OPINFO

Don't Give Up the Ship

Don't Give Up the Ship

BGO, MOC Nom. Board, Old Navy/Merchant Officer
5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
1,481
Doing OPINFO, I get to meet all these great MIDSHIPMAN. Today, I did an OPINFO at a High School with a 2C MIDN. Once again I was amazed. 2C, Perfect ACT Scores, Double Major: Nuke & Mechanical Engineering and in his spare time a minor in Russian. And, his personality and ability to talk with spark, enthusiasm whether it was the Principal, or student or a special needs Students-outstanding. And he is Supe's List. Just Amazing. BZ Mr. 2C MIDN.
 
For those that don't know... OPINFO is a program where selected MIDN get to come home early for Thanksgiving (or stay a few days later next week) in return for making public appearances and promoting awareness of the Naval Academy. A win-win for USNA, the participating Midshipmen, and the BGO's . (Let's be honest... a high school kid is going to want to talk with a current Midshipmen than an old grad like myself). It's kind of late now...as most of the Midshipman have a full schedule, but if you want to meet a Midshipman and can't attend NASS/CVW or other program, and live in an area where Admissions doesn't routinely visit, reach out to your BGO and ask them if there is a Midshipman in the area this week or early next.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
For those that don't know... OPINFO is a program where selected MIDN get to come home early for Thanksgiving (or stay a few days later next week) in return for making public appearances and promoting awareness of the Naval Academy. A win-win for USNA, the participating Midshipmen, and the BGO's . (Let's be honest... a high school kid is going to want to talk with a current Midshipmen than an old grad like myself). It's kind of late now...as most of the Midshipman have a full schedule, but if you want to meet a Midshipman and can't attend NASS/CVW or other program, and live in an area where Admissions doesn't routinely visit, reach out to your BGO and ask them if there is a Midshipman in the area this week or early next.
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We also had an OPINFO MIDN greet each candidate at our MOC interview day. Candidates (all SA's) met with the MIDN and were able to ask questions of the MIDN without any MOC Panel persons present. This is great for the candidates and confidential. FYI: BGOs must follow some ethics rules provided by USNA Admissions if the BGO serves on an MOC panel. Obviously they can't participate regarding a candidate they interviewed as a BGO.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
For those that don't know... OPINFO is a program where selected MIDN get to come home early for Thanksgiving (or stay a few days later next week) in return for making public appearances and promoting awareness of the Naval Academy. A win-win for USNA, the participating Midshipmen, and the BGO's . (Let's be honest... a high school kid is going to want to talk with a current Midshipmen than an old grad like myself). It's kind of late now...as most of the Midshipman have a full schedule, but if you want to meet a Midshipman and can't attend NASS/CVW or other program, and live in an area where Admissions doesn't routinely visit, reach out to your BGO and ask them if there is a Midshipman in the area this week or early next.
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Thank you for the context as I'm still learning these things.

And what an exceptional individual. I'm working through my dissertation at breakneck speed purely because I'm living for the moment I get to work with these amazing students.
 
After my son got accepted into USNA, our high school had a second person apply (didn’t get appointed). Now another parent of a junior contacted him and wanted him to sit down and talk to her son. A teacher (one of his best friends that got into West Point, but left his first AC, and graduated after 2 years) at our school texted him and said there are several students looking at it.

I wish my son explored this program. Instead, he is going to the high school over Christmas break to meet with students interested.
 
A1Janitor said:
Instead, he is going to the high school over Christmas break to meet with students interested.
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Good for him... our Midshipmen are the best ambassadors for USNA. I attended a Senator Open House event a few years ago..just before COVID. USNA sent a young 2nd LT , and one of our BGO's brought here 1/C Midshipman daughter , and the two of them connected a whole lot better with the interested candidates than an old man like me could.

When it comes to promoting awareness of USNA --success leads to more success. Whenever I have a successful candidate, I make a point of presenting the Appointment at the school award night. It is not uncommon to get several candidates from that school in the following years.
 
Last year I did an OPINFO with two MIDN on a live Radio Program. The two MIDN were amazing. We spent about 18 minutes on the air...I talked/was interviewed by the Radio Show host for 3 minutes...the MIDN stole the rest of the show. After the segment, several live callers said it was one of the most refreshing things they have heard on the Radio-their faith in America's youth restored. The talks show is political in nature-but we did some pre training and stayed A-political. The MIDN were outstanding.
 
LST271 said:
Who organizes these meetings?
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DD did this twice. She worked closely with the local BGO to schedule presentations at schools and a mass-media event aimed at a broader audience. She also took the initiative to do coffee chats with certain candidates and to present to her former sports club team (quasi recruiting for her USNA club team). Sounds like it’s well coordinated and as busy as the mid and BGO want to make it.
 
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Building upon @MidCakePa ... typically the BGOs contact thier respective high schools (or other venues) and set up an OPINFO event...then the BGO contacts the OPINFO MIDN assigned to that local area to participate. The MIDN can't travel too far - OPINFO permits them to go home a few days early or late from ThanksGiving leave. That extra time home is the big motivator. I try to be creative by trying to set up different events, presentations, radio shows etc. Its a lot of work to just get High Schools engage...."Who are you the Navy, oh yes we have recruiters here once a year during Military Recruiting Day....no, we're not Navy Recruiting...were a four year college run by the Navy....what? the real navy....yes were the United States Naval Academy. Where is that? ... its in Annapolis, MD...oh I think I heard about that...
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
Last year I did an OPINFO with two MIDN on a live Radio Program. The two MIDN were amazing. We spent about 18 minutes on the air...I talked/was interviewed by the Radio Show host for 3 minutes...the MIDN stole the rest of the show. After the segment, several live callers said it was one of the most refreshing things they have heard on the Radio-their faith in America's youth restored. The talks show is political in nature-but we did some pre training and stayed A-political. The MIDN were outstanding.
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This is so fantastic.
 
A1Janitor said:
This is so fantastic.
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it was. These two MIDN were simply amazing. We did one practice session and I coached them how we would respond to an out of bounds question (which we did not get). We were ready to say, "thanks for that question, however its out of our scope ...heres the phone number for USNA Public Affairs, you may contact them.

It was one of the most rewarding BGO things I have done. If any BGOs want to try it...PM me and I will give you more info on how we prepared and made it work.
 
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Anyone aware of any upcoming OPINFO events with MIDN in Southern Florida?
 
As mentioned, even impromptu presentations by an SA member can have positive effects. As a plebe, at the request of her former instructor (and mentor), DD1 presented to her former high school's pre-calculus and calculus classes. A junior who was present told DD2 the next year that the presentation motivated him to apply to USMA. He is now a 3rd class there.

Every little bit helps.
 
My DS did Opinfo last year. We are very rural and greatly underrepresented and he was happy to speak to multiple schools. I worked for the schools and had relationships with many admin in the county so that helped. Every site was receptive.

That experience led me to pursue being a BGO which became official today.


@Don't Give Up the Ship I’m curious. My son is an aero major with a Russian minor. And the Russian teacher is incredible (saw her work first hand during 2/C weekend. A force to be reckoned with). Maybe our kiddos know each other?
 
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harmonious said:
Any upcoming OPINFO events with MIDN in Massachusetts
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I would suggest you reach out to a local BGO and also to any local high school. With the holiday you may not get a quick or timely response.
 
USMA has a similar program called “CPRC” (Cadet Public Relations Council.) West Point cadets can be released a few days early from breaks or extend holiday breaks to speak to groups, schools, or meetings (such as Boys/Girls State.) This type of outreach from the academies is a great opportunity to show off Midis/Cadets to interested students and increase the likelihood of one-on-one communication. These students would be much more likely to ask questions and connect with someone closer to their own age than some old retired guy like myself. I am always impressed by the quality of the young men and women at the academies, just wish we had more like them willing to serve!
 
Heatherg21 said:
My DS did Opinfo last year. We are very rural and greatly underrepresented and he was happy to speak to multiple schools. I worked for the schools and had relationships with many admin in the county so that helped. Every site was receptive.

That experience led me to pursue being a BGO which became official today.


@Don't Give Up the Ship I’m curious. My son is an aero major with a Russian minor. And the Russian teacher is incredible (saw her work first hand during 2/C weekend. A force to be reckoned with). Maybe our kiddos know each other?
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My mistake, just caught you were referring a MIDN not your own kiddo. My apologies. Either way what a great experience for you and the MIDN. And their audience got a lot of valuable info. How cool!!!! I will add that to my list of options as a BGO in terms of working with local radio and such.
 
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