LOA? USNA

T

TinTin

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Aug 30, 2024
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I wasn't expecting this, especially with two of my district competitors already athletically committed to USNA earlier this year. I've been focusing on West Point after receiving my LOA in August, and USAFA. But to my surprise, I received this email from USNA this morning

'We are pleased to notify you that the Admissions Board has selected you to attend the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 2029, provided the remaining requirements for admission are completed... Please remember that your guaranteed offer of appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all remaining requirements for admission.' (If this is an actual LOA, it wasn't specifically mentioned in the email, the portal remains the same "incomplete")
If this turns out to be a mass email error, I'd be so sad!
Still a long way to go, but wishing the best to all the applicants!
 
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Congrats!

I honestly wish people would stop worrying about athletes in their districts. This post highlights why.

It has no bearing on your application, unless their WPS/WCS is better.
 
TinTin said:
I wasn't expecting this, especially with two of my district competitors already athletically committed to USNA earlier this year. I've been focusing on West Point after receiving my LOA in August, and USAFA. But to my surprise, I received this email from USNA this morning

'We are pleased to notify you that the Admissions Board has selected you to attend the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 2029, provided the remaining requirements for admission are completed... Please remember that your guaranteed offer of appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all remaining requirements for admission.' (If this is an actual LOA, it wasn't specifically mentioned in the email, the portal remains the same "incomplete")
If this turns out to be a mass email error, I'd be so sad!
Still a long way to go, but wishing the best to all the applicants!
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You are on a roll. That smells, looks and acts like an LOA with some conditions.

And keep in mind “athletically committed” does not equal “full offer of appointment extended or guaranteed.” It means IF they are offered an appointment, they will have a place on the team. They must be fully qualified with a nom like everyone else. And, they may well be sent to NAPS next year, which means a nomination and appointment this year is moot for them.

Don’t look left or right at other candidates. One appointment on the MOC slate will be charged to that MOC’s quota of appointments. Other fully qualified candidates on the same slate may obtain noms from other sources. USNA can also return to that slate and choose other fully qualified candidates, but charge the appointment to other nom authorities they manage internally.

Focus on completing your requirements and thinking with head, heart and gut about what service you want to be in and what officer career paths appeal to you, should you receive multiple offers. The SA is a way station - an important one - but look beyond.

And tend your alternate plans until you do not need them, per your own risk management preferences.
 
Congrats!

USNA uses LOAs to "compete" with early decision / early action programs. SAs can't offer those "early" programs in the same way civilian colleges do -- mostly due to DODMERB and nom requirements. However, they want to provide some assurance to those who may be considering a civilian college, especially one with a binding offer of acceptance. The key is to finish any items that aren't finished, complete DODMERB and, most importantly, obtain a nom.

Also, as CAPT MJ says, committing to a SA is different than committing to a civilian college. Do NOT worry about athletes in your district, school, etc. First, you can't control it and, second, most of the time they don't have any affect on YOUR odds of success.
 
Many of those football recruits who ‘commit’ end up at NAPS as well, can’t pass medical or decide to go another direction. As others mentioned, do not worry about what others are doing or saying. Focus on yourself in this process.
 
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful post.

In a roundabout way of answering, as I prepared to go to one of my first truly significant leadership positions, as Executive Officer (XO, the #2 to the CO) at a medium-sized ship intermediate repair facility, with 900+ sailors, 2 large Reserve units who worked weekend shifts to deliver 24/7 service, with 6 department head officers reporting to me, massive budget, big multi-industrial building compound with a para loft, dive locker and a big scope of services, my then-boss, an admiral, sat down with me for 2 hours to talk about being an XO. He also knew that though I was generally unflappable, I was going to be the first female officer in this role at this type of command, and eyes would be on me. One of the things he said to me (among many priceless bits) was, “You are NEVER going to have enough information to make the perfect decision. You may have 60% if you are lucky. Recognize that stalling or not making a decision, is also a decision. Make the best decision you can. If you make a mistake, own it, fix it if you can, do better the next time, and get on with it.” One of the other bits was, “Be the XO, no matter how strange it feels, and one morning, it will feel like your second skin. Trust the Navy to stretch you with every new assignment, and that you will find your fit.”

Really dig into the officer communities available. Identify a first choice, and then think through “what if” I don’t get that, are there other paths I could see myself on. The Navy does much of its business on the water, over the water, under the water, around the water, often far from home and sight of land. That is not everyone’s cup of salty tea. But maybe it is! It was mine. Can’t imagine being away from large bodies of water, and we go back to sea regularly on cruise vacations, preferably transoceanic with thousands of miles of open ocean around us. The culture of the service and what “tribe” feels like your people are also important. One is not better than the other. Just different.

If you haven’t visited the SAs, ask for an overnight visit or whatever they can offer. The opportunity to engage with midshipmen and cadets as they go through daily routines and interactions, ask questions and get unfiltered answers, observe both the stress AND the fun and fellowship, is worth the money to go. You may return from USXA saying, “That was great, but I don't see myself there and looking forward to the same things.” Or, “Yep, USXA is my place and my people and Z is my service, I will accept an appointment there if offered.” Ditto ROTC units. Ask to visit, talk to cadets on a lab day, speak with officers, sit in back of a class, etc.
 
I feel like there are a lot of LOAs going out, do the SA save spots for college applicants?
 
Re-apps don't generally get LOAs. And, the forum sees a disproportionate amount of LOA receivers in my opinion. So, the data you see here is a bit skewed. They also don't tend to look at college re-apps until after the Fall semester grades come in,

If you look at the class profiles, there are always a fairly large contingent of people who fall into the "previous college course experience" category. And it is a pretty consistent number year over year.

Short answer? Yes, they absolutely have room for the candidates they want, wherever they come from.
 
Capt MJ said:
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful post.

In a roundabout way of answering, as I prepared to go to one of my first truly significant leadership positions, as Executive Officer (XO, the #2 to the CO) at a medium-sized ship intermediate repair facility, with 900+ sailors, 2 large Reserve units who worked weekend shifts to deliver 24/7 service, with 6 department head officers reporting to me, massive budget, big multi-industrial building compound with a para loft, dive locker and a big scope of services, my then-boss, an admiral, sat down with me for 2 hours to talk about being an XO. He also knew that though I was generally unflappable, I was going to be the first female officer in this role at this type of command, and eyes would be on me. One of the things he said to me (among many priceless bits) was, “You are NEVER going to have enough information to make the perfect decision. You may have 60% if you are lucky. Recognize that stalling or not making a decision, is also a decision. Make the best decision you can. If you make a mistake, own it, fix it if you can, do better the next time, and get on with it.” One of the other bits was, “Be the XO, no matter how strange it feels, and one morning, it will feel like your second skin. Trust the Navy to stretch you with every new assignment, and that you will find your fit.”

Really dig into the officer communities available. Identify a first choice, and then think through “what if” I don’t get that, are there other paths I could see myself on. The Navy does much of its business on the water, over the water, under the water, around the water, often far from home and sight of land. That is not everyone’s cup of salty tea. But maybe it is! It was mine. Can’t imagine being away from large bodies of water, and we go back to sea regularly on cruise vacations, preferably transoceanic with thousands of miles of open ocean around us. The culture of the service and what “tribe” feels like your people are also important. One is not better than the other. Just different.

If you haven’t visited the SAs, ask for an overnight visit or whatever they can offer. The opportunity to engage with midshipmen and cadets as they go through daily routines and interactions, ask questions and get unfiltered answers, observe both the stress AND the fun and fellowship, is worth the money to go. You may return from USXA saying, “That was great, but I don't see myself there and looking forward to the same things.” Or, “Yep, USXA is my place and my people and Z is my service, I will accept an appointment there if offered.” Ditto ROTC units. Ask to visit, talk to cadets on a lab day, speak with officers, sit in back of a class, etc.
Click to expand...
Oh my.. I just realized for the first time that you’re a female officer, Captain MJ! That would be the shape of my dreams!! Thank you so much for your help. I deleted my question earlier because I felt it was silly, but I believe many other applicants could benefit from your great advice, so I’m reposting it!

Thank you, Captain MJ. Although I'm new to this forum, your posts have been like a guiding light for me. A bit about myself—I come from a family received unforgettable helps from the US military with a strong tradition of service, which has inspired me from a young age to serve my country. I've always had a broad goal of becoming a military officer to defend the values of our nation. Over the past three years of high school, I’ve been working toward this aspiration, now I know soon I will be facing an important decision. With three service academies and three ROTC programs in front of me, I’m trying to determine which path is the best fit. What advice would you offer on how to choose? What criteria should I take into account, and what factors should I consider?
 
Appreciated.

Know your “why” - which you seem to have a good handle on. Now think about the “how” fit in various services and officer specialties.. then work backwards to which doorway - SA or ROTC - feels right to you.
 
TinTin said:
Oh my.. I just realized for the first time that you’re a female officer, Captain MJ! That would be the shape of my dreams!! Thank you so much for your help. I deleted my question earlier because I felt it was silly, but I believe many other applicants could benefit from your great advice, so I’m reposting it!

Thank you, Captain MJ. Although I'm new to this forum, your posts have been like a guiding light for me. A bit about myself—I come from a family received unforgettable helps from the US military with a strong tradition of service, which has inspired me from a young age to serve my country. I've always had a broad goal of becoming a military officer to defend the values of our nation. Over the past three years of high school, I’ve been working toward this aspiration, now I know soon I will be facing an important decision. With three service academies and three ROTC programs in front of me, I’m trying to determine which path is the best fit. What advice would you offer on how to choose? What criteria should I take into account, and what factors should I consider?
Click to expand...
If you want the normal college experience - ROTC
If you want the service academy experience - SA

Also think about what branch you want to serve in after you commission.
 
TinTin said:
I wasn't expecting this, especially with two of my district competitors already athletically committed to USNA earlier this year. I've been focusing on West Point after receiving my LOA in August, and USAFA. But to my surprise, I received this email from USNA this morning

'We are pleased to notify you that the Admissions Board has selected you to attend the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 2029, provided the remaining requirements for admission are completed... Please remember that your guaranteed offer of appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all remaining requirements for admission.' (If this is an actual LOA, it wasn't specifically mentioned in the email, the portal remains the same "incomplete")
If this turns out to be a mass email error, I'd be so sad!
Still a long way to go, but wishing the best to all the applicants!
Click to expand...
Wow, congrats! When did you submit it?
 
TinTin said:
I wasn't expecting this, especially with two of my district competitors already athletically committed to USNA earlier this year. I've been focusing on West Point after receiving my LOA in August, and USAFA. But to my surprise, I received this email from USNA this morning

'We are pleased to notify you that the Admissions Board has selected you to attend the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 2029, provided the remaining requirements for admission are completed... Please remember that your guaranteed offer of appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all remaining requirements for admission.' (If this is an actual LOA, it wasn't specifically mentioned in the email, the portal remains the same "incomplete")
If this turns out to be a mass email error, I'd be so sad!
Still a long way to go, but wishing the best to all the applicants!
Click to expand...
I can tell you that my DS (now a thriving USNA Class of 2028 Plebe) received that exact letter last year. Approximately two weeks after completing the remaining DODMERB item on his checklist, he received an "Offer of Appointment" follow-up letter. Each situation may differ, but I hope this brings you some encouragement. :)
 
NavyHoops said:
Many of those football recruits who ‘commit’ end up at NAPS as well, can’t pass medical or decide to go another direction. As others mentioned, do not worry about what others are doing or saying. Focus on yourself in this process.
Click to expand...
Great advice. It appeared to me that NAPS football players were at the Navy-Memphis game. Let's just say that out of the 165-ish candidates at NAPS that are not prior enlisted, Football players make up a very significant ratio of that number.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Re-apps don't generally get LOAs. And, the forum sees a disproportionate amount of LOA receivers in my opinion. So, the data you see here is a bit skewed. They also don't tend to look at college re-apps until after the Fall semester grades come in,

If you look at the class profiles, there are always a fairly large contingent of people who fall into the "previous college course experience" category. And it is a pretty consistent number year over year.

Short answer? Yes, they absolutely have room for the candidates they want, wherever they come from.
Click to expand...
Of interest, the 2028 number for re-applicants was significantly higher (127) than 2027 (46 which was a very low year). When we were at the yard a couple of weeks ago, DS's BGO also happened to be present for the game, and it was actually the first time DS had met him in person. Basic chit-chat, but one thing he did say that caught my attention is that admissions wants to open the "aperture" more for re-applicants. One can speculate the reasons for this of course, but he just mentioned that post-Covid data seems to support more difficulty for many coming directly from HS. Will also say that I have only heard of an LOA for a college applicant via the Inspire program.
 
It's already the second week of October, so if I haven't received a Letter of Assurance (LOA) yet, does that mean I have no chance of getting one?
 
jeremyk1028 said:
It's already the second week of October, so if I haven't received a Letter of Assurance (LOA) yet, does that mean I have no chance of getting one?
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More candidates do not receive an LOA. Please do not lose hope or discouraged if you do not get one. Very few do. This forum can make it seem like they are handing out tons and that is not the case. Remember it’s an appointment. That is the goal. Hang on, the roller coaster does not stop until Mid-April. And for those on the wait list, even longer.
 
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