Excellent advice xTxManX. It can definitely suck when what the applicant thinks is important or comparable, the academy doesn't always see it that way. And athletics is probably the #1 debated topic. I've been on different college/academy forums for about 5 years. CC and this one only for a couple. And athletics always gets brought up. I.e. Those who letter in band and believe that band/marching demonstrates just as much about team work, training, leadership, etc... as does a sport such as football or basketball. It very well might. But that isn't important. What's important is that the academies don't see it that way. And if you really do care about becoming a commissioned officer via the academy; and serving your country; then you have to learn and accept right now that the military is not a democracy, and many times, you opinion or point of view isn't important to the military.
That isn't to say the military only wants robots and people who can't think for themselves. On the contrary. Just that the military is an organization that has it's procedures for change. Which can be slow at times. But most importantly, you have to be INSIDE the system to make change. So accept the fact that there are certain rules and standards that the academy has, and you're not going to change that.
There's been people who have run marathons and such and it didn't count. You have to realize that the military revolves around physical fitness. Physical fitness is directly tied to mental and emotional fitness. As an applicant; the academy doesn't know you from adam or eve. As such, they have to develop certain standards to rate you on. VARSITY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS is one of the big things. Don't rationalize band, being a YMCA swimming instructor, etc... as being equal or comparable. Varsity sports are one of the few verifiable physical fitness, team building, and leadership activities you have to show. Just about anything else; including that YOUR band was as physical as an athlete, can be totally made up and pure B.S. Not that it was, just that it's not verifiable.
There are some exceptions. We've had/have some currently at the academy who never played 1 minute of high school varsity sports. The exceptions are usually for:
1. Home schooled or school without sports. In this case, the applicant normally provides proof a ymca, city league, etc... TEAM sports such as soccer, baseball, etc.... Sometimes even providing proof of playing for a number of years along with a letter from the coach.
2. COMPETITIVE non high school sports such as a ranked Martial Artist, Private gymnast who is ranked or competitive. These are the type of athletics that meet the criteria of what the academy is looking for; but are usually on the level of working towards national level. I.e. qualifying for the olympics. (Not that you have to qualify, but that type/style of athletics as compared to high school)
3. The other "waiver" for lack of a better word; came from a couple of individuals who weren't into high school sports. Was able to prove city league participation; (Normally doesn't count unless high school isn't available); but ACED the rest of the entire application. And when I say aced; I mean about as high as you can get. Almost maxed everything on the CFA. 35-36 ACT; 2300+ SAT; 4.0 unweighted all IB/AP class rank #1; etc....
I know 3 individuals (2 currently at the academy) who fell into one of the 3 categories I just listed. That didn't play any high school athletics at all. But barring that possibility; head xTxManx's warning. Be involved in high school athletics. Achieve a varsity letter if at all possible. Work your way to being a captain of a team if possible. (If not, there are plenty of other leadership areas; e.g. Boy's state, class officer, etc...). But athletics is very important to the academies. Doesn't matter if you like that or agree with it. All that matters is that you know it. And if you want to be selected and given an appointment, you'll meet their standards. Now; once you're in the system; if you want to work on getting it changed for future applicants; have a nut. But until you're on the inside, it doesn't matter who agrees with it or not. later... mike....