<p>Anyone else here applying? I did and I cant wait to hear if I get to go or not.
If you applied as well, tell us where your from.</p>
<p>LaGrange, KY</p>
<p>I went to NASS 2004, because originally I thought USNA was the ONLY place for me. Thankfully my trig teacher encouraged me to go to USMA too, if only as a comparison. I went to the second session of NASS 2004 (12 Jun-17 Jun) and it was probably one if not the worst week of my life. Now don't get me wrong, the PT wasn't the part of it I hated. <em>Attn</em> The following paragraphs are my personal opinion! </p>
<p>USNASS was THE most unorganized summer activity exp I've EVER been to. There was only one Officer in Charge, and the entire week, I honestly never saw him, or any other officer for that matter. In comparison to West Point, where there were a good 25 reservists/active duty officers that were MORE than willing to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of enlisting/ROTC/academies, as they all were from one of those sources. I truly felt that USMA's IAW, now known as Summer Leaders Seminar, is a much more realistic view of what the academy is like. NASS to me, was as if the Naval Academy was 'courting' you for a week. </p>
<p>To be truly honest however, going to NASS was a good thing in the end, in that it made me realize I wanted to be at USMA. I would have hated to take up a nomination in my state if I really didn't want to be there. I guess everyone's experiences are different, but I wish you the best of luck in your goal of becoming an officer in the US Military.</p>
<p>cadet0509-What squad/platoon were you in at NASS, I was a session two also, and had a completely different experience.</p>
<p>I too applied to NASS, and according to the website invitationss are sent out no earlier than 30 days, and if you applied Feb. 1 that would give you 10 days. I'll be sure to post if I do receive my invite. Good luck Jhoopster and hope to see u there!
ZN</p>
<p>The reason that you do not see more officers at NASS is because the leadership is by the Midshipman (1/C and 3/C). The whole purpose of USNA is a leadership lab, having the officers run it, does not give the candidate the experience the Midshipman go through. I would find it hard having an officer explaining USNA and there are probably some former college students and priors in the mix to explain enlisting and college. In addition, the 3/C can give candidates meaningful information about USNA, especially plebe year. Just because there is only 1 OIC of NASS, does not make it unorganized, it is just a different position USNA takes, and personally, I think it is better.
The Commandant and Superintendent are real big on handing leadership to the Midshipman. The Conduct System changed to reflect 1/C adjudication, whereas the Company Officer, Battalion Officer, Dep Dant or Dant will not adjuticate (unless the offense is at a serious level). In addition, the 1/C lead the Brigade by example and I would want to know I am coming to an institution that really emphasizes leadership...since that is what being an officer is about. </p>
<p>Good luck to all.</p>
<p>I was in A-4-3. And you argue that the mids are running NASS? Yeah, right. The first hour I was there the mids argued with each other for about 40 mins as to which shirt we should be wearing that day. I agree that it probably helps the mids, but the effort I saw was horrendous. IAW (I attended) was also run by cadets, and I know you're thinking since I said there were more officers around they run the show. True, they run it, but the cadets aren't left alone out in the dark as it seemed the mids were. Also...having all those officers around were great when you wanted to ask questions about what being an officer is really like. The cadets/mids don't have that exp yet.</p>
<p>"In comparison to West Point, where there were a good 25 reservists/active duty officers that were MORE than willing to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of enlisting/ROTC/academies, as they all were from one of those sources."</p>
<p>Cadet0509: </p>
<p>Sounds like USMA IAW was informative and a positive experience for many who attended. I especially like the application orientation given to future cadets. However, from your description quoted above, I wonder in reality which academy is "courting you for a week." Good Luck!</p>
<p>jadler03: brilliant summary of Summer Seminar! Please be kind to my daughter!</p>
<p>i attended summer seminar last year third session and i was in a-1-3. i disagree with cadet's statements. the officer in charge was a marine captain who i thought was very visible. he spoke to us at the group meetings and i saw him around the yard. i also thought they discussed post academy options alot almost too boredom. i guess its the luck of the draw on whether you get good or bad platoon leaders because it seems to have tainted your view of the program.</p>
<p>I had a blast at Summer Seminar and I went to 2nd session. My experience completely solidified my decision to go for an appointment. I'd encourage all juniors thinking about going to an Academy to apply.</p>
<p>My daughter noted that one big difference between the USNA summer seminar and West Point's IAW was that West Point uses Juniors and USNA used a lot of sophomores. She said there was a big difference in maturity and preparedness.</p>
<p>Well, my squad leader was a bit arrogant and rude. He basically told me that I'd have no shot of getting into USNA...which isn't right for him to say even if he thinks it. I knew right then and there that I didn't want to be associated with that place.</p>
<p>GO ARMY...BEAT NAVY</p>
<p>I would say that one should be respectfull of the Naval Academy on the Naval Academy threads. I also would imagine that there are a few "arrogant' folks at any service academy. My daughter admired the Naval Academy and chose West Point based on her own personal preferences and career goals. I think that any issues with their seminar can be worked out fairly easily (some smart folks there!).</p>
<p>I had a blast at NASS, session 2......the officer in charge was around alot because that was his job......thats why you saw him alot, but he was not the only officer around at all, I had many chances to talk with many of the officers on the yard, and they helped me figure out if the academy was for me. Also Navy uses sophmores to help to teach them leadership, but they had plenty of seniors and officers. I had a blast and loved every last part of it.....so much I'm declining my appointment to West Point, and accepting sponorship from the Naval Academy Foundation.<br>
But cadet0509 I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, but I will remind you that at every academy the cadets/mids run the day to day business and officers are their to teach and to run the admistration.....and as far as your squad leader that sucks if he was a jerk, mine was amazing.....but thats just liek anywhere, I bet you will run into a lot of Jerks at West Point to, because you will everywhere.
GO NAVY....BEAT ARMY!!!</p>
<p>Hey Everyone!</p>
<p>I applied to the Summer Seminar at the Naval Academy and at West Point. I hope I get in, Id love to check out the academy life. Good luck to all who applied, hope to see you there! Post when you know if you got in or not.</p>
<p>PS- I currently reside in the lovely Hampton, NH</p>
<p>I found a page that states USNA Summer Seminar Knowledge. It contains an enourmous amount of laws, facts, and other goodies( I'm guessing these are the rates). Does anyone from a previous seminar have any thoughts about this page and ALL the info that it contains.
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/gonickyb/knowledge.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.geocities.com/gonickyb/knowledge.html</a>
Thanks again,
ZN</p>
<p>when you first get there they give you a sheet of rates you need to know. its basically just the mission statement, 12 general orders of a sentry, the ranks in the marines and navy, and your chain of command. the chain of command changes each year so don't bother memorizing it. even still, there is little emphasis placed on rates. I only had to know them for the 30 minute indoctrination and they only asked me about the chain of command and the mission statement.</p>
<p>hahaha, I remember last year, trying to find all the rates before I went. That's how I found this website, actually! I was one of those over-achievers, showing up the first day already knowing the mission and other junk. The rates change from year to year, but like heyitsme said, the Mission, the 12 General Orders, the Ranks, and Blue and Gold are pretty consistent. </p>
<p>But, no one ever memorizes everything (I was the only one in my squad to do so--yes, including all 12 General Orders). I had a REALLY uptight Squad Leader (and that's putting it mildly), and she actually had us memorize the General Orders. Most other Squad Leaders don't. Besides, you're going to get screamed at for knowing the rates if your squad mates don't, so it's a catch-22. </p>
<p>All in all, you'll be pretty safe as long as you know the Mission.</p>
<p>Thank you heyitsme and marines for me. Are you currently canidates for any of the academies?
ZN</p>
<p>marines4me, didn't you attend the first session last year? Sounds like we had the same Squad Leader. Mine was pretty uptight too!</p>
<p>Zero, I think heyitsme has an appointment to USNA like me, and marines4me has one to West Point.</p>
<p>Navgirl,
how was your whole admissions process and any hints on anything? Haha. Thanks for your reply.
ZN</p>