Does everyone know this is the life for them?

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fisssie

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My daughter is an athlete- 4 varsity sports, 8 varsity letters as a rising Junior. She also plays club soccer at the highest level. She has a 4.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale. She has all honors and 1 AP so far. Slated to take 4 AP next year as a junior. Several leadership positions in EC's. She is very busy.

My question-

Recently someone mentioned the service academies to her. It is something we never really considered. She certainly had not either. Aside from her grandfathers and those much older who are now deceased, no one has served in the military since. After doing as much research as I could and reading many threads here, I get the feeling that most applicants know early on that this is the life for them. She isn't at the application stage yet, but it seems she should be starting soon, or at least preparing to, if this is something she wants to do.

When we watch the video of who is best suited at the service academies, they are describing my daughter to a T. She is very over scheduled,is great at time management, challenges herself with the most rigorous classes she can and she still succeeds. She loves order and a schedule. Is it reasonable to look into taking this path if she doesn't know if she would want to pursue a military career? (She doesn't know what she doesn't know.) Should we schedule a tour or talk with someone? Should she just pass? Any insight would be helpful.

To be clear, this is not something we are considering to explore for her in order to 'pay' for college. We have saved and planned and she can attend most anywhere with little or no debt. It is more that we would like to show her all the options that may be available to her. Based on her personality type, military life may be a great match for her. On the other hand, she may visit and decide it is not for her.

Thoughts?
 
She sounds like my DD who is finishing 9th grade but the USAFA has always been her goal. The main thing she has to consider... Is the military life for her? My DD is very black and white so it will be a good fit for her. If you have Civil Air Patrol or Sea Cadets near you she could try one of those on for size. My DD is in CAP and absolutely loves it.
 
No... everyone does not know it is the life for them and those that do are often surprised to find it isn't.

You describe a wonderful scholar/ athlete. Is she a "leader" by nature or a individual contributor? Does she have a strong sense for service? If she gravitates toward leadership, then she should definitely investigate ROTC and the academies.
 
Hi I hope I can provide some insight to you, I was in your daughters shoes I was introduced to the service academy life by my father in the eighth grade I was hesitant at first and once I saw these kids that were dressed in their uniforms with smiles on their faces and their scheduled way of life and their physically challenging rigor I was hooked I just had to go there I knew it was my path and I was entirley greatful that my father had shown me this life but he always said and keeps saying "I dont want to force you you have to want to do this" and I always responded with "I do want this, I want this more than anything" so if you can, I would take your daughter on a vist and if she dosent like it than she dosent like it and if she falls in love with it than help her chase after it because once you step foot on a campus you know its a feeling you get in your gut. Good luck to you and your daughter and feel free to personal message me with questions.
 
My DD is in the same boat both academically and physically. She is a rising senior. We were touring east coast schools last year and visited USNA after Princeton and Penn. She loved the campus and during the tour really started to think this might be a path that spoke to her. She has a passion for government and service. She will be attending summer seminar this year.

I believe the experience will be a "make it break it experience". One that will solidify her desire for a journey to USNA or she will find a scheduled college life does not speak to her. On a related note my oldest daughter is a liberal arts school and loving it. Her good friend is at USNA and a rising junior . She did not do SS but wished she had. She is very happy at USNA and said "It's not always fun in the traditional college sense but I don't regret my choice." Hope this info helps and good luck to your daughter!
 
To the OP, I could have written that to describe my DD. She is finishing her Plebe year and loves it. I recommend you visit and she apply for Summer Seminar this winter. That will give her a small sampling of what it's like to be there.
 
No, not all who attend are fully committed to a life in the military when they apply and attend. There are certainly some who look at a Service Academy and military career as a life long objective, and they leave after 5 years. There are others that apply as an afterthought, and end up going on to fantastic careers.

Truthfully, only a handful of those entering the Service Academies truly know what they are getting into. I see candidates all the time, coming from a rural Midwestern state, that really have little experience or understanding of what the Navy does. They go in with a desire to serve, and have done very well in both military and civilian careers.

For OP -- DD sound like the type of kid USNA wants. I would encourage her to research and look into USNA. Find out who the BGO for her school/area is. (If unknown, there is a list of Area Coordinators on the Admissions website, and the AC can put her in touch with the local BGO). BGO's are not recruiters -- the decision whether to apply and attend is hers alone, but are an good resource. Also, consider attending the Naval Academy Summer Seminar or Candidate Visit Weekend and see what USNA is all about. (As an aside -- OP DD is what NASS is aimed at, not the kid with a lifetime objective to attend USNA).
 
I think it’s destiny. Mine happened upon a seminar in Los Angeles in her Junior year. Made it to West Point & Annapolis for their summer programs & then the Air Force Flew her out to visit their campus. She fell in love with the concept of a military carrier. She is headed off to NAPS (United States Naval Academy Prep School) July 23rd & will enter the USNA for the class of 2023. Expose your daughter to the service academies. Remember they are the best of the best. If she is as you have described just watch the spark ignite. You won’t have to wait long dad. Bet you get the same call I did. “Dad, it’s just amazing, this is me”. Good luck to you & your daughter BUT GET A MOVE ON.
 
Most of the senior officers I knew, all services, including me, had no plan to serve a full career to retirement. Many of the gung-ho JOs I knew got out at the 5-8 year point. This is all quite normal. No matter the commissioning path, you don’t know if the person you are becoming will find the right fit for the long haul. Many factors come into play - personal/family issues, individual experiences, needs of the Service.

I feel the goal should be to serve well and honorably for the obligated time, then assess whether staying in is the right path for whatever reasons seem right to apply at that time. There is no knowing today what those will be.

I always made a point of bringing up the stay-or-go decision for JOs between 5-8 years, so they knew they could bring it up to me without fear of my being negative or disappointed. The system is designed to shed people at every level, as there are fewer and fewer officers at every rank.

It is not a stay-for-life decision at this point in a candidate or appointee’s life. The great thing is, even the minimum period of obligated service is a superb launching pad for civilian careers in a wide variety of fields.

I just had an email from a USNA ‘09 sponsor daughter who was a surface warfare officer. She served her initial obligation of 5 years and a bit more to max out her post-9/11 GI bill educational benefit. Staying in was not the right fit for her. She is a week away from completing her MBA at an instantly recognizable school (her USNA B.S. was in English, graduated middle of her USNA class, zero problems getting accepted) and took advantage of all the student veteran programs. She emailed me to discuss job offer negotiations with 4 firms she is talking with, three of who have made firm offers, including one who is flying her to Arizona this weekend. Many of her non-vet classmates are having trouble finding jobs or finding ones much above entry level. She was found and recruited by fellow veterans in Fortune 500 HR talent teams who know exactly what they are getting with a Service Academy/ROTC/OCS/OTC grad with junior officer leadership experience and a bit of MBA polish.

People serve for any number of reasons, get out for any number. The key is to serve well and honorably no matter the length of time.
 
I absolutely did not want to attend a SA until Memorial Day WE of my junior year. And then my views changed. A close relative never really thought seriously about it until she attended NASS. When we picked her up at the end of that week, she said, "This is where I want to be." And now is.

You don't have to be committed to a military career to attend a SA. However, you do need to have a desire to be at a military school and then to serve at least your commitment.

A few ways to introduce her to the topic:

Attend a SA info day in your community (there will be lots this summer sponsored by MOCs)
Visit USNA if your schedule and finances permit
Talk to the BGO (one should be assigned to her school and you don't have to be an official candidate to talk to him/her)
Attend a sports camp at USNA this summer
Request a Candidate Visitation WE in the fall (though she'd need to start an application before this given timing)

Most folks tend to have a strong reaction (either positive or negative) toward a SA. If it's negative, move on to other great options. If it's positive, be prepared for one heck of a journey!
 
Thank you everyone for your replies! I think we are going to make a visit in May. If I had to guess, I think what worries her most is what it means to serve. She asked us and we honestly don't know either. I think a tour would help to answer some of those questions for her and for us. It is the unknown that scares her and hopefully having someone to discuss it with would be helpful.
 
NO!

My DD fits your comments to a tee. We are a non-military family, the USNA only appeared as a possibility because DD was on a trip back East to see Duke. Her Flt had her in DC for a day on the way home and I suggested that she visit USNA (she really wasn't interested in any of the other DC schools). She had an older guy on her HS team (a C3) show her around. Recruiting visit followed, she met the Mids ( "the most interesting people I've met on any recruiting visit").

She was very uncertain; held her appointment for months before pulling the trigger, (because of the Mids she'd met).

She liked the idea of defending the constitution, and thought she could do a productive 5years (for herself and for the USN); nothing more. The 2-for-7 (martin-baker) option was important to her decision.

She couldn't be happier, she has cooled a-bit on her Plebe year, "I'm making this my career 20 years+", but I think that's more her own maturation (this happens fast at USNA) than any falling out of love for USNA.

Take your daughter to the USNA to see the school. Nose around your community/her school/her team to see if there is a local Mid there who might show her around campus beyond a tour. Look at the summer programs the Navy offers and take advantage of them.

There is a service commitment, but I'd encourage you/her to try to look at USNA independent of that obligation. Understand that the Navy wants your daughter to apply, thats why they run summer programs and allow students to enroll with an option to leave (with no obligations anytime in their first 2 years). I am 'Just Dad' but I'd bet that the USN figures that a kid that gets through their selection process, plebe summer, plebe year, Etc.. Will cruise through those 5 service years: then its up to the Navy to make em want to stay in.

If your DD gets an appointment -------- jump on it! SA's are the best education deal in the country!--period, full stop. I am not talking $ ( I could, but I'm not).

I'm talking about going to a University that is INVESTING in their own future senior officer corps.-----every other school in the country is selling your DD a product. Think of it this way: What if Micro-soft had it's own university, (subsidized by the US Gov.). The ability to offer exciting career options to students, zero tuition and pay to students; so they pull in the best applicants. Micro-Soft U's mission is to educate SR VPs; CFO's, COOs, CEOs, and other Execs------------how do you think they would approach the education of a given student ---vs--- say--- Harvard. As "Just Dad" I have been blown away, by the thought and care the Navy has exhibited in educating my DD, (way too much to describe here).

P.S. I'd bet that at least 40% of any Plebe Class, has real concern about doing

No proof read on this one; busy day!
 
fisssie said:
Thank you everyone for your replies! I think we are going to make a visit in May. If I had to guess, I think what worries her most is what it means to serve. She asked us and we honestly don't know either. I think a tour would help to answer some of those questions for her and for us. It is the unknown that scares her and hopefully having someone to discuss it with would be helpful.
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Just so you know the visit to USNA is different than other college tours. You will have an info session about the USNA with an former student(free) and be led around campus by a volunteer (cost associated, tourists will might also be on your tour). We found the session to be very informative.
 
fisssie said:
After doing as much research as I could and reading many threads here, I get the feeling that most applicants know early on that this is the life for them.

Should we schedule a tour or talk with someone? Should she just pass? Any insight would be helpful.
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Ours is not a military family. My wife and I attended the BYU/West Virginia football game at Fed Ex field in 2016 and while there, took a tour of USNA. We were so impressed that upon returning home I facetiously mentioned to our eldest grandson that we'd found a school he should consider. He previously had never so much as entertained the thought of a service academy.

He ended up attending the summer session to learn more and came away absolutely loving it--very impressed by the mids, their comportment, self-confidence and discipline.

He did a lot of research as did we and his parents. He ended up applying to USAFA as well, received appointments to both academies and after over 2 months of agonizing over his choice, accepted the USAFA appointment last week. The more he looked into the idea of serving, the more interested he became and the more we considered it, the more impressed we were with what a service academy does for the young men and women who attend in terms of their own development, character, discipline, and overall education.

By all means, tour as many of the academies as you can and have your DD apply to summer sessions. She, and you, will then be in a better decision to make an informed decision.
 
My son mentioned that he was interested in the Naval Academy out of the blue at dinner Christmas of his junior year after a midshipman came to speak at a high school assembly. Hadn't even mentioned it before then (full disclosure: I'm a Naval officer myself, but prior to then he had just rolled his eyes when I would bring USNA up as an option), but once he began to research everything it entails (the quality of the student body, the great education, the service above self, the teamwork, the leadership, the camaraderie, etc.), he threw himself into the process and now will become a Plebe this summer. It certainly wasn't a lifelong dream for him, but I do think he knows a little more about what the future holds because he's been a Navy brat for 18 years.
 
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