I need help clearing some things up (and maybe some advice)

I deeply appreciate all of the advice I have received from this, I'll admit some of the things I mentioned will probably stick with and be one of those "That's pretty dumb, why did I say that?" For now I'll just work on what is in my control and until then I'll see where I end up.
 
another guy said:
I deeply appreciate all of the advice I have received from this, I'll admit some of the things I mentioned will probably stick with and be one of those "That's pretty dumb, why did I say that?" For now I'll just work on what is in my control and until then I'll see where I end up.
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If some of us seem to be a bit harsh here, it is with the best intentions.

Clearly, it is better to stumble on this forum, than in front of the congressional panel, or your FFR.

Good luck in your quest to serve and thank you for your willingness to take the heat.
 
AROTC-dad said:
If some of us seem to be a bit harsh here, it is with the best intentions.

Clearly, it is better to stumble on this forum, than in front of the congressional panel, or your FFR.

Good luck in your quest to serve and thank you for your willingness to take the heat.
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Totally get it, plus if I couldn't handle some people trying to help me because they were straight forward I obviously don't have any chance at all. It's better to get to the facts than not
 
prospective2019 said:
Bro just apply. None of it is that deep. Take it from someone who took it far too seriously when I went through the application process.

Don't give yourself reasons to start self-selecting out.

And no one bribes their way in here.
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Everyone else made sure I got the bribery part so I'll make sure to clear that from my mind, but I'll try not thinking about this too much until I have to again
 
another guy said:
Everyone else made sure I got the bribery part so I'll make sure to clear that from my mind, but I'll try not thinking about this too much until I have to again
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Actually, some Congressmen bend over backward so much on this that if a Service Academy Candidate's family is a donor, they refund their money so as to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
 
Capt MJ said:
This is a copy of general advice to those just starting out to explore the path to a commission. Some of it might be useful to you.
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This is my standard advice, which I copy and paste several times a year.

You are at the right time to begin serious research.

The service academy application process itself tests for qualities and attributes desirable in future junior officers: attention to detail, executive planning and organizing, time management, task prioritization, humility, perseverance, patience. Take ownership of the process.

If you haven’t read every page, link and menu item on your sa.edu of choice sites, taking notes and starting to build out an extended timeline of action items and long-term due dates, now is a great time. That is your primary source, and most answers are there.

Do the same kind of research into alternative paths to commissioning, such as ROTC and related scholarships. That is a prudent thing to do, and shows no lack of commitment to an SA. Additionally, a college ROTC unit is another nomination source, if you find yourself re-applying after a SA turndown. There will be thousands of candidates building HS resumes with similar stats, plus college re-applicants; leave no opportunity unexplored. Presumably, your prime goal is to commission as an X officer, with USXA your preferred path. It’s not the only path. Re-applicants to SAs make up a chunk of each class.

Take this time to research all five of the Federal service academies, and subsequent career paths, so you can make an informed decision about ruling them in or out. It’s very important to look past the interim waystation of 4 SA or college ROTC years to see if there are at least a good handful of career paths you could see yourself doing for a minimum of 5-6 years or whatever the applicable minimum active duty service obligation is.

For those interested in a Navy career, don’t overlook the Navy Nuclear Power Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program and the Civil Engineering Corps (CEC) officer program (think SEABEEs). These are college programs with financial assistance, but no ROTC time commitment.

Go to your elected officials’ websites (2 Sen, 1 Rep), read and take notes on their service academy nomination process. They can choose submission deadlines, interviews or not, panel interviews, any method they want. If they are having a F2F or virtual info session, sign up and soak it in, so you are well-prepared for your cycle, even a few years out. Stay current with that site, in case the elected official changes.

Apply for all nominations for which you are eligible, including the VP at the DOD service academies. This gives the SA max flexibility, if they want to offer you an appointment, as to what nom authority they eventually charge the appointment to.

Go to the DoDMERB site, the entity which does the physical qualification of candidates. Explore each menu item on the left. This often turns into one of the most frustrating and time-using aspects of the process. Get smart on it now so you won’t be surprised. There are some medications that must be discontinued for a certain period of time. IEPs and accommodations also are off the table at a certain point.

Research the CFA or applicable fitness test for the SA or program of interest. Assess yourself and develop a training plan. Women, learn to do pull-ups. It’s worth more points, and you will value that strength and confidence. Do not procrastinate when it’s your cycle. Leaving it too late invites illness, injury, bad weather, family emergency or sudden non-availability of your test administrator or video person, if that is required. There are YouTube videos on various techniques Google Stew Smith’s website and YouTube videos; he’s a USNA grad, former Navy SEAL, now a fitness pro.

If you are a non-swimmer or not a confident swimmer, take some adult swim classes at the Y or other program to get more comfortable in a pool. Though the SAs will teach you to swim to meet various required tests, you don’t want to spend precious time in remedial swim. It’s a good life skill anyway.

Here on SAF, read the Stickies at the top of the Nominations and DoDMERB forums. There is also The Acronym List on the Home page if you haven’t found it yet.

There is a Search function tool inside SAF, and google works well when you include “site:serviceacademyforums.com” in the string. The same questions come up every year. The “Chance Me” and “stats” threads can be illuminating as to ideas for summer leadership programs such as Boys State and Girls State, and other competitive elements. The SA summer programs in your rising senior summer are worth looking into to get a feel for that SA.

There is no one cookie-cutter magic formula; a class is made up of individuals who bring different combinations of strengths.

If you are not involved in a sport, be sure you prepare well for the CFA to prove basic physical ability, and also ensure your other activities supply the leadership, collaboration skills, work ethic, time investment and discipline learned in a sport.

Don’t overlook the Senior Military Colleges (SMCs), which offer a military-type environment and structure, as well as paths to a commission. Some are only Army ROTC; some have Army plus other service ROTC.

View attachment 9985

List of Colleges & Universities | GoArmy.com

The Army ROTC training program is held at select schools across the country. Visit goarmy.com for a list of these military colleges & universities.



Research the state maritime academies, which also offer commissioning programs.

Maritime Academies | MARAD

Studying merchant marine operations at the university level is a core component of MARAD's education strategy; particularly its essential responsibility to meet national security needs and maintain maritime defense readiness. The six maritime academies and USMMA meet that need by educating young...

View attachment 9984

www.maritime.dot.gov



Create your organization system - binders, folders, spreadsheets, calendars, wall boards, whatever works for you to plan, track and execute. Many apply to multiple SAs, nom sources, ROTC scholarships, ROTC schools, etc.

Finally, stay flexible and open to the paths that open before you. The key is to show sustained performance, personal growth and achievement in a well-rounded person.
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Can someone with more technological skills mark this post ^^^from @captmj as gospel?
 
While I am not saying it does not or has not occurred, I can only speak to my DS (USNA '25) recent experience, bribery is not a path to SA. We live in a highly competitive district and state that sends many young adults to the SA's every year. My DS secured nominations from both Senators and the US Rep without anyone from the family ever meeting them, speaking to them or donating to them or their respective political parties. The nomination process was all run by their staff members. In fact the Senators staff made it a point at SA forums that political affiliation is not a factor in nominations. Control what you can control. You have received myriads of advise in a short time on this site. Digest it, act on it and put your best foot forward. Have a plan A, plan B and plan C.
 
My son was given a nomination by our rep - who we'd never voted for. I was very impressed by how invested this person was in the SA nomination process. He had a committee who interviewed each candidate and that committee made their recommendations to him.
 
Well, i don't think there is actual bribery but i suspect that a big contributor to a congressman or senator could get a nomination for their child.. This may be also something more from the past as it seems the senators and congressmen don't usually get highly involved as they have committees that deal with this. However, it wouldn't be farfetched to think it could happen.

As for inflated acceptance rates, all of the schools do it. One of the reasons some schools advertise is to get more applications even though they never have a problem filling spots. Sure they may want a higher level applicant base but it does create a lower acceptance rate because the number of spots remains the same but there are more applicants. A school that has a 46% acceptance rate is going to be more attractive than a school that is 75%. I think both the SA and the civilian schools take into account applications that have been started but never finished. In any case, it isn't 50% but if you take into consideration finished applications that have nominations then sure the acceptance rates increase dramatically. It's the nomination that is the really hard part. But it's not different than Harvard saying if you get a perfect SAT score, you get in automatically. Sure for everyone who gets a perfect score, the acceptance rate is 100% but for everyone else its 5%
 
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