Transfer to USNA

T

The Lonely Road

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Jun 16, 2021
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Fearful of missing out on the greatest blessing, I accepted an appointment to USMA knowing I wanted to go to USNA. I'm wondering if I applied to USNA and got a nomination and appointment if I could transfer or what that would look like. I understand how ungrateful and confusing this may be, but I'm just interested if this is an option.
 
Neither ungrateful or confusing. "Transferring" will be difficult at both the nomination and the appointment level. My personal opinion would be to decline USMA, go to a traditional school or a dedicated Service Academy prep program and reapply next year. This option will keep you a free agent. Enrolling into USMA will make it harder.

Plenty of opinions on the topic, so I am eager to see what others suggest.

BEFORE opting out of what you already have secured, I would simply think long and hard about Plan B to know if you really want to risk it. It's a gamble for sure. You have a great offer at the moment with USMA. There are reasons you applied and it is not uncommon for applicants to be accepted by a school other than their #1 pick. The question is whether or not you are accepting of taking a different path to a similar outcome. Most are thrilled that they have a shot at one of their top school choices. However, if you have concluded it is USNA or bust.... there is a path for that.
 
shiner said:
Neither ungrateful or confusing. "Transferring" will be difficult at both the nomination and the appointment level. My personal opinion would be to decline USMA, go to a traditional school or a dedicated Service Academy prep program and reapply next year. This option will keep you a free agent. Enrolling into USMA will make it harder.

Plenty of opinions on the topic, so I am eager to see what others suggest.

BEFORE opting out of what you already have secured, I would simply think long and hard about Plan B to know if you really want to risk it. It's a gamble for sure. You have a great offer at the moment with USMA. There are reasons you applied and it is not uncommon for applicants to be accepted by a school other than their #1 pick. The question is whether or not you are accepting of taking a different path to a similar outcome. Most are thrilled that they have a shot at one of their top school choices. However, if you have concluded it is USNA or bust.... there is a path for that.
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I've already completed one year at USMA..
 
Thanks for clarifying. Assuming you secured a NOM and were offered an appointment, there would not be a traditional transfer per say. It would be starting over again as a Plebe.

Understanding the situation now, have you considered excelling in your current location and competing for an exchange student slot as a Junior?

Is it the USNA experience you are seeking or just to serve in the Navy? If the destination is more important than the vehicle, cross commissioning is an option.
 
Cross commissioning is a thing and it seems not uncommon at USMA. USNA only had 1 my year. There also is the Service Academy Exchange Program. There are swaps between USMA, USNA, USAFA, and USCGA. If you go on exchange to USNA, that is a great chance to make contacts if you want to make the hop over to the Navy.

I'd also give USNA Admissions a ring. Since you are already a CDT and Active Duty Army, there might be some internal process. In other words, there might be a way via the Academies/Secretaries of the Army and Navy to facilitate your transfer. That could streamline the process a bit and give you a safety net (the worst that could happen would be a no and you'd still be on track to commission Army or another service via cross commission). DORing to reapply to another SA is a big gamble.

That all being said, I don't have any knowledge on if a transfer is possible. I've never heard of anybody trying it, but there is a first for everything.

Out of curiosity, what is/are your reason(s) for wanting to go to USNA?
 
At USNA’s commissioning this year, there were a couple going to other academies. Recognized in the speeches. Space Force, and I believe Air Force. Is that what you are referring to @Usnavy2019?
 
You can cross commission. It happens every year--we just don't talk about it a lot.
 
justdoit19 said:
At USNA’s commissioning this year, there were a couple going to other academies. Recognized in the speeches. Space Force, and I believe Air Force. Is that what you are referring to @Usnavy2019?
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No - two different things.

1) There is a 1 semester exchange program between USAFA>USMA>USNA>USCGA. Interested students compete to spend first semester of their Junior year at a different Academy. The number varies, but it is realistic to send 8 to each school. If the two schools play each other in football, they have a Prisoner Exchange for the students to go sit with their real school.
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2) Upon graduation, some students may opt to change their branch of service. I.E. you went to USNA but decided you wanted to enter into the Air Force for their superior lifestyle or career options. The act of cross commissioning is something that requires high level approvals, but is common enough for about 16 students to do it each year per school. Out of 1000 - that is a very small number. Each school has their own process and each Branch has their own process and requirements. While not a guarantee that your request to transfer will be honored, ~90+% of students wanting to cross commission are allowed to do it per this year's USAFA's Navy cross commissioning manager.
 
The grass may seem greener or the ocean bluer but why waste time doing this when its all said and done will set you back another 2 years? Realistically try and do the academy exchange your junior year, then cross commission if navy is still your desire. Maybe if you quit second guessing yourself after a semester at usna you will realize you are at the right place after all. If not do your best to cross commission. Go Army!!!
 
I had a USMA classmate do this. He reapplied to USNA during his plebe year and was accepted. Of course he had to start all over as a plebe at Annapolis but when I saw him during a visit, he was very happy. Individual choice and he was willing to do it because he wanted the Naval Academy experience.
 
My neighbor started at USAFA finished Doolie year and applied to USCGA and was appointed. You have to start at the beginning, but he was glad he did it.

He was a football player and ran out of eligibility, so he was actually on the coaching staff his senior year
 
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