Mustangs. What is some advice you have for applying for USNA as an enlisted sailor, and how was the transition from Fleet to USNA?

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RIPeWAFFLES

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I'm currently in the Navy Nuke Pipeline, specifically in Power School, and will be applying to USNA. I am seeking advice on what I should do to be best prepared and any advice on the application process. I am a USNA c/o 2027 reject, so I'm very familiar w/ the application process, but am wondering if there are any differences when applying as an enlisted sailor. Thank You!
 
RIPeWAFFLES said:
I'm currently in the Navy Nuke Pipeline, specifically in Power School, and will be applying to USNA. I am seeking advice on what I should do to be best prepared and any advice on the application process. I am a USNA c/o 2027 reject, so I'm very familiar w/ the application process, but am wondering if there are any differences when applying as an enlisted sailor. Thank You!
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I don’t have any specific advice to give but I sure do applaud your reapplication. And desire to serve, both currently and as a future officer if things go your way. Hoping you get some good gouge moving forward. And I think there are old threads re this subject as well.
 
Stay out of trouble, crush your academics at nuke school and max your PT. That’s what will make you stand out at Nuke school. Maturity is the other item they will notice. If you don’t get pulled at nuke school, it’s the same thing in the fleet. Get your quals, stay motivated, find a mentor.
 
I can't provide advice on the transition from the fleet to USNA yet, but received a NAPS '25 offer.

Overall the application process is pretty similar but the SECNAV nomination process is different compared to applying to your MOC. Great advice above, but to add to it, I'd say make it be known to your CoC / CC your career goals to attend USNA so they can help you. Try and find prior enlisted officers at your command to provide mentorship, might be hard to find at 'A' school though. Figure out who you'd want your Military Recommendations to come from and ask in advance (Senior Enlisted- preferably your LCPO and Officer- DivO/DH) plus the CO's endorsement. Good LoCs and CO Endorsement letter can really help your application. BJOQ/JSOQ or BJOY/JSOY looks good as well as any collaterals you can get, especially ones that can display some leadership. I'm not a Nuke but I'm assuming you'll be competing against a lot of other Nukes so try and find ways to set your self apart. Class Leader, Honor Graduate, volunteering/command involvement, etc.

Overall, strive to be the best enlisted sailor you can be. If USNA doesn't work out then at least you'll have some nice evals and be at an advantage for advancement then try again next year if eligible.
 
RIPeWAFFLES said:
I'm currently in the Navy Nuke Pipeline, specifically in Power School, and will be applying to USNA. I am seeking advice on what I should do to be best prepared and any advice on the application process. I am a USNA c/o 2027 reject, so I'm very familiar w/ the application process, but am wondering if there are any differences when applying as an enlisted sailor. Thank You!
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I went NROTC, an application made while I was in enlisted nuke school (back in 2000...).

In keeping with the advice from @Old Navy BGO -- I was the class leader in 'A' School, and I did well, which meant I became the class leader in NPS. Leading your peers is a thankless job but I did it and maintained a 3.6 GPA. I was so militarily naive, that I didn't know NROTC and USNA existed. But again, to the advice from @Old Navy BGO--I busted my ass as class leader and my Chief pulled me aside at the five month mark and said "fill this out, it's to become an officer."

Of course I'm very lucky to have had a chief that cared that much. Also, a couple weeks later the school had scheduled the SAT because the enlisted nuke pipeline has so many smart sailors with great officer potential. But when did they schedule it? At 0600 on a Saturday. IIRC, only about half the sailors that signed up were there that Saturday morning because another test during nuke school isn't a good time. But myself and one of my future prototype roommates showed up. I got commissioned through NROTC and he went to USNA.

So no specific advice, but perhaps some motivation.
 
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