My 4 years as a NA parent and BGO

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>This is my 1,000th post. It's taken me 4.5 years to get here. I thought I would offer some observations as a parent of a NA grad ['09] and as a BGo. Just remember, the advice is worth what you pay for it.<br>
Other experienced parents/BGOs are invited to chime in.
1. If you've done the best you can do, then by definition you can't do anything more. if you haven't done the best you can do, then asking others on this board for their advice/evaluation is meaningless. BUT, like the swallows fo cpaistrano [or was that pigeons] each year, hopefuls come aboard asking for an evaluation. Just remember, not one person who sits on the Admissions board [at least not one who has admitted it] posts on here. So, the advice or evaluation will be worth whqat you pay for it. Simply put: do the best you can do. There is nothing more you can do. "That 's it. you got nothing more.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Threaded conversations seem to attract a fair number of people who enjoy seeing what they write. Similar to those who enjoy listening to themself talk. You will quickly discern for yourself who those are. Just as Dorothy evenutally figured out, you will be better off if you pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.</p></li>
<li><p>The Academy is difficult but not insurmountable. Many, many kids do it every year. You can to if you want. There is a fair amount of mystery built up about plebe summer. Don't sweat it. You will be kept busy; you will be busier than probably you have ever been before. You will be told where to go and when to do everything. But, if you can work out every morning for about an hour and a half; if you can do what you are told to do when you are told to it; if you can follow orders . . . you will be fine. [This applies to the parents too.]</p></li>
<li><p>Academically, the Academy is probably no more rigourous than any other good institution. The difference is that you will be expected to also manage other aspecdts of your life. This will keep you very busy. "But, if you are the type of person who was busy in high school and was able to manage sports, clubs, leadership AND grades, then you can manage your life at the Academy. Remember, lots of people do it every year.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are applying to the Academy. Remember to do the best you can do at everything to which you apply yourself. That is all you can do. Seek a leadershp position in whatever club, sport, or activity you are involved. Starting in 10th grad, you shoudl seek to become a club officer . . .teh secretary, the traveling manager, the offensive coordinator, whatever . . . begin the trek towards president, captain or leader.</p></li>
<li><p>You don't have to be inovled in sports. It helps. A lot. but I have seen more than a few [well, approximately 10 - 15%] be admitted who did not have varsity sports on their resume. it can be done, but you will have to overcome that bias. Become selected for Boys State [or girls equivalent], become the LEADER of your organization, excel w/ your grade in science, math, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Parents: this is a big step for an 18 year old. Your child will be ripped from your bosom and returned to you scrubbed. Grow w/ your child. Each step along teh way, from the first Christmas to the first summer will result in their growth. THEN, when you drop them at theeir first duty station . . . well, that is what kids are supposed to do. Grow up. Be proud.</p></li>
<li><p>Be proud . . but not overly proud. This is for them to do. not you. this is their opportunity to evolve and grow. You don't need to be at the Academy all the time taking pictures or otherwise involving yourself in events that really belong to them. There are dances, appointments, selections, and other that . . . well, belong to them. Let them do it.</p></li>
<li><p>Remind your mid to follow the rules. it is an ABSOLUTE TRAGEDY to see mids separated for being stupid. It is RIDICULOUS to see mids disciplined for being dopey. This is serious business. Remind them that they chose to attend th Academuy for a differnet reason. They can have fun as long a sit does not involve excessive [or prohibited] alcohol and/or drugs. YOU will be devastated and tehy wil regret it for the rest of their life. Remind them of why they chose th NA.</p></li>
<li></li>
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<p>well, I couldnt think o f10 at the moment. I'm sure it will come to me. Especially if other experienced parents add to the list.</p>

<p>good luck.</p>

2

<p>Oh. . . as a BGO</p>

<ol>
<li>Just do your best.</li>
<li>We have some familiarity w/ your record and background but we REALLy need you to fill in th eblanks for us. That is, the interview is not a reason to recite your application to us. TELL US what you want the Academy to know about you.</li>
<li>Everybody tells me how they “want to serve [my] country.” How are you different.</li>
<li>We really are here to help.</li>
<li>There is no rush to contact us as soon as your return from Summer "Seminar. Concetnrate on getting your application further along, i.e 50% along.</li>
<li> We really are here to help.</li>
<li>If we don’t know, we will try to find out.</li>
<li>We are volunteers; we might not answer you as quickly as you would like.</li>
<li>There is not secret about getting a favorable recommendation from BGO: be mature, be clear, be concise. understand what USNA is; be able to articulate why you want to attend NA; expalin any problems w/ application [better, yet, is don’t have any problems w/ application.
10.</li>
</ol>

<p>I’ll think of more later.</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

3

<p>We fully concur with your observation. As you insightfully offered:</p>

<p>

;)</p>

<p>Many thanks for your service to USNA. And thank your ex-Mid for courage and service for us all</p>

4

<p>The one thing I’ll add – actually, agree to – is that there is no way anyone on this board can offer you realistic advice/odds on your chances. </p>

<p>First, we haven’t met you. We don’t know if you can communicate effectively, if you’re in shape, if you show up on time, etc. We don’t know if your teacher recs are good or bad, we don’t know what you wrote on your essay – or even if you can put two words together beyond a posting on this board. We don’t know if you’ve been suspended from school or busted for DUI or drugs. We don’t know if you have to work to support a family or if you only recently emigrated to this country. We don’t know if you will have medical issues or whether you’re being actively recruited for a sport. And on and on. </p>

<p>And, even if we did, it wouldn’t help because we don’t know what your competition looks like this year. A BGO has some sense based on his/her universe of applicants over the years. It’s a microscopic pool compared to the entire country. And things can change from one year to the next in your district, your state, or the entire country.</p>

<p>The ONLY thing people can try to do is identify POTENTIAL weaknesses based on the limited data you post. For seniors, there probably isn’t much you can do at this point to change anything – you’ve made your record, now make the best of it.</p>

5

<p>Well, from BGO to BGO, want to thank Bill for spending his 1000th post on a topic near and dear to our hearts!</p>

<p>Welcome to “Senior Member” status! :cool: Job well done! Can’t wait to see what the next 1000 bring! (just hope it doesn’t take another 4 years to get there, lest the swallows go and perch elsewhere! LOL!) </p>

<p>Will just say it may have taken some time, but I have enjoyed reading all of them! (well, maybe not all, but most! Or at least a few! Handful maybe~!!! :rolleyes: But the PM’s have been great! ) :)</p>

6

<ol>
<li> The Academy is not perfect. There are plenty of opportunities for mids to be stupid and, each year, it seems that mids take advantage of those opportunities. Don’t believe it? I may have some facts slightly wrong but . . . .</li>
</ol>

<p>What about the plebe who thought it would be funny to set his whiteworks on fire and throw “da bomb” into T-Court?
What about the firsties who, in the spring, went out on a drinking binge, came back over the wall, were rude to the gate guards, and injured one of themselves . . .
What about hte firsties who, at the garden party during C-week, were trying to place “bunny ears” over teh Supt’s head as photos were being taken.
What about plebes who think the academy doesn’t really mean what it says about drinking show up at parties where upper class are present?
What about the plebe who was recently arrested for attempting to smuggle 200 pounds of marijuana across the border
What about some who think they can get away with downloading pornography to their computers.
What about mid who was arrested for shoplifing and/or stealing the goods of others</p>

<p>I could go on.
The point is, the academy really is representative of America. There are smart mids, there are less than smart mids, there are athletic mids, there mids who believe in teh honor concept completely and those who are less enthusiastic about the honor concept . . . </p>

<p>Your daughters, generally, are safer at the Academy than any other school of higher education, but there have been assaults of female mids . . . in Bancroft Hall.</p>

<p>There have been pregnant mds who have graduated and received their commissions. There have been mids who have fathered children and still received their commissions.
There is less drinking, generally, than at other schools but there are mids who have been arrested for public intoxication whill away from Bancroft. There are mids who have actually brought alcohol INTO Bancroft.</p>

<p>There are honorable, fine, upstanding mids and there are mids that are less so. </p>

<p>As with any endeavor, the Academy is what you make of it. If you want to learn; if you want toe xperience leadership; if you want to mature faster than your peers; if y ou want to be guaranteed a job when you graduate; the Academy will be for you.</p>

<p>The point is, your Academy experience will be a reflection of YOU. If you are an honest, hard-working, smart, excellent person . . .I suspect your Academy experience will reflect that. You will choose to associate w/ mids who are similar to you and everything will be what YOU want it to be.<br>
If you are less than honorable, if you seek the easy way out, if you always look for ways to get around the rule . . . well, I am sure you will find a way to do those things. And you may [probably will] get caught. </p>

<p>Would I recommend my daughter go there? Absolutely. Because I believe I have taught her the difference between right and wrong; she is smart enough to do well at the Academy AND the Navy offers Academy grads some excelletn opportunities. </p>

<p>Kids and parents, however, need to embrace the Academy experience for what it is: An excellent opportunity. If you don’t want to be bound by rules and traditions; if yo udon’t want to be tested; if you don’t want demands made of you then do yourself and others a favor. . . . don’t go.</p>

<p>That’s one more thing I’ve learned in 4 years.</p>

7

<p>Hats off to you! My husband was AOCS many years ago. And my son ROTC a few years ago…whatever it takes to get you there is the right school of thought…your words of wisdom will help many. WOOT for you.</p>