Official Athletic Visit and Plan B

[Roadking]

DS is a recruited athlete and recently had the coach call to set up an official visit when school starts next month. DS thinks that this is super good sign and I agree. My question is regarding plan B and strengthening his overall application; On these forum boards it has been suggested that the admissions board and MOC review boards like to see ROTC application by the candidate, showing a plan B to the ultimate goal of becoming an officer. DS mentioned this plan to the coach and received this answer..."If West Point is truly your first choice then I wouldn't worry about ROTC or applying anywhere else". DS is caught between following the coaches advice and not having a chair to sit on when the music stops. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thx.

 

[NavyHoops]

In my opinion this is a personal choice and something only your son can answer. Only you guys know what schools are recruiting him and where he stands. With that being said, as a recruited athlete, if he is offered prep and West Point is his goal, take it.

I was a recruited athlete also and only applied to USNA. I did not apply for ROTC or another service academy. It did come up in my MOC interview (no BGO interview as a blue chip basketball player, we weren't allowed to talk to them). They asked about the other Service Academies and I told them point blank I wanted to be a Marine and USNA allowed me to pursue my passions of basketball, academics and becoming a Marine. I told them that I did not apply for ROTC, because as a Division I athlete (especially as a basketball player that takes up so much of the school year) it is not necessarily compatible or offered at other schools I was being recruited by (yes it can be done, but extremely difficult and IMPO cut myself short in one or the other as the Coach/MOI wouldn't necesarily agree on what my top priority would be). I did tell them that I had done research and had planned to purse a Marine Corps commission upon graduation. I explained that route and I think it showed them I was committed to the idea of service as my goal and not just to attend USNA as a jock, but I took being commissioned seriously. I think they accepted this fact as I had done by research and was serious about being a Midshipman and future Marine Officer.

To not apply anywhere else is very risky. He could be medically disqualified, get injured, or a million other things this next year. Having a Plan B is in his best interest. I am assuming your son is being pursued by other schools? Applications as a recruited athlete at other schools is very different and the coaches can advise on those. I would apply to any school he is seriously considering attending. As to ROTC applications that is his decision to make and how it would impact his sport, academics, etc. But he does need to be prepared to answer the question at his MOC interview.

 

[MemberLG]

Your DS should have back up plans. The basketball coach can't guarantee an appointment. The best he can do is a LOA. So if your DS hasn't received a LOA, apply to other schools. I think as long as your DS doesn't talk to other basketball program, the West Point coach can't say anything. Also not sure how the basketball coach will find out if your DS is applying to ROTC or other schools (as long as your DS don't talk to other basketball program). College coaches do talk to each other.

 

[pointguard]

Navy Hoops

On another thread we've been having a discussion about the Prep-process. As stated over there, my DS is a national level player, rising junior, and has significant interest from the SA's in the East, D1's and D3's. No interest in the AFA It was a surprise suggested their that a Prep-recruited athlete still has to go back through the Nom-Appt Process again for the following year after Prep School. My DS was thinking it was basically a formality like red-shirting and he'd be in his then chosen SA, but it appears not.

I was interested in your comment on taking Prep and USMA if offered. Are you saying USMA may not necessarily have a Recruited Athlete have to go back through the Process again?

For us, DS has Plan B SA's and civilian. Many strong soccer D3's and lower level D1's so far coming in, with Unofficial Visits starting Oct 5 during the long Holiday weekend. Thank you for your insights. Good luck to all hopefuls!

 

[NavyHoops]

I was not a prepster, but yes you do have to re-apply for a nomination coming out of Prep School. To be honest I have not heard of someone fulfilling all the requirements of Prep School and not getting an appointment. But that is at Navy, not sure about AF or Army, but guessing the same thing. He makes the grades at prep school, keeps clean, and passes his PT tests he will get into West Point.

 

[jbrowerdallas]

Having a Plan B is more important that you know. My DS received an LOA last year, accepted his appointment on December 6 then dislocated his shoulder in a wrestling match on December 17. Was subsequentially medically DQd in January. Waiver was requested but denied as WP didn't feel his shoulder would be fully healed in time to report for R-day. LONG story short... DS had a Plan B (ROTC scholarship). Such a relief to know that not only did he have somewhere to go but he's on his path to become an Army officer. He is reapplying to WP for the class of 2017 and hopeful that this time everything will work in his favor. Nevertheless, a very valuable lesson was learned that life isn't fair and it ALWAYS pays to have a Plan B. Please don't let any coach tell you otherwise.

 

[pointguard]

Thank you NavyHoops, DS will be glad to know that if, and that is our premise here always, you continue to earn your way, that way is there for you later, all things equal!

 

[time2]

One should ALWAYS have a plan B when applying to any military academy. Things may not work out as you expected, you may not pass DODMERB due to a disqualifying condition you didn't know you had, you may get injured along the way or simply change you mind about joining the military.

Some athletic coaches will give you advice from their perspective but sports is NOT the main reason you go there. I wouldn't assume they are always offering the most objective advice. No one gets a scholarship to play sports, so you are doing it more for the love of the sport. Remember too, there are lots of other things that will occupy your time at the academy, so the glamor of the sport needs to be weighed against the daily grind associated with everything else you are expected to do.

Whether or not plan B includes ROTC, one should be able to clearly explain their rationale during MOC interviews, for example.

 

[mellowgator]

My dd is a recruited athlete for usma. She really liked her plan b school and the coach held her spot until the middle of April. My dd was dq'ed for using an inhaler and went through the waiver process. We let the plan b coach know what was up and he was very patient throughout it all. I even put down a deposit just in case her waiver wasn't granted. we were honest with the plan b coach and he couldn't of been more gracious with us throughout the process.