<p>If any applicant would like an second hand opinion about the Naval Academy feel free to shoot me a PM. </p>
<p>I'm not going to try to convince you to go or stay. Back when I was an applicant, nothing would change my mind about going to Annapolis. I was extremely gung-ho motivated to go the Academy, and was willing to take an extra year to do it. It is probably the same for you, though, it might not be. </p>
<p>I originally went to a Foundation military prep school as a Foundation sponsored candidate, and was inducted into the class of 2013. I decided to voluntarily leave, and have not had a single regret so far, though people keep on threatening me and taunting me saying that I will regret it. We'll see!</p>
<p>there's a multitude of reasons as to why I left, including</p>
<p>1) priorities of the administration
2) religion (would not recommend going unless you are a christian)
3) academic instruction (I was at a university before going to the Academy, and now I'm at a new one, so have a pretty good taste of what undergrad college academics are like and how they compare to the academy)</p>
<p>But if you have any questions about what it was like through the admission process (nominations, GPA, test scores, etc), what it's like being a plebe, or why I thought it was best to leave, feel free to shoot.</p>
<p>There are plenty of non-Christians at all the Service Academies. In my five years at NAPS and USNA, I never once heard an ill word thrown around on the topic of religion. Not once. Same for my five years in the Fleet.</p>
<p>I am curious as to what priorities of the administration you took so much exception to that you decided to quit? I’m also curious as to your position on academics within USNA as opposed to outside?</p>
<p>That you left is not an issue. It’s not for everyone and people change their opinions all the time. I hope your decision works out the very best for you. I certainly won’t pass judgement on your decision. Heck, I was walking down the passageway at NAPS once on the way to see my Company Officer to quit, and only the intervention of a classmate stopped me from doing so. I know what it all feels like.</p>
<p>However, some of what you have written is setting off alarm bells…</p>
<p>Maybe. Maybe not. As I said, it’s not for everyone, and I’m not going to judge him on the decision.</p>
<p>I will, however, challenge anyone on WHY they came to that decision. If their reasons are valid (whether I agree with them or not), then that’s that.</p>
<p>In this case, however, I sense something is a bit off with the supposed reasons…</p>
<p>I am a current plebe at USNA and so I would like to counter vvyh2844’s perspective on his/her time at the academy.</p>
<p>Yes, at times the current administration’s priorities seem politically-driven and not in accordance with the mission of graduating the absolute best leaders for the Navy and Marine Corps. Unfortunately, I don’t see how this could be any different in this day and age. Politics and buzzwords like “diversity” and “equal opportunity” play a large role in every organization connected with the government, and the military is no different. The best thing to do is just accept this as a part of life and not worry yourself over it. From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t matter what the composition of the brigade is; the academy still fosters strong leadership abilities in most midshipmen and maybe even makes us all a little more accepting and tolerant of those whose views and backgrounds are different from our own. </p>
<p>The religious environment at USNA may be heavily Christian, but then again, the majority of religious midshipmen are also Christian, and it wasn’t that long ago that all mids had mandatory Sunday service in the Chapel. However, I have never seen nor heard of anyone being discriminated against because of their religion or not given full freedom to practice whatever faith they desire. There’s at least one contact within the religious command for every major religion, midshipmen are allowed to leave every Sunday to attend outside services, and while a blessing is given at each weekday noon meal, there is a prayer rotation between the various denominations’ chaplains (with the most popular being, not a Christian chaplain’s, but Rabbi Phillips’ Friday message).</p>
<p>Finally, I have been nothing but impressed with the quality of USNA’s academics. My professors (military and civilian) have all been extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and dedicated to what they do. Maybe I’ve just been lucky and only had the “good” profs, but in almost every case that I’ve heard of a “bad” professor it is almost always the opinion of a midshipman that I do not consider a very good student anyway. Coming from a small rural high school without the advantage of AP or advanced classes, I was initially worried about how I would fare with the academic rigors of USNA, but I have had no problem adjusting to the program and finding help when I needed it.</p>
<p>To me, it seems like the only reason vvyh2844 felt the need to start up a conversation about his/her disillusionment with USNA was to further justify his/her decision for leaving. The Naval Academy is not for everyone, but for me it has thus far been the best experience of my life. This is not to say it hasn’t been tough; there have been several instances since July 1 when I’ve wondered what in the world I’ve gotten myself into. However, never have I felt so driven and inspired to better myself as I do at USNA (and never would I have imagined that I could bounce out of bed with a smile on my face after 4 hours of sleep to go out for a PT beat-down session with my companymates). I look forward to the rest of my time at the academy and hope for only the best for vvyh2844.</p>
<p>Please, stop your self-satisfying, amateurish attempts to psycho-analyze each and every response on CC. Your diatribe gets sadly old. </p>
<p>Please, if you have something to add, do so. But cease and desist in your incessant penchant and need to diminish others with your left-handed criticisms and parental expertise about everything BGO. Sadly, your snobbish, looking-down-the-nose responses are wearisome, and likely serve to guide students, parents, candidates in need of concise, clear, unquibling information to anyone BUT a BGO if yours is the proto-type. Thankfully, there is genunine, beneficial diversity among BGO volunteers and it serves many well.</p>
<p>Is it possible that you might restrain your responses to the issues instead of subtly putting down posters? Or chronically posing Jungian counter-questions that the all-knowing counselor might glean deep insight to the sick souls of those pondering the meaning of life @ USNA vs. Army. :eek:</p>
<p>Please, hear my prayer, oh Lord. Or whoever you deem yourself to be. Let there be peace on earth and on CC! </p>
<p>I’ve actually never been more happier than the day I left. I’ve been a competing pianist for 13 years, and it was nice to actually go back to music the day I left because I had not laid a single finger on a key ever since I was inducted.</p>
<p>Sounds like you made the correct decision (leaving) after making a questionable decision (going in the first place).</p>
<p>Instead of trying to make it sound like the Academy’s problem (by the way you couched your issues in the first post), how about helping folks (especially the potential Mids) by bringing to light the mistakes you made in analyzing your decision to go?</p>
<p>Maybe someone can learn something valuable from your previous mistake?</p>
<p>Good for you. You should pride yourself in being such an exception. Most people DO make it through the academy’s program and NEVER look back with regret - always pride. By far, the most common regret is not sticking it out longer.</p>
<p>It’s a tough pill to swallow to say that the experience chiseled away at your resolve. It’s not supposed to be easy. And I fully expect you to say that it was NOT difficult for you. It is so much easier to convince yourself, and others, that you were unimpressed with the institution and that you could have done it if you WANTED to. Rationalizations can sometimes protect us from more upsetting realizations about ourselves.</p>
<p>Dottie Hinson (Gina Davis): “It just got too hard.”
Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks): “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard - is what makes it great.”
[A League of their Own]</p>
<p>VVHY2844,
Good for you. Just because it was hard does not matter. You know that. If you can’t add value to that job, you should find something else to do.</p>
<p>Two long time friends are incredible disciplined and committed musicians with God-given talent. I could no more see them as military than I could see them quitting music.</p>
<p>One plays a B-3 and has done R&B solo club time (good singer too), and, is a sought after studio player. He is one of the nicest and happiest guys in Kansas City.</p>
<p>In my opinion, doing what is right for you and your future is often the hardest thing to do, morally, ethically, and in deed. Doing the right thing throughout your life will benefit all who know you.</p>
<p>The worst thing in the military are people who hate being in it, and show it in a variety of ways. </p>
<p>I have no issues with people deciding to leave. Many who go through the SAs will face that same issue 5+ years later when they have to decide whether to stay in the military after their initial obligation and, if so, how much longer. My view is that adults who make an adult decision to leave an organization to pursue some other calling usually are making the right decision and should be supported. The best advice I received when I left the USN was “Don’t look back.” And I haven’t.</p>
<p>However, consider carefully whether it’s UNSA’s fault or simply that you and the USNA weren’t the right match. I work in the legal profession and there are many people who aren’t happy in “big law.” Big law, like USNA and like the military, is what it is. Sorry, but it’s not going to change for you. If you can’t be satisfied within its confines, then you’re better off going elsewhere and doing something else with your life. </p>
<p>I agree with an above poster that, rather than bash USNA, the OP might want to explain where he/she “went wrong” in deciding to attend USNA. Not saying the OP did anything wrong – quite the converse. But it obviously wasn’t the right match, which means the OP had certain expectations, desires, goals, etc. that weren’t met during his/her time at USNA. Offering some discussion around this might help others avoid the same “mistake.”</p>
<p><< However, consider carefully whether it’s UNSA’s fault or simply that you and the USNA weren’t the right match. >></p>
<p>Nail on the head. No situation is right for everyone. I’ve been to Annapolis many times (Lehigh wrestling fan) and I’ve always been impressed with the professionalism and dedication and, for the most part, *friendliness *show by the Mids. But no way could I have gone there – I’d have been shot for insubordination.</p>
<p>Unfortunately you usually don’t know whether a situation is right for you until you’re in it. The son of one of my college friends was absolutely certain that VMI was the right school for him. Visited several times, stayed there for overnight/weekend orientations, had no doubts at all. He was admitted, enrolled, and lasted less than one week. What you see from the outside isn’t always what it looks like on the inside. I live about 30 miles from Lexington and I know many VMI grads – my doctor and dentist both graduated from there, and they loved it. But it’s not for everyone.</p>
<p>Regarding leaving the academy, what happens with aid when transferring to a new school? My son is contemplating USNA, but has an almost full ride at another good school. If he doesn’t care for the USNA, the scholarship doesn’t carry over the school said. So now he could be stuck if he decides to x-fer out. </p>
<p>I heard something about if you leave the USNA after 1 or 2 yrs, you’re considered a veteran and able to receive some benefits? Any truth to that?</p>
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