Is it realistic for me to pursue my dream to attend a Service Academy?

HakuValek

HakuValek

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2022
Messages
25
Hey everyone,

Every since I was a child, I have wanted to serve my country, and the patriotism I feel to do more has always been with me. In high-school, I learned about the service academies and the legacy and tradition of each and every one of them, which truly blew me away in inspiration and setting me up for my ultimate goals in life. As I progressed through high-school, I was a great student until my 3rd year, where I began to fizzle out from family loss, divorce and a negative environment, this dwindled my grades and resulted in failing a class, and less than mediocre grades when I graduated in 2021 with a 2.8 GPA due to my one semester as a Junior. Once I came out of this phase, I knew my desire to serve was still there, so I started the process of enlisting within the Air Force to not do college, do the bare-minimum and accept my benefits, that was a poor mindset for someone who wanted so much more, I knew I could never be like anyone who attend any of the academies, because I, all my life have felt lesser than everyone else. Flashforward a year in my enlisting process, I see Air Force ROTC at a nearby college come up, and since I’ve always wanted to serve, and ultimately, become a pilot, I dropped the enlisting process and entered college on a whim. In a positive environment, I excelled and became the top of my class this year within my unit. I kept great grades and GPA until one Professor did not let me take his final, because of some major-technical issues on his grading-computer, which I’m still trying to fight today. It did slightly hurt my GPA and ruined my motivation-train, and I have yet to take my ACT/SAT due to my high school not offering them, I attended a virtual-online school. With all this said, and being 20 years old as of now, is it realistic for me to pursue my dream of attending a Service Academy? Even if I fight for an amazing college record from here on out, get competitive ACT/SAT scores, and continue to do well in Air Force ROTC? I have never been to academically sound, but have been an Eagle Scout, Lt. Col within the Civil Air Patrol, and am currently a founder of a non-profit humanitarian-relief group who have ‘deployed’ to Ukraine and Poland twice in aid. Various clubs, led and coordinated -national Military/CAP type events, been selected for prestigious competitions and all that, that did not rely on my grades, but me, as a leader and my person, that is my strongest trait. That has been my main focus for the past 2 years, and in my early-high school years I prioritized and focused on helping others, volunteering and ensuring people during the pandemic we’re healthy, I put all this over myself, resulting in my grades, which I deeply regret compared to many people who excel in high-school. I've only ever really known failure, which I feel most people have not, which I don't take as a negative, but a huge, huge maturity and life-lesson, especially to someone like me. To pay for school, I still want to pursue my enlisted route whilst doing ROTC, to be able to serve now, keep my head on my shoulders and learn valuable life-experience within the Air Force.

I’m sorry for the wall of text, yet I’m a very lost and unsure dude right now. Should I not even consider an Academy anymore? Is it a worthless effort considering my past? Now I’m willing to work my ass off, and do whatever it possibly takes to get there, but from anyone's perspective, is it realistic and not a waste of time and effort? Thank you, so, so, so much anyone that has read all of this, it means the world.
 
No effort you make pursuing something important to you is wasted or worthless. Regardless of the outcome you grow and learn.

Tell your story. Make no excuses. Accept any failings or shortcomings. You are able to articulate well and are being self reflective which is a great character trait.

Make a plan. Make them tell you no.
 
Hold on, guy. . . you've got a lot of things going for you right now. You should not give up, in my opinion.
I've heard this before and I'll say it again: No SA candidate is perfect, and the admissions offices expect that. Of course, you have some hard work and grinding ahead of you in the next year, but don't discredit your past. From what you have told me, you have overcome a really hard family situation, one that others are fortunate to not have had; that shows grit. You started the enlisting process but switched to ROTC, which shows a sustained desire to serve.

I think your chances at admission really have a lot riding on how you tell your personal statement: Talk about your hardships, not in a way of asking admissions for sympathy (and to be clear, I do not think you are doing this by any stretch), but by telling your story as it is, and how you worked hard to overcome it. You clearly didn't graduate and just 'do nothing'. A non-profit??? That's huge! You also say you put others before yourself after graduation. This is huge as well. It's good to see you are a fellow Eagle Scout!

Right now, you look like you are running against the clock. If you are 20 now, you have one, maybe two admissions cycles ahead of you to apply within, before you are 22. Re-applicants are well regarded. Work hard in that time. I personally set my goal a little late in this admissions cycle, not taking my first SAT until September (Khan Academy's free 'tutoring' is a life saver), and doing my first varsity sports season in the fall of my senior year. If I don't get into any of my applied SAs this year, than I will try again, and again. And even if I never get in, and if you never get in, we'll still have one hell of a self-improvement/resume building bout to show for it.

Keep me updated. I'm rooting for you.
 
YES, one of my sons is now a cadet at West Point. His roommate last semester was prior service an worked for five years to get to West Point. Many need that extra year at a SA prep school. Whatever it takes - if you want it badly - make it happen! Work hard towards your goals. Tell your story, which is compelling. If you give it 100% and still don’t make it you will be all the better for it and never look back wishing you had tried a little bit more - and wonder. Gen. Patton was not a great academic scholar. He did his “rat year” at VMI, then got accepted to West Point, had to repeat his plebe year due to academic failure - three hard plebe years (VMI & West Point) but he hung in there. Most cadets would NOT want to repeat a plebe year! But, for him the prize was worth it. And, he didn’t do too bad in his military career. If you want it - go for it! Good luck and thank you for your willingness to serve.
 
Yes, you should absolutely still pursue your dream. I am 20 years old as well with the dream of attending USNA. I hadn't learned about the service academies until midway through my junior year of high school. By then, I hadn't taken any AP or honors classes, hadn't yet played one year of sports, or had done anything spectacular leadership-wise. To make matters worse, STEM was my weakest point academics-wise and all SAs prioritize STEM. I was a very average and mediocre student and I knew I had very little chance of receiving an appointment. It didn't stop me from applying to the C/O 2025 anyway.

I received a TWE, but I didn't let that bring me down. To me, I was a failure in high school but I was utterly determined to grow from that failure and excel as best as I can in college. I knew what I needed to do to better my chances for a reapplication. I attended my local university, took plebe-level classes, and became proactive with leadership and extracurriculars. I still struggled in those STEM classes but I pushed myself to do well in them because that's what I needed to do to give myself a shot at achieving my goal. Fast-forward to now, I'm waiting to receive results on my application while getting ready for my second semester of sophomore year. I understand that I'm nearly halfway through college and I would have to restart all over again if I am accepted into USNA. I am perfectly okay with that. I don't look at these past two years as a waste, but instead as a stepping stone toward my goal. These past two years are helping me get to where I want to be.

If I were to get TWE this cycle then I am 100% willing to apply again next year, as a junior college, only one year away from graduating. You can argue that it might be better for me to apply to OCS instead at that point in my life because, at the end of the day, I want to become a Naval Officer first and foremost. But I have no problems with being a 21-year-old freshman at USNA and become an officer at 25 as opposed to 22. The Naval Academy is where I want to be with all of my heart and I will keep trying to receive an appointment with relentless pursuit. I am okay with being older than most of my class if accepted. I am okay with having a 2 or 3-year "late start" compared to other officers who would be my age. I've heard several stories of 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th-time reapplicants getting in and having successful careers afterward. If it didn't stop them, why should it stop me?

I understand that due to how I squandered my high school years, I have to climb a mountain to achieve my goal. I understand I have big obstacles in front of me. While I strive to overcome these obstacles, it's important to ensure that I do not let myself become an obstacle in my own path. If attending a service academy is your dream then you should persevere for it and no matter what, don't let your ownself become an obstacle in your path. You have an incredible story to tell and I can tell you are a unique individual. Let's pursue our dreams and scale this mountain, my brother!
 
HakuValek said:
Hey everyone,

Every since I was a child, I have wanted to serve my country, and the patriotism I feel to do more has always been with me. In high-school, I learned about the service academies and the legacy and tradition of each and every one of them, which truly blew me away in inspiration and setting me up for my ultimate goals in life. As I progressed through high-school, I was a great student until my 3rd year, where I began to fizzle out from family loss, divorce and a negative environment, this dwindled my grades and resulted in failing a class, and less than mediocre grades when I graduated in 2021 with a 2.8 GPA due to my one semester as a Junior. Once I came out of this phase, I knew my desire to serve was still there, so I started the process of enlisting within the Air Force to not do college, do the bare-minimum and accept my benefits, that was a poor mindset for someone who wanted so much more, I knew I could never be like anyone who attend any of the academies, because I, all my life have felt lesser than everyone else. Flashforward a year in my enlisting process, I see Air Force ROTC at a nearby college come up, and since I’ve always wanted to serve, and ultimately, become a pilot, I dropped the enlisting process and entered college on a whim. In a positive environment, I excelled and became the top of my class this year within my unit. I kept great grades and GPA until one Professor did not let me take his final, because of some major-technical issues on his grading-computer, which I’m still trying to fight today. It did slightly hurt my GPA and ruined my motivation-train, and I have yet to take my ACT/SAT due to my high school not offering them, I attended a virtual-online school. With all this said, and being 20 years old as of now, is it realistic for me to pursue my dream of attending a Service Academy? Even if I fight for an amazing college record from here on out, get competitive ACT/SAT scores, and continue to do well in Air Force ROTC? I have never been to academically sound, but have been an Eagle Scout, Lt. Col within the Civil Air Patrol, and am currently a founder of a non-profit humanitarian-relief group who have ‘deployed’ to Ukraine and Poland twice in aid. Various clubs, led and coordinated -national Military/CAP type events, been selected for prestigious competitions and all that, that did not rely on my grades, but me, as a leader and my person, that is my strongest trait. That has been my main focus for the past 2 years, and in my early-high school years I prioritized and focused on helping others, volunteering and ensuring people during the pandemic we’re healthy, I put all this over myself, resulting in my grades, which I deeply regret compared to many people who excel in high-school. I've only ever really known failure, which I feel most people have not, which I don't take as a negative, but a huge, huge maturity and life-lesson, especially to someone like me. To pay for school, I still want to pursue my enlisted route whilst doing ROTC, to be able to serve now, keep my head on my shoulders and learn valuable life-experience within the Air Force.

I’m sorry for the wall of text, yet I’m a very lost and unsure dude right now. Should I not even consider an Academy anymore? Is it a worthless effort considering my past? Now I’m willing to work my ass off, and do whatever it possibly takes to get there, but from anyone's perspective, is it realistic and not a waste of time and effort? Thank you, so, so, so much anyone that has read all of this, it means the world.
Click to expand...
Respectfully, I don’t get the ‘should I even try’ mentality. THAT is your biggest hinderance, imo, to an appointment.

Why would you even ask that? If you want it badly, like you say, why would you even wonder? And if you respond to yourself that ‘it’s too much effort if I won’t even get an appointment’, then you are not they type of personality that will succeed in the SA environment, and beyond in service.

Find a way or make one. Tenacity. Don’t give up the ship. Those aren’t just words, they are core values that make a successful Officer. And it’s what we try and witness in a candidate interview. GRIT. No excuses. Make them say no.

Only you can decide if you want it bad enough. BUT, like heather21 said…we grow from everything we do. There are no guarantees, it’s up to you. The process is grueling, but the difference I saw in my own 3 boys who applied (2 appointed, one not) was huge. My one who didn’t get in is successful in the ANG. I believe, in part, from the SA/ROTC application process.

Only you can decide. Good luck to you!!!

Adding this piece: sometimes, I think readers here think they have to be the best of the best of the best of the best. Whatever ‘best’ is. And read these amazing resumes and think they CANNOT compete. Truth is, you have to be the one to initially win the slate (true, others go to a NWL). If you are the ‘best’ of the slate? You have a good chance of an appointment (assuming fully qualified). And you don’t know your competition on the slate, either. Or what the MOC values. SA’s are looking for someone that can be developed into a future officer. There are many pieces to that. It’s not alllllll about the grades. And it’s why the whole person is looked at. What do YOU bring to the table??
 
Last edited:
.
I’m rooting for you … Yes work hard …

Report back and keep us up to date on your progress.

The harder you work … you’ll see more doors opening …
.
 
Heatherg21 said:
No effort you make pursuing something important to you is wasted or worthless. Regardless of the outcome you grow and learn.

Tell your story. Make no excuses. Accept any failings or shortcomings. You are able to articulate well and are being self reflective which is a great character trait.

Make a plan. Make them tell you no.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Tell your story has stuck with me.

It has been a monumentally great read from everyone on the forum. I've adapted the mindset of it is only a matter of time before I do attend or shoot for officer-hood. The only anchor is myself, so I thank you for your feedback and help.
 
quinn.d.tv said:
Hold on, guy. . . you've got a lot of things going for you right now. You should not give up, in my opinion.
I've heard this before and I'll say it again: No SA candidate is perfect, and the admissions offices expect that. Of course, you have some hard work and grinding ahead of you in the next year, but don't discredit your past. From what you have told me, you have overcome a really hard family situation, one that others are fortunate to not have had; that shows grit. You started the enlisting process but switched to ROTC, which shows a sustained desire to serve.

I think your chances at admission really have a lot riding on how you tell your personal statement: Talk about your hardships, not in a way of asking admissions for sympathy (and to be clear, I do not think you are doing this by any stretch), but by telling your story as it is, and how you worked hard to overcome it. You clearly didn't graduate and just 'do nothing'. A non-profit??? That's huge! You also say you put others before yourself after graduation. This is huge as well. It's good to see you are a fellow Eagle Scout!

Right now, you look like you are running against the clock. If you are 20 now, you have one, maybe two admissions cycles ahead of you to apply within, before you are 22. Re-applicants are well regarded. Work hard in that time. I personally set my goal a little late in this admissions cycle, not taking my first SAT until September (Khan Academy's free 'tutoring' is a life saver), and doing my first varsity sports season in the fall of my senior year. If I don't get into any of my applied SAs this year, than I will try again, and again. And even if I never get in, and if you never get in, we'll still have one hell of a self-improvement/resume building bout to show for it.

Keep me updated. I'm rooting for you.
Click to expand...
You're absolutely right. No candidate is perfect. I definitely plan to climb the mountain and do what I possibly can. On your point of sympathy, obviously I don't want that whatsoever, more or less I don't think it is an excuse, I do think at-least, the grit and overcoming what I did has played a very vital role in my life, especially as someone who desires to serve others, both within and out of a military setting, and providing more to people than what people can provide to me.

I also think that while the academies, specifically USAFA and USNA are important and are dreams of mine, becoming an officer is the number one priority regardless, and that means serving and making change quicker in peoples lives. If I can't attend nor am appointed for C/O 28 or Prep 29', I'd love to stick on my Air Force ROTC route and contract, but if life plays out, and I have the ability to work even harder for a slot, I'd absolutely shoot for it again. Thank you, truly for the kind words and reality check, that's what has been keeping me moving forward. I hope the best for you as-well, and don't forget, we are all in this together, regardless of the year or cycle. I'll be cheering you on as-well, I'd love for you to also keep me updated here in the following months. This school year and summer will be the absolute grind, but, the beginning of a new chapter is 100% worth it.
 
MarTac said:
YES, one of my sons is now a cadet at West Point. His roommate last semester was prior service an worked for five years to get to West Point. Many need that extra year at a SA prep school. Whatever it takes - if you want it badly - make it happen! Work hard towards your goals. Tell your story, which is compelling. If you give it 100% and still don’t make it you will be all the better for it and never look back wishing you had tried a little bit more - and wonder. Gen. Patton was not a great academic scholar. He did his “rat year” at VMI, then got accepted to West Point, had to repeat his plebe year due to academic failure - three hard plebe years (VMI & West Point) but he hung in there. Most cadets would NOT want to repeat a plebe year! But, for him the prize was worth it. And, he didn’t do too bad in his military career. If you want it - go for it! Good luck and thank you for your willingness to serve.
Click to expand...
Congratulations to your DS! That's an amazing story. It is always excellent to see people who strive for their dreams and achieve them, especially as someone as decorated and inspirational as Gen. Patton, it really makes a down to Earth experience and realistic. Thank you for the inspiration and kindness, I appreciate it. I'll keep you updated.
 
THParent said:
You may be spot on there. You should quit. It's probably too hard.

You could also just suck it up and quit making excuses. Sometimes the best and worst part of life is the choice being yours.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the wake-up call. Discipline is the key to success. Nothing good comes out of an easy life or route.
 
Dragomir said:
Yes, you should absolutely still pursue your dream. I am 20 years old as well with the dream of attending USNA. I hadn't learned about the service academies until midway through my junior year of high school. By then, I hadn't taken any AP or honors classes, hadn't yet played one year of sports, or had done anything spectacular leadership-wise. To make matters worse, STEM was my weakest point academics-wise and all SAs prioritize STEM. I was a very average and mediocre student and I knew I had very little chance of receiving an appointment. It didn't stop me from applying to the C/O 2025 anyway.

I received a TWE, but I didn't let that bring me down. To me, I was a failure in high school but I was utterly determined to grow from that failure and excel as best as I can in college. I knew what I needed to do to better my chances for a reapplication. I attended my local university, took plebe-level classes, and became proactive with leadership and extracurriculars. I still struggled in those STEM classes but I pushed myself to do well in them because that's what I needed to do to give myself a shot at achieving my goal. Fast-forward to now, I'm waiting to receive results on my application while getting ready for my second semester of sophomore year. I understand that I'm nearly halfway through college and I would have to restart all over again if I am accepted into USNA. I am perfectly okay with that. I don't look at these past two years as a waste, but instead as a stepping stone toward my goal. These past two years are helping me get to where I want to be.

If I were to get TWE this cycle then I am 100% willing to apply again next year, as a junior college, only one year away from graduating. You can argue that it might be better for me to apply to OCS instead at that point in my life because, at the end of the day, I want to become a Naval Officer first and foremost. But I have no problems with being a 21-year-old freshman at USNA and become an officer at 25 as opposed to 22. The Naval Academy is where I want to be with all of my heart and I will keep trying to receive an appointment with relentless pursuit. I am okay with being older than most of my class if accepted. I am okay with having a 2 or 3-year "late start" compared to other officers who would be my age. I've heard several stories of 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th-time reapplicants getting in and having successful careers afterward. If it didn't stop them, why should it stop me?

I understand that due to how I squandered my high school years, I have to climb a mountain to achieve my goal. I understand I have big obstacles in front of me. While I strive to overcome these obstacles, it's important to ensure that I do not let myself become an obstacle in my own path. If attending a service academy is your dream then you should persevere for it and no matter what, don't let your ownself become an obstacle in your path. You have an incredible story to tell and I can tell you are a unique individual. Let's pursue our dreams and scale this mountain, my brother!
Click to expand...
Dragomir,

What an absolute amazing and enduring story you have, that really helps and shows nothing but sheer dedication and inspiration. That's right, one step towards your goal is not a waste at all, it is our life, our story, do what makes you whole. When your old, you'll always think if you could, or couldn't of got in if you tried. Discipline weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons. The motivation shown is truly inspiring and I think that looks all the better on you. It isn't all about academics, but the whole concept. Like one user mentioned here, Gen. Patton went to VMI for a year, went to West Point, failed, and had to do his first year again, and was always academically behind to his peers. Yet out of all them, who had those failures shape his life? Who became one of the most inspirational leaders of our Army? General Patton did. Keep me updated man, I'd love to here your progression. Thank you so much!
 
justdoit19 said:
Respectfully, I don’t get the ‘should I even try’ mentality. THAT is your biggest hinderance, imo, to an appointment.

Why would you even ask that? If you want it badly, like you say, why would you even wonder? And if you respond to yourself that ‘it’s too much effort if I won’t even get an appointment’, then you are not they type of personality that will succeed in the SA environment, and beyond in service.

Find a way or make one. Tenacity. Don’t give up the ship. Those aren’t just words, they are core values that make a successful Officer. And it’s what we try and witness in a candidate interview. GRIT. No excuses. Make them say no.

Only you can decide if you want it bad enough. BUT, like heather21 said…we grow from everything we do. There are no guarantees, it’s up to you. The process is grueling, but the difference I saw in my own 3 boys who applied (2 appointed, one not) was huge. My one who didn’t get in is successful in the ANG. I believe, in part, from the SA/ROTC application process.

Only you can decide. Good luck to you!!!

Adding this piece: sometimes, I think readers here think they have to be the best of the best of the best of the best. Whatever ‘best’ is. And read these amazing resumes and think they CANNOT compete. Truth is, you have to be the one to initially win the slate (true, others go to a NWL). If you are the ‘best’ of the slate? You have a good chance of an appointment (assuming fully qualified). And you don’t know your competition on the slate, either. Or what the MOC values. SA’s are looking for someone that can be developed into a future officer. There are many pieces to that. It’s not alllllll about the grades. And it’s why the whole person is looked at. What do YOU bring to the table??
Click to expand...
You're right. I see so many people around me who are 'better' and often times, I let that push me over and mess with my mentality. I have always had a sheer-passion to attend, and while my flame has never died out, I think I let my past determine my future, especially when it comes to in such a competitive admission. That's a great bit right there, ALL GRIT NO QUIT! Congratulations to all your sons, great examples of hard work and success.

To your last point - I think that summed up my mentality, letting others shoot me down before I even spread out. Now I realize, especially in ROTC and watching Academy-related stuff, no one is in-charge of you, but you. Especially to me, a few years is nothing compared to the entire career set-up and amazing opportunities of the academies.

Thank you for the advice and feedback, I really appreciate it. I'll keep you updated.
 
quinn.d.tv said:
@HakuValek I thought about this more, and I'd recommend picking up a copy of David Goggin's book, Can't Hurt Me. You might find the story inspiring.
https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Clean/dp/1544507879/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=cant+hurt+me+david+goggins&qid=1673620940&sprefix=cant+hurt,aps,107&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
Thank you! I actually just got it a few days ago, it has been such a massive motivation and disciplinary read for me, I've never thought more clearly on my goals and pushing myself, with my dreams, physically and mentally. Appreciate you.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
.
I’m rooting for you … Yes work hard …

Report back and keep us up to date on your progress.

The harder you work … you’ll see more doors opening …
.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the wise words, I'll keep them with me and know that in the end, it is up to me, regardless of my past.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep you updated.
 
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