<p>I'm a junior at a high school in Texas, and the Naval Academy is by far my first choice. I beleive i have all the essentials to get accepted (fingers crossed!), and so I have one quick question about the Academy's military side. Aside from SWO and aviation, what are all the potential tracks one can go into to serve the 5 years of duty? Is there a website that I just haven't found in all my searching?</p>
<p>SWO, aviation, seal, marines, med, subs/nuclear</p>
<p>First of all, 5 years is the minimum active duty, 8 total years including reserves (which simply means they might be active duty if the gov’t deems your service is further needed. ) Many do 5 and dive, but you should initially understand the overriding objective of USNA is to educate and train individuals who have the potential and the propensity for career service. </p>
<p>That said professional line service communities include: marines (ground and air), Navyaviation (pilots and NFOs -naval flight officers), nuke officers - both subs and surface, and SWOs - surface warfare officers, EOD (divers), SEALS, Navy intel, med corps.These are all “line” officer commands. There is a post here that gives # of slots in 2011 Class. And others I may have forgotten.</p>
<p>There are also “restricted” assignments, generally only made available to Mids who’ve some type of physical restriction, i.e. a bum knee, color blindness, etc. These include things like intelligence, logistics, supply officer, civil engineering corps, etc. </p>
<p>I’ve no doubt misstated and left off a few. Others will edify, I’m sure. Just one subtle correction to your terminology. One is not “accepted” at USNA. It’s first 3Qed or qualified to compete for an appointment, then combined with a nomination from a Congressman or Senator (and a few other sources of no consequence to most). Still, having both 3 qualifications and a nomination may not provide an appointment, but no appointment will be forthcoming absent both. 3Qed means scholastically (courses, grades, rank, SAT/ACT scores,especially math, ECs), physically, and medically.</p>
<p>The official Naval Academy website also has a section relating to career opportunties:…[Career</a> Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/career.htm#]Career”>http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/career.htm#)</p>
<p>Alright well thanks alot! Iv decided to try for SWO</p>
<p>JustNotIvy, one of the things USNA does very well is expose Midshipmen to the various career options available to graduates via actual experience (ProTraMid) and expert briefings. If SWO interest you, great, but understand you’ll have a better understanding of aviation, USMC, sub’s, etc. by the time you’re ready to submit your final priority list. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Yes, and that priority list of 6 professional communities (in order of your preferance …submitted in hope USN/A might concur) is not determined until 1st semester 1stie year, i.e. when in the last lap of a long run.</p>
<p>It’s good to have ideas and targets. It’s better to remain totally flexible, malliable sp? that whatever may come will be to your satisfaction and commitment. Picking now is like deciding your post-med school specialty and you’ve not even gotten into an undergrad pre-med program. Consider shifting your thinking to "career in USN, explore all opportunities, consider plans B, C, etc.; needs of Navy, needs of Navy, needs of Navy.</p>
<p>Don’t dare set yourself up for disappointment.</p>
<p>If you want to keep your options open you should look into the Merchant Marine Academy. You can go active duty in any branch and usually have a better chance of getting what you want since less students are competing for the slots. I have a couple friends who got flight spots in the Coast Guard and a few more who have applied for Navy, Air Force, and Marines (these slots haven’t been announced yet). You can also go into the commercial field and do eight years of reserves in any branch.</p>