General USNA questions.

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i_sk8_shipm8

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Afternoon Shipmates and Jarheads,

I am a reservist about to go on a deployment to the Stan. When I return I will be 22, so cutting it pretty close afaik in regards to the age standards. I plan to take a shot at the USNA (even though I don't think I'm quite smart enough to get in, but it doesn't hurt to try does it?) when I get back. I was able to get one semester of freshmen college done, the second one I had to withdraw from due to the deployment I just mentioned. So now you know a little bit about me, here are some of my questions:

1, does what officer path/branch you choose affect what you'll have to study in the Academy?

2, what is it like to be a Marine midshipman? I'm considering becoming a knuckle dragger if I end up liking this deployment to Afghan.

3, am I exempt from some of the B.S. that freshmen will go through? I'm aware you're treated like **** and hazed no matter what, but can I expect to get out of initial "bootcamp-esque" learning how to tie your boots and salute kind of stuff? Not to sound condescending or anything.

4, can a lackluster educational background (GPA average of 2.9-3.2)be made up for by good prior service (I've gotten an EP on every eval past A-school, never gotten less than a "Good" overall on my PRTs, no NJPs, meritorious E-4 promotion), a good record of current and past community involvement, and support from my current command?

5, speaking of education, how are the tutoring services at the Academy? I expect to be using them. Often.

6, what kind of extracurricular Academy hobbies are there?

Thank you in advance.

v/r
IT3.
 
1, does what officer path/branch you choose affect what you'll have to study in the Academy?

Nope.

2, what is it like to be a Marine midshipman? I'm considering becoming a knuckle dragger if I end up liking this deployment to Afghan.

I can't answer this one.

3, am I exempt from some of the B.S. that freshmen will go through? I'm aware you're treated like **** and hazed no matter what, but can I expect to get out of initial "bootcamp-esque" learning how to tie your boots and salute kind of stuff? Not to sound condescending or anything.

No, everyone has to go through plebe summer and plebe year.

4, can a lackluster educational background (GPA average of 2.9-3.2)be made up for by good prior service (I've gotten an EP on every eval past A-school, never gotten less than a "Good" overall on my PRTs, no NJPs, meritorious E-4 promotion), a good record of current and past community involvement, and support from my current command?

I can't answer this one.

5, speaking of education, how are the tutoring services at the Academy? I expect to be using them. Often.

They're very good, its on you to take advantage of them.

6, what kind of extracurricular Academy hobbies are there?

Here you go, https://www.usna.edu/MidActivities/.
 
All midshipmen are Navy until graduation morning, when they take their commissioning oath as Marines from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. They are turned into devil pups in that instant. Their Navy time ended the day before; Marine officer time starts that day.

Service selection occurs in fall of senior year, Navy or Marine, and warfare community. There are some junior year early selections for some programs, such as subs.

I suggest calling or emailing the chief petty officer in Admissions who works with Fleet/enlisted candidates. He or she can best advise on your academic record and timeline. The Admissions phone number is on USNA.edu.

Strong performance is key, but academic ability is also critical.

Don't overlook all the other great commissioning programs out there designed for enlisted personnel, with fewer age restrictions.

As a plebe like any other plebe, you won't have civilian clothes, a car or be able to drink a beer, unless on leave. You will be saying "yes, sir" and "no, sir" to upper class mids who are younger and with zero Fleet experience. You can't "frat" with upper class. Many "priors" are very successful at USNA because of their pro knowledge and maturity, and deal with it all with humor and class. Some have a chip on their shoulder and get into major conduct trouble, when they never put a foot wrong when enlisted.

Find the best path for you, and good luck!
 
All the wickets have pretty much been hit, just my 2 cents here

1, does what officer path/branch you choose affect what you'll have to study in the Academy?

Study what interests you, it won't dictate what you service select (there is the nuclear draft for those deemed qual'd)

2, what is it like to be a Marine midshipman? I'm considering becoming a knuckle dragger if I end up liking this deployment to Afghan.

You'll be treated equally among your peers but the standard for you is held a bit higher being a prior.

3, am I exempt from some of the B.S. that freshmen will go through? I'm aware you're treated like **** and hazed no matter what, but can I expect to get out of initial "bootcamp-esque" learning how to tie your boots and salute kind of stuff? Not to sound condescending or anything.

Negative, while the experience you have in the fleet is invaluable you'll be expected by the upper class to show the rest of your peers "boot camp-esque" things.

4, can a lackluster educational background (GPA average of 2.9-3.2)be made up for by good prior service (I've gotten an EP on every eval past A-school, never gotten less than a "Good" overall on my PRTs, no NJPs, meritorious E-4 promotion), a good record of current and past community involvement, and support from my current command?

Most priors whose academic records aren't up to par for direct admission and show promise of becoming an outstanding officer are offered NAPS to fine tune academics before heading to the academy.

5, speaking of education, how are the tutoring services at the Academy? I expect to be using them. Often.

Among the best, there are many options to choose from. The professors regularly will stay or come in after hours to ensure you learn the material. If they're unavailable, one of their colleagues are always glad to help. If you prefer to study with your peers, there's Midshipmen Group Study Program (MGSP) where usually an upperclass who is majoring or has a strong understanding of that subject tutors others. I'll never forget emailing my Thermo professor at 8 PM with a few questions, ended up coming in even though he lives 30 minutes away, and stayed until 1130 to help me prep for the final. If you're willing to put in the work, they are too.
 
Not trying to intrude, but does the academy have any type of student government or student council? I saw the comments earlier about ECA's and was wondering if anyone knows if that's one of them
 
Only concern with NAPs is still being under 23 on IDay as a prior deploying. Not sure if you can apply (call USNA they have good resources in admissions about this) during your deployment but it may be worth looking into. Stay safe.
 
am I exempt from some of the B.S. that freshmen will go through? I'm aware you're treated like **** and hazed no matter what, but can I expect to get out of initial "bootcamp-esque" learning how to tie your boots and salute kind of stuff? Not to sound condescending or anything.
Click to expand...

Instead of thinking that you have to go through this again....look at it that you get to help individuals with zero military experience become acclimated. USNA is commonly known as a "leadership laboratory" and here is a great opportunity for prior enlisted and NAPSters to step up and lead!

can a lackluster educational background (GPA average of 2.9-3.2)be made up for by good prior service (I've gotten an EP on every eval past A-school, never gotten less than a "Good" overall on my PRTs, no NJPs, meritorious E-4 promotion), a good record of current and past community involvement, and support from my current command?
Click to expand...

All of this is good and expected. The one thing I would suggest is getting yourself to at least the "Excellent" standard, but you honestly need to be hitting the "Outstanding." 65 situps, 45 pushups and 10:30 for the 1.5 mile run is the lowest you can go at USNA (anything below that is failing -- think PFA failure).
More FYI, if you were to hit every Navy PFA standard according to the PFA instruction, this is how one would do at USNA:
-Good: USNA Fail
-Excellent: 74.8.
-Outstanding 88.3
-Maximum: 95.2
 
usnabgo08 said:
Instead of thinking that you have to go through this again....look at it that you get to help individuals with zero military experience become acclimated. USNA is commonly known as a "leadership laboratory" and here is a great opportunity for prior enlisted and NAPSters to step up and lead!
Click to expand...

Definitely! I am not planning to look down on or discriminate non-priors, and I will try to pass down advice on getting through the summer plebe initiation and what not. I think it's a great opportunity to help my prospective shipmates and, as you said, test my leadership abilities.


All of this is good and expected. The one thing I would suggest is getting yourself to at least the "Excellent" standard, but you honestly need to be hitting the "Outstanding." 65 situps, 45 pushups and 10:30 for the 1.5 mile run is the lowest you can go at USNA (anything below that is failing -- think PFA failure).
More FYI, if you were to hit every Navy PFA standard according to the PFA instruction, this is how one would do at USNA:
-Good: USNA Fail
-Excellent: 74.8.
-Outstanding 88.3
-Maximum: 95.2
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't know y'all were so motivated with PT. I'm definitely going to start working on stamina and double my usual run length. Maybe I'll even get one of those wacky high-altitude trainer masks down the line.
 
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