Graduate but not Commission. Distraught and Lost.

[Saltwater-taffy]

It looks like it I have come to the end of the road for my military career before it ever even really started. For medical reasons I have been told not to expect to be allowed to commission into the Navy which has been my number one life goal since I was a freshman in high school. Instead I will be allowed to finish out my last semester and graduate and separate. They call it a golden handshake but there is nothing golden about it. I want to be an officer.

The problem is I feel like a complete failure and I have no idea what to do with my life now. I am not a STEM major nor do I have good grades so it doesn’t look like I could get into a decent civilian job either. I always thought I would either do 20 years or get out sooner and use my military experience to pivot to the private sector. But now that’s not happening. I struggled a lot here with managing my health, classes, and my military responsibilities but it’s led to nothing. I don’t get to serve my country and I don’t have a career.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to proceed? Should I try to go back to a civilian school for a postbacc education and see if I can get into grad school or network my way to a job? I just want to start being an independent gainfully employed adult, I don’t want to spend more time taking classes but I’m considering it if I need to do it to get a job. Just feeling so much shame and uncertainty right now.

 

[tanndonn]

You are not “a complete failure”, you are nothing remotely close to associated with that description. Tough circumstances to be dealt, you are going to be fine. Take some time to come to terms with it, start reaching out through various networks and find your new path. Chin up, shoulders back. You and your family should be very proud upon your graduation.

 

[StPaulDad]

You can still serve your country. Lots of federal agencies love academy grads. Just find one that fits, use your clearance and experience to gain a toehold and get moving. State dept for travel? Homeland security, ICE or DOD for defense? FBI for law enforcement? FAA? CIA? Get creative and appreciate the variety in front of you.

 

[Sealion II]

I agree with both comments above. You have accomplished something very few people have done. You have an excellent undergraduate education. Assuming your medical condition doesn't preclude it, you should be able to serve in a variety of different ways. You will always be a graduate of USNA. Take it from an old timer, life is not a straight path, but in the end you find your way. Hold you head high.

 

[tanndonn]

I can assure you that a ton of support, encouragement and advice is headed your way. Depending on the terms of your separation there will/may be benefits associated. Try to imagine what you would like to do, like to become, and put together the roadmap. You need to figure how to take advantage of this “course correction” and make the most of it. Believe it or not, as a graduate of USNA, you are marketable and will land on your feet. Start by getting a complete understanding of your situation and everything that you might be entitled to. You are going to need help from leadership/administration to get the whole picture.

 

[Wahoo Fan]

I don’t think you understand or appreciate what you have going for you. Being a graduate from USNA will open doors for you almost wherever you look. We have an acquaintance who owns a company, and when he found our that our son was going to a service academy, he was very excited. He said he loves to hire service academy grads to work for him because he knows what type of people they are—of high character, ability, perseverance, etc—regardless of major. Your USNA degree will give you an incredible resume and many choices.

I think your challenge now is to take time to process the disappointment you are feeling, and then investigate a different career path that will be suitable for your interests and abilities. Once you have a new goal, you will be able to decide if you need further education or not.

 

[Anonymous121]

I would explore the many options that come along with federal employment. USAJobs has so many opportunities ranging from your typical federal agencies to VA, DA, DoD, Dept of Navy, etc. Serving your country doesn't always mean carrying a rifle in a foreign land. Just like the line from A Few Good Men - "You don't need a patch on your arm to have honor."

 

[Capt MJ]

You are grieving the loss of a dream. Grief has its stages; be kind to yourself. Go see a chaplain or counselor to get insight into this process and help with navigating it. Time will help this, just as the saying goes, even though the wound is raw right now.

You will be a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and classmates forever with those you met and bonded with on I-Day and afterwards. You will be welcomed at reunions and greeted with warmth even until you’re in those classes so “elder” they combine reunion events with adjacent classes to get a quorum.

The Federal Civil Service is a way to serve your country, maybe not as a door-kicker, but one of those who has the door-kickers’ backs. All the big agencies and departments have new college grad programs. You will be a service academy graduate who is already in the system with a basic clearance. I will paste below a post I have often used for those in your situation at an SA or ROTC.

You may not qualify for Federal VA education benefits, but every state has its own unique veterans’ benefits programs. Each state is free to define its definition of veteran and eligibility requirements as they wish. You will have a DD-214 document for your time at USNA, your discharge document, a very important piece of paper. Go to your home state’s website and search for “veterans’ agency,” “dept. of veterans’ affairs,” or similar, to see if you qualify for anything in your state program. They often list VSO - veteran service offices - which can advise you. One of our sponsor alumni was med DQ’ed from everything 2 months after he got to flight school and separated. His home state veterans’ benefits paid for an MBA at any of 3 state universities.

Here’s an example of a state site:

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

Resource for Maryland Veterans

veterans.maryland.gov

Federal civil service has the “Pathways” program for new college grads. Google it.

As a USNA grad, you will have lifelong access to the Service Academy Career Conference (SACC). Google it.

Here’s the copy of content I have often posted about Fed employment - much of it is skewed toward those who are DQ’ed as applicants or being disenrolled prior to getting their degree, but try a search for the Agency or Department for “new grad programs.” They are out there.

Every year, we have applicants and midshipmen/cadets who realize their pursuit of military service must end for medical DQ reasons. There are still ways to serve the country.

Federal agencies departments, particularly the “ABC” ones, are eager to hire college grads who wish to serve the country in the area of national security. If you can’t be a “door-kicker” or operational field agent, you can have their backs as analysts and specialists in cyber and intelligence, in forensics, communications, logistics, operations planning and other critical fields.

Federal civil service has the “Pathways” program for new college grads. Google it.

Below I’ve pasted some info I have used here over the years, in the hope of shining a light toward other open doors.





Students

Explore hiring programs for students.

proxy.php

www.dhs.gov

Students | FBIJOBS



1__#$!@!#__proxy.php

www.fbijobs.gov

NSA | Students | Intelligence Careers

STEM Scholarships | DoD STEM

DoD STEM scholarships are available to exceptional STEM education students excelling in one of 15 supported STEM disciplines of interest to the DoD.

2__#$!@!#__proxy.php

dodstem.us

You can find similar student internships, scholarships, and other programs for CIA and other major agencies. There are HS, college undergraduate and post-grad programs.



Federal service offers excellent benefits and education opportunities, plus the ability to move around in search of promotions or between agencies and departments. One of our USNA sponsor daughters had a younger sister who was a math whiz, varsity athlete, all-around scholar who would have been very competitive for SA or ROTC scholarship, but her Crohn’s DQ’ed her. She majored in Applied Mathematics at a very good school, took advantage of one of the programs above and did paid work for them in the summer, and she was hired 4 days after she graduated college. She is now doing highly classified work for that agency, and starting a fully paid for Master’s at a prestigious university.



If this door is firmly closed, look around for doors and windows in other shapes and sizes which also lead to service to the country.

 

[Usnavy2019]

I would also leverage the alumni association. You should also look into the Service Academy Career Conferences. They are held periodically each year and are usually in military concentration areas. Attendees are only service academy grads looking for good jobs and companies that are looking to hire Academy grads. Remember, a lot of the traits companies look for in military members transitioning out are already instilled in you as a MIDN.

 

[Capt MJ]

For the heck of it, I just googled “FBI Pathways program,” and got:

FBI Internships, FBI Internship Programs, Types of Internships in the FBI

Learn about FBI internships, the opportunities of which you can take advantage, and the unique career potential accessible to students from any walk of life.

www.fbitraining.org

Scroll down to “College Hiring Initiatives.”

Some of the good things about Federal service:
- robust medical, dental and vision care programs in a range of prices
- tuition assistance for work-related degrees and certificates
- https://www.opm.gov/wiki/uploads/docs/Shared/With Crops Academic Alliance Brochure.pdf

- Ability to move up or laterally across agencies

- retirement program

 

[OldRetSWO]

I am not a STEM major nor do I have good grades so it doesn’t look like I could get into a decent civilian job either.

My major at USNA was International Political Science but both GE and Lockheed hired me for an Engineer job - Managing Technical Projects (Program Engineer) based on the High amount of STEM in our core curriculum. One of my roommates was not only a similar major but was a turnback from a prior class and pretty low CQPR as well - he had similar jobs and ended up as a President of a missile/rocket division of a major corporation.

 

[Heatherg21]

First, my mom heart grieves what you are grieving. The loss of a dream and plan you envisioned. Work through that. Seek solace with friends and family and know your USNA family will have your back always.
Far more experienced posters than I have posted valuable info. My contribution would be from the mom standpoint.

Several steps. One, take it in, accept and grieve.
Two, be angry, be mad, be pissed off. Shout it out. Then let that go. Deep breath.
Three, plan. You have an incredible resume and amazing experience and degree with a network of alumnus at your helm. Engage that network, accept how strong and accomplished you are. Chart your new course.
Fair winds.

 

[justdoit19]

Holy cow that put a lump in my throat, @Saltwater-taffy!! Big time mom hugs to you!!!!

GREAT words already. Wonderful pieces to save and refer to, already. Here is my add:

SOMEDAY I promise 3,000 pct, this pain/experience will only be a tinkly little blip on your life’s radar. Nothing but a story that you will share at times, about how you ended up where you are. A story of the journey that got you to where you are. I PROMISE. You cannot know this, or truly understand it, bc you don’t have 30 years of your next adventure under your belt. But this is only one small (HUGE now, but someday it will be a memory….not your sole reality) piece of the fantastic life you will have.

In fact, I just read an IG that was impactful. About 3 ‘failures’ a person experienced that were life altering at the time…but turned out to be the door that opened to her new journey.

LIFE has a way of laughing at our plans. Life also has a way of opening amazing doors, yet unseen. This so by going to be easy. But you WILL BE OK. Pinky swear. Do whatever you can think of, and lean on others, to get you through these next 4 months.

And come here. We got you!!

 

[Hockey10]

Man plans, G-d laughs. You got an appointment to and will graduate from a SA. Forget the major and GPA. By definition you ain't no dodo nor slacker. Your present situation developed for reasons beyond your control; you did not lie, cheat, etc. Those above know specifically better than I what to do now. But their comments absolutely demonstrate that in this parallel universe that is the SA community there are many willing to advise and help. And just as importantly, support and help. Just look how quickly and extensively the "BIG GUYS" on SAF responded. Uncertainty for a while is OK. Shame should not be in your vocabulary. Do your grieving now and in 2 years let us know how successful you have become.

 

[LT360]

Just as other parents have weighed in, my dad heart hurts for you. As stated above, grieve your loss and then move on.

@Hockey10 said it well. You will be a graduate of THE USNA with a Bachelors of SCIENCE of XXX. You surely had to take at min you completed three semesters of Calc, 2 semesters of Chem, Biology, Physics, Electrical engineering, etc. Despite the non-Stem XXX at the end of the piece paper, you did the work. Do not sell your non STEM degree short.

Add to your course your 3 summers of "internships". Your summer training provided you unique opportunities few college grads get to experience. Surely you had leadership positions, problems to solve and achievements during those summer block trainings. Use those on your resume. Add to that your mando ECA's and you have one great "entry level" resume that should get a few interviews. Be able to explain the low grades in a honest way as that will be asked but then pivot to what learnings and successes you did have the Academy.

Use all the resources mentioned above to get a solid resume created, get your online profile (LinkedIn, etc) updated and start knocking on doors. Look for companies that hire Veterans. I know they will say it is for those that have service but you have special cause. One example is to look at is GE's Military Officer Leadership Program. Search for it on https://jobs.gecareers.com. Do not be hung up on the service time. Give it a try. I am sure other large companies have similar programs. @OldRetSWO shared his example. There are others out there.

 

[regularagent1789]

I am a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. One of my partners early on in my career was in a similar situation as you. He graduated and separated. He has had a very fruitful 20 plus year career as a Criminal Investigator. As someone mentioned above, look into the Pathways Program on USA Jobs. Also, check out the different agency websites for their Veteran Programs (aka VRA eligibility). I am not sure if you would qualify for that program, but it is worth a look. As I am typing this, I just thought of another acquaintance who graduated from USNA and separated. This person was a GS-15 and just shifted over to the SES pool.

Keep your head up!

-RA

 

[IronmanDaremo]

If you are considered a 30% or more disability for your discharge, you would fit in an eligibility category for getting a preference position as a civil servant. Talk with your advisors at the school, reach out to various Agencies you might be interested in, and check out USA Jobs.

<------ (Current GS15 civil servant with NASA who got Veteran's preference based on his service for his first position in the Government)

The situation is not at all what you wanted, but it is the cards you have been delivered and you can hold your head high knowing you made it through the school. Now play those cards to your advantage and move on to serve in a different capacity. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and be proud of your work.

 

[Capt MJ]

There is a VA Community Center not far from Gate 8. They have trained benefits counselors on staff. Focus is on Fed VA benefits, but it’s a place to have a f2f. I was in there a few years ago, and a retired Coast Guard chief was the center director.

 

[usna1985]

Let me come at this a different way. Your situation is not unlike what it would have been in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or more. Your time in the military is coming to an end and you need to figure out what to do with the rest of your life. You're just doing it a bit earlier than expected and not of your own volition. Still, the process is similar. You have a degree from a great university and are debt free -- that's more than most can say. Now, what to do with it?

The first thing is to figure out what you might want to do (also what, if anything you can't do as a result of your medical condition). There are many good suggestions above. One thing I did when I was considering leaving the military was to take an "interest inventory" test. A LEGIT career center should offer them (and the assessment of results) at a nominal fee. In my case, they told me that the two things I seemed to like and had aptitude for were the military (been there, done that) and the law. So I looked into the latter and, voila, 30 years later . . .

There are many attractive options in federal (or state) government service and that is a natural outcropping of a SA education. But there are also great civilian options, some of which require grad school and many that don't. Maybe you want to be an architect. Or teach. Or become a CPA / financial planner.

Leverage your parents' friends and your own network, such as profs or other professionals at USNA. For example, no one in my family was a lawyer. But my parents knew someone who was who put me in touch with others . . . allowed me to learn about the profession. Most people are very happy to talk about the pros and cons of their profession as well as the pathway to getting there.

I would NOT rush into grad school UNLESS you want to be a lawyer or doctor. MBA programs typically require at least two years of work experience. For other programs, figure out what you want to do first and then what, if any, graduate programs will benefit you. Your employer may pay for some or all of your graduate education if it's necessary for you.

I also STRONGLY second participating in SACC. The fee is nominal (something like $50 or $100). If nothing else, you learn about a lot of companies, get experience interviewing, and may meet people / contacts who can set you on the direction that you do want.

I realize that, at the moment, it seems like a door slamming shut. [It's also a stark wake-up call to those who think the "golden parachute" is that.] However, it's also a great opportunity to embark on a new path -- the window is wide open!!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

I would NOT rush into grad school UNLESS you want to be a lawyer or doctor. MBA programs typically require at least two years of work experience. For other programs, figure out what you want to do first and then what, if any, graduate programs will benefit you

I second this comment, but extend it to becoming a lawyer too. I saw/see way too many young lawyers who are book smart but no common sense or people skills. I am always in favor of getting some real life experience before going to law school. (It makes law school easier as well).

A lot of good advice above about taking stock of your interests and using the resources available to you. In many ways you aren't any different than the many people who graduate from college and need to find their first job -- the big exception is that you have a degree from USNA , and even without great grades, that is going to stand out. However, you can't rest on that laurel -- I've always said USNA on the resume will get you an interview (as opposed to just being filed with all of those other ignored resumes),, but after that you have to sell yourself.

Good Luck ~