Current Firstie (senior) at USNA, AMA

ET3toMid

5-Year Member
Joined
May 25, 2016
Messages
33
Enlisted, NAPS, USNA, Detailer, selected for Subs, feel free to ask me anything about the process. I know this board is very dedicated to score/nominations but I think there are a lot of perspectives currently being at USNA could answer vs an Old Grad (no offense, Sir/Ma'am). Will check in on this thread between classes.
 
Hi,
-soon to be young grad-
would you know how many women were selected for subs this year?
Thank you
 
What was the process like going from enlisted to the Naval Academy? Was there a culture shock that you endured going from the fleet to the academy?
 
Hi,
-soon to be young grad-
would you know how many women were selected for subs this year?
Thank you
I know the most ever, near 40. the goal is soon for gender to play no role in selection, as in there are enough fleet spots it no longer matters!
What are you're USNA 3 favorite things and 3 least favorite things?
Hmm... Favorite: being around exceptional people, being a part of history (I am a nerd for military/geopolitics), and the opportunity to commission (not a common thing many military kids take for granted).
Least favorite: not being able to leave base (covid has amplified this for the upperclass), the PRT (not a runner), and being treated like a kid when I am into my twenties. The good definitely out weight the bad IMO.
What was the process like going from enlisted to the Naval Academy? Was there a culture shock that you endured going from the fleet to the academy?
Definitely. I was also a nuke so not necessarily a "real" enlisted with ship time. USNA is much more 'white collar'.... they have people that come take your trash ... that's all I will say about that. On the other hand, it is super academically rigorous and you are held to a high standard. Someone told me USNA will treat you like a child and expect you to act like an Officer. Very true.
 
I know the most ever, near 40. the goal is soon for gender to play no role in selection, as in there are enough fleet spots it no longer matters!

Hmm... Favorite: being around exceptional people, being a part of history (I am a nerd for military/geopolitics), and the opportunity to commission (not a common thing many military kids take for granted).
Least favorite: not being able to leave base (covid has amplified this for the upperclass), the PRT (not a runner), and being treated like a kid when I am into my twenties. The good definitely out weight the bad IMO.

Definitely. I was also a nuke so not necessarily a "real" enlisted with ship time. USNA is much more 'white collar'.... they have people that come take your trash ... that's all I will say about that. On the other hand, it is super academically rigorous and you are held to a high standard. Someone told me USNA will treat you like a child and expect you to act like an Officer. Very true.
Being a former enlisted Nuke, NAPS and now First Class MIDN, says a lot. You're very accomplished. Good luck on subs. I don't know much about subs...I only spent 2 weeks on the Nautilus as a USNR Midshipman. Go Navy!
 
Are the courses at NAPS the same for everyone or, is there a choice based on planned major?
 
Are the courses at NAPS the same for everyone or, is there a choice based on planned major?
This link provides info on NAPS Academcs. If you select the link in each main section, more details will pop up, including the option to dive even deeper into course links.
The overall purpose is to prep. If the NAPSter is successful and gets an appointment to USNA, he or she is now set up for success there. Along with plebe classmates, they will get briefs on majors, discuss with academic advisors, hear about majors informally from upperclass, have a chance to settle in and see how they are handling USNA academics.
 
This link provides info on NAPS Academcs. If you select the link in each main section, more details will pop up, including the option to dive even deeper into course links.
The overall purpose is to prep. If the NAPSter is successful and gets an appointment to USNA, he or she is now set up for success there. Along with plebe classmates, they will get briefs on majors, discuss with academic advisors, hear about majors informally from upperclass, have a chance to settle in and see how they are handling USNA academics.
Thanks. It looks like a set curriculum geared toward STEM, so probably not good choice for a political science major, for example.
 
They would be great for a future Political Science major at USNA. Every class they take at NAPS will be a class they take at USNA either during 3/C or 4/C year. The curriculum is focused heavily on the Plebe Year courses that can be a struggle for Mids. There are various levels of each course so if a Midshipmen Candidate is strong in an area they will move forward to a more challenging level of that class. NAPS curriculum is focused on preparing Candidates to really handle and thrive Plebe Year. It’s gives them a solid foundation of Calc, Chem, writing, study habits, etc.
 
Thanks. It looks like a set curriculum geared toward STEM, so probably not good choice for a political science major, for example.
It’s a great choice for anyone hoping to get a B.S. from USNA, including Poli Sci majors, who have to survive plebe Chem and Calc and 3/c Physics, and all the other mando STEM courses. USNA is a STEM-centric school, regardless of major.

B.S. in English, Poli Sci, Econ, etc., successfully go on to submarines and other STEM-demanding warfare specialties precisely because they handled those courses well, along with their major courses.

I believe an invitation to attend NAPS is a brilliant opportunity to have a chance at an appointment to USNA, if that is the dream.

The USNA core curriculum is below. NAPS curriculum is designed to prep precisely for that.
 
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Thanks. It looks like a set curriculum geared toward STEM, so probably not good choice for a political science major, for example.
Political Science majors at USNA are required to get through semesters of Electrical Engineering, Cyber, Mechanical
Engineering, Systems Engineering and Weapons (more systems) Engineering. This is in addition to multiple semesters
of Chem, Physics, Calculus, etc.
There is a reason why USNA grads with so-called Humanities Majors are get hired by major employers as Engineers.
 
Political Science majors at USNA are required to get through semesters of Electrical Engineering, Cyber, Mechanical
Engineering, Systems Engineering and Weapons (more systems) Engineering. This is in addition to multiple semesters
of Chem, Physics, Calculus, etc.
There is a reason why USNA grads with so-called Humanities Majors are get hired by major employers as Engineers.
We have a sponsor daughter alum, B.S. in English, went Marine logistics, did 7 years AD and two combat zone deployments, was hired by an internationally known tire company initially into a supervisory systems engineer role, and is now an executive with them. She had enough engineering knowledge to easily handle STEM-related tech issues, but it was her leadership experience and understanding of logistics she was hired for. The company knows what it is getting when it hires JMOs (junior military officers) into its exec training pipeline.
 
We have a sponsor daughter alum, B.S. in English, went Marine logistics, did 7 years AD and two combat zone deployments, was hired by an internationally known tire company initially into a supervisory systems engineer role, and is now an executive with them. She had enough engineering knowledge to easily handle STEM-related tech issues, but it was her leadership experience and understanding of logistics she was hired for. The company knows what it is getting when it hires JMOs (junior military officers) into its exec training pipeline.
I think this sums it up perfectly. A non-STEM major may never need the math or physics in their job in the Navy, but it makes them a more well-rounded and well educated person.
 
For the OP, attrition is MUCH lower today than it was when us old folks were there (~10% today vs. ~25% in the 80s and 90s). And it's much lower than today's attrition at USMA and USAFA. While you obviously can't speak to the past, what do you think accounts for more people staying?

Also, have you found your academic classes extremely challenging all the time, sometimes challenging, or easier than expected?
 
We have a sponsor daughter alum, B.S. in English... The company knows what it is getting when it hires JMOs (junior military officers) into its exec training pipeline.
One thing not mentioned yet is writing. My plebe is getting an unexpected hard press from the History department (Plebes choose their majors soon). He never dreamed he would major in anything other than physics or engineering. A faculty member told him in a 1:1 session just prior to start of this semester that the Navy needs officers who have a gift for writing--who understand complicated STEM issues and can explain them to non STEM people. The Navy has to get funding from Congress!
 
One thing not mentioned yet is writing. My plebe is getting an unexpected hard press from the History department (Plebes choose their majors soon). He never dreamed he would major in anything other than physics or engineering. A faculty member told him in a 1:1 session just prior to start of this semester that the Navy needs officers who have a gift for writing--who understand complicated STEM issues and can explain them to non STEM people. The Navy has to get funding from Congress!
The history department seems to be doing that sort of recruitment. It could be true that they need such folk or it could be a way of recruiting history majors in a sea of STEM. I call it “blowing smoke up your ...” and my guard hairs stick up. Similar pitch given to my DS last year (and it worked!) - my two older sons are Chem Eng and I am an Eng so he’s definitely the odd duck. I sure hope his gambit pans out.
 
All Navy officers need to “express themselves, orally and in writing,” extremely well, as the phrase often goes, regardless of undergraduate majors, post-grad degree or warfare specialty.

Professional reports, evaluations, fitness reports, issue papers, briefings, point papers, memoranda, white papers, detailed analyses, proposals, letters, policy statements, speeches, presentations, after-action reports, investigations, safety debriefs, JAGMAN investigations, standing night orders, etc. - there is a lot of that. A lot. It quickly becomes clear that is a skill that makes JOs stand out from each other.

DS should major in what he enjoys. If he does well in STEM classes, all doors will be open to him. The USNA B.S. is a solid foundation.

Of the history majors in the sponsor alumni family, one graduated in the single digits in the class, became the #1 junior SWO on his ship and went on to become a JAG via the LEP program. Several have gone subs, aviation and a few Marine ground. One to med school at Duke.

Now, if the mid completely envisions him or herself pursuing engineering-related careers post-military service, that’s another thing. Engineering-management roles - much more flexible, especially with regard to SA B.S. degrees.
 
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seems odd to me that any department would be "recruiting" mids for their major program, even more odd is a "hard press".

why would the history dept do that? is their enrollment dropping? are they afraid of losing teaching / staff headcount? nothing against History, it's a fine major, but in a school the is heavily focused on STEM, where STEM is prioritized in admissions and overall recruiting, it's wouldn't be surprising if fewer mids are choosing it.

i know that mids aren't guaranteed their choice of major, but most get what they want. what's next, a History draft to keep the dept alive?
 
In my day at USNA, I was amazed by those who were STEM whizzes but who could not put together a coherent paragraph to save their lives. A close friend is the CEO of a small, highly technical business. The person is an absolutely brilliant engineer. As a favor, I often edit slide presentations, proposals, etc. b/c the individual cannot write -- effectively or persuasively.

As CAPT MJ says, it's really important both in the Navy and outside that you can express yourself well in writing.

My two key elements stand for selecting your major at USNA: (1) Major in something you enjoy; and (2) Major in something you're good at.
 
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