. I know of no schools beyond the Service Academies who have done more to determine the ideal candidate who can make it through the program. You may decide that USNA is not for you, but don't make that decision based on a fear of being out of your depth.

I like to use this quote from Neil Gaiman (one of my favorite authors) when talking to students.

 

[Capt MJ]

That impostor thing is SO true. I think it’s the opposite of hubris.

 

[fencersmother]

If you decide to attend civilian college and regret it, USNA will probably not be an option again later. If you decide on USNA and regret that, civ college is still on the table. The choice to my mind is obvious.

 

[KYparent]

That impostor thing is SO true. I think it’s the opposite of hubris.

And it does not necessarily stop when you get to be an official adult with kids and life responsibilities.

 

[KenJ]

I have less than a month to decide if I want to make the commitment to serve my country and attend a service academy this summer. I've always wanted to go to a service academy and now that the time is here...I'm really nervous.

I don't want this opportunity to pass me by. Everyone is telling me to choose what I want but what should I do if my heart tells me to pick USNA when I may have a better chance to pursue the career I want if I attend a civilian college?

P.S. Sorry for the long post but any insight into how a service academy grad or college grad decided to attend their colleges would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

It depends largely upon what other schools you've been accepted at and what major you intend to pursue, e.g., if you intend to pursue engineering and have been accepted to Cal Tech, that's a no brainer. AND you also need to recognize that the service academies are not what they used to be in terms of who they accept, what's permitted on campus, etc. It's a terrible shame, but it is what it is. Blame today's societal norms ... an emphasis on trying to maintain big time sports programs hasn't helped either.

 

[raimius]

What do you want to be when you grow up? (Don't say "pilot," because you can't do both! )

 

[proudmom13]

Ken J. I'm a little concerned about your comment where you said service academies are not what they used to e in terms of who they accept and what is permitted. What do you mean by that? I have a DS who was accepted to the USNA plus two other top engineering programs. Can you kindly elaborate???

 

[KenJ]

Ken J. I'm a little concerned about your comment where you said service academies are not what they used to e in terms of who they accept and what is permitted. What do you mean by that? I have a DS who was accepted to the USNA plus two other top engineering programs. Can you kindly elaborate???

Ken J. I'm a little concerned about your comment where you said service academies are not what they used to e in terms of who they accept and what is permitted. What do you mean by that? I have a DS who was accepted to the USNA plus two other top engineering programs. Can you kindly elaborate???

Suffice to say that when I and several other family members attended there were no rapes and associated courts martial, no abortions, no cheating scandals, the quarterback of the football team was not on both academic and honor roll probation, no male/female gay clubs, male alumni didn't marry one another in the academy chapel, etc. These occurrences are rare, but nevertheless have occurred at the academies. They would never have occurred back in the day (45+ years ago for me, 75 years ago for my father). Good luck to you son. It sounds like he will be successful whatever he chooses.

 

[ProudUSNAParent20]

Ken J. I'm a little concerned about your comment where you said service academies are not what they used to e in terms of who they accept and what is permitted. What do you mean by that? I have a DS who was accepted to the USNA plus two other top engineering programs. Can you kindly elaborate???

Unfortunately I would have to agree with Ken J. It’s hard for me to say as my DS is there, but true.

Unfortunately, in many areas, mids aren’t as honest, truthful, etc. as they are often made out to be. Of course, USNA does the best it can to try to weed out those applicants, but there are always bad apples. Not sure if you heard about the drug bust recently.

Apparently vaping has become extremely pervasive among mids, many academically/leadership-wise unqualified sports recruits are funneled through NAPS, many plebes are doing drugs on spring break, etc..

It sucks that stuff like this happens at USNA, where you least expect it to. You have to look beyond the facade and see what it’s really like.

 

[Hurricane12]

Suffice to say that when I and several other family members attended there were no rapes and associated courts martial, no abortions, no cheating scandals, the quarterback of the football team was not on both academic and honor roll probation, no male/female gay clubs, male alumni didn't marry one another in the academy chapel, etc. These occurrences are rare, but nevertheless have occurred at the academies. They would never have occurred back in the day (45+ years ago for me, 75 years ago for my father). Good luck to you son. It sounds like he will be successful whatever he chooses.

When I was a 1/C, I attended a "Link in the Chain" event where I had the opportunity to meet graduates from the class of 1962. These were men who led infantry companies in Vietnam, withstood the Hanoi Hilton, and in general performed their duties with levels of integrity and strength that were truly amazing.

All they wanted to talk about was how when they were mids they would sneak comic books in the sleeves of dress blues to read during mandatory chapel, blew their commissioning loans on (against the rules at that time) sports cars, and rented houses juuust outside the liberty boundary to party and hook up with civilian girlfriends. Mids have always partied and broken rules and acted in ways that are not necessarily what someone would have considered becoming of a Naval Officer. To pretend that those in the past are infallible or perfect exemplars of moral turpitude or whatever does them a disservice as the real human beings they are, people with real flaws with the ability and courage to rise to incredible responsibility. We should always strive to set high examples for ourselves and for Cadets and Midshipmen, and those who stray too far should absolutely be punished or kicked out, but putting blinders on and assuming the past was perfect isn't an answer. Also, the not-so-subtle homophobia in your post does not do you credit.