I'm heading into my second year of high school. But my freshmen year was, compared to other people wanting to get accepted into a service academy a epic fail. I had a GPA of 88. I would'nt say that is bad...but not West point material. I look at other post of people wanting to get in. I am no where close to any of that. I'm not a football captain. A president of a club or a officer of any for that point. Im not the number one in my class. I have 18 people in my class. I did football, track, and basketball. My grades were ehhh ok. I am worried about my future. I want to be a general in the Army, or a admiral in the Navy. I love the Military, I love everything about it. I have loved it since I was young. I plan on staying with the military forever, but the only way I can accomplish my goals is if I am accepted into a service academy. So I guess my question is, was my freshmen year a epic fail? I didnt accomplish ANYTHING what so ever. Just acted like a normal high school kid. And I know the service academies dont want normal. They want leaders. I dont think I am leadership material but I want to become it. I want to be a leader of men. Is my dream up because I messed up this year or can I make a come back if I buckle down these next 3 years? Also, I talked to my grandfather who was in the airforce for 20 years and left as a major. He said that getting a congressional recommendation was all political, it depends who you are, who you know, what connections you have, is that true? I dont want to work hard just so I can be denied so some rich snob can get it handed to him. Thanks, all replies are appreciated!