Question, regarding BGO

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I am applying to both, USAFA & USNA, and have been in contact with my BGO for usna, & ALO for asafa</p>

<p>however, i have a question(s), more like a situation....</p>

<p>it seems to me that my ALO is much more passionate about helping me, getting to know me, and working with me to get an appointment. He was gone the past week on vacation, the day he got back, he called me apologizing for the late response and such. </p>

<p>my BGO on the other hand is far more succinct and terse with me. when i contact him, his responses, by email or phone are short and to the point....almost too short, if you can understand what i'm trying to say here. For instance, i've contacted him several times and occasions over the summer, and just recently, i've been trying to contact with him, trying to schedule an interview. It took him over a week to get back to me, and the phone conversation was: "How about next tuesday, 7 pm, at your house, i'd like to meet your parents, interview, then we can talk all together..." and he told me to check my schedule, call back, and just hung up. </p>

<p>i have been in contact with my BGO a little longer than my ALO as well, does anyone have any explanations or suggestions? before, usna was my first choice, but after these last two months or so, AFA's looking better and better, simply becaues everytime i call my ALO or even my adm. counselour, they seem more willing to work with me. </p>

<p>Anyone else experiencing the same kind of thing?</p>

2

<p>My only advice - don't decide your future college or career based on this one contact. In fact, you can guarantee that the quality of this contact has almost no relationship to what you'll experience at USNA or USAF.</p>

<p>It would be like choosing a regular college based on the tour guide.</p>

3

<p>KateLewis is 100% correct - don't let the 'tour guide' be your deciding Academy choice. In our case the USNA BGO was working with my daughter since her freshman year. Everytime she contacted him, he responded. They developed a really good relationship - and he interviewed her in March - had the BGO interview on her application in July - the first once of his bunch - he wanted her in the LOA consideration so badly. Now that's an advocate. She tried the same approach with AF ALO - and if she got 2 emails a year in response - that was alot. It was just one more 'negative' that caused her to be turned off from the Air Force. But it's not a good reason to choose your 4 year committment. I don't know how your BGO system works - but here they are 'tiered' - and we know the regional BGO person as well - who openly and happily helps candidates who contact him. You might consider at least finding out who the regional person is and without complaining about your own - just check in with him and see if he has a personality that meshes better with you. </p>

<p>Let me add that I was under the impression that the BGO people were actual Academy Admission folk. When I finally met our BGO in March for the interview - and told him that, he laughed. The guy is a commercial pilot - gone alot - with a family and 3 teenagers of his own. When we went to his house I noted the mom is busy with scouts/sports/church stuff. This is a family that does alot. AND then, this guy takes on all interested USNA kids. So remember the BGO is a volunteer job and there are times that the person is really stressed with their own issues....and that not all people come across equally as helpful and friendly...Take your BGO at face value and just do what he asks - you want him to give you a good recommendation - and like KateLewis says - it's not the USNA but just one local volunteer you are dealing with. Good luck!!</p>

4

<p>My sons BGO can seem the way you describe but don't worry. Once the interview was underway and completed everything was ok. He has been very helpful but still the communications are as you describe. Our first BGO was difficult to get ahold of and then finally he emailed Jake "from Kuwait". It finally made sense he was hard to contact previously as he obviously had a lot of things going on.</p>

5

<p>I havent been contacted at all by my BGO. So I called him a few weeks ago with a question which he said he would email me the answer to. A month later, no answer. B and G officers are there to help candidates to the best of their ability. If they dont want to, then they shouldnt be B and G officers. The academy should do a regular check or something on B and G officers to make sure they haventy fallen asleep at the wheel.</p>

6

<p>jq722: Call up the State Director of BGO. They will help you either get in contact with your current BGO or provide you with another BGO.</p>

7

<p>My son had a great Liaison Officer when he applied to West Point. The Colonel was enthusiastic and answered promptly any questions my son asked. Maybe you should think about USMA - the rooms aren't air-conditioned, you won't get to see your parents at the end of I/R-Day and your football team might lose to Navy, but you'll learn leadership skills.</p>

8

<p>Hee! Hee! I think we have another comedian aboard! Welcome Chief! You'll fit in here just fine! GRIN! GO NAVY ! Bye ya'll! See ya next week! USMMA bound!</p>