What if I'm interested in two academics?

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Napk1ns

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So I'm interested in becoming a fighter/CAS pilot, if not a bomber or fixed wing. I want to attend the Air force academy but at the same time I also want to attend Annapolis. When I'm speaking during my congressional interview, how should I deliver this? I feel if I tell them I want to attend Air force and Navy is my back up, and I don't get recommend for USAFA, they won't even consider me for a recommendation for Navy either when in actuality I would have also been glad to attend USNA.
Along with this, when I'm speaking to my ALO or BGO, how should I tell them I'm interested in two service academics? If I tell them this, I think they will just go and recommend someone who is dedicated to one academy.
Any response is greatly appreciated.
 
Napk1ns said:
So I'm interested in becoming a fighter/CAS pilot, if not a bomber or fixed wing. I want to attend the Air force academy but at the same time I also want to attend Annapolis. When I'm speaking during my congressional interview, how should I deliver this? I feel if I tell them I want to attend Air force and Navy is my back up, and I don't get recommend for USAFA, they won't even consider me for a recommendation for Navy either when in actuality I would have also been glad to attend USNA.
Along with this, when I'm speaking to my ALO or BGO, how should I tell them I'm interested in two service academics? If I tell them this, I think they will just go and recommend someone who is dedicated to one academy.
Any response is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Don’t tell anyone you want to attend “Annapolis “, tell them you wish to attend the USNA.
Your ALO and BGO see many candidates applying to more than one Academy, that is nothing new to them.
When you are in your interview, the main thing to express to the panel is your desire to serve your country and why. While doing that you mention that you can see yourself serving as a pilot and that both of those academies will lead you to that goal. Further explain what other job in each branch you could see yourself doing if you weren’t to become a pilot.
You then close with mentioning that you are also applying for ROTC scholarships for the Air Force and Navy because those are both great paths to achieve your ultimate goal of commissioning.
 
In my opinion, the thing that impresses those that interview you is when the candidate sees the big picture. So, the approach is something along the lines that you want to serve your country and you are drawn to the opportunities to do "x" in the Air Force and to do "y" in the Navy. Both military career paths appeal to you. It's not about the 4 years at "Annapolis."
 
Agree...many of our candidates are interested in both USNA and USAFA, especially those interested in flying. Your focus should be on service first, then the opportunity to fly. Be prepared to discuss why you prefer one service or another.

From the BGO perspective, I never criticize the other Service Academies, but will often discuss the differences in both the Service Academies as well as the Services themselves.
 
@Napk1ns

You are getting some solid advice from experienced posters on the multi-academy dilemma.

My two cents is a general “attention to detail” advisory as you go through the SA application process. I admit when I looked at the title of your thread, “What if I’m interested in two academics?” my immediate silly response was “Never let them know about each other.” You’ll be doing a lot of written work throughout this process. Make it a habit to proofread, and get fresh eyes on important things. Auto-correct/complete can be a wonderful tool, if it chooses well for you.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
From the BGO perspective, I never criticize the other Service Academies, but will often discuss the differences in both the Service Academies as well as the Services themselves.
Click to expand...
Exactly this. I often discuss the specific career opportunities within the services. While I am not "from" the other services, I served in a number of joint commands and made sure to learn about the career paths and opportunities.
 
In our congressional district, the nomination application required a ranking of the service academies being applied for. During the interview, applicants were told only their first choice would be considered. This was a surprise in December. Both of our senators would only allow one service academy to be listed. DS also applied to the VP which allowed all service academy nominations to be requested.
 
shock-n-awe said:
Don’t tell anyone you want to attend “Annapolis “, tell them you wish to attend the USNA.
Your ALO and BGO see many candidates applying to more than one Academy, that is nothing new to them.
When you are in your interview, the main thing to express to the panel is your desire to serve your country and why. While doing that you mention that you can see yourself serving as a pilot and that both of those academies will lead you to that goal. Further explain what other job in each branch you could see yourself doing if you weren’t to become a pilot.
You then close with mentioning that you are also applying for ROTC scholarships for the Air Force and Navy because those are both great paths to achieve your ultimate goal of commissioning.
Click to expand...
This is some amazing advice and I will definitely keep this in mind when my interview comes along. But it also sparked another question. Should I tell my BGO and ALO something like this? :

"I have always wanted to serve my country, especially in the military. I am interested in the service academies, both USNA and USAFA because of their opportunities of allowing me to be able to fly fixed wing aircraft, my primary goal while serving the nation. If I am not able to work in the field of aviation however, I have interest in working as a combat rescue officer in the Air force and working with military intelligence for the Navy."
 
Capt MJ said:
@Napk1ns

You are getting some solid advice from experienced posters on the multi-academy dilemma.

My two cents is a general “attention to detail” advisory as you go through the SA application process. I admit when I looked at the title of your thread, “What if I’m interested in two academics?” my immediate silly response was “Never let them know about each other.” You’ll be doing a lot of written work throughout this process. Make it a habit to proofread, and get fresh eyes on important things. Auto-correct/complete can be a wonderful tool, if it chooses well for you.
Click to expand...
Will do. I'll make sure my English teacher proof reads it and makes sure I don't make any simple errors.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Agree...many of our candidates are interested in both USNA and USAFA, especially those interested in flying. Your focus should be on service first, then the opportunity to fly. Be prepared to discuss why you prefer one service or another.

From the BGO perspective, I never criticize the other Service Academies, but will often discuss the differences in both the Service Academies as well as the Services themselves.
Click to expand...
I already began leaning toward the Air force as a career option because the jobs available there outside of aviation are just as interesting as being a pilot. When I am asked about preferring one service over another, should I tell this to the Navy BGO? Because there are multiple jobs outside of being a pilot I would like to do within the Navy but to me, the Air force seems to offer more jobs I am interested in than the Navy.
 
Capt MJ said:
I admit when I looked at the title of your thread, “What if I’m interested in two academics?” my immediate silly response was “Never let them know about each other.”
Click to expand...

Pay attention, people. This is called comic timing.
 
Napk1ns said:
I already began leaning toward the Air force as a career option because the jobs available there outside of aviation are just as interesting as being a pilot. When I am asked about preferring one service over another, should I tell this to the Navy BGO? Because there are multiple jobs outside of being a pilot I would like to do within the Navy but to me, the Air force seems to offer more jobs I am interested in than the Navy.
Click to expand...

What jobs can you get in the Air Force that are more interesting than the Navy ? I will tell you what my BGO told me almost 40 years ago . Air Force was my first choice, but my BGO explained that if I got disqualified , opportunities were limited because in the Air Force if you weren't a pilot you were essentially a second class citizen. I don't think he said it that disparagingly, but he explained the the alternatives in the Navy, including Surface, Submarine, USMC, and Special Ops gave better career opportunities and opportunities to achieve Command than a non-pilot designated Air Force Officer.

If you are going to tell your BGO that the Air Force has better alternatives than Navy, be prepared to explain your reasons. Other than Strategic Missile Officer (yawn, do we even have that anymore? ), I can't think of any job in the Air Force that you can't do in the Navy. (However,, keep in mind that USNA produces mostly Line officers, so the direct line to some of the staff type assignments may be limited).
 
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