Any advice on military academy, please ?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I decided I am army material but I thought I should ask unbiased opinions first. I don’t want to go on just what the recruiters let on. </p>

<p>So here’s the skinny: I am 21 year old female living in Seattle. I am looking to get a nomination for the academies as I would like those 2 extra years (before they make you commit) to see if the army is really something I can get into. I really like the idea of having a skill I specialize in instead of just hoping to get promoted by luck of the draw. The scores are no problem. I aced ASVAB and real tests so I could go into any job I wanted to enlist in. I want to train in computers or Chinese and already have Japanese and art ability. I’d like any tips answers on any of these. TIA </p>

<p>? The main thing is how can I get into the academies? I have the commitment but I have never done anything they look for under leadership. I have never participated sports either. I want to get into a prep school but I could use any edge you can think of.
? : BF and I are not getting married before I join but is marriage a good or bad thing once you’re in the army proper?
? : Can I get anyone in active service to recommend me? Or is it just a senator vice president who can nominate for service academies. Maybe I should get my boyfriend to enlist unless he wants to be a DH he might do it. Would there be something saying he could not recommend me?
? : Can I not fly? Does this make air force a last option for me or are there things worth going USAF for?
? : How anal are the instructors are they going to bust me for using one of these? Action</a> and Water Sports Hair Accessories by Hair Glove<br>
I have long hair and I think it would not touch my collar if I used one of these. It’s even in gray camo. It’s the one quirk that’s kept me out of the military until now I promised somebody I wouldn’t cut my hair when I was a kid. It’s kind of important to me to keep my promise but will they see it as that or rebel tendencies?
? : Are there sleeping uniforms? I have sports shorts I like to sleep in. Are those out?
? : If I were to say languages and Asia what which branch loves shipping people off? Or does it matter? I really want to get posted in Japan. Which is the most deployment-happy? Ground forces? Will I be deployed to an actual fight if I run translation / intelligence for them?
? : Somebody mentioned cheap ($10!) flights does that include my boyfriend so I could take him along or is it military plane military personnel period?
? : Know any good sites for strength training and speed for the physical fitness tests? Ok that’s one test I do need to practice up on. Assume I’m starting from wraith-build and don’t know the first thing about it.<br>
? : I just prefer living in a house. Do I have a shot at living off base if it’s a really expensive area? I want to go for Japan but I have an attachment to not living in an apartment. Any way BAH applies to buying expensive homes (assuming I could pay some) or are there any places on the base that aren’t apartments?<br>
? : Anything underground I should know before I sign anything? Tips to get into the academy without signing up for years forwards remember the 2 years trail they do at the academy? With this many questions I think it wise to take full advantage of. And thank you for the time you spent reading this all.</p>

2

<p>Have you mined the individual academy websites? It would seem that many of your questions can be answered by a telephone call.</p>

<p>Here are some thoughts:
1) your married status MAY be dictated in your agreement if accepted. Certainly you'd want to find out. Upon graduation, then it's up to you. Certainly many officers ARE married.
2) Anyone in active service CANNOT recommend you. Congressmen, Pres, VP. There are a few more. Again, see the individual academy sites.
3) There are flight options for Annapolis, Coast Guard and W Point grads -- if you qualify.
4) suit: dont understand your question. Your free time is yours. Bringing in unauthorized gear during training would be discouraged. However, you would absolutely be required to meet standards of hygene and appearance.
5) your uniform will include sleep wear -- like the regular service.<br>
6) language and MOS training & likelihood of overseas postings: you should speak w/advisors. I'd say you should be fully ready for difficult deployments. Otherwise, don't join.
7) flights: unknown but I'd say a BF certainly wouldn't be allowed under any privileges you might enjoy. Maybe a husband but certainly not a BF.
8) your desires for optimal housing and potential escape clauses from your commitment lead me to think that you have not fully explored what the full commitment would entail. Your fellow applicants will be the MOST motivated and ready for the fullest commitment. While personal desires aren't completely irrelevant, I'd advise you speak to admissions advisors. Pursuing a slot at one of the academies is a much greater commitment than just enlisting. You need to evaluate what you're willing to bring to the table or you'll be surpassed by other candidates.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

3

<p>Wow, I don't know where to begin. Based on the questions that you asked I don't think you've thought this through.</p>

<p>Attending a service academy means that your first priority is a career in that branch of the service. A percentage of graduates don't want a career and just serve for the length of their enlistment. That's fine, but (using Navy as an example) it is 8 years - 4 active duty and 4 reserves. Keep in mind that these days due to the war it is likely that all 8 years will be active.</p>

<p>You are training and committing to become an officer and lead. In the Navy that means you are non-restricted line and will be assigned in a command position to something that floats. No land based posts. If you want to fly that is extremely competitive and your length of commitment is longer than 8 years.</p>

<p>The above poster answered many of your questions. I have a few additional thoughts.</p>

<p>The competition to attend one of the academies is fierce. You will be competing for entrance against students with high GPAs and SATs, several varsity sports, several leadership positions, and volunteer work. The service academies look very strongly at your EC leadership positions and varsity sports participation. If you don't have that you won't rate well.</p>

<p>You need both the Congressional appointment and to gain entrance to the academy of your choice. The Congressional appointments are few in number, must be from your home state. Forget about the President and VP nominations. They only have a few and it is a political favor. Note that it is very possible to get the Congressional appointment and not get into an academy. In that case you are out of luck. It is also possible to get into an academy and not get a Congressional appointment. Again, out of luck.</p>

<p>There is also an interview process (officer and Congress) and a very thorough physical. Any major illnesses in the past or injuries will get you disqualified.</p>

<p>You don't get to choose where you are posted and what you do. If a recruiter tells you that then they are lying. During your Sr year you put in for what duty you want. Everyone is rated and the top rated applicants get their choice IF there is a need. The service's need comes first, your performance second. Keep in mind that we are at war and most West Point grads are immediately going to the Middle East in a combat situation.</p>

<p>You are asking the wrong questions. The first question you need to ask yourself is "why". Do you want to be an officer? Is it your calling? Do you want to lead? Are you comfortable putting yourself in harm's way? Can you take a life?</p>

<p>If the answer to these questions is not an immediate "YES" then you need to rethink this. Your top questions were around your BF, posting in Japan, and your hair. If you are looking for a way to live in Japan this is not it. You don't get to choose to live in a house if the rest of the base is in a barracks! You are in the service and do what you are told.</p>

<p>Here is a link on hair in the Army: Army</a> Grooming Standards Anything longer than a foot long is really frowned upon.</p>

<p>There are forums on CC dedicated to the service academies: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/u-s-service-academies/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/u-s-service-academies/&lt;/a> You also should look at the home pages for the service academies. If you are still interested read the book "Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point" - it will confirm what I am telling you. More information here: USMA</a> Admissions: Start Young</p>

<p>I don't know where you got the information that you have 2 years to decide at a military academy. You enlist on day 1. If you dropout you either have to either 1) pay the academy the cost of your attendance, or 2) you are immediately put into the service as an enlisted person (not an officer) to pay back the money. Which of these two options is not your choice.</p>

<p>I'll say it again - if you are a West Point grad you will NOT be posted to Japan. You WILL be in the Middle East on the ground with a gun in your hand fighting.</p>

<p>I can't stress strongly enough that if this has not been a calling of yours for years then don't do it!!!</p>

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<p>IM: thanks for giving my feelings fuller explanation. I considered seeking a nomination when I was a Jr in HS but realized that although a great pursuit, it wasn't for me.</p>

5

<p>To the original poster,</p>

<p>Iron Maiden has some good points, but also gave you a few bad references.</p>

<p>Any military academy you go to has a five year active duty requirement when you graduate. If you're trying to fly, it is 7 years for the Navy, I'm not sure about the other branches.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that West Point doesn't accept your ASVAB scores and those things mean nothing to them. Cadets and midshipmen at the military academies are often kids who turn down big name schools like the Ivy League and other schools of that stature. Most were in the top 5-10% of their high school classes and had SAT scores above 1320.</p>

<p>When you enter the Military Academy (West Point), you are not "enlisting". You are there in a "Military College" setting to earn your degree and become an officer in the Army. The academic load at West Point is far greater than what any of your friends at state school or podunk-U are taking. You'll be taking an average of 18 credits per semester with other core classes like Calculus (I, II, III), Chemistry (I, II), Physics (I, II), Electrical Engineering (I, II), Thermodynamics, and other professional military courses that the Academy mandates that you take...oh yeah, you also have the classes that pertain to your major (West Point has a bunch to pick from).</p>

<p>You don't have a choice to "postpone" your inductance into the Academy, if you're lucky enough to get in (15% admit rate). If you got an appointment to West Point, you'd have to go there the year you got admitted, or you would have no chance.</p>

<p>Looking at what you've written, you'd have a lot of explaining to do to your nomination board and the Academy itself for why you didn't apply right out of high school. They'll want to know what you were doing for those 3 years. I'm not being harsh here, but from the looks of it, it'd be a miracle if West Point would take a chance on you. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just being honest.</p>

6

<p>You have gotten some great responses -- and I agree with all of them. I think your chances for acceptance into any of the service academies is almost non-existant. </p>

<p>Perhaps you should consider trying an ROTC program -- they offer some scholarships (although those are also competitive) and you can also enroll without making a commitment. It will give you a chance to see what the military is all about.</p>

7

<p>let me sum up what everyone said. you are not getting in.</p>

8

<p>Iron Maiden was correct on most of the posted information. However, there are two things I'd like to correct. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Not ALL Army officers immediately go to the ME. The Army is a huge organization with assignments all over the world. It is VERY likely that you will deploy to the ME at some point. </p></li>
<li><p>You can leave a service academy in your first two years, with no obligation However, that should not be something weighing heavily on your decision. Joining the military is a commitment, and becomming an officer is an even bigger commitment.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I have to question how much you have thought this through. You glossed over your qualifications and motivation,s then spent most of your post asking about random things like travel discounts, hair products, having your boyfriend enlist for your benefit, and housing benefits.</p>

<ol>
<li>Follow the advice on the academies' websites.</li>
<li>Cadets and midshipmen cannot be married. On active duty, some marriages work, others don't. If the couple can handle things like frequent moves, deployments, and odd hours, then it can work.</li>
<li>The nominating sources are members of congress, the Vice President, and some others for people with special qualifications (military dependants, veterans, etc).</li>
<li>You have not posted anything that would disqualify you from being a pilot.</li>
<li>You must conform to military dress and appearance standards. That product would NOT meet AF standards.</li>
<li>During training, you will wear issued clothing. After that, it's up to you.</li>
<li>All branches deploy. Army and Marines are deployed the most, these days (mostly to the ME).<br></li>
<li>I'm not sure what you are talking about. If you mean Space-Available, it is free for military and dependents.</li>
<li><p>If you really value living in a house, the military is NOT the place for you. Housing options vary by location and rank.</p></li>
<li><p>DO A LOT MORE RESEARCH! You don't sound like you know what you are considering. (For USAF Academy: Air</a> Force Academy)</p></li>
</ol>

9

<p>I never said all Army officers go to the Middle East. I said "most West Point grads are immediately going to the Middle East in a combat situation".</p>

<p>I was incorrect on the service commitment. GoNavy was correct at 5 years min active duty. I was thinking of ROTC.</p>

<p>I was told specifically at a West Point Q&A that the 2 year rule no longer applies. I just tried but could not confirm either way on the web site. Regardless, if the OP is going in looking for a way out she is not Academy or officer material.</p>

<p>Speaking of ROTC the odds are not good there either. Approx 500 4-year Navy scholarships were given this year out of 6000+ applicants. The Navy wants Engineering majors for ROTC.</p>

10

<p>Sorry, I had not heard anything about WP changing their policies. USAFA still has the 2 year rule.</p>

11

<p>Makes no difference in this case anyway. The OP seems to have vanished.</p>

12

<p>One more thing to add: I know at the Naval Academy that the first day of Plebe summer, guys' heads are shaven and girls' hair is cut to about chin-length. I'm sure the other academies have the same policy.<br>
Sounds to me like you have no idea what you are getting in to, and you don't really understand what military life is like at all. You should at the very least walk into a recruiter's office with these questions, or call up Annapolis or West Point. They'll be a lot more helpful than anyone on this website.</p>