Preference Rankings

[Christcorp]

Well, whether you want to look at the accurate commitment of 9 years, or the possibility of more due to war, aliens landing, or whatever; the point is/was/will always be: You are going to give a "Minimum" of 9 years to a particular branch of the military. (4 years at the academy and 5 more as a commissioned officer). Bottom line: That's a lot of time committed to decide based on a flip of a coin.

As many others have accurately stated, list the academies in the order that you really want them. If you don't want certain branches of the military, then don't list them at all. If that means you only list 1 branch of the military, then so be it. And if you don't know which branch of military service you want to serve in, then do some research and figure it out. No one here can tell you. And if you still don't know, then consider a different alternative instead of a military academy. "There are other options". It better to not go to an academy and branch of service, if you don't have a passion for it, then to commit the next 9 years (or more if you're wanting to look at worse case scenarios). Most academy applicants are also applying to numerous other colleges/universities. Which is what they should be doing. Even if your MOC gives you the nomination to the academy you want to go to, that doesn't mean you're getting in and receiving an appointment. The academies only accept approximately 14% of all applicants. (At least at air force; the others are probably quite similar). That means, unless your MOC ranks their slate of nominees, and you are the #1 nominee on that slate, and you are qualified in all other areas, there is no guarantee of an appointment.

You should consider the academies the same as other universities. You don't say: "I just want to go to college. I don't care which one it is or what my major is or where I get a job". Well, the same goes for the academies. You can't honestly say that you just want to go to the academy. That you don't care which one it is. That you don't care what you major it. Or what your job will be when you graduate. That's not really possible. You need to know what you want to do and be "When you grow up".

 

[Pima]

It is also important as I stated a long time ago, that you understand many MOC's interview. It is not uncommon to come right out of the gate asking you why these SA's in this particular order? Or what your career goals are for each branch. If you do not do the research, then how will you respond to those questions? Your response may be the make or break of giving you the nom or giving it to the other person waiting to be interviewed.

Flipping a coin to me means you have yet to do true research regarding each branch. Will you really know what life will be like before you enter? No, because you have yet to experience any of it. However, what you will know if you do your proper research is what you want to do in your life when you get commissioned.

As I said before every branch has Helo's, but all of them have very specific missions. It is not that hard to decide whether you want to fly a helo off a boat or off land. All branches have Intel, but again it comes down to what you want to do regarding Intel...do you want to be the Intel officer for a ground assault or for Air? Being an Intel officer for the 82nd AB is not the same as being Intel for the 1st FW. Their missions are different. If you get sea sick, than maybe you should cut the Navy or CG off your career plans.

Your choice of racking and stacking the SAs will impact your future. Not every state is it possible to get a nom from every source. Flipping a coin seems to be a very blase way of approaching this decision...OH well, I don't care where I go as long as I get in, right? Wrong! 9 yrs of AD life will make you re-think that attitude real quick.

9 YRS of AD is worth a few hours/days/weeks/months of researching your career goals in the military. Life is going to stink at the SA at times, and what will get you through it is the goal line of being an officer in that branch. You need that desire to serve in that branch, not "crap, I should have gone to the other SA".

Also, as everyone has stated you can dive at 5, but don't walk in and say May 26, 2020 I am outta here, because you will be the one that gets stuck due to promotion, PCS, and TA. The guy who walks in and says I am staying for 20, will be the one that walks at 5. It is called Life's irony.

A lot in the military is all about timing, and you have to time it right to do a 5 and dive. Not that you can't, but it is not as easy as one might think. I believe it is wrong to lead any candidate down the lollipop path that come your 27th birthday,(assuming you graduate at 22) you will be free to go.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I suppose he's technically right, insofar as the Marine Corps is not a separate department, but is governed thru the Navy.

And yet they have their own service chief. He is right if we're talking Dept. of Army/Navy/Air Force.... however, if we're talking "services" then there are five; four of which are in DoD.

Also, important difference, governed thru "Dept. of the Navy", but just "Navy". Small, but significant difference.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I hope the OP really is long gone. His head must be going in circles. First he is told if he picks a branch to do a certain job, he must have a back up. But the back up can't be another branch - even if he would like a job in that branch as well.

Now he is told that he only has to serve 5 years after graduation but that he won't be able to get out at 5 years.

I am beginning to think the Army is the only branch that is honest with their candidates. My daughter was told speficically numerous times that her service commitment was 8 (EIGHT) YEARS of which at least FIVE must be served on Active Duty. All Enlistments are 8 years, even if someone tells you he has a three year enlistment, that is the minimum. ROTC service commitments are 8 years - even if their scholarship dictates 4 years AD. The military can and will keep you (or call you back) if they need you. I suggest that folks read their service obligation contracts carefully.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/getout3.htm
it's always better to know the whole truth rather than the sugar coated truth.

I'm not sure where the confusion is here JAM.

Service academy sources.... Cadets or midshipmen "serve" four years at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, or U.S. Air Force Academy (not ignoring the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, they just work a little differently.).

Following graduation, cadets and midshipmen, now newly minted Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants have a service obligation (incurred because of their time at the service academy) of five years active duty. They also owe fours on Inactive Reserve.

Do not, for a second, consider "Inactive Reserve" as service. It is a status. It is not service. Academy time does not count in the military for retirement, many of the "perks" of VA benefits, etc. When people ask how long I've been in the Coast Guard I give them the time since I graduated, with a note that I was also in the Coast Guard at the Academy....

So.... fours years in an academy and your five years AD service, plus four years on inactive reserve. Anything beyond that is not because of your time at an academy but service after...

 

[scoutpilot]

And yet they have their own service chief. He is right if we're talking Dept. of Army/Navy/Air Force.... however, if we're talking "services" then there are five; four of which are in DoD.

Also, important difference, governed thru "Dept. of the Navy", but just "Navy". Small, but significant difference.

Yet another small but important difference: he is the Commandant, not a Chief of Staff.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

Gosh darn it LITS. I must spend all day just sitting around making things up.
I wonder if you even read the contract that you signed.

Army ROTC students who receive an Army ROTC scholarship or enter the Army ROTC Advanced Course must agree to complete an eight-year period of service with the Army.

I wonder why this is on the OFFICIAL Army ROTC web site?

You must serve at least five years of active duty and three years in a Reserve Component, a total of eight years, after you graduate. The active duty obligation is the nation's return on a West Point graduate's fully-funded, four-year college education that is valued in excess of $225,000.

Again from the OFFICIAL West Point web site.
ROTC and SA cadets have an AD service obligation. They may then apply to go to the Reserves or IRR.
You CAN be called up while on IRR. It is an option open to the services. To attempt to sugar coat this and tell kids they are home free after 5 years (or 4) is a disservice. In fact, if you are on IRR you are supposed to muster once a year.

Allow me to do the math -
4 years Active duty at an SA PLUS 8 years service after commissioning = 12 years.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Yet another small but important difference: he is the Commandant, not a Chief of Staff.

The service chief of the Navy is also not the "Chief of Staff".....blasted purple and having to know what others call their service chiefs.... You must be talking about the Chief of Naval Operations....

Now....does the Commandant sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

 

[LineInTheSand]

Four years attending an academy, which can losely be considered active duty, despite not being consider active duty service when you tally up your years..... PLUS five years of service......PLUS that four years of inactive reservce. You do understand the difference of "reserve" and "inactive reserve". Yes you MAY lateral over to the reserves, or you MAY get out, or you MAY stay in....the point is you OWE 5 Years active duty and 4 Years inactive reserve.

I'm not sure why you keep citing ROTC numbers...the commitment requirements are not the same.

 

[usna1985]

Folks, this thread has veered far off course from the original question. If anyone wants to continue the other subjects in a polite and civil manner, please start a new thread on the appropriate board.

 

[TacticalNuke]

Our members, both new and old, should keep in mind that they represent parents, alumni, active duty military officers and others. Please try to act in a manner that makes those groups proud.

As we come into a new application cycle, the standards are hereby raised. The fact that the OP in this thread never even posted again is indicative of the kind of treatment they probably expected given the tone of the thread. In their position I would not have posted again either.

That said, the temp ban function will be used more liberally henceforth. Each member knows how to act. If you do not, read here.

No member is more or less important than any other. No one will be treated any differently and any complaints about banning for a rule infraction will fall on deaf ears.

Thank you for your time.

-TN