I'm a class of 2029 applicant, LOA received and just waiting on a nom. I've looked into ECAs at the Academy and Drum and Bugle and Sprint Football are the two I'm most interested in. I have 4 years of experience in both, tenor drums for my high school marching band and defensive line for varsity football. I meet the weight requirement for sprint and love playing football but love music too. Was wondering if it's possible to participate in both (I'm guessing there's a lot of scheduling conflicts so I doubt it would be), and if not which y'all would recommend.
Trying to Decide on ECAs
- Thread starter Peej
- Start date
There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about the various ECA's when you actually start the program at USNA. The challenging academic program as well as various other military obligations will be where you spend the majority of your time. No one has any idea of how well they will do prior to starting and it is always a good idea to make sure you don't get in over your head with various ECA's before you see how much time those other things will require.
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As @time2 says.
Your first job at USNA for all 4 years is stay sat in academic, military performance, conduct, PRT, honor and other areas.
First things first - get an appointment and get through plebe summer. Then figure out your priorities as the avalanche of ac year workload, plebe requirements, mandatory fun, watchstanding, etc., rolls over you. You’ll get plenty of briefs over the summer. Some are able to juggle a few ECAs and sail through their 4 years; some can’t fit any in, as they are struggling all 4 years. You have been a successful frog in your pond, but you will be in a larger pond of equally or more successful frogs. Time management, prioritization and self-discipline will be your top survival skills, at a level you likely haven’t practiced before.
ECAs are a great outlet and stress reliever, but you have to be strategic. You do them because you enjoy them, but you can also quit if need be - you don’t need them for a resume. D&B is a Brigade activity, I think, with long hours of practice. Sprint football is not an ECA but either a club or varsity sport, ditto practice.
One step at a time. Thousands of mids have figured this out before you. If you go there, you will too.
Your first job at USNA for all 4 years is stay sat in academic, military performance, conduct, PRT, honor and other areas.
First things first - get an appointment and get through plebe summer. Then figure out your priorities as the avalanche of ac year workload, plebe requirements, mandatory fun, watchstanding, etc., rolls over you. You’ll get plenty of briefs over the summer. Some are able to juggle a few ECAs and sail through their 4 years; some can’t fit any in, as they are struggling all 4 years. You have been a successful frog in your pond, but you will be in a larger pond of equally or more successful frogs. Time management, prioritization and self-discipline will be your top survival skills, at a level you likely haven’t practiced before.
ECAs are a great outlet and stress reliever, but you have to be strategic. You do them because you enjoy them, but you can also quit if need be - you don’t need them for a resume. D&B is a Brigade activity, I think, with long hours of practice. Sprint football is not an ECA but either a club or varsity sport, ditto practice.
One step at a time. Thousands of mids have figured this out before you. If you go there, you will too.
urbansailor
Member
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- Jan 21, 2022
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definitely not both. You could do one and then also be a part of a few other less involved ECAs tho
IronmanDaremo
What, me worry?
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Don't count your chickens before they hatch. First, secure your appointment, an LOA is not an appointment. Second, make it safe and healthy to I-Day. Third, survive Plebe summer and Hello-O night/day. Fourth, survive Ac year. Somewhere in all that mess, you'll figure out what things you'd like to do (and more importantly - fit into your hectic schedule).
usna1985
15-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
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It's important to assess how challenging you will find academics. You can't do that until AT LEAST your first set of exams. Almost everyone enters USNA having been the top 25% of their h.s. class. I 100% guarantee you that half of each USNA class is in the bottom 50% academically. This is true every semester. Every incoming mid says "it won't be me." 50% are wrong.
If you're one who does fine with academics, then -- as others have said -- see where you want to spend your free time. There are all sorts of music opportunities with a variety of groups. Some take more time than others. Varsity and club sports suck up your free time. If you love the sport, it's all a labor of love, but it can be grueling and really hard to do any other major ECA / sport unless academics are a breeze.
If you're one who does fine with academics, then -- as others have said -- see where you want to spend your free time. There are all sorts of music opportunities with a variety of groups. Some take more time than others. Varsity and club sports suck up your free time. If you love the sport, it's all a labor of love, but it can be grueling and really hard to do any other major ECA / sport unless academics are a breeze.
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+10 to this. DD played on a club team because of her deep love for the sport. Practice everyday, games on weekends, plus road trips — on top of academics, military obligations and leadership billets. She was a good time manager and prioritizer, but it still took a toll. So I agree with the others: Wait until you get there and get a feel for the place before deciding all that you will — actually, can — do.