I really can't find too much info regarding enlisted applicants. I'm currently an enlisted AE. Are there any other enlisted applicants on this website who'd be willing to talk about the process? Just confused about how to get the skipper's endorsement, the SECNAV thing and the CFA. Much appreciated if I could get some enlisted responses.
Your chain of command is the path your request will travel to receive the CO’s endorsement that forwards your package. If you have a buddy in Admin or if the Career Counselor is helpful, they can help you understand what the CO’s endorsement looks like on a personal official request package like this, and also help decipher the OPNAVINST.
USNA manages the SECNAV nominations. Your package essentially applies for one.
Read up on USNA.edu on the requirements for who can administer the CFA and the process for giving it. You should have no problem finding a qualified administrator and location since you are AD. That is your responsibility to coordinate. Search for the USMA.edu official video that is a great example of how it is done per the instructions. And I did mean USMA. I’ll look for the clip and post it at the bottom if I can find it. You can find all sorts of clips on CFA prep on YouTube. It is very different from the Navy PRT. It’s specifically sequenced and timed to test strength, endurance, cardio, stamina. I hope you have been training for the individual elements and doing practice CFAs with a buddy exactly as it should be administered, to see where you are.
I am assuming you have read everything in this link and embedded links?
Active Duty and Reserve Applicants page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Wed Apr 28 00:29:00 EDT 2021.
www.usna.edu
As well as every page, link, menu item at USNA.edu? Most answers are there.
Are you applying this cycle for Class of 2025, understanding you would probably attend Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) and be in the class of 2026 out of USNA? Will you be okay on the maximum age? Or are you preparing to apply for the next cycle? The reason I ask is that candidates are encouraged to apply for elected official nominations as well, and I think the deadlines for applying to those for this cycle have closed or are about to. You have A LOT of ground to cover before the USNA application closes in early 2021. If you have a shot at getting it done, then go for it. Prior enlisted are a valuable part of each incoming class.
Is there an officer you respect and like who is a USNA grad who you might ask to be an informal mentor through this process? Your chain of command should be first to know and support, though.
Part of the evaluation process for appointment to USNA
IS the application process itself.
You must demonstrate strong initiative, attention to detail, organizational skills, communications ability, time management and other traits desired of junior officers just to navigate the multiple tasks running in parallel. No one will do this for you. It’s your op to develop strategy and tactics for, and execute. That includes figuring out who your allies can be and doing the work to learn how admin processes work. You CAN do this. Build out a plan and do it!
There is also a chief or Senior Chief in USNA Admissions who is the Fleet liaison for enlisted applicants. If you call the main Admissions number, you can get their contact info. Admissions also has daily live chat sessions on USNA.edu - take advantage of those if needed.
Good luck.
