Serious Dilemma

I

iskekeirhtj

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Jul 29, 2022
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Hi guys, today I have found out that my file has been closed for the class of 2027 to USMA. It’s more than likely due to the improper recording of my pull-ups. I will be doing everything in my power tomorrow to call the RC and to try to figure out if I can still compete for an appointment. Unfortunately my FFR told me that he’s never heard of an extension for a video after the admissions deadline and that more than likely I would have to reopen my application for the class of 2028 to compete for an appointment.

For some background I first started my journey wanting to go to West Point. I found my inspiration during the pandemic and prepared rigorously to go there. Over the course of the next few years I ended up changing my mind after a CVW at USNA. I have since received a principal nomination to USNA and I have received an appointment.

The main concern that I have picked USNA because of the academy itself and not the service after. To this day I still see myself the most as an infantry officer. From the looks of it West Point is the best place to do that.

Long story short I have three questions.

1) Would I still be able to compete for a prep school appointment for this admissions cycle?

2) Should I do a year of self-prep at MMI or a AROTC program at a state university?

3) Should I just accept my appointment to USNA and figure out what I want to do in the Navy/Marine Corps when the time comes?
 
Mom advice here: a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. If you were mine, I would advise #3, unless you were absolutely 100pct AGAINST Navy/Marines.

No guarantee you will receive an appointment from USMA with self prep, or ROTC. It may NOT be your pull-ups that were the issue. And no one knows what your slate competitions will be next year.

And you cannot apply/compete for a prep spot. That is offered to you from the SA. For people that need a little extra work. And not from needing pull-up work.
 
I have no doggie in this fight since I am an NROTC bubba. But I guess I am curious what was wrong with the pull up video? Out of focus? Shut off too soon? Or did the video make it look like the pull ups were improper? No one sent an email but just closed the file without a hint?

As for you only seeing yourself in the infantry, I think the Marines would be happy with that. You have no interest there at all? But, if you decide to go Marine......you had best be able to crank out some pull ups 😎
 
My opinion, go to USNA. You will thrive if you give it your all. If you want to go Army after 3 years at Naval Academy still put in for a cross commission prior to graduation when filling out dream sheet for job or whenever that process needs to be done.
 
I have no doggie in this fight since I am an NROTC bubba. But I guess I am curious what was wrong with the pull up video? Out of focus? Shut off too soon? Or did the video make it look like the pull ups were improper? No one sent an email but just closed the file without a hint?
GWU PNS said:
As for you only seeing yourself in the infantry, I think the Marines would be happy with that. You have no interest there at all? But, if you decide to go Marine......you had best be able to crank out some pull ups 😎
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My pull-ups are completely fine I just waited far too long to submit the video and unfortunately my entire body wasn’t in the frame. As stated previously, I will call the RC tomorrow and do whatever I possibly can to try for an extension.

I would love to be a Marine. In fact I talked about going USMC/SEAL in my MOC interview. However I have concerns about the longevity of the Marine Corps. From what I’ve seen they’ve made cuts to certain MOSs and have transferred their entire fleet of tanks to the Army. I also have concerns about being able to get promoted to large command positions (battalion CO, etc.) due to the Marine Corps small size.

In all reality I might just be overthinking all of this a little too much.
 
If you want to be a grunt, go Marine Corps. The entire service is based upon supporting the infantry. It’s at the center of what Marines do. Marines have Battalions, Divisions and Regiments. Unless stars are in your future you have the same command opportunities as the Army. Sure we have less Battalions, but we have less Marines, it’s all proportional. Tanks, yeap, we got rid of them. Didn’t really support the MAGTF. MOSs come and and go, phase in and out, merge with others, but mostly they are all there.

Do your homework, if you want to be an infantry guy, you have plenty of opportunities in the Marines. Don’t get infantry, then be the best whatever you get and ask for an infantry unit for your orders. Every Marine is a rifleman and every officer learns the basics of being a rifle platoon commander. I had a very non-infantry MOS and spent lots of time convoying and doing all the other fun stuff while deployed.
 
NavyHoops said:
If you want to be a grunt, go Marine Corps. The entire service is based upon supporting the infantry. It’s at the center of what Marines do. Marines have Battalions, Divisions and Regiments. Unless stars are in your future you have the same command opportunities as the Army. Sure we have less Battalions, but we have less Marines, it’s all proportional. Tanks, yeap, we got rid of them. Didn’t really support the MAGTF. MOSs come and and go, phase in and out, merge with others, but mostly they are all there.

Do your homework, if you want to be an infantry guy, you have plenty of opportunities in the Marines. Don’t get infantry, then be the best whatever you get and ask for an infantry unit for your orders. Every Marine is a rifleman and every officer learns the basics of being a rifle platoon commander. I had a very non-infantry MOS and spent lots of time convoying and doing all the other fun stuff while deployed.
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This may sound a little too optimistic but when you said “unless stars are in your future” does this mean that obtaining the rank of General in the USMC is impossible? If all my dreams could come true I would ultimately want to become a General and make decisions affecting national security. (Again super naïve 17 year-old here)
 
So you have an offer of appointment to USNA and you want to become an infantry officer? Two words: Marine Corps.

Of course, becoming a Marine out of USNA is competitive. In recent years, interest has exceeded available spots. So you also have to ask yourself: If Marine infantry isn’t in the cards due to the needs of the military, are you willing to accept alternatives such as Marine Air or SWO or subs or naval aviation? And if you do aspire to be a Marine, as @GWU PNS points out, will you be able to grind out the strict pull-ups necessary to prove you’re qualified?
 
It’s possible. But that is step 29828 of a career. Marines have plenty of Generals. The Army also does. But you haven’t earned your butter bars yet. Focus on steps 1-20. Then once you get your commission focus on the next steps while understanding the ones after them. Marines love being Marines. If you don’t have a strong desire to be a Marine regardless of MOS, go Army. There is no guarantee of infantry in either Service. If you don’t get infantry, then what?
 
NavyHoops said:
It’s possible. But that is step 29828 of a career. Marines have plenty of Generals. The Army also does. But you haven’t earned your butter bars yet. Focus on steps 1-20. Then once you get your commission focus on the next steps while understanding the ones after them. Marines love being Marines. If you don’t have a strong desire to be a Marine regardless of MOS, go Army. There is no guarantee of infantry in either Service. If you don’t get infantry, then what?
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I would love to be a Marine no matter what MOS 🙂
 
iskekeirhtj said:
My pull-ups are completely fine I just waited far too long to submit the video and unfortunately my entire body wasn’t in the frame. As stated previously, I will call the RC tomorrow and do whatever I possibly can to try for an extension.

I would love to be a Marine. In fact I talked about going USMC/SEAL in my MOC interview. However I have concerns about the longevity of the Marine Corps. From what I’ve seen they’ve made cuts to certain MOSs and have transferred their entire fleet of tanks to the Army. I also have concerns about being able to get promoted to large command positions (battalion CO, etc.) due to the Marine Corps small size.

In all reality I might just be overthinking all of this a little too much.
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At the risk of sounding direct, I wouldn't bother your RC with an extention request. Why should they grant your request? Because you waited too long? I think you are way ahead of yourself regarding career progression. Should you earn a commission as a Marine, start by doing well at TBS, then being a good platoon leader, then company commander. Heck you jump right in there to Battalion CO which is an lieutenant colonel level responsibility. First things first: Start with earning a commision. Good luck, Chesty;)
 
WT Door said:
At the risk of sounding direct, I wouldn't bother your RC with an extention request. Why should they grant your request? Because you waited too long? I think you are way ahead of yourself regarding career progression. Should you earn a commission as a Marine, start by doing well at TBS, then being a good platoon leader, then company commander. Heck you jump right in there to Battalion CO which is a lieutenant colonel level responsibility. First things first: Start with earning a commision. Good luck, Chesty;)
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I wholeheartedly agree. They shouldn’t grant me an extension. I take full responsibility for my mistake and the best thing I can do is live with the consequences and work harder to achieve my goals.

I can admit I’ve gone a little off the deep end in terms of career progression in this conversation 😂
 
iskekeirhtj said:
I wholeheartedly agree. They shouldn’t grant me an extension. I take full responsibility for my mistake and the best thing I can do is live with the consequences and work harder to achieve my goals.

I can admit I’ve gone a little off the deep end in terms of career progression in this conversation 😂
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Don’t dream small. You can be the Commander in Chief one day!

You will be fine. :)
 
A1Janitor said:
Go Navy. Beat Army.
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First of all, y’all are in the wrong thread…

iskekeirhtj said:
I still see myself the most as an infantry officer
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Second, having an appointment to USNA is amazing, awesome job! If you really want to be marine ground, put your mind to it and do everything to achieve that goal.

…with that said, not getting in the first time is not uncommon, like at all. I’d probably say like 7 of plebes in my company came from prior service, prep, or from a year at college. One of my buddies in particular got in for the C/O 2026 after his third try. While there’s no guarantee that you’d receive an appointment to USMA in the next round, doing a year of prep work and college will look really good on your application. Also, if you receive an appointment for 2028, I can tell you that if you say you want infantry here, it’s pretty much a guarantee, at usna it’s not. If you have any other questions please feel free to DM, I’d be happy to answer questions about USMA and tell you what I know about branching.
 
I would imagine that the small relative size of the Corps would lend itself to easier accession to leadership positions? Perhaps not.
-Another fairly-naive seventeen year old
 
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