Eagle Scouts

AFAplease

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5-Year Member
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I know everyone has told me this is NOT true but I think that it is funny that I keep seeing this pop up.

"If you are an Eagle Scout, you're pretty much guaranteed an appointment. "
:shake:
-http://www.wantscheck.com/PilotSlotResources/USAFAPilotSlot/tabid/65/Default.aspx
 
most definitely not, i was an eagle scout and didn't get in. i think something like 13 percent this year were eagle scouts
 
Do you think if the eagle scout had a 2.8 gpa that would get in? Eagle scout/Boy scouts is just 1 of hundreds of extra curricular/leadership activities available to spice up your resume. Does it carry more weight than say JrROTC, Civil Air Patrol, Class President, etc...? Probably not. Remember; it's the WHOLE PERSON CONCEPT. The thing about scouting, CAP, and similar; is that they are activities that you start off years ago. I.e. It's very unlikely that you could be a freshman in High School; think, hmmm I want to go to the air force academy; what looks good; lets join scouting and become an eagle scout. That's something you start off in cub scouts, then webelos, then boy scouts. Anyway; there are NO AUTOMATICS for getting into the air force academy. I would say that the "Closest" thing; as unfair as it may sound; is if you were a high gpa, all the other areas covered, very competitive with everyone else; and you happened to be ranked in the top 10 in the country in a particular Inter-collegiate sport. Then the academy would probably do everything in their power to get you in. But that's a lot of assuming. later... mike...
 
It certainly does not guarantee you a spot, however it does help. Eagle shows a significant amount of perserverance and ability to meet goals. I have talked to many people about it, and they all have said that being an Eagle will help a great deal in getting onto a service academy.
 
ALL- I know being an Eagle Scout is not a guaranteed acceptance...I just thought the quote was funny because i've seen it so many times now!
 
It certainly does not guarantee you a spot, however it does help. Eagle shows a significant amount of perserverance and ability to meet goals. I have talked to many people about it, and they all have said that being an Eagle will help a great deal in getting onto a service academy.

Well, the thing about eagle scout and this forum is; if you are reading these forums and are interested in the academy; and you aren't into scouting heavily by now; then it's too late and the eagle scout issue is a moot point.

If you are reading these posts and are interested in the academy and have been actively involved in scouting and are/will be an eagle scout by the time you apply to the academy, then it's a good thing to have on your resume.

Now, if you aren't an eagle scout, but you are in civil air patrol, JrRotc, Captain of the Football Team, Class President, did Boy's state, or any other similar activities; should you feel that the applicant who's an eagle scout has some 'Advantage" over you? Most definitely not. As already mentioned; those at the academy who were eagle scouts is very low. Just like those who were Civil air patrol is very low. My son NEVER did scouting at all. NEVER did Civil Air Patrol. NEVER did JRotc. NEVER did a lot of things. On the other hand; he DID do boys state; he DID do the IB program. He DID do volunteer work. He DID hold class officer positions. He DID play 2 varsity sports and letter for 3 years each. He DID make all state in one of the sports. He DID have very good gpa and tests. And because of all that, he received an early appointment the first week of November and is currently a C4C freshman. So, take it for what it's worth.

So, if you've got good grades; good ACT/SAT scores; good sports; good leadership; good volunteer; bla bla bla.... then don't worry about someone having an "Edge" over you because they were an eagle scout. They don't. You probably have things on your resume that they don't have. E.g. Class president. 4 year varsity letter captain of the team and all state athlete. Civil air patrol. or a hundred other things. I respect scouting. I did it myself. But to give someone a false sense that somehow it gives you an edge is wrong. Just like a presidential nomination doesn't guarantee anything. Anyway, if you aren't in scouting by now and getting an eagle, then it doesn't really matter anyway; does it? Work on the things you do have control over. later.... mike....
 
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Yeah. Earning Eagle Scout was a lot of fun. I had a great support group within my troop.
 
This is so coincidental. Because, if you search hard enough, you will find posts where people say that if you are in Civil Air Patrol you are practically guaranteed to get into the academy. You will also hear the same thing said if you are in JRotc. Then of course, you will hear those in band that believe that their activity is just as strenuous and requires just as much dedication and hard work as athletes and sports do. And those who spent much of their high school years working 2 part time jobs and going to school and involved in clubs. They didn't have time for sports, band, scouting, CAP, etc... But they think that their "Real Life" experiences working are just as important at showing leadership and team work as is band, sports, etc....

Everyone of these arguments are valid. And with passion to attend the air force academy being so strong, some tend to forget that part of being in the military is trusting those above you and the system. For those who have never read the oath of office; here is a link to it. I like this copy because it is edited by a Colonel to EXPLAIN each and every part that you are saying and agreeing to.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au-24/sampson.pdf

The point is; the air force academy has been doing this for more than 50 years. They know that it's not possible for every applicant to have done every possible activity, class, sport, etc... Nor do they want them to. They also want diversity. They want cadets with all different backgrounds, hobbies, passions, interests, personalities, etc... They don't want or expect every applicant to be in CAP or an Eagle Scout or ROTC or anything. They want a well rounded individual who welcomes challenges; seeks leadership opportunities; has compassion for those less fortunate or in need; who are team players; who excel in all they do; and so on. With the exception of quantifiable measurable areas such as academics and sports; all other traits the academy is looking for can be accomplished in almost an endless amount of ways. So while a person should be extremely proud of such an accomplishment as Eagle Scout (You definitely should be proud); realize that others are just as proud of their accomplishments in the band, football, ROTC, CAP, etc... And they too SHOULD be proud of their accomplishments. The academy understands this. None is more important or carries more weight than another. Because honestly; they don't even look at such accomplishments individually. When they are looking at such things, they are looking at the entire person. That is who they are giving an appointment to. later.. mike....
 
I think it could help, it certainly wont hurt!

... and at Westpoint obviously it is a big enough deal that they include it in their profile information.

http://www.usma.edu/Class/2012/profile.asp

Also if you are to enlist in the army I believe they bump you a rank for the BSA Eagle/GSA Gold Award.

Congrats for earning it ... you should be very proud!

My daughter ran out of time and completed her silver, then got involved in too many sports, and never went back to working on her Gold (similar to the Eagle but different).
 
I am an egale scout and I am not in. Hopefully that will change in the next couple of months.
 
ugh...I hate waiting...did you get your nomination and all?
 
I have three nominations. One presidential, one congressman, and one senator. Still waiting. Just improved my ACT by two points. Hopefully that helps.
 
Yeah, eagle scout is not an automatic in. I know people also say that about those who get the Billy Mitchell award in the Civil Air Patrol. It definitely is not, because usually there are a lot of people with these awards who are applying. We are all competing with the best of the best.
 
I have three nominations. One presidential, one congressman, and one senator. Still waiting. Just improved my ACT by two points. Hopefully that helps.
Hey, man. May I ask how you got a Presidential nomination? I know that a parent must be active or retired with pay. My father was in for just over 20 years. Thanks... Ethan...
 
Yeah, eagle scout is not an automatic in. I know people also say that about those who get the Billy Mitchell award in the Civil Air Patrol. It definitely is not, because usually there are a lot of people with these awards who are applying. We are all competing with the best of the best.
I can assure them that's not true about having the Mitchell and it being an automatic. My DS has the Spaatz, the absolute highest cadet rank in CAP, he's one of only 2,076 cadets to receive this award since 1964 and we are still waiting to hear :)

So many things to factor in. Now, it would be nice if it were the case. Mitchell however, will get you E-3 if you enlisted.

Ok, back to waiting...
 
Zeke; the directions on how to apply for the presidential are in the 'nominations' pages on each of the Service Academy admissions pages. It requires your parent's DD-214 and a letter from you...a sample of which are on the admissions page nomination site. It is easy. What is important for you--in planning this...is that the day you open your USAFA portal and are accepted as a candidate--your four month personal admissions deadline countdown starts. So, do not open your portal until you are ready to do everything. USNA and USMA have a set application deadline but USAFA does the four month thing. (i.e. don't be like my #3 and open your portal and then go to Philmont for a month--then there are only three months to complete your packet...not that it takes that long. You could do everything in two-three weeks.)

However, each of the academy admissions offices will tell you...the presidential alone is not enough. Go out there and apply for the presidential at each academy to which you are applying. But, they can only accept about 100 presidential noms in each class. You MUST go out there and apply also to your senators and congressmen to ensure that you have every opportunity--a presidential alone is no guarantee.
 
Zeke; the directions on how to apply for the presidential are in the 'nominations' pages on each of the Service Academy admissions pages. It requires your parent's DD-214 and a letter from you...a sample of which are on the admissions page nomination site. It is easy. What is important for you--in planning this...is that the day you open your USAFA portal and are accepted as a candidate--your four month personal admissions deadline countdown starts. So, do not open your portal until you are ready to do everything. USNA and USMA have a set application deadline but USAFA does the four month thing. (i.e. don't be like my #3 and open your portal and then go to Philmont for a month--then there are only three months to complete your packet...not that it takes that long. You could do everything in two-three weeks.)

However, each of the academy admissions offices will tell you...the presidential alone is not enough. Go out there and apply for the presidential at each academy to which you are applying. But, they can only accept about 100 presidential noms in each class. You MUST go out there and apply also to your senators and congressmen to ensure that you have every opportunity--a presidential alone is no guarantee.
Thank you! So accordingly, you obtain your nominations after application?
 
Zeek, you don't "obtain" a nomination. Your MOC or the VP (or the staff of the same) will review all your documentation, sent in on time, and complete. If they decide you MAY have what it takes or what they're looking for, you MAY be called in for an interview. Then, you will be ranked. That is why you apply for a nomination from more than one source.

Nominations are not handed out, but are earned.
 
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