<p>Thank you so much you have been so helpful. I’m trying figure out a loose plan and any details at all for careers after USNA are tremendously helpful, thanks!</p>
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<p>And P-3’s “magically” break all the time. I think the only time they are not “broken” is inside the Arabian Gulf. It is very hard to get support.</p>
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<p>It will be a minimum of 6 months. In my first tour as a SWO, I am probably going to have a good 13 months of sea time (10 of the 13 split over 2 deployments to FIFTH Fleet AOR). Within 2 months of returning to homeport from last deployment, we were already engaged in the training cycle and supporting National tasking (we had 10 months from returning to homeport to deploying, other ships have been even unluckier with a 6 month turnaround time). I will be straight-forward, SWO is not per-se an easy life style, especially for smaller ships (FFG/CG/DDG/LCS) – it will require a LOT of work and dedication. </p>
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<p>Pretty much a guarantee.</p>
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<p>Ditto. Your job as an officer will require oversight, planning (short and long range), manning, NEC management, awards/evals, etc. Your job as an officer is not to get down and dirty, though sometimes there are appropriate times to do that. You have an LCPO (leading chief petty officer) for a reason – he/she runs your division on a daily basis and supervises any technical assistance – both to you and your work center. It will take sometime to learn your equipment.</p>
<p>Do you have to be smart to go to usna?
Is it academically hard?</p>
<p>Ah, what is “smart?” Intelligence, if that’s what you’re wondering about, comes in various forms.</p>
<p>But in general terms …yes, yes. </p>
<p>More specifically, it is likely more diffiucult being appointed than it is graduating. In fact, IF you do the first, you can do the latter, and it’s nearly a slam-dunk gurarantee you will …unless you determine you need to pursue illegal and/or grossly immoral activities. And the indisputable proof is in the stats which reveal that the SAs and USNA are among the highest in the nation in graduating those who matriculate. In fact, it’s a very safe bet to say they are THE highest in retention and graduation …in 4 years. None others come close. </p>
<p>AND unlike civilian institutions where there is clear incentive (and implementation/execution) to eliminate bodies, at least at the publics, the inverse is true @ SAs and notably of late, USNA. Illustrating the latter point, there has been a precipitous drop in Plebe summer DORs over the past 3 years. Why? Many speculate various reasons. I’d offer but 3 …1) it is 1 week shorter in time length, and 2) more likely, the Supe has a goal to reduce DORs. And 3) he seeks to raise #s of minority Mids and thus it has been essential to appoint Mids with below-norm stats and academic preparation. And he’s implemented various strategies to achieve the goal. Generally though, the tension is this …the more the taxpayer invests in a Mid, the more tension to retain he/she.</p>
<p>W/ regard to your 1st question …a great many Mids would tell you being “smart” is not a prerequisite to either go or graduate, and they would quickly be able to ID numerous cases to validate their contention.</p>
<p>Is it hard? Yes, VERY yes. But not because calculus is more difficult @ USNA than Michigan or Minnesota or Cal or …It’s because of all the other stuff one must be able to address in addition to calculus. One takes no more credits @ USNA. However, some of those 1 credit courses will be de facto 3 or 4 credit courses. This drives Mids crazy. </p>
<p>But one other issue re: academics …unlike Cal or Michigan or Minnie or … where English majors are merely required to learn how to spell calculus, not smell it, NONE escape math, sciences, engineering, professional courses, etc. @ USNA.</p>
<p>So, maybe the more significant question? Is it essential to have high energy and be able to multi-task like mad …or make that like Mids? YES! :eek:</p>
<p>And the other critical question? Is it difficult to obtain a USNA appointment? Monumentally YES, and statistically increasingly so because of the recent efforts to grow candidate numbers among specific groups IDed as “needs of the Navy.”</p>
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This is a free country. Therefore, you are certainly entitled to your opinions, no matter how misinformed they might be.</p>
<p>Indeed opinions are just that. Yours yours, mine mine. </p>
<p>And you may differ as to the “why’s” this has happened…But the stats speak for themselves. They are what they are. Class of 2011 had the lowest on record. Until 2012. And 2012 until 2013. In fact dropping from 32 to 15 over 3 years. And btw, 2013 had approximately 50 additional Mids report on I Day. </p>
<p>The USNA Admissions provides evidence of this reality as well, reporting those special candidates separately from all others. Knowing the thoroughness in reporting available, there can be but one reason those are not viewed alongside traditional candidates …It would expose the scenario. </p>
<p>And the one way to counter my point? Simply do so, i.e. put those next to the masses.</p>
<p>You’ve alleged misinformation. All that means is that you have it. Please do share.</p>
<p>It is certainly possible to have a solid family life in the Navy, but it takes more work. The Navy is the military’s “Away Team.” Be prepared for that. It sounds like you might be more interested in the USAFA. Are you interested in flying?</p>
<p>What grades would you need to get in and make it in USNA?</p>
<p>Brett:</p>
<p>Most incoming Plebes rank in the top 10-20% of their HS class. Nearly all are in the top 40% of their HS class. Most Mids scored over well over 600 on each part of the SAT, or an equivalent score on the ACT. No one can really give you exact grade/test score requirements. To get an appointment, USNA must say that you are “scholastically qualified,” but there are no published limits. The numbers I gave above are based on the published characteristics of the past few incoming classes.</p>
<p>One reason that there are no hard and fast grades that are sure to get you in is that each candidate competes against others in his/her Congressional district and state to get a nomination to USNA. Except in fairly rare circumstances, no nomination=no appointment to USNA. So you can imagine that your grades, test scores, ECA, sports, community service, etc. would need to be a lot better if you were in a district with 50 applicants per available nomination than if your district only has 1 applicant per available nomination. </p>
<p>I’m going to assume that your question about what grades you need “to make it at USNA” refer to your grades once there. To just get through, you need to pass your classes - that is, get “Cs.” HOWEVER, your grades at USNA directly determine some of your training opportunities while at USNA, and they definitely impact your career choices after graduation. Someone with top grades at USNA can pretty much choose what area of service (aviation, Marine Corps, etc) they want. Someone with barely passing grades will get whatever is left over.</p>
<p>I am from Belize and I am interested in going to USNA. I am not sure if i will get in. I make mostly B’s.</p>
<p>Is USNA realy hard to get into?</p>
<p>Let’s just say that a high percentage of the really talented, motivated, well rounded and smart kids that apply get turned away every year.</p>
<p>Tim</p>
<p>USNA is a competetive program for sure, but the admissions board looks at many factors when considering an applicant. Grades, SAT scores, Class rank- are just a few of the things that get looked at, but so are extra-curricular activities, sports, physical fitness, overall health, leadership experiences, diversity, etc. </p>
<p>I would suggest reading through the USNA catalogue to see if USNA is of interest to you.</p>
<p>[United</a> States Naval Academy Admissions Department - Catalog](<a href=“http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/]United”>http://www.usna.edu/Catalog/)</p>
<p>If so, the second step would be to get this book and read it cover to cover- it will give you a good overview of the application process. </p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The Naval Academy Candidate Book: How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to Survive (9780979794315): Sue Ross: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Naval-Academy-Candidate-Book-Prepare/dp/0979794315]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Naval-Academy-Candidate-Book-Prepare/dp/0979794315)</p>
<p>There is nothing to lose by throwing your hat into the ring. But you will have zero percent chance of getting in if you do not apply! So everything from there is a plus!</p>