Parents Role in Blue and Gold Officer Interview

s1212

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May 21, 2016
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Recently I was contacted by my Blue and Gold Officer for an interview and he mentioned that he wanted my parents there. I've been looking around at different forums and this doesn't seem like an unusual request but I was curious as to what exactly he may ask my parents or why he wants them there. I understand that not all BGOs will ask the same stuff, but having my parents there is going to make me more nervous than calm so I would like to have at least a bit of an idea of their role in it.
 
It is primarily to make sure that everyone (you and the parents) are on the same page about what you are signing up for, what USNA is about, the commitment/service aspect, etc. It is also a chance for your parents to ask questions they might have. No need to be worried about it!

There will be a separate part of the interview when it will just be the BGO and yourself.

Think more of the interview (and this might be hard since this is the first professional interview for many candidates) as a way to tell your story....everything from why you want to attend to what makes you qualified.
 
Usnabgo08's comments are spot on as far as our experience. The BGO came to our home, introduced himself, and then my wife and i went our for an hour or so. Then when we came home he spoke to us with our son there. He told us a lot of things about the academy, and asked us how we felt about our son attending USNA. He then answered our questions. He spoke with us for about another hour.

It was very helpful, but he wasnt testing the parents. Just making sure we were informed.
 
There are lots of older threads on here about this subject. Your parents should understand that for at least part of the interview the BGO will ONLY want to speak to you. Your parents shouldn't expect to hover around the entire time and definitely should NOT speak for you. Some candidates during the private interview portion will indicate they are only doing this since it is something their parent are pushing them into. As mentioned above, the BGO wants to be able to answer any questions your parents might have during that part of the interview.
 
We met our daughter's BGO three weeks before I Day at some local USNA parents event. I don't think it is a mandatory part of the process, but good for the BGO to make himself available to speak to the parents.

USAFA has a very structured interview process requiring the ALO (BGO) to answer 60 specific questions in a fair amount of detail. DD's interview with him lasted close to 2 hours (though I think he was fairly new to the role)

It doesn't appear the BGO interview is nearly as structured. I think my DD met her BGO at Starbucks for about 30 minutes and that was their first and last meeting.

I would suggest you brief your parents to be polite, courteous, and mention how nice it is to meet the BGO, and how excited they are that their son/daughter is applying to USNA/NROTC and quickly close with 'if we have any questions we will ask our son/daughter.'

The best training I have ever received about meetings/interviews, when the objective(s) has been met - look to close and depart.
 
I think what Cerberi mention is a good idea -- in part....parents should feel free to ask questions...but if the questions they ask are common or should have probably been discussed prior to the interview, then it shows a lack of communication between the candidate and his/her parents (I think this is what Cerberi is alluding to?). I would avoid "asking" these kind of questions, but sometimes parents do have important questions that are NOT "common." It is also okay for some parents to have reservations (i.e. I support my DS/DD but I don't know how to reconcile they are going into the military....I think for some parents that is reality) -- the parents don't need to paint a false picture. I think most BGOs (unless they have a service-based background) expect that COULD be the case.

The BGO interviews can (and do) vary between BGOs...I think my "fastest" interview was somewhere between 1.5 and 2 hours and the longest closer to 4. As I said above, the BGO interview should last as long as it takes to get your story told --- in order for it to be accurately relayed (as a summary) to the Admissions Board.

BGOs typically attend the USNA parents "welcome aboard" party a few weeks before I-Day...it isn't a requirement for them to be there...but most want to answer any lingering questions for parents. The candidates and current MIDN typically hangout in their own spot and converse on plebe summer, plebe year, MIDN life, etc.
 
My conclusion after having gone through what think we're successful interviews for my son with USMA , USNA, USAFA, and ROTC (wife and I were interviewed by the USMA and the USNA officers, but not at all by USAFA or ROTC ), is don't over think it. The liason officer interviews for all of the accademys are mostly informative, and won't make or break anyone's chance for admission. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions, but nothing hinges on it. I know, when you are applying everything seems like the most important thing in the world, but those interviews aren't.

Btw, mu son's USAFA interview was extremely casual. He was instructed to wear comfortable jeans, and not to be dressed up. And the interview was quick. He never talked to my wife and I, and my son said he really enjoyed it.

Take all of these things in stride. My son never got nervous at all for any interview, and always walked out feeling good. It worked well for him too.
 
Our experiences similar to those previously stated. Lots of variability between the different schools/branches:
  • USNA: BGO came to our house, interviewed us (DS and parents) for 45 minutes and DS alone for 45 minutes. Very casual.
  • USAFA: ALO interviewed DS alone in a Starbucks for 90 minutes. Bit more formal (e.g. DS wore a tie)
  • NROTC: DS met recruiting officer alone at his high school, and had several follow up phone calls.
  • AFROTC: We had to drive to a university where the recruiting officer taught. He and DS (again, wearing tie) met alone for 2 hours... think it was on the long side because they ended up nerding out on the history of aviation warfarefor a while...
In each instance, the representative was pretty clear on the expectations for who they wanted to meet, and for how long.

If I can make one specific recommendation to prospective candidates: be sure to send a short, handwritten thank you note to each of the people you meet with. It's a small courtesy that people who remember a time before email (yes, there was such a time) appreciate and remember. And it will start getting you in practice for when they take your phone away when you report...
 
We were asked to attend BGO interview with DS at the BGO home. He told us about the academy, showed a quick video about the academy, and asked us if we had any questions. He then asked us to leave for 30 minutes so he could interview DS alone. I think they want to see your interaction with your parents and without them
 
All BGO's are different. I interview the Candidate alone (usually at my office during business hours , sometimes at my home). If the parents drive the candidate, I introduce myself and when the interview is over, talk with them briefly , give them my card, and tell them to call me if they have questions about USNA. However, one of my pet peeves is the helicopter parent who tries to be too involved int he application process. These are young men and women who aspire to be Midshipmen and Officers in the Navy, and its time for Mom & Dad to let them spread their wings and fly.
 
However, one of my pet peeves is the helicopter parent who tries to be too involved int he application process. These are young men and women who aspire to be Midshipmen and Officers in the Navy, and its time for Mom & Dad to let them spread their wings and fly.

Could not agree more. This also includes parents who are accessing their DS/DD's CIS portal.
 
Thank you all for all the information. I really appreciate all the help.
 
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