Question about playing bagpipes prior to applying

JKHDelta

JKHDelta

Proud Parent USAFA Class of 2029
5-Year Member
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Jun 17, 2019
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Didn't see anything in the search and can't find anything online regarding this so I know this will be a stretch, but given the rarity of young people playing the bagpipes, is it possible that having pipe playing experience before can help in gaining admission?
 
SAs assess candidates in three major areas: academics, leadership, athletics. Playing the bagpipes seems to fit best under the second category, if you can demonstrate how it’s made you a better leader, i.e. helped you make a positive impact in your school or community. I don’t see it as being different from playing any other musical instrument. Many mids/cadets were accomplished musicians in high school, and doing so may have added to their leadership score.

I don’t think playing the bagpipes will hurt your candidacy, but it may not help either. SAs aren’t like many elite private schools, where checking off boxes purely for the sake of “diversity” is more of a driving force.
 
Thanks, that's what I was wondering. Primarily if they might see it as a possible "need" to fill to have a candidate with a head start.
 
jkhonea said:
Thanks, that's what I was wondering. Primarily if they might see it as a possible "need" to fill to have a candidate with a head start.
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In a word, "No".

USNA does not "recruit" for the Drum and Bugle Corps which is the major ceremonial midshipman musical group and since they don't recruit for that, they certainly don't for the clubs which are the various groups such as the pipes and drums, glee club, etc.
In short, the normal population of the folks that apply to and get admitted to USNA includes enough musicians to meet their needs.
 
But, if your son has a leadership position in this group, he should speak to that in his application. Leadership doesn’t have to come from school sanctioned things only. Assuming this is a club. In fact, a club that doesn’t have formal backing (from school) may have a greater opportunity for leadership than if it did. If your son is young enough and has time…he could even start a school EC for this activity.

He will have an opportunity to speak about things in greater depth in his BGO interview.
 
My blind brother-in-law played the pipes for years and was very good at it. He once did a 'concert in my wife's tiny townhouse. Talk about TOO LOUD! His wife eventually made him move to a penny whistle. 😄
 
I seem to recall that back in the early 80's we had a resident piper who occasionally played at formations for 7th/8th wing in front of Mitscher Hall. That was a treat since D&B would usually only send a single drummer.
 
deepdraft1 said:
Remember, a true gentleman is one that knows how to play the bagpipes... but doesn't..
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I have nightmares about Bagpipes ... Deployed to Iceland around 1990. Squadron was hosting a British MPA contingent for Burns Supper, but I was slated for a midnight launch and couldn't participate. The party started in the Brass Nut (the deployed squadron O's bar) and the participants got well primed --then when it was time for dinner, a bagpiper led the procession through the BOQ to the OClub. Of course, the path went right by my door (do the math, midnight launch-3 hour preflight leads to bagpipes outside the door when I was supposed to be sleeping). That led to one long night in the air.
 
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