Transferring to the Naval Academy

JC2121

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Hello everyone. I was wondering how viable it is to transfer to the naval academy from a military school. I am still waiting for a decision from the Naval Academy but I have received an acceptance from my 2nd choice of VMI. I was curious to know if transfering to the academy if I reapply and receive an appointment for next year is a good route or if sticking to VMI is better. One of my goals is to be able to become A SEAL officer and I know that the Naval Academy sends more officers to bud/s than any other military school so that would be a big factor. Thank you very much.
 
I currently have a friend in my company who transferred to USNA from VMI. He tends to think that USNA has a better lifestyle than VMI because USNA has stronger regulations to prevent hazing.

You should be aware that even if you go to VMI for a year you will start at USNA as a freshman. That’s what I did after going to a civilian college for a year.

Getting a chance to become a SEAL through USNA is very challenging. You have to go through a 24-hour mock BUDS, amongst other obstacles. But, I have heard that USNA provides people better chances to get a chance to go to BUDS than some of the other commissioning routes.

Good luck with your process!
 
Congratulations on VMI, well done.

Step 1 is to continue to think positively about a USNA offer of appointment. You are in the running until you are not.

Step 2 is to remove the word “transfer” from the discussion. “College re-applicant” is the term. No credits would transfer, and you would start out as a Plebe and go through all four years as if you had never been anywhere else. There will be opportunities to validate courses and get ahead on your matrix, make room for a minor or slightly lessen the semester credit load.

It all comes down to where you see yourself thriving. My gut feel is USNA is the best SEAL spawning ground, because of the mentoring and special workouts. I am sure others will comment.

I am sure you have read the college re-applicant guidance at the primary source, USNA.edu

I often say “be open to the journey,” be flexible, thrive where you are planted, focus on what you can control. All of these apply.

Let us know how it goes for you.
 
Cross-posted with shipmate @Temple 17
:D
 
USNA has a "club" called the Special Operations Team (SOT) that provides comprehensive mental and physical training to aspiring SEALs. Members of SOT participate in lieu of sports or intramurals. This is likely one of the main reasons USNA has the highest success rate for aspiring SEAL officers.
 
You do not transfer and will go through the entire four year program but may receive credit for some college level classes. This would let you get ahead in scheduling classes and may lead to other opportunities to study abroad or double major. My DD did not have to retake history, was placed in an advanced Chemistry class but had to retake history. It all just depends.
 
USNA has a "club" called the Special Operations Team (SOT) that provides comprehensive mental and physical training to aspiring SEALs. Members of SOT participate in lieu of sports or intramurals. This is likely one of the main reasons USNA has the highest success rate for aspiring SEAL officers.

Be aware though, it is competitive to get into SOT. Last fall there were ~60 plebes competing for the 4 slots on the team. They have morning workouts for a week or two, progressively making cuts on who is invited to the next workout. (DS made it to the last day with 15 plebes - I think it was - still standing, but ALAS! he was not one of the 4 who made the final cut.)
 
SOT is an awesome and competitive ECA for mids who desire to subject themselves to grueling workouts. But it’s definitely not an important part of selection to SEALs or EOD. The majority of special warfare selects in fact were in fact not on the Special Operations Team.

I’m not sure that there’s a single definitive factor that really makes USNA better for SEALs, if there even is a causal link at all. My hunch is that USNA attracts the most competitive, “motivated” guys, and these are the folks most likely to make it through the rigors of selection. There are also some small advantages such as the numerous SEALs stationed on the Yard whose job is to mentor midshipmen.

Also, each year there are qualified mids who don’t get selected to be SEALs despite apparently doing all the right things. Nothing’s guaranteed no matter where you go, so keep that in mind when making your decision because it would suck to upend your life for the sole purpose of pursuing the SEAL community only to not get it. Additionally, if you went that route you’d basically have to do 2 Plebe Years, which doesn’t sound very fun.
 
Hello everyone. I was wondering how viable it is to transfer to the naval academy from a military school. I am still waiting for a decision from the Naval Academy but I have received an acceptance from my 2nd choice of VMI. I was curious to know if transfering to the academy if I reapply and receive an appointment for next year is a good route or if sticking to VMI is better. One of my goals is to be able to become A SEAL officer and I know that the Naval Academy sends more officers to bud/s than any other military school so that would be a big factor. Thank you very much.

This may be a controversial piece of advice, but if your goal is to become a SEAL officer, statistically your best shot at it is to enlist as a SEAL, crush the training, and then earn your degree and commission with a foot already in the door. Jocko Willink did this, who you probably know after a little research.

IF you are ok with TRYING to be a SEAL officer, with also a very real possibility of winding up as a Marine Corps 2nd Lt or an Ensign on a destroyer, then USNA is without a doubt a great option. Food for thought.
 
IF you are ok with TRYING to be a SEAL officer, with also a very real possibility of winding up as a Marine Corps 2nd Lt or an Ensign on a destroyer, then USNA is without a doubt a great option. Food for thought.
A USNA Mid will not end up as a Marine Corps 2nd Lt unless they take action ahead of time to take USMC training in the summer before 1/C year. Thus, becoming a 2nd Lt is off the table unless the Mid volunteers for the prerequisite training.
 
A USNA Mid will not end up as a Marine Corps 2nd Lt unless they take action ahead of time to take USMC training in the summer before 1/C year. Thus, becoming a 2nd Lt is off the table unless the Mid volunteers for the prerequisite training.
Right, most SEAL hopefuls, in my experience, have marines (hopefully infantry) as their second choice. Supposedly the only time the marines will accept being "the backup plan". No offense to any jarheads, but if you're competitive for SEALS, the marine trainings are cake.
 
Be aware though, it is competitive to get into SOT. Last fall there were ~60 plebes competing for the 4 slots on the team. They have morning workouts for a week or two, progressively making cuts on who is invited to the next workout. (DS made it to the last day with 15 plebes - I think it was - still standing, but ALAS! he was not one of the 4 who made the final cut.)
Do you know what the selection was based off of? Like ability to keep up? Attitude? Interviews? Etc.
 
Do you know what the selection was based off of? Like ability to keep up? Attitude? Interviews? Etc.
All the email said was: "I expect many mids to sign up, so your form answers and OOM will determine who is selected." I have not heard what the form asks about, but it could involve prior outdoor experience -? (FWIW if helps, OOM is Overall Order of Merit - i.e., their current class ranking - and is usually (always?) a factor in who gets to go do what in the summer blocks, as I understand it. Since it includes physical fitness/athleticism and military aptitude in addition to grades, that would seem to implicitly factor in ability and attitude to a certain degree.)
 
USNA has a "club" called the Special Operations Team (SOT) that provides comprehensive mental and physical training to aspiring SEALs. Members of SOT participate in lieu of sports or intramurals. This is likely one of the main reasons USNA has the highest success rate for aspiring SEAL officers.

This is true, however, it is very competitive to get in. About 40-50+ mids take their week-long screener, and they only offer 2-3 spots in the team.
 
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