If you think about it, whether the recommendation comes from your sophomore, junior, or senior year English teacher is rather arbitrary. As long as it's an
English teacher who you actually had as
your teacher - I think that complies with the
spirit of what the academy is looking for. Why blow your chance for attending the Naval Academy simply because your
current English teacher is a whack-job?
Get the recommendation you need and let the Naval Academy figure it out. As far as risk management is concerned, I'd rather get a
good recommendation, even if it's not in strict compliance with the requirements, instead of risking a
poor recommendation that is in full compliance. Again, it's kind of arbitrary, in my opinion.
There is excellent anecdotal evidence that the academy does not hold the candidate to strict compliance on this matter since there are several good reasons that make getting a recommendation from your
current English teacher impractical. I think they understand that. More likely, they're not even checking.
- Your current English teacher went out on a long term medical issue and you now have a new English teacher who does not know you that well.
- Your current English teacher is an outspoken anti-military, left-wing radical.
- You got a late start on your application and were unable to get the recommendation before summer break began at the end of your junior year. Your junior year English teacher is traveling throughout Europe throughout the summer and is difficult to contact. However, your sophomore English teacher is readily accessible.
- Your current English teacher is technologically challenged and seldom checks his/her email.
As far as the "Honor Code" (actually, the "Honor
Concept") is concerned; although I would encourage people to be as honest as possible in all areas of their life, the honor criteria as instituted at the Naval Academy does
not apply to candidates. In other words, if appointed and sworn in as a midshipman, you will
never go to an honor board because they discovered you used your sophomore year English teacher on your application.