<p>Taffy - as to the salary some guys get coming out of these acadamies, it varies depending on what you end up doing. I can only speak to USMMA as we were told that indeed USMMA kids come out making pretty big bucks due to the licenses they hold. And yep. You'll have to do alot of swimming. No worries. Mine isn't the best swimmer but they're making him into one. They have classes weekly which includes all that Boss told you about beginning with the cpr/first-aid. Its kinda a must at any maritime academy. Gotta get yourself certified! And no you won't fall off one of the big ships! LOL You crack me up. </p>
<p>And Boss! Stop already! We're trying to motivate him towards USMMA! LOL</p>
<p>Even the infantry-driven army makes you swim. At West Point cadets have to take a minimum of 19 swimming lessons. Not counting the swim across Lake Frederick in full gear.</p>
<p>This year the nearly $100 million Arvin Gymnasium renovation was completed and now houses 3 olympic-sized pools. One of the pools is designed for survival training and can generate 4 foot waves and other storm conditions.</p>
<p>There may be a surfing club in West Point's future.</p>
<p>Looks like you're ready to move up to a higher level of training. :) </p>
<p>Actually you have quite a few months to improve your swimming. If you think lessons are necessary, take some. Then build your endurance by swimming laps. There are also stroke improvement classes if you're already a decent swimmer who just needs to become better. Even if you're looking at pilot training, learning to swim better can't hurt. (This from a dog paddler who never really learned to swim.)</p>
<p>i learned to swim a long time ago, but my technique and endurance are horrible. i first learned to swim the hard way, then took swimming lessons to actually learn :) i havn't swum in a pool for like a year i think. </p>
<p>i can't find boxing on the usmma athletics website. do they have such a team, and is it on a club level like cga? usna has kickass boxing, but cga puts it on the same level as bowling! thats just insulting :)</p>
<p>With just under 1,000 cadets we can't have every sport be varsity. As it is we have 23...75% of the school is in a VARSITY sport, so you do the math...btw that was a nice picture of you in your swimmies...</p>
<p>During Indoc at USMMA there is a swimming test ... if the candidate does not perform well they're placed in a remedial swim classes. All plebes will begin swimming in another week, right now they are doing first aide.</p>
<p>Indoc is only 18 days because at USMMA academic classes begin much earlier than the other academies due to "sea year." I know that the shortened Indoc does seem appealing, as it did for my son; nonetheless, one is still a plebe candidate (p/c) until acceptance day in mid-Sept. Subsequently the p/c's are still expected to square their corners, serve in the dining room, do "IT," etc., in other words ... still treated as if they are in Indoc. However, since so much time is now spent in class and ones sport, the intensity of what the candidates experienced during Indoc has most certainly diminished.</p>
<p>I concur with what was recommended by others in their posts ... you really need to visit and preferably schedule an overnight to really get a better sense of things. I know it must be difficult for you living in Calif.; but, considering that you will be spending 4 years wherever you decide to go (and that includes civilian colleges), the time invested will be well worth it..... good luck!</p>
<p>my mom likes the idea of going to NYC at the beginning of winter break. do you know when usmma gets off for winter break? i want to visit when people are actually there and i can do an overnight.</p>
<p>i applied for a nomination application packet from my congresswoman. also, my mom started reading about kings point. she started talking about how the govt would be able to send me to war because i would be in the reserves. she also said like 140 KPers were killed in WWII. anything i should tell her?</p>
<p>USMMA is on a trimester system. They have a break at the End of October and The First week of March. They have a Christmas Break from 21st -1/2 January depending on the weekend. They really don't have a Holiday break.</p>
<p>Taffy, really do some deep soul searching on what you want after high school & involve your parents. All five of our service academies are military. All five therefore involve risks. I refer you to the thread on sacrifices being real in the Service academy parents forum. Its serious business to want to serve your country. KP was actually born from need during WWII. Yes, there have been Midshipmen who have been called upon to help in recent years. Prayerfulmom wrote a post recently that reflects what they've done in years past. They've mostly helped to transport goods to our military and on 911, they ferried firemen and other civilians to safe places. </p>
<p>When you do your research on any of the academies, you won't find anything underhanded as to what they are about. The primary goal is to train officers to serve our military. While you're doing your application process, be sure to research in depth. The best way to re-assure your Mom is to let her help you and to speak to Academy representatives. The USMMA parents association website is a good place for her to begin reading. To give you an example of one type of service, I'll use my son's interests. He wants to eventually go into the Coast Guard because he's always felt his services could be best used in homeland security of our ports. He may or may not go active duty. USMMA offers ten slots for active-duty officer positions that must be competed for. If he is not a strong enough candidate or ends up not wanting the active-duty position, he will go reserves and do his duty while working in the cilvilian markets. Since he has three more years, he'll have time to think on it. He will have to make a decision during that time as to which branch of service to go in to. Have your Mom post some questions on the Service Academy Parents forum about any academy. She can get many of her questions answered here. </p>
<p>Yes you can do an overnight visit. Just call to arrange it. There is info on it on the USMMA website under visits. On a lighter note, I would strongly advise that you look at the photos I'd recently posted showing exactly what you'd be getting into. LOL</p>
<p>wow, only 10 slots for AD... is that coast guard slots or all together slots? how many students end up actually wanting to compete for the AD slots and how many of those get them?</p>
<p>If a person is working in the civilian markets, how do they do the naval reserve stuff? i thought the big-box-boat guys were at sea for like 2/3 of the year?</p>
<p>Good question taffy! Way to go! I had wondered the same thing myself. I can only address the Coast Guard slots at USMMA as my son just informed me of their policies. Don't know how many AD slots are opened for the other branches there. As to serving in Reserves when you're working in the private sector aboard a ship for six months, they work with you on a schedule. Its my understanding that all of the academies have "slots" for AD officers. Not all make it into those slots & go Reserves. Perhaps Boss and Aspen and the others will chime in on how many there are for AD at the other academies. </p>
<p>And hey! Where did you come up with the "big box boat guys" term anyhow? That is just too funny! I'm gonna start using that one. With your permission of course!</p>
<p>momoftwins: now don't be poking fun at the Naval Academy....anyway, I need to defend our fine mids down in Annapolis and make a minor correction....it's "Canoe U," also known as the "Severn River Institute for Talented High School Overachievers"....that by the "kay-dets" at "Hudson High" and those "altitude junkies" at the "Colorado Country Club" ...and lets not forget those "puddle jumpers" at New London...(only kidding!!!)</p>
<p>kidding aside, what great places and how lucky are kids are to have these experiences, even with the jesting that spurs their competetive side! </p>
<p>will leave you guys now- have to get back to the navy posts!
best of luck to all!</p>
<p>Uh. Whats Taffy been up to lately? Busy with applications! You go baby! Well, I guess USNA ended up with all the good names so from hence forth, USMMA will known as The University of the Big Box Boat Guys (in Taffy's honor)</p>
