Can I submit for Army, AirForce and Navy and then decide?
In our experience four years ago, it was actually seen as proof of desire to serve and not being too particular about how one would serve. Many advisors (such as BGOs for the non-Navy services) encouraged DS to think broadly about what service meant - being willing to meet the needs of the service/country, not just his own desires in a career. You'll undoubtedly read "needs of the Navy" (substitute any service): not everyone gets the pilot slot they covet. Being flexible enough to be happy in life even when "voluntold" is an asset in all the military branches. As a newly commissioned officer you might be assigned the task of making sure the vending machines are fully stocked for a long deployment, the van is tidy enough for the visiting dignitaries, or that a higher ranking officer has all the documents he needs for a meeting. Not always the most exciting stuff but very necessary and a part of service.
My DS was very particular (stubbornly so, one might say), in wanting subs. Nothing else seemed possible to him. That was a high-risk way to go towards disappointment. DS' mentor/Navy BGO, when interviewing, asked him once, "Why only Navy? Why not one of the other services too?" DS told me later he felt like a deer in headlights ... he blanked. The mentor gave him a steely glance and answered for him: "Because only the Navy has submarines, right?" I think the interview points went to the BGO that round!
Good news is DS got the NROTC scholarship, had a great undergrad NROTC experience, and was selected for subs. I prefer your way of approaching things, if you can manage it time-wise. You'll learn a lot during the process, meet some really interesting people who may influence your ultimate decision, and being open to these things will be a great experience for you. Good luck on your applications!
