<p>Basically I was wondering if I should even try getting into the USNA or any academy at all. Before I get into why I ask this I will tell you a little bit about myself. I am currently a junior, I have a 3.7 GPA, I'm in NJROTC, I play football, wrestling, and next year I'm joining the track team. But let me get to the point, I was charged with misdemeanor battery in October( no charges were pressed) and I was sent to teen court because it was my first time being in trouble. Also, it was my first referral at my school. They also sent me to a "second chance school", and everyone who I tell this to doesn't understand why they sent me there, because it makes no sense; with my grades, FCAT scores, and not ever having a referral or behavior problems at school, almost all people said that I should have just been suspended. I was supposed to be at the "second chance" school for 14 months. The school is normally a 6-9 month program, but i completed it in 4 months (no one has ever completed the program that soon before) and I got back into my high school with no problems at all. So my question is, should i even try to apply to the United States Naval Academy, or any Academy at all. My dad was basically telling me I have no chance. I ask this to the more educated people who would actually be able to accurately tell me. Would it be better if I went into the Navy for a few years then re-applied?</p>
<p>Nothing gained if you don’t try. Keep your nose very very clean from here on out. Academics through first semester senior year are extremely important as are continuing your sports. Start taking the SATs/ACTs. You will be asked to explain what you have learned from this episode. Sounds as if you are well on your way to a good explaination.</p>
<p>That’s what i might just do; try to get in, and if I don’t, I can still say that i tried. I will be taking the SAT and the ACT in june. I am starting to take 2 honors classes online, and for my senior year I’m going to be taking AP, and honors classes, and I’m currently awaiting a test (CPT) to see if i qualify to get into College Algebra. Also, after this experience, it has changed my whole mind-set about school and everything in life. I’m applying myself a lot more than I have in the past. It has also tought me that it only takes 1 mistake to ruin your chances/life. I can go on and on about how this has changed my life for the better. I really hope when they see that I have an arrest on my record that they actually give me a chance, and not just see that and automatically stereotype me. Also, since i completed teen court, they told me that my record was expunged; Does this help me? </p>
<p>One more thing, since there is no explination part for an arrest on a U.S. Service Academy application (from my knowledge) would it be proper for me to attach a written paper explaining what had happened?</p>
<p>You should always tell the truth during the entire application process. Truth helps, lies kill. If it comes up, be very straightforward about it, do not obfuscate. </p>
<p>Yes, you should apply, your father is not in admissions so he doesn’t know if you’ll get in or not. I understand his position very well, but you should still try. Guys do get into fights, even at the academies. Actually, it’s part of the curriculum, i.e. boxing.</p>
<p>But if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t learn from past mistakes and are just grasping at straws hoping to get in by buffaloing, then you probably won’t make it.</p>
<p>So, what kind of person are you? Do you learn lessons well?</p>
<p>Yes, if your record was expunged, it would help you. That’s what they were trying to do, help you recover from your mistake by giving you a “do-over”. Make good on it and you will be a success in life.</p>
<p>WYH2844: Why would you think that a recruited athlete isn’t held to the same standards as other candidates/appointees? Do you have some evidence?</p>
<p>Your mistake may be a costly lesson, and lessons, by definition, are or should be instructional. Were you to be appointed, you’d not be the first Mid who is a juvenile delinquent alumnus. btw, you may want to rethink how your describe your incarceration facility. And you can be sure, your appointment there made total “sense” to legal authorities. Don’t hedge; it seems weak. It is what it is. As majmason counsels, do not obfuscate. You will need to be clear, transparent, and compelling in your case about this. Conversely, you will be an exceptional candidate in this regard, with opportunity to distinguish yourself in the process. Your great opportunity is to learn and reveal genuinely more challenging lessons than virtually all other candidates.</p>
<p>And that is your goal. Do your best. Be open and honest. And be clear that your objective should be to serve your country as a USN officer. </p>
<p>Lastly, should you determine to proceed in this pursuit, be fully confident and sure that no matter its outcome, you will be better, stronger, and more prepared to pursue the ultimate than you would have been otherwise. And be sure about this …yours is a substantially steeper hill to climb than most of your fellow candidates. Are you up to that?</p>
<p>Recruited athletes SHOULD be held to the same standards as other midshipmen! But I have to admit, I’m disillusioned after the whole Marcus Curry incident. Actually, vvyh2844 might be referring to Curry in his post.</p>
<p>Duh, too often, not. Both prior to and post-enrollment. Ask any Mid. Evidence is too often evident.</p>
<p>btw, generalizations here are misleading, inciting, and unfair to the great many USNA jocks, especially in the “minor” sports who can go toe-to-toe with their Mid-mates in and out of the boxing ring, pool,court, or athletic fields. Conversely, pretending or living under an illusion that there are not some relatively slower and/or less academically-prepared and/or gifted athletes …is simply untrue. And many of these latter men and women would score like geniuses next to Alabama’s bottom-half footballers. Guaranteed. It’s relative.</p>
<p>Thank you Whistle Pig, and the rest of you all for giving me your input on my situation. This has helped me to make my decision to put forth my best effort into trying to get, and if I don’t make it, there’s always next year.</p>
<p>Bengell1 - to join the military - even to enlist, regardless of which branch you probably will need a conduct waiver. Each branch has their own criteria. some folks are under the false illusion that as long as you are “found innocent” you don’t have to declare your trouble with the law.
In reality, each case is assessed on it’s own merits.<br>
You should be totally upfront with everyone involving your application - your BGO and admissions. You will have to provide all police records - even if they are “sealed”.
If admissions wishes to offer you an appointment they will probably have to seek a conduct waiver from Navy JAG. Your appointment will hinge on this ruling - much like a medical waiver.
It’s all case by case and no one here can give you the odds. Others have had to go this route and succeeded.</p>
<p>BTW - Marcus Curry - I haven’t read anywhere that he was in legal trouble prior to arriving at the Academy. Anyone know if this is actually true? Or is this just speculation?</p>
<p>just to pile on, apply for it…whats the worst they can do, say no? just be totally honest in all steps of the process</p>
<p>wrt marcus curry, i read in this article he had 335 demerits by his youngster year? i mean, being a football god aside, how did he not get booted, i think that is an embarrassment</p>
<p>1390hopeful - my point was not to compare Curry with the OP.<br>
Two completely different situations. With the OP it would not matter if he was the top recruited high school qb or point guard. He would still need the JAG waiver.</p>
<p>Well, I always had the intent to just be 100% honest about the situation. It is what it is, I’m actually kind of glad this has happened to me, it taught me a lot and now I know what happens when you make a mistake, and I never want to ever be in that situation again, because that is not the place for me. I don’t think I will be doing anything “stupid” for a long time.</p>
<p>The Academy can’t get around this legal situation- with the OP- on their own. They must forward legal cases to JAG. In the end - it’s up to Navy JAG to grant the waiver to serve. </p>
<p>Are you implying that Marcus Curry had a juvenile legal issue that was disregarded upon admission?</p>
<p>I hadn’t heard of any prior legal issues he had. However he has had… what, was it, THREE honor violations?! He also tested positive for drugs and is STILL at the academy.</p>