Freaking Out

BOA said:
I agree. Make sure it is what you really want to do. I hear of so many who accept their appointments, only to quit. Those slots cannot be refilled. And my heart breaks for those who get the dreaded TWE that would give anything to have that slot. Congratulations on your appointment. But make sure it is what you want.
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:rolleyes:I hate this argument.

To the OP: For what it's worth, out of all of my friends who left civilian college to come to USNA, none regret it. Think long and hard about accepting, but don't let second thoughts hold you back. Doubts at this time are normal. I definitely had them when I was in your shoes, and now I'm graduating in 64 days.
 
Once again thanks for all the responses!

About my CVW: It was in early February, dark ages. It was cold, dark, and snowing. I felt the camaraderie of the company my host was in, I loved the food (weird? I'll eat anything anyway, but I actually loved King Hall and Drydock), wasn't too fond of playing kill the carrier freezing out in the snow and laying in it at 5:30 am, but it was definitely an experience. Slept with plebes in class, etc.

What I mean about my CVW experience is that I feel most applicants go there and completely know that USNA is for them. They loved it and they are 100% reassured on their decision. I didn't feel that at all. But I didn't feel like I should stop my pursuit either.

This is what worries me: When I left the CVW and my parents picked me up, I felt free, and disappointed that I didn't get that "100% I love and want this" feeling. I went that Saturday to UMD where my brother was and the exact opposite of what I just lived for two days. Walked into his off-campus frat-house, sticky floors from the party before, cups everywhere, etc. I didn't know what to think of the whole experience. The plebes were great, and they all said their reason for being there was to serve in the military. Like I previously stated, my family is not military and thinking about being an officer in the military hasn't even crossed my mind until two summers ago.

Perhaps some of my initial application and reapplication was my ego. I wanted to be the best. But as things went on, I really took in everything the process showed me and began thinking seriously about it. I don't want to make the wrong decision. I don't want to go there and say, "what were you thinking, you felt this way during the CVW why did you go?"

Looking at what USNA has to offer for me and all the opportunities and greatness it entails, I love it. Anyone in their right mind would. It becomes much more difficult when you are given that opportunity and YOU have to go through with it. YOU are the one who has to do it. It's easy for many to say that it is ridiculous for someone to decline the appointment, but given such a drastic change and huge opportunity, it's daunting as hell to say the least. I know I can perform there. I know I have the grades, I know I'm physically fit. It's my mentality and happiness. I need to think about the ultimate goal--Naval Officer. I don't even know which path I'd choose out the academy. Probably SWO or Aviation/Pilot? See these are the things that many applicants have that I do not. I don't have that military officer thought that some do. They may know "I want to fly for the marines, or I want to be a submarine officer," but I honestly have no clue. These are the things that worry me.
 
And, part of me feels like I'm just over-thinking this whole thing and I'll do fine and enjoy it.
 
I don't even know which path I'd choose out the academy. Probably SWO or Aviation/Pilot? See these are the things that many applicants have that I do not. I don't have that military officer thought that some do. They may know "I want to fly for the marines, or I want to be a submarine officer," but I honestly have no clue. These are the things that worry me.
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I will be there on I-day this year and I really hope to see you there also. I have kind of the same problem as quoted above. You won't even have to decide that for at least two years from what I've heard. They give you plenty of time to think about it. Also, a lot of people come into the academy thinking they know what they're going to do, but change their minds somewhere along the way. With about 1200 classmates, you arent alone in any doubts you have. Stop thinking about what you'll be doing, and start thinking about the person you'll become.
 
DS had similar experience at CVW in February. The plebes were not happy and DS was not thrilled. He held on to the appointment until May 1 then declined .He did not want the 24/7 of the academy. Since then he walked on as a college programmer nrotc and loves it. Same end result- naval officer-different route.
 
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"I don't even know which path I'd choose out the academy. Probably SWO or Aviation/Pilot? See these are the things that many applicants have that I do not. I don't have that military officer thought that some do. They may know "I want to fly for the marines, or I want to be a submarine officer," but I honestly have no clue. These are the things that worry me."

There are a lot more people who don't have a clue what they want to do after the academy when they come. Not to mention that a vast majority of the guys who want to be SEALs, for example, on i-day will not want to comes service selection. One of the great things about USNA is the sheer number of options you have come commissioning. where else can you go, major in anything you want to, and have a career field as broad as you do coming out of this place?

Everyone has doubts before i-day. If you don't have at least some doubt there is something wrong. I don't know if it's "right" or not but the way I dealt with second guessing my decision was by reminding myself that i wouldnt get an opportunity like this again and if i turned it down i might regret not at least giving it a try.
 
OK, you have lots of suggestions as to how to proceed, and much of it is very good and cogent. Now it is up to you to take this on as only you can determine whether you are up to the challenge. Don't get distracted by what are you going to do after graduation - for most midshipmen that decision will change at least a couple of times while they are at USNA. The Marines used to have an advertisement that basically said... "We are not looking for an enlistment, we are looking for a COMMITMENT!" That is what you have to examine between now and I-Day... Are you ready to make a COMMITMENT to USNA and the Naval Services to be the best you can be and do the best you can do to become an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps? Going into this half-baked virtually guarantees that you are going to have many miserable days until you decide to make that COMMITMENT or resign. It is a tough decision to make at any age, but especially in your teens, but it is your future and your task to make the decision. You have the above suggestions plus the counsel of your parents, mentors, etc, to guide you. Best wishes to you.
 
LiveGold said:
February is a terrible time to have a CVW.
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Not necessarily. If you see someplace at its worst and still have the desire to attend . . .

The Dark Ages at USNA suck. You've come back from holiday leave, you've received your grades which are usually lower than what you'd hoped for, it's cold and dark, you're still doing plebe rates, spring break -- let alone Herndon -- seems like forever away . . .

I often tell candidates that this is the time they really need to be there for themselves, and not parents, friends, etc. It's a time you have to dig down deep and self-motivate yourself to stay. It's probably a bit tough to see it as a candidate, but it's reality.

The above said, everyone has doubts -- everyone who's honest, that is. A few doubts are normal. An overwhelming feeling that this isn't right for you is something not to be ignored.
 
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