interested in both usma and usna

redsoxfan12

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Nov 7, 2009
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I am a sophmore in high school but when I become a senior I plan on applying to both USMA and USNA. During the application process will you be asked if you are applying to both and if you are is it looked down upon, or will it hurt my chances for admission to either one? any reply is appreciated
 
In my experience, it makes the two academies almost compete against one another to get you. Especially if you are an amazing candidate. I know I applied to USNA and began the application process to USAFA and USMA and as soon as I got in I stopped the applications to the other two. USAFA and USMA called me to try to convince me to continue the application but I chose not to.. They won't penalize you for wanting to apply to more than one.
Also, during your interview process for your congressional nomination they will ask you if you want to try to get a nomination to the other academies.
They try to convince you to apply to all academies. This also shows your commitment to serving.
So trust me. It's not looked down upon.
 
I think you should think about your reasoning for wanting to go to the individual academies. My initial inclination was towards WP. Upon further examination though, I decided on USNA. Big reasons were the location (Annapolis vs. Bear Mountain) and understanding that my choices for what I wanted to do during my time in service might change. The Army is pretty boring. Right now you will go on deployments to Afghanistan or Iraq from your crappy base in a poor Southern state. When the lengthy war deployments are over, you will spend all of your time in crappy bases in poor Southern states. Trips to Germany and South Korea will be a nice respite.
By contrast, the Navy offers a wide range of career choices and locations for you to serve. USMC, SWO, Air, NFO, Subs, Seals and EOD are the primary choices. There are a plethora of choices in the Army, but at the end of the day your job is to support the ground forces. The Navy mission varies. Just some thoughts.
 
Wise counsel, marvin. Looking beyond the actual service academy and into your military career and service possibilities is the way to evaluate the choices. You will be in the military longer than you will be at USXA.

I do not think applying to more than one academy is neccessarily bad. Might come into play more in the nomination process. In a competitive area, MOC's might not grant nominations to more than one service academy.

Time is on your side. Check out the possibilities for your potential military career in the different branches.
 
when i was at my congressional interview for navy, an army colonel said "i see your applying to west point as i have you on my list, which one are you more intersted in" although i wasnt applying to west point? but the matter is, they did ask me which i would choose, so you might be asked too
 
ok thanks guys, i'm leaning more towards navy but usma would also be an incredible experience so idk yet i will most likely go to NASS and whatever usma offers during the summer next year and that should probably help in my decision
 
RedSoxFan,

The application process to USNA can being in the spring of your junior year. Online application opens April 1. Also, you will need to complete your MOC or Member of Congress applications by early fall to be considered for a nomination (check your senator and congressional person's websites for their specific requirements).

Good Luck to you.

GoNavyMom
 
Predicament

I am currently trying to decide which one should be my first branch choice. My ultimate career goal is to be involved in special operations. I am not entirely sure but have somewhat ruled myself out of getting into SEALs/ Marines because barely know how to swim at all (would this affect chances at spec ops or even service academies in general because I know many have some sort of combat swim test)?
 
They will teach you how to swim. It may be a painful process, but you can learn.
 
Yes. Service selection for that stuff comes into play 2/c year. That seems like plenty of time to improve your aquatic skills.
 
Just to comment back on redsoxfan12, I applied to both USMA and USNA and recieved LOAs from both. I have alway wanted to go to Navy, but when I went for a track and field recruit weekend at West Point I fell in love. I then, like you, had to look at my profession after the Academy, and recently decided that the Navy is a better fit for me than the Army. It was a difficult decision. I have my nomination interview tomorrow, and I'm sure they will ask me which Academy and why.

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!
 
Just a question out of curiousity...for what reason(s) did you pick Navy over Army?
 
I meant (in reply to caesark10's) why did he decide as a career he wanted to serve in the Navy instead of the Army. I'm just curious as to the deciding factor as I am also currently trying to determine which branch I would most like to join, and thus which would be my first choice SA/ROTC.
 
Well I have grown up on the water my entire life sailing and such, and when I visited the Academy when I was 9 I knew I wanted to go there.

In terms of Navy vs. Army, just personally, I would rather be stationed on a ship than in the desert. Being a female, I was thinking MI for Army, but I just think there are more opportunites in the Navy for me.
 
Your logic is good but there is no need to feel that you NEED to KNOW something RIGHT NOW. As some excellent and honest posts above indicate, choices change. Some change AFTER the MOC interviews, and that is fine. No worries now. Keep doing what you're doing. Research. Learn. Visit if possible. You're doing fine.
 
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