Dreams going asunder?

Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
58
I have done everything that was required of me for the service academies thus far, but I think my shot at this is about to go up in flames.
Here is just of the situation.

I'm white, native american, and middle eastern. I'm 6'4" and 220 lbs.
I'm a senior in a minority school in Texas.
I'm in the top 10% of my graduating class
I have an sat/act score equivalent to a 1300
I have taken every PAP-AP class that was available at my school.
My unweighted GPA is 3.6
My weighted GPA is 4.4
I have 520 hours of community service
I am not an athlete, but I am heavily involved in a nationally ranked army jrotc. I have the most awards (42) including my converted superior cadet award which is the 2nd highest award one can receive nationally. I have done pt and armed drill team for the past 4 years in Jrotc.
I have great letters of recommendation from my Lt. Col. for this year. I have English teacher and Precalculus teacher letters of reccomendation from my junior year of high school.
I have a nomination from my congressman and Lt. Col.
I did extremely well on my BGO interview.
I passed my medical exam with flying colors.
Now here's where it gets interesting. The last part of application that I need, and it's going to kill me, it seems. I pray to god not.

On my NROTC application PFT, I killed it. I maxed out the pushups sit ups and had a 6:39 mile run.

Now for the CFA... I haven't taken it yet and I can't do but 2 pullups to save my life.

I can max out the basketball throw.
I can max out the pushups.
I can max out the situps.
I can do a 6-7 min mile.
I can run a 9 s to 10 s shuttle.
I can only do 2 pullups.

I have friends that are in the naval academy, and they're telling me that there are no minimums and that as long as I do great as I say on the other sections, I should be fine.

I feel that I'm a strong candidate, and that if pullups is the only thing that will kill my dream, I don't know what to do.

Can I still pass with the CFA with these things yes or no?

If I don't pass the CFA, can I still get NAPS?

If I can then am I a strong enough for an appointment and/or NAPS.

Thank you.
 
A hard question. Obviously, 2 pull-ups isn't ideal. That said, if you truly can max out the other areas - especially the push ups, that will really help. I've never heard of anyone being denied an appt solely b/c of pull-ups, but things are getting more competitive.

You said you're not an athlete - Do you participate in any organized sports?

I suggest you take the CFA now "for real." Then contact your RD and ask whether you should try to retake. You do have nearly a month and should be able to add at least a couple pull-ups with dedicated training.

My gut feel is you'll be ok if your CFA is outstanding but for the pull-ups.




Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
Google the Armstrong Pull-up Routine. You'll have to work at it, but it will help you increase your max. I hope this helps!


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
My son went from 2 to 9 over the summer. You should be working on a routine. The only way to improve by practice.
 
Ok guys, I thank you. I will try to squeeze out one more pull up at the least. To answer your question usna1985, I played sports all the way up until my sophomore year. I am an athlete in a sense because I'm constantly hounded by the coaches for football and what not. I'm good at sports, but my total dedication has been Jrotc. Ha, I don't think backyard sports helps out either.

It doesn't make sense that they would deny me an appt. because of pullups since the navy midshipmen pt test is pushups situps and a run. I am totally dedicated to getting my pullups up for the next 6 months if that's my only issue.

I just hope the board sees my application in a favorable light. If what you say still holds true for today's day and age usna1985, I shouldn't have to worry about the pullups if I can do what I say I can.

I'll go to a senior military college and apply again if I don't get in. It's not the end of the world.
 
50pullups.com
I went from 12 to 22 in 30 days by using the pull-up program I posted above. But don't stop when you get into the program because I stopped for two weeks and went down to 15. I am now back up to 20 and my goal is to get to 35 before I go to USMA. Try it out for yourself and see how much you improve. Good luck!
 
You can only improve in pull up performance if...
1. You truly want to
2. You do them
 
The reason I asked if you played organized sports is actually two-fold. First, USNA puts much more emphasis on the CFA if a candidate is not active in organized sports because it's really the only way to measure physical/athletic ability and skill. So, it will count more for you than someone who is active in sports.

Second, if you haven't done any sports in 2-3 years, do you like sports? Sports are an important part of life at USNA. You need not be a superstar but should enjoy participating b/c you're going to do a lot of it. And at USNA, as you know, you'll have to juggle academics, military stuff, and sports -- which is why USNA looks for people who demonstrate this skill in h.s.

In terms of your application, I would actually be more "worried" about your lack of any organized sports for three years than your pull-ups. Not saying it's going to kill you, but as between the two, that's what stands out to me. While it's true that 10% of appointees aren't varsity athletes, the number who don't play sports is probably much lower and some of those may be home schooled or in situations where it's very difficult to "be athletic." In your case, it sounds like a choice not to play sports in a situation where they were available to you and you have the requisite skills to participate.
 
Yes usna1985 I understand. I had the choice to participate in sports, yes. The sports at my school are very poor. Our jrotc is ranked nationally, and so I feel that is justifiable enough to not have played sports. Jrotc requires all of my time and dedication. In fact no-one in our jrotc plays sports. They're just totally committed to the program. If you're not committed to the program 100%, then they kick you out.

To answer your question about my love of sports, I love sports. I play them all of the time with my friends who are on the varsity teams outside of school.

I know that this does make me look weak in the eyes of the academies for not having played sports per say. My parents saw it this way... Did I want a head start in a career or did I want a to live my days playing football until the end of high school? I was only a sophomore and couldn't choose so my parents chose for me. It hurt to get out of football, but I ended up doing extremely well jrotc.

I just hope that it was the right decision for this in the end.

Like I said though, I'll transfer from texas a&m senior military college after they get me into shape. My dream will not die this year.

Thank you for your wisdom usna1985.
 
I can't speak for your JROTC program or your specific situation, although I personally have an issue with an ROTC unit which by its nature should be starting to groom folks for military service and yet discourages those very people from participating in sports knowing this is an important element in becoming an officer. But I recognize that you can't change the program.

And I won't/can't criticize your decision because only you and your family know your particular circumstances and what is best for you.

However, as GENERAL advice to others reading this who want to attend a SA, you should make every effort to play organized sports in some way throughout h.s. It need not be varsity or even a school sport. There are youth leagues, summer leagues, etc. where one can play. It makes you a stronger candidate, provided of course, you keep up your grades, etc. The reason, as stated above, is that SAs want to see that you can manage/balance in h.s. the same sorts of demands you will face at the SA because it gives them confidence you can "do it all" at the SA. The other benefits are, of course, fitness and (for team sports) teamwork.
 
YOU CAN DO IT

I am also a USNA candidate this year, I am a scrawny 6'2 135lbs male, needless to say pull ups were a problem for me. I listened to the advice this forum gave me. What I did was do a "mini-cfa" everyday in the school weight room. What I would do is start with pull ups till I break, a 2min rest, 2min of sit-ups, 1min rest, 2 min push ups, then I would do any machine if i wanted to but that is not necessary.

After doing this routine everyday for about 3 weeks I went from only being able to 2 pulls ups like you, to being able to do 11 pull ups (2 above the WP CFA average). I know everyone says this but the best way to get better is to just keep working on it.

GOOD LUCK
 
Thank you USNAco2019hopeful, I will take what you have said to heart. I just need to really focus on pullups for the next couple of weeks and then strike at the end of this month. I've come too far to be beaten now. I'm in the 3000 pool now for academics and the medical exam, and it's time to get into the 2000 pool with this cfa. Hooyah!
 
Thank you USNAco2019hopeful, I will take what you have said to heart. I just need to really focus on pullups for the next couple of weeks and then strike at the end of this month. I've come too far to be beaten now. I'm in the 3000 pool now for academics and the medical exam, and it's time to get into the 2000 pool with this cfa. Hooyah!
I couldn't do a single pull-up at the beginning of 2014, could do 3 by the end of the week and 10 by the end of a 6 weeks. On the CFA I did 16. I knew my goal years in advance and pushed for it. Your body is not used to doing pull-ups, so when your muscles could probably do 6 it can only do 2 right now because your muscles feel it as an akward motion. Once you start pumping them out you will increase dramatically for the first few weeks because the body is learning to use your muscles more efficiently. While practicing your max when you cannot do any more, start kicking your knee up to do "assisted" pull-ups. Good luck. Try to do 50 pull-ups a day.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
You have 2 weeks to get those pull ups up. While you are correct in that the USNA looks at the candidate as a whole, do not use JROTC as the excuse for not being involved in a sport. As you can see from the current Superintendent in the article I have attached sports are very important to the USNA and correlates directly with leadership. DS is his JROTC's Battalion Commander and a Varsity athlete (soccer & track), along with 4.3 GPA, 2070 SAT and 29 ACT, NHS. And it's not easy as I'm sure you know. Try to get into a Spring sport like track. It will help you get in shape for either the Corps of Cadets or USNA, and it will be something else to add to your resume. And keep doing pull-ups and the program that was posted. Good luck!!

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jan/08/naval-academy-chief-character/
 
Back
Top