<p>My S is a Junior who is very interested in applying to the Naval Academy. The one question that I know will be a deal breaker is if he can defer a year or not. He already has his gap year planned.... hiking the appalachian and Pacific Coast trail and then working in a medical clinic in Nepal. If he can't defer, he most likely won't apply. If anyone has any answers it would be most appreciated.</p>
<p>My undestanding is that if you are nominated and receive an appointment and then refuse a given appointment that year you must reapply and go through the whole procedure the next year or any year thereafter? I don’t think there is any deffered year. Hiking the Appalachian from start to finish takes about a year if you are lucky. Pacific Coast trail might be easier than John Muir which is a much longer hike at sometimes over six thousand feet with all the new federal bear proof container requirements. One deferred year doing Appalachian and Pacific Coast doesn’t leave a lot of time for medical work in Napal.</p>
<p>I agree. You can’t ‘defer’ appointment from what I understand. You are expected to apply for the year you will be starting.</p>
<p>You cannot defer. Your son needs to ask himself if he wants to be an officer above everything else. </p>
<p>If hiking during a gap year is more important then the question is answered.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone for your replies!! I knew that was the answer, but just thought I would double-check… I think what Iron maiden said about sums it up. My S will have to answer that himself, as he knows that joining the military is not a decision to be made lightly.
He has always been drawn to the military. He is an Eagle Scout, volunteer fireman, search and rescue team member, beach lifeguard, varsity swimmer, and HUGE outdoor enthusiast, has climbed every top peak in CA. Has almost perfect test scores already only in his Junior year. He has just been elected into a very prestigious position in a national honor organization in scouting that is usually only held by an adult, and has over 750 volunteer hours, mostly in scouting and conservation. So, he is VERY qualified to go into a top military school, but non-military schools are also a pull. He wants to go to med school and become a ER Dr. </p>
<p>FYI… he wasn’t planning on doing all those trails to completion, just for a few months… he is doing the John Muir this summer.</p>
<p>Remember too that LOTS who apply are equally as qualified, so getting an appointment is never a sure thing. Going to the Naval Academy involves a huge commitment and is at best a roundabout way of becoming a doctor if that is what really wants to do.</p>
<p>Now if you’re an LDS on mission? Possibly, perhaps? I know you can take a leave.</p>