Ask the Alumni!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>Okay, let's see if this works.</p>

<p>I would like to reserve this thread strictly for folks who have received an appointment to ask questions about Academy life, and have those questions answered ONLY by Alumni. All fellow Ringknockers are invited to participate, so long as you agree that USNA '91 was the only class with a real Plebe Year. ;-)</p>

<p>So, over to you soon-to-be Plebers. Ask away!</p>

<p>ETA: For the record, I don't know all the answers, but I can probably find answers for those from a few fellow Ringknockers I know online.</p>

<p>ETA (again): Remember, I'm on MSM at <a href="mailto:LuisMulet91@hotmail.com">LuisMulet91@hotmail.com</a>.</p>

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<p>Hey Zaphod</p>

<p>If I may ask, what was your major?</p>

<p>-Apan</p>

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<p>Ask away. That's what the thread is for. ;-)</p>

<p>I started out in Ocean Engineering, and due to an unfortunate second semester of 3/c year, I switched over to General Engineering.</p>

<p>That semester saw me get a 1.55 GPA. An "A", a "B", three "D"'s, and an "F". Almost batted for the cycle that semester. :-/</p>

<p>I still have no earthly clue how I didn't end up in front of an Academic Board. When I went to my advisory board, my advisor wrote up an academic schedule to continue in Ocean Engineering, but I switched to General Engineering because the load was less and I'd be able to retake a whole bunch of courses I'd blown. I was hoping the new grades (which were much better) would erase the old so I could get into nuke school. No dice.</p>

<p>Moral of the story? Study your a$$ off.</p>

<p>All that said, I enjoyed both majors, and still took Ocean Engineering classes as electives under General Engineering. Now that I'm out, I'm actually glad that my degree is in General Engineering, since it applies much better to my field (QA in medical devices) than would Ocean (not that it matters much at all once you've gotten some experience).</p>

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<p>son is interested in studying naval architecture- I believe it is in the same dept as ocean engineering at USNA- can you tell me anything about that?</p>

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<p>I don't remember if they are in the same department, but that really doesn't matter.</p>

<p>What I'm trying to remember is what Group they are in. Ocean Engineering is Group I, and I believe Naval Architecture is as well. General Engineering is Group II.</p>

<p>Group I majors are the classical engineering majors, and the toughest: Mechanical E, Electrical E, Aerospace E, etc. They take "Cables" rather than "Wires" in EE, and "Ships" instead of "Boats" in the standard Naval Architecture/Engineering classes that EVERYONE takes. </p>

<p>Group II majors are the science majors: General Engineering, General Science, Oceanography, etc. They take Wires and Boats. </p>

<p>Group III majors are the famed "bull" majors: Economics, History, etc. They take Wires and Boats, too.</p>

<p>This is all assuming they haven't radically changed the structure of the curricula.</p>

<p>Now, concerning majors: PICK SOMETHING YOU LIKE, not what you think is going to help you get into aviation or any such foolishness. My roomate the Historian went on to fly CH-53's. The major you choose will mean almost NOTHING out in the fleet unless you do aerospace engineering (and become a pilot) or Naval Architecture (and go subs or SWO). Other than that, zilch.</p>

<p>Where you major may come into play is if you decide to return to the civilian world. I distinctly remember being at a recruiting conference and one naval officer and aspiring captain of industry informed the recruiter that his degree was in music. "Sorry, I can't help you." Lesson learned!</p>

<p>So, if you want to be a pilot, and you can guarantee your eyesight for four years, and you are in decent shape, go ahead and pick History for an "easy" ride. Just remember that later on your choice MAY come back to haunt you.</p>

<p>Besides, do you really want to spend four years studying something you find BORING?</p>

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<p>Say you choose an engineering major, would you have significantly more work to do than if you chose something like english? Like, would you be a lot busier?</p>

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<p>"Say you choose an engineering major, would you have significantly more work to do than if you chose something like english? Like, would you be a lot busier?"</p>

<p>Like, yeah.</p>

<p>Let's face it, engineering is tougher than English any day. While the number of classes may be similar, and the number of assignments similar, the fact remains that science is tougher than language and literature. </p>

<p>Remember, however, that hundreds of mids graduate with engineering degrees every year, so it's not impossible. Don't let fear pick your major!</p>

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<p>Just to better understand the difference between, for example, cables and wires....could you expand on just how much more material is covered in cables as opposed to wires? Is it the same material but in greater depth, or at a faster pace, or is it an issue of more math/science application? If you are decent in math (calc) and science (chem and physics) is cables "reasonably doable" for the "average" mid or are these classes only reasonable for the academically-gifted (ie: straight-A calc/physics Mid)? And the same for ships and boats....just how much more gets covered? (is it equivilant to taking an AP or honors class as opposed to a regular class?) </p>

<p>If you want to study naval architecture, but have an interest in flying, does it matter in terms of service community (ie: while it stands to reason NA and SWO are a good fit, would NA and flight school be something totally out of the question?)</p>

<p>And one final question- can you please speak to validating courses in plebe year- the pros/cons...and any other thoughts on this?</p>

<p>Thankyou- your insights have been terrific!</p>

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<p>Zaphod thanks for the reply:)....and good question Navy2010</p>

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<p>What was your favorite part about your Naval Academy experience? What was your least favorite?</p>

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<p>Favorite Parts: </p>

<p>The Academy really is a beautiful place to be if you take the time to look around every now and then.</p>

<p>The friends you make are friends for life, no matter how long between subsequent meets.</p>

<p>After graduation, knowing I accomplished an extremely difficult-to-achieve goal, and became part of a select and very tightly-knit family.</p>

<p>Least-Favorite: </p>

<p>Academics (because I was too stupid to study)</p>

<p>PE (because I'm a lazy bastard)</p>

<p>Mandatory PEP rallies (contradiction in terms, if you ask me) and other similar stupidities.</p>

<p>Be aware that once you get through it, you tend to forget the bad parts and remember the good. When you go back, though, you'll find yourself suddenly somber as the memories (all of them) come flooding back. Part of you will wish you could be 18 again to do it again, part of you will wonder why you didn't go to Party U instead.</p>

<p>Very difficult to describe, but you'll know it when you feel it.</p>

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<p>-----> "Just to better understand the difference between, for example, cables and wires....could you expand on just how much more material is covered in cables as opposed to wires? Is it the same material but in greater depth, or at a faster pace, or is it an issue of more math/science application? If you are decent in math (calc) and science (chem and physics) is cables "reasonably doable" for the "average" mid or are these classes only reasonable for the academically-gifted (ie: straight-A calc/physics Mid)? And the same for ships and boats....just how much more gets covered? (is it equivilant to taking an AP or honors class as opposed to a regular class?)"</p>

<p>Yes.</p>

<p>Cables is more difficult than Wires. They go more in-depth, and the material is tougher. It's just the way it is. Whether or not they are doable is entirely up to you. Apply yourself, and you'll do fine. Try to skate, and you may end up going home.</p>

<p>Cables and Engineering Thermodynamics for Group I majors are the primary academic killers. In Group II, I got A's in both Thermo and Fluids, and got C's and B's in EE. If I can do it, you can.</p>

<p>-----> "If you want to study naval architecture, but have an interest in flying, does it matter in terms of service community (ie: while it stands to reason NA and SWO are a good fit, would NA and flight school be something totally out of the question?)"</p>

<p>Your major has ZERO to do with your service selection. I know engineers who became SEALS and history majors who became pilots. There is no restriction. Hell, I know NA's who went USMC!</p>

<p>-----> "And one final question- can you please speak to validating courses in plebe year- the pros/cons...and any other thoughts on this?"</p>

<p>Validate every course you can, because the ones you validate you don't have to take. I validated two semesters of Calculus and God knows how many of Spanish. That lightens the load later, and allows you room to take more electives or to retake courses you might bomb. There is NO "con" to it, other than, for example, if you validate three semesters of Calculus, you'll end up taking Differential Equations as a Plebe, which might be a little tougher.</p>

<p>Trust me: If you can validate, DO IT!</p>

<p>-----> "Thankyou- your insights have been terrific!
navy2010 is offline"</p>

<p>You're most welcome.</p>

<p>Zaphod out. (The proper way to say it. ;-) )</p>

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<p>Zaphod~ thanks for ALL the answers!!! Navy2010 out! (especially after all this turkey!)</p>

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<p>Hey, i've been accepted to NAPS, does that qualify me to ask? What was your service selection? How likely is it to get you're first choice?</p>

<p>Rosa</p>

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<p>NAPSters have a special place in my heart, as I am one, too! Please feel free to ask anything you want!</p>

<p>How hard Service Selection ends up being is almost entirely up to you. It is based entirely upon your class rank, which in turn is based entirely upon your academic GPA, your military rankings, and your PE scores. The higher you rank, the easier it is to get what you want.</p>

<p>Some things automatically restrict applicants. If you're blind as a bat (as I was and am), you can kiss aviation goodbye, for example. If you are not accepted into nuke school, you cannot choose submarines.</p>

<p>The REALLY good stuff, like SEAL, USMC Air, etc., usually evaporate within the first 200 or so selectees. Then the rest of aviation. After that, the battles are between homeports and such.</p>

<p>I wanted to do nuke subs, but was too stupid to study hard and earn my slot in nuke school. Fortunately, I was able to get my homeport (Mayport), though not the platform I wanted. No biggie.</p>

<p>Question for you, though. Your handle is NAPS '06, which means you should already be there, and you're only 16. What am I missing?</p>

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<p>I know, i kinda punched in the wrong number. I will be there during 2006. Do you have any advice/stories/orders about NAPS? I look around and everyone is getting ready for I-Day, and i feel kina left out because nobody talks about NAPS. (this is not a pity me sentence) I would really like some advice because my dad will be in Iraq (navy commander) and my mom will be busy stocking up on kleenex before I-Day.</p>

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<p>NAPS06,</p>

<p>Dude, you need to be more specific. I can start an entire forum on just the stuff from NAPS! ;-)</p>

<p>As for everyone else, it looks as if my thread with an alternate Q&A site was trashed for reasons I'm not entirely clear on. If anyone wants the link, feel free to PM me and I'll send it along.</p>

<p>I guess some folks don't like competition....</p>

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<p>You should start a forum on NAPS, i tried, but it didn't quite fly. haha</p>

<p>Rosa</p>

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<p>Thnks for getting me onboard, Zaphod. (I mean Lou! ;-) )
I was a classmate of Zaphod's and now I'm a medical doctor on the Navy's dime. I still live close to the Academy so any questions or requests, I'll do my best!</p>

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<p>Wazzup, dude!</p>

<p>How bad do you think we can scare 'em? ;-)</p>