NASS Worries

Nothing at NASS is required. One can choose to opt out of any activity they choose. (That said, swimming will be required should you receive an appointment,)
 
MidCakePa said:
Nothing at NASS is required. One can choose to opt out of any activity they choose. (That said, swimming will be required should you receive an appointment,)
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While this technically may be true (I have no idea), I would imagine “off the record” it would be required to at least try every element of NASS in order to score well and obtain a good right up from your detailer. Doing you best. Trying your hardest.

From DS and others on the forums, you aren’t expected to be the best one at everything. Rather a good performer who has the right attitude. And if you are exceptional, helping out a homie who is struggling shows you are a team player.

Challenge yourself. You can do more than you think.
 
justdoit19 said:
While this technically may be true (I have no idea), I would imagine “off the record” it would be required to at least try every element of NASS in order to score well and obtain a good right up from your detailer. Doing you best. Trying your hardest.

From DS and others on the forums, you aren’t expected to be the best one at everything. Rather a good performer who has the right attitude. And if you are exceptional, helping out a homie who is struggling shows you are a team player.

Challenge yourself. You can do more than you think.
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This def true. Follow this advice!!
 
ders_dad said:
This discussion has been very helpful to DS, who is in Session 2. Right now (even with a month of intense training coming off of a winter of wrestling) he can only do the CFA averages (as published by USMA) - but a faster mile and has been worried that he will embarrass himself (actually, his expression involved soiling his bedding). Thanks for the thread.
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After SS, how does he feel about the environment and was everyone else in a similar boat? I’ve been training for quite a while but I’m still around the minimum for the upper body exercises. I’m leaving for Annapolis tomorrow and I’m not sure quite what to expect.
 
CyberSecurity17 said:
I’m a little stressed about NASS to say the least. I know it doesn’t impact the admissions process whatsoever so that doesn’t matter to me. What I’m worried about the most is that I’ll get there and not fit in. That I won’t be athletic enough, that I can’t do enough pull-ups, or worse that I don’t have the mental strength to be there. I don’t know maybe that’s even better that I’m doing NASS so I can see if this is truly something I want to pursue. I guess I’m just overthinking everything. Can anybody who attend NASS give me a little advice or encouragement? I’m looking forward to it a lot, but as I’ve been getting in these last few workouts and plateauing at only 10 pull-ups for two weeks it’s really messing with my head and confidence. I’m especially worried about the CFA. Thank you all!
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Ha! Just asked the same thing for my son. Guess I should have done a little reading first.

These responses above are great. Also you will likely be surprised at how adrenaline will effect your CFA scores. You might find yourself doing better than you expected. Have a blast. Get all your questions answered. And tackle everything with gusto.

Best wishes for you and all of the candidates at session 3.
 
Much too much is made of CFA and PT at SS/SLE. Simply put, you should absolutely try your best. You can also opt out or fall out, if you choose. You have until January to submit your CFA scores. So no matter how well you perform in the summer, you can keep working for the next several months and swap out new scores for SS/SLE scores.

There are more important aspects to SS/SLE, such as getting a lay of the land, meeting new people, and querying the mids/cadets/officers about their academy/military experiences. That should be your primary focus!
 
Okay. So DS just got home from NASS and he noted that they are very lenient on what is an acceptable push-up and pull up (he was slightly indignant about it since he’s been focusing on form). For example, several CFA takers were not lowering to a straight arm position on each pull up. DS said if he had known that he could have done 6 more. Wondering if this is why WP requires video. Same with pushups- they let a lot of less-than-good pushups count.

Also, because you are running the mile in a group, count on losing 10 seconds trying to get some clear room to get your stride.
 
DS said that he saw the entire spectrum on the CFA. He had one person in his squad that could not even do a flexed arm hang for 3 seconds, could barely run a mile, and struggled during sea trials and another who did 26 pull-ups before being told to stop, threw the basketball out of the gym, etc etc (hereby known as PT Stud). You will see the entire gambit.

Best advise is to just go and do your best, involve yourself in everything, drink in the experience, have FUN, and try not get yelled at too much ;-)
 
BBQ-Devil said:
Best advice is to just go and do your best, involve yourself in everything, drink in the experience, have FUN, and try not get yelled at too much ;-)
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^This.
It's natural to be nervous when you are doing something for the first time and I realize it's easier to say don't worry than to actually not worry, but NASS is really not something to worry about. Be glad you were selected and make the most of the opportunity. Just be positive and do your best and you'll be fine.
 
DS said there is zero judgement- try your best and soak in the experience. Enthusiasm and squad spirit are the most important ingredients to the experience. (I heard about the guy who hit the opposite wall with the basketball).

Also - don’t be so “ra ra!” that every other squad wishes you would just shut up.
 
Too late for this year, but for anyone who is going to be attending any of the Summer Seminars should report there physically prepared to at least pass the CFA. This will jump start your application with that box checked. If you want to try to improve your score for points, you can retest later.
If you're serious about trying to get into an SA, then prepare ahead of time for the CFA, and continue working out until CBT.
The physical preparation is the one thing you have total control over. Being in great physical shape will give you a ton of confidence that you will draw from at SS(and especially CBT), being less than that will give you worries and gain the attention of others.
 
ders_dad said:
Okay. So DS just got home from NASS and he noted that they are very lenient on what is an acceptable push-up and pull up (he was slightly indignant about it since he’s been focusing on form). For example, several CFA takers were not lowering to a straight arm position on each pull up. DS said if he had known that he could have done 6 more. Wondering if this is why WP requires video. Same with pushups- they let a lot of less-than-good pushups count.

Also, because you are running the mile in a group, count on losing 10 seconds trying to get some clear room to get your stride.
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Honestly keep with the good form. USNA PRT standards are harder than the CFA and form is observed closely. The CFA is one item of tons for the application.
 
Our Mids went to NASS in great shape, so neither really said much about the physical demands. They also never mentioned any type of pressure.

Future attendees need to get in shape. It’s really the one thing you can do that will help you get thru PS. If your body holds up because of your conditioning, it won’t be telling your mind, “Let’s get the hell out of here!”

Also, don’t be the person who showed up to I-Day with an enormously high body fat percentage. They sent that person home on the spot.

Finally, the original poster worries too much. Prepare yourself, and confront each challenge as they occur. Worrying will not help.
 
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