Reserve to Naval Academy

[CameronRicharda430]

Enrolling st the Naval Academy has always been one of my many goals; however, I’ve faced several problems along the way which has prevented me from applying for the Academy while I’m still in high school. I’m confident that I have the athletic and extracurricular strengths that would be appealing to the Naval Academy, as I’ve been a starter on my school’s wrestling and track teams and an active member of my school’s NJROTC unit (as I now serve on the company staff) and National Honor Society, but ultimately I’m lacking academically. I have several Cs and two Ds on my transcript (mostly from my junior year) and currently as a senior my GPA is below a 3.5 and I rank in the top 33.3% of my class out of 300. I also don’t have anything higher then a 27 on the ACT. Because of this, i’ve Instead decided to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves and then attend a University my freshmen year of college before applying for admissions, in effort to improve upon the weaknesses and shortcomings I’ve faced in high school to better prepare for the academic rigors at the Academy. Ultimately my goal is to commission as an officer in the Marine Corps, but I’m committed to going down the path through the Naval Academy. 1. Could this pathway increase my chances for acceptance into Annapolis? 2. Does the Academy, for all it’s worth, differ that much from other SMCs like VMI and the Citadel or even NROTCs?

 

[brewmeist]

I want to tackle your question #2. Remember that your ultimate goal is to serve as a naval officer. I have two close people in my life who went the ROTC route. My cousin went NROTC and retired as a Colonel in the USMC. He had an extremely distinguished career. The other person, who was a friend of mine since 3rd grade, went the AFROTC route. He is currently a Lieutenant General in the USAF. My son will hopefully be attending USNA next year. It's been something he has wanted since 4th grade. But he is also more than happy to go the NROTC route if that is what it will take for him to serve as a naval officer. So yes, if you want to attend USNA, go for it, and do everything you can to get that appointment. But you can still achieve your ultimate goal going the NROTC route.

 

[MidCakePa]

@CameronRicharda430, first of all, if that’s your real name, strongly suggest that you change your handle as this is a confidential forum. The mods can help with that.

Second, given your mediocre academic record (at least by USNA standards), going to college and then applying next year can certainly strengthen your candidacy. But to maximize your chances, you’ll need to take a plebe-like schedule — Calculus, Chemistry, English, History for starters — and you’ll need to excel. Seek a leadership role and remain active in athletics.

Third, yes, USNA is very different from a civilian college with ROTC, and from an SMC. You can still end up in the same place — a commission after graduation — but the routes are quite different. Suggest you have a viable Plan B in case you don’t win offer of appointment to USNA.

 

[kinnem]

Besides NROTC also being a route to a commission as a Marine Officer, you should also explore the Platoon Leaders Course.
Make the academy plan A, NROTC plan B, and PLC plan C. Pursue A&B simultaneously, Pursue C if A and B don't work out.
There are many ways to skin a cat.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

2. Does the Academy, for all it’s worth, differ that much from other SMCs like VMI and the Citadel or even NROTCs?

Third, yes, USNA is very different from a civilian college with ROTC, and from an SMC. You can still end up in the same place — a commission after graduation — but the routes are quite different.

I read OP question differently, If your objective is to become a Navy/Marine Corps officer, the end result of USNA /NROTC/PLC/OCS etc is the same -- a commission as a Navy Ensign/USMC 2nd Lt. The path is different, and I don't think that any one path will make you a better officer. As I have said here before, I do think USNA gives a head start out of the gate (perhaps less so for USMC), but by the end of your first tour, nobody cares about your commissioning source.

WRT question 1 - enlisting in USMC Reserve isn't going to overcome a weak academic record, but it might open a pathway to NAPS, which will. My recommendation, which really applies almost any endeavor in life, is to hit the deck running, make a good first impression, and establish your reputation as a future leader. Then, talk to your chain of command and career counselor about the various paths for a commission.