<p>Can a skinny, non athletic type kid survive (and maybe even thrive) in a service academy? My son definitely has the academic stuff to get in, but his only sport is karate, and he is not the most coordinated guy around, nor the strongest. Do you have to be a real jock to make it?</p>
<p>If your kid can get in he can survive. Admissions is about more than academic stuff, although that is also an important factor. If he is interested let him complete an application and compete for a spot.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply, aglages. I realize that admission is about more than academics. By the time he’s ready to apply, my son should be an Eagle scout, karate black belt, and have a pretty decent list of awards and honors. He takes after his dad though, who was very thin and wirey until he hit his early 20’s, with a good work ethic, but not a lot of innate athletic talent. My question is <em>if</em> a kid like this gets admitted, will he be able to keep up with the intense physical demands? I’d hate to encourage him to apply if he’d be struggling with the PT requirements.</p>
<p>Yes, it may be tough but much about surviving is attitude. Service academies expose weaknesses. Kids who go there have different weaknesses - very few are really strong in everything.
Kids who are weak athletically/physically may have to work harder to pass/do well on the fitness tests - but they can do it. It’s mostly a matter of work ethic and attitude.</p>
<p>I have to agree with JustAMomOF4. Every kid at a service academy has at least one weakness. Your son may struggle physically but will excel in areas where others are struggling. I know it sounds simplistic, but if he can get in…he can survive. The academies weed out those that they don’t think can be successful during the admissions process. That includes those they don’t think can handle the physical, academic or mental aspects of the academy. I have a son that is also applying to more than one academy and I can tell you that I believe a cadet/mid is more likely to wash out because of grades or lack of mental toughness than because of the physical demands. Just my opinion…</p>
<p>Thank you both for your feedback. Very helpful.</p>
<p>Yes. I think I’ve proven that. 
It may not be easy, but it is possible.</p>
<p>I definitely struggled to deep up with athletics, but I made it. He may need to spend more energy than some to keep up. Fitness is important, no doubt about it. If he wants it, he should be working out now. The more fit you are, the easier it is.</p>
<p>Thanks, Raimus. May I ask what was the most difficult part of your transition to the academy? How long did it take you to feel comfortable there?</p>
<p>There was someone a while back (3-4 years ago) who said his son always had a lot of trouble with the pushups or something but somehow some of his squadron friends helped him with this so he did manage to get through BCT but I guess he was sort of always the last one.</p>
<p>Then when the academic year started they were all surprised when he turned into Super Tutor and it was his turn to help out. I’m not telling the story as well as the parent did, but it was very inspirational- maybe you can find it.</p>
<p>Freshman year at an academy isn’t a “normal” experience. I fit in/got used to it about a month into the academic year. I didn’t really get to PT standards until sophomore year. That put me in a hole, and I almost got kicked out. Fortunately, I managed to improve enough to stick around until I could pass.</p>
<p>^^^
How did you “almost” get kicked out for not making PT standards the first year?</p>
<p>It depends on what you mean by “geeky” and “non-athletic.” </p>
<p>If you are a “peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual” then I would argue that you might not even make it past the BGO interview. However, assuming you are appointed, I think you would find a lonely, spartan existence. “Dislikable” people have difficult times most anywhere; the NA environment does not make this any easier.</p>
<p>Non-athletic? One does not have to be a “real jock” to make it, but a lack of athletic ability is definitely a challenge. Certainly there are other-than-athletic activities one could be involved in as an alternative to intra-mural sports, but even those require some level of dedications, coordination, fitness, interest, etc.</p>
<p>A real bookworm who is somewhat anti-social and less than coordinated will have a difficult time.</p>
<p>I was on athletic probation for 3.5 semesters. I failed the PFT, thus my PE average was below a 2.0. If I had not raised my PEA above a 2.0 by the end of my sophomore year, it is very possible that I would have been kicked out.</p>
<p>raimius: Could you please explain how the PE average is determined. How do you get a 1.0 or a 3.0?</p>
<p>50% is the PFT, 35% is PE classes, 15% is the AFT.</p>
<p>Wow, never thought of geeky as meaning dislikable. I just meant it as a descriptive for a studious kid who enjoys playing with computers and such. DS is very social and has many friends, fits in well with diverse groups he is in. He can do push ups and sit ups well enough for his martial arts training, but after five years of baseball, football, basketball, and soccer, decided he wasn’t cut our for team sports. He picked up the rules of each game quickly, but was rather uncoordinated. He enjoyed the experience of being on a team, but didn’t actually enjoy playing in the games. </p>
<p>Thanks again for the replies. DS is at USNA camp this week and it will be interesting to see what he takes away from that.</p>
<p>Good luck to your S. My S is an incoming plebe, so I don’t have much to go on, but when I look at the pictures from the various USNA activities I seem to see all types of young men and women.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>ROFL.</p>
<p>No, you don’t.</p>
<p>I’m living proof.</p>
<p>Thanks, Wraith. DS has a few years before he’ll be ready to apply, so I will encourage him to get going with a tougher fitness routine.</p>
<p>If he can pass the physical tests (PFT/AFT), he can definitely make it. Chemistry has kicked my ass more than any PE class could get close to.</p>