USMMA to the Air Force

@Pima , just want to know, are you guaranteed an active duty commission (Air Force, Navy, etc.) in USMMA as long as you have very good grades (3.8 GPA), but minimal PRT scores (60's)? A USNA or USAFA appointment seems to be much harder to receive now.

@Mr2020 , does the Navy care a lot about KP PFA scores? U said the AF doesn't, but I'm wondering about the Navy. (my 2nd choice is the USN after USAF post KP graduation).

Also, what jobs in the AF can I get w/ a Marine Engineering degree?

@kpmidmanguy20 , will I ever have to go to OCS to be commissioned in case I graduate from the USMMA?

@Mr2020 , I heard that the Naval Science courses taken at KP qualify u for a Naval direct commission. In a scenario where a kid majored in Mechanical Engineering and minored in Naval Science (but didn't do NROTC), does that qualify him for a direct commission? (just for knowledge sake). Also, did the guy who failed his pfa 5 times commission through the SSOP program (becoming a Reserve Ensign, which every graduate from KP becomes), or become an AD SWO? For the AF or Navy, I want to become a AD officer. I have no ambition whatsoever to become a reservist.

@KPEngineer , what about the story of the pfa faliure?

@KPEngineer , so I am almost completely good for an ADAF or ADN commission as long as I get my 60's on the pfa, perform well academicaly and not do anything dumb?

@Mr2020 , just asking, do Reserve/NG veterans (weekend warriors) get less veteran's benefits compared to AD veterans? I am not asking this because I want more veterans benefits, I'm asking because i dont like the idea of weekend fighting.

@KPEngineer , what about the benefits? Also, I like the idea of sailing for months, but I don't want to eat up 8 years worth of weekends with that.

@KPEngineer , what about the benefits? SSOP seems cool, but I would also like to know a little about the benefits after discharging/retirement for reserve vs AD. THX

@KPEngineer , are these all benefits after retiring from the Naval Reserve? I'm thinking about doing my 8 years and leaving the Navy, instead of 20.

@KPEngineer , so in case I go to ADAF/ADN, and serve for my required 5 years, don't get recalled for any wars, don't get disabled or harmed during service, I don't get any veteran's benefits?

@KPEngineer , by the way, is it easier to become an SWO or go to ADAF than becoming Air National Guardsman? If I want reserve, I kind of want to do Air force NG.

@KPEngineer , is it possible to go from Naval Reserve to ADN? If it is possible, is it very difficult?

@KPEngineer , is it easier to get an Army/Navy ROTC scholarship or an appointment to WP/USNA or USMMA?

@KPEngineer , do you know the acceptance rate for NROTC scholarships? I know AROTC is 32.5%.

@KPEngineer , I see that Merchant Mariners who commission into the CG from KP have to go to DCS as per MARGRAD, and is it the same for the other branches? For example, if I commission to the AF after KP, will I have to go through some kind of direct commission training similar to the Coast Guard's procedure?

-P.S, may KP offer more standard engineering majors in the future? (Mechanical, Electrical, etc.) If I want to get CG licensure, I kind of want to go to SUNY Maritime for they have an EE program.

-Also, as part of the commitment for the SSOP, it says that I must maintain employment in the Maritime Industry for the duration of my service. I want to do a MS in Information Systems or Technology to get into IT/Business (which has very good career prospects, better than the Maritime industry). How will the Navy handle this? Will they not allow it?

@Mr2020 or @KPEngineer , is it easier to go ADAF, Navy SWO or AD Army Corps of Engineers, etc? (by the way, I do NOT want to go pilot/aviation)

@KPEngineer , if you switch to the CE corps, is it AD and do you need to go to OCS? Also, is AD Army Corps of Engineers easier to get into or ADAF?

Also, is it possible to get into a service academy w/ 0 pull ups? (I can't do any)!

@KPEngineer, can I get in KP with 1 pull-up (though i'll probably do more), and approx how many midns from MMA go to ADAF?

That has to be a record. Did you figure out which path is easiest and won't require any of that athletic stuff?

+100 to @KPEngineer and others for all the great answers.
 
@THParent , I'm sorry I asked all those questions, but I have one last doubt. @KPEngineer , about how many Midns from USMMA go into ADAF each year? When I saw a what's next video, the majority of Midns went either SSOP or Aviation. They went into the Navy, Coast Guard or Army mostly, rarely into the MC, but none went ADAF. You said it is an easy process to go to ADAF from Kp, but Im wondering why not a lot of people do it.
 
@KPEngineer , about how many Midns from USMMA go into ADAF each year?
Post #38 refers ...
I have no knowledge which allows me to answer that in any way other than a complete guess.

Also ... I'm not sure I said it was easy to get in, but yes the process should not be overly difficult. Talk to the USAF rep on board, fill out some paper work, jump through various hoops, raise your right hand and poof ... you are a newly minted USAF 2LT!

@KPEngineer Im wondering why not a lot of people do it.

If I had to guess it's because the majority of people who interested in become ADAF Officers go either USAF or AFROTC and not to a Maritime Academy designed to train them to become Mates or Engineers on board ocean going ships of the US Merchant Marine.
 
@THParent , I'm sorry I asked all those questions, but I have one last doubt. @KPEngineer , about how many Midns from USMMA go into ADAF each year? When I saw a what's next video, the majority of Midns went either SSOP or Aviation. They went into the Navy, Coast Guard or Army mostly, rarely into the MC, but none went ADAF. You said it is an easy process to go to ADAF from Kp, but Im wondering why not a lot of people do it.

Ask all the questions you desire. Perhaps I wasn't clear. My emphasis was on your preoccupation with what's "easier".
If you want easy, and you don't want to be required to measure up to any sort of physical standard as a condition of employment, get a job in the civilian world.
 
If I had to guess it's because the majority of people who interested in become ADAF Officers go either USAF or AFROTC and not to a Maritime Academy designed to train them to become Mates or Engineers on board ocean going ships of the US Merchant Marine.

Ironically, I got into KP because I was interested in the Colorado Springs school. . . but by the time of my appointment to KP, the idea was wearing thin. . . . as was the thought of any military career post graduation. . .
 
@KPEngineer , this is weird, but my friend's younger brother is considering to apply to the USNA. He was in the school's table tennis club (1 year) and ultimate Frisbee club (1 year) (most likely will join the 2 clubs again for 12th grade in September) and was in AFJROTC Raiders for 9th/10th grade. He does not have any sports like basketball or baseball. Do ping pong, frisbee and raiders count as sports? If all of them don't, which ones do? Thx a LOT. I hope I'm not troubling you.
-By the way, he wants to get a Cong. Nom from the representative, senator or VP by December, which I think is obvious.
-He has 4-5 APs and very good grades/GPA/1500ish SAT.
Also, in your application to the USNA, do you need to choose a major off the bat, or do choose it after you get an appointment? He wants to do a B.S in English right now.
 
@KPEngineer , this is weird, but my friend's younger brother is considering to apply to the USNA. He was in the school's table tennis club (1 year) and ultimate Frisbee club (1 year) (most likely will join the 2 clubs again for 12th grade in September) and was in AFJROTC Raiders for 9th/10th grade. He does not have any sports like basketball or baseball. Do ping pong, frisbee and raiders count as sports? If all of them don't, which ones do? Thx a LOT. I hope I'm not troubling you.
-By the way, he wants to get a Cong. Nom from the representative, senator or VP by December, which I think is obvious.
-He has 4-5 APs and very good grades/GPA/1500ish SAT.
Also, in your application to the USNA, do you need to choose a major off the bat, or do choose it after you get an appointment? He wants to do a B.S in English right now.
Clubs can be just as good at sports if one is a club officer vs. just a member. Its less about "sports" and more about extracurricular activities.

I know virtually nothing about applying to USNA. Kings Point was the only college I applied to. Not only SA ... only college.
 
@KPEngineer , he was a Cadet Staff Sergeant (I think) in AFJROTC. Does the NCO ranking prove leadership ability to an SA? I believe he was also in color guard.
-I don't think he is a leader in Frisbee and table tennis, just an experienced player.
-Most of the descriptions for SA candidates show that many people are fit athletes. He could be considered an athlete, but you're saying that, per se, being a leader in Model UN/NHS is better than being a mediocre participant of soccer, basketball or ping pong?
-Can you point me to someone who knows more about USNA? THX.
 
@KPEngineer , he was a Cadet Staff Sergeant (I think) in AFJROTC. Does the NCO ranking prove leadership ability to an SA? I believe he was also in color guard.
-I don't think he is a leader in Frisbee and table tennis, just an experienced player.
-Most of the descriptions for SA candidates show that many people are fit athletes. He could be considered an athlete, but you're saying that, per se, being a leader in Model UN/NHS is better than being a mediocre participant of soccer, basketball or ping pong?
-Can you point me to someone who knows more about USNA? THX.
Your CFA will show your level of fitness more than a resume bullet.

If you have questions about USNA, maybe try here. https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?forums/naval-academy-usna.6/
 
@KPEngineer , what about the Cadet Staff Sgt/Leadership thing? do his rank and activities point to leadership ability, as needed for an SA?
-Also, I might want to recommend the USMMA to him. I think its easier to get in to KP than Annapolis.
 
@KPEngineer , what about the Cadet Staff Sgt/Leadership thing? do his rank and activities point to leadership ability, as needed for an SA?
-Also, I might want to recommend the USMMA to him. I think its easier to get in to KP than Annapolis.
Hi!

I've been following this and observing how the dialogue went. I think I can share some "additional" perspective in potentially answering your questions.

I've been an ALO for the Air Force Academy for 25 years and in that time, I've worked VERY closely with my counterparts from the other four SA's. That being said, I've learned their processes (USCGA is different as its a direct competition) are different in some ways and the same in most. I've put students into all the SA's over the years.

Let's go to your question about JROTC S/Sgt. I teach AFJROTC and I will tell you that a second year cadet will be a C/SSgt just by being there and following the rules. Some will get there earlier and others...it depends upon how well they perform as followers. A C/SSgt is the very first level of leadership in JROTC. Again, that being said, it's usually a good reward for showing leadership potential. So it's a good thing to put on an application for ANY higher education.

What the SA's are looking for are the "all around, full package" candidate. They want to see physical fitness, great academics, teamwork experience, leadership, community servants, and, and, and... Just looking at one item isn't going to do it, they want the entire package. That's why I tell my candidates to write an "I love me" paper. Not a true paper, and not a resume, but a list of everything they've done since the first day of ninth grade. NOTHING is too trivial, put it ALL down. That'll serve as a great memory jog and will give a long list of things for the SA to look at and decide what they care about and what they don't.

Now..."I think its easier to get in to KP than Annapolis."

Okay...let's address that one. There's a family that I am extremely close to. Their kids call me "dad #2" and I look upon them as the children my wife and I were never able to have. Two of my "almost daughters" have graduated from SA's: Annapolis and KP. I'm VERY familiar with their processes. Here's my take on KP. It is easier to obtain an appointment to KP than to Annapolis. However...IMHO, it's probably harder to succeed at KP than at ANY of the other SA's. Yes, I said that (and I'm a USAFA grad). I truly believe that the pace and academic challenges of KP make it a very difficult place to survive. Think about it...they work on a trimester system so your classes come fast and furious. Now, why do they do that? Because to graduate you must pass your US Coast Guard license exam for either third mate or third engineer. Those licenses require a year of sea experience so...mid's from KP go to sea twice while attending the academy!! The first trip is about four months and the second is eight or so. And they are SUPER busy on sailing periods. They have projects they must complete that will decide whether or not they proceed to graduation. Then they're back in the classroom, no letup. My "almost daughter #2" graduated on time from KP and we ALL rejoiced as we'd seen just how tough it was!! I think her sister had it easier at Annapolis.

Now...the Annapolis grad is a USMC Pilot and her sister is a student naval aviator.

Both will tell you the SA's were their toughest life challenge to date.

And something they, and we, are super proud of!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
@flieger83 , what could be considered the highest rank a 2nd year cadet can be? By the way, can you become a Cadet 2nd/Lt by end of sophmore year? Just for knowledge purposes only. THX
 
@KPEngineer , what is the easier engineering major at KP? Marine Engineering Systems or Marine Eng. and Shipyard Mgmt? Thank you.
I've seen the previous comments. Im trying to reduce my questions, and im curious about the USMMA.
 
@KPEngineer , what is the easier engineering major at KP? Marine Engineering Systems or Marine Eng. and Shipyard Mgmt? Thank you.
I've seen the previous comments. Im trying to reduce my questions, and im curious about the USMMA.
Definitely Systems*.
Deckies on the verge of failing out of KP are switched to Systems to keep the graduation rate high.






















* Not anywhere near the truth.
 
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