Why did you choose Navy?

G

go4bacon

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
13
I'm sure there's a thread about this somewhere, but I'm having a hard time finding it. Here's my situation.

I have received an appointment to West Point and will most likely receive one from USAFA as well (although I'm pretty confident that I would choose USMA over the Air Force Academy). My BGO at USNA told me recently that I still have a small chance at admission to USNA even though I did not get a nomination from my representatives, but that got me thinking.

Of those people who I have known with appointments to both USNA and USMA, everyone has chosen West Point. Is there anyone here who falls into this category but chose USNA? What were your motivations? Do you regret that decision? If you are like my friends who chose USMA, I would love to hear your thoughts as well.
 
A friend of ours (USNA class of 2011) had appointments to all 5 academies. He chose USNA because his lifelong dream had been to be a naval aviator. He is now in flight training.

I would urge you to become as familiar as possible with your career choices AFTER USxA. That's really more the most important issue, IMO. If you want to be an infantry officer, for example, you'd best not go to USAFA, although you could end up in that career path from either USNA (USMC) or USMA. If you want to be an aviator, you could attend any of the three, with the understanding that Army aviators are predominantly flying helos, Air Force flies mostly fixed wing, and Navy/USMC flies a mix.

(OK, I've tried to be balanced. Now for my Navy bias!) If you want to take out bad guys who have been on the loose for 10 years, or if you want to rescue people from pirates, there's only one place to go: Navy!
 
Hmm..well USNA has everything. Marine Corps-ground, Naval Aviation, Surface Warfare, Navy Seals, Intelligence... you have a lot of options. :thumb:
 
I didn't ever get an appointment to West Point, but I did get an LOA. I guess I couldve gotten a nom for both USNA and USMA if I had tried hard enough. Who knows. But I made my decision on Navy before noms were given.

I had always wanted Navy, but for a good while seriously considered West Point. I went to SLS and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed being around the cadets and of course it was beautiful in the summer.

I chose USNA because I preferred the variety of career options. I liked the fact that I could be a boat driver or go on subs or go EOD or fly or be a Marine.

Mostly, though, it was a gut feeling. I can't explain it, but Navy felt right. That's probably mostly why I came here.

Of course, though, Navy will always be the best. But you really can't go wrong with any of your choices. Except Air Force.
 
howacupcake said:
Hmm..well USNA has everything. Marine Corps-ground, Naval Aviation, Surface Warfare, Navy Seals, Intelligence... you have a lot of options. :thumb:
Click to expand...

as of now, you cant service select navy intel unless you are medically disqualified from unrestricted line.
 
One thing to think about... Do you want to serve aboard a cramped ship for six months or more at a time? Do you like bobbing around at sea? Even aviation and Marines get to do this. I'm partial to Navy myself but something for OP to think about.
 
kinnem said:
One thing to think about... Do you want to serve aboard a cramped ship for six months or more at a time? Do you like bobbing around at sea? Even aviation and Marines get to do this. I'm partial to Navy myself but something for OP to think about.
Click to expand...

I've never seen a cramped Navy ship.... with the exception of a sub. The rest seem to be spacious.

:wink:
 
howacupcake said:
Hmm..well USNA has everything. Marine Corps-ground, Naval Aviation, Surface Warfare, Navy Seals, Intelligence... you have a lot of options. :thumb:
Click to expand...
you forgot Marine-Air! Oh, and you don't have the opportunity to transfer into Intelligence until you've spent at least 3-4 years in your primary community. That is actually one area in which Army has an advantage right out of the Academy, or ROTC.
 
kinnem said:
One thing to think about... Do you want to serve aboard a cramped ship for six months or more at a time? Do you like bobbing around at sea? Even aviation and Marines get to do this.
Click to expand...
Most often a concern by those who have never been there. The only problem with the Navy is that when you are doing your job, which is fun, challenging, and rewarding, you are definitely away from your family.

LiveGold said:
Of course, though, Navy will always be the best. But you really can't go wrong with any of your choices. Except Air Force.
Click to expand...
Concur completely.
 
Oh, and you don't have the opportunity to transfer into Intelligence until you've spent at least 3-4 years in your primary community. That is actually one area in which Army has an advantage right out of the Academy, or ROTC.
Click to expand...

dunninla, your statement isn't completely true. 6 MIDN from 2012 were selected for DIRECT ACCESSION into the Intel community and I have a tingling feeling that will most likely increase over the next few years. Those who lateral transfer can do so after their first SWO tour, which would be within their 27 months.
 
Of course, though, Navy will always be the best. But you really can't go wrong with any of your choices. Except Air Force.[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity, why are you biased against the Air Force? or was it meant more as a joke?
 
jadler03 said:
dunninla, your statement isn't completely true. 6 MIDN from 2012 were selected for DIRECT ACCESSION into the Intel community .
Click to expand...
thanks for the update. I should now say "virtually not available", as 6 is a lot fewer than make it into SEALS or EOD. By comparison, about 300 out of Army ROTC branch into Intel, with about 225 first detailing (being lent) to combat arms branches for 2-3 years, and the other 75 or so going direct.
 
Son had appointments to USNA and USMA. He chose USMA because of the variety of career paths available. When it came down to it, he didn't want to be on a ship, in a sub, or land planes on a ship. He is very happy with his choice and will be an Army Aviator...loves those helicopters!
 
ctuma2 said:
Of course, though, Navy will always be the best. But you really can't go wrong with any of your choices. Except Air Force.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, why are you biased against the Air Force? or was it meant more as a joke?[/QUOTE]

I hope so. Being the newest service, the USAF takes a lot of good-natured garbage from her sister services. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the USAF.
 
thanks for the update. I should now say "virtually not available", as 6 is a lot fewer than make it into SEALS or EOD. By comparison, about 300 out of Army ROTC branch into Intel, with about 225 first detailing (being lent) to combat arms branches for 2-3 years, and the other 75 or so going direct.
Click to expand...

Actually, when you factor in that Army Intelligence consists of the IO missions, you would have to include Navy's IW community in addition to Intel. There is about 200 new accessions a year for Navy. USMA commissions about 50 officers into Intel, whereas USNA commissions about 20 into Intel/IW, not all directly. Statistically, the odds might be greater at USMA than USNA, however each service does different type of Intel. It's the same argument you would use when comparing Army to Navy aviation. Additionally, at USMA, if you choose "Intel" you might actually end up in an Info Operations job, which wouldn't be true within the Navy.
 
usna1985 said:
Just out of curiosity, why are you biased against the Air Force? or was it meant more as a joke?
Click to expand...

I hope so. Being the newest service, the USAF takes a lot of good-natured garbage from her sister services. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the USAF.[/QUOTE]


I hope it was a joke. I did my time in the Marine Corps, when my son had his choice of any of the academies, and we checked them out, I advised him to go Air Force.
I spent time doing joint ops with the AF and I saw how much better they were treated. Plus my son knew he did not want to spend a lot of time at sea. He knew he wanted to have a family and be there to raise his children, the Air Force seemed like the best option for that lifestyle.
He is very happy with his choice.
 
DevilDog said:
I hope so. Being the newest service, the USAF takes a lot of good-natured garbage from her sister services. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the USAF.
Click to expand...


I hope it was a joke. I did my time in the Marine Corps, when my son had his choice of any of the academies, and we checked them out, I advised him to go Air Force.
I spent time doing joint ops with the AF and I saw how much better they were treated. Plus my son knew he did not want to spend a lot of time at sea. He knew he wanted to have a family and be there to raise his children, the Air Force seemed like the best option for that lifestyle.
He is very happy with his choice.[/QUOTE]

AF was the best option for DH as well for the "family friendly" lifestyle we enjoyed. He was there with us just like working any other job with the exception of a very short TDY or 2.. but then that was during the 80's and it was peace time. Joint service exercises.. Marines ran, Army marched and he got on a bus:biggrin: DH was happy with that. DS is NROTC and he of course pokes fun at the "Chair Force" when opportunity arises between him and his Dad. We were stationed one place.. MacDill.. it was awesome there, but we were married.. settled with a child when he went in. DS of course has no designs on family living at this point and wants to have as many options as possible and the Navy seems to offer a greater "technical" variety for the engineer he is hoping to become. He had no clue what military life was REALLY like nor much exposure to any of it, so he is figuring out his options as he goes. Sea duty is appealing to a young person from the boondocks that hasn't seen too much of the world. DS is embracing the things we tried to avoid. We were successful at staying put and staying together, but regardless of service branch, you can go anywhere any time, and that is just part of the deal. Good Luck
 
i chose USNA because of career options. there is SWO (Nuc, intel, oceanography), Marines (aviation, intel, comms, logistics, ground, infantry), Subs, Navy aviation, Naval Flight officer, SEALS, EOD, Engineering Duty Officer, Medical Corps, and several others that have a small number of billets. Some of these aren't straight out of the academy but are guaranteed after your first tour.

Also, i like the climate better at USNA- more team work. Plebes here do morning workouts 3-5 times per week, which builds a lot of bonds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top