<p>Has anyone else been invited to the usna open house in D.C. sponsored by the greater washingington usna alumni association? Has anyone else ever attended one of these? Any tips? I believe my BGO will be there and I want to make the best first impression possible. Anyone have any tips? I'm assuming the dress will be formal, but how formal? Button-up shirt and tie, or polo and khakis formal?</p>
<p>I'd lean on buttoned shirt and tie. I was there last year. It is a great time to introduce yourselfs to your Blue & Gold Officers, talk to midshipmen that will be there (don't be afraid!), and possibly some alumni. The regional admissions counselor or someone else from the admissions office should be there, too!</p>
<p>As a general rule of thumb, when in doubt, dress up.</p>
<p>just a button up shirt and tie, or should I go with a suit? What kinds of things should I say when introducing myself? I want them to remember me, but I don't want to be obnoxious.</p>
<p>If you have a suit, WEAR IT.</p>
<p>You don't see professionals going into interviews for real jobs in a jacket and tie. They were a SUIT.</p>
<p>Sure, a jacket and tie is better than jeans and a polo shirt, but a SUIT tops them all.</p>
<p>You would only look obnoxious if you showed up in a tuxedo.</p>
<p>Zaph, I disagree. This is not an interview; it is a briefing and chat with MIDN, mainly.</p>
<p>I'd say a buttoned shirt, tie, nice slacks, and a jacket (the kind you would wear with khaki pants) is good enough. A matching suit might make you stand out in a bad way.</p>
<p>Woops! Reading is fundamental! Sorry! :(</p>
<p>I suffered a complete brain derailment and thought we were talking about MOC interviews. My bad! </p>
<p>These things happen when you're doing too many things at once.</p>
<p>Or maybe it's just age. ;)</p>
<p>i would go for an UNBUTTONED shirt and tie</p>
<p>^^^^
definately not an unbuttoned shirt and tie. definately not. :eek:</p>
<p>Khaki pants, belted of course, with shirt,tie and jacket. Skip the suit unless it is the only thing you have- but know you will be the only one wearing one. Shoes, not sneakers, well polished. Worn with socks- if you can have them match your pants, that is a plus. Good haircut. Conservative. Neat. </p>
<p>Appearance matters.</p>
<p>So does smell.
A LIGHT mist of aftershave if you want- LIGHT is the operational word.
And don't be the kid that rushes out of the house without deoderant and brushed teeth- you would be amazed. Scrubbed finernails, neatly trimmed.</p>
<p>Girls- no perfume or garish nailpolish- clear is best. Minimal makeup. Pants suit is fine- make it conservative and neat. Clear hose, polished heels- low ones.</p>
<p>And while you are all at it, make sure you discard all gum. </p>
<p>"you get one chance to make a first impression".... make it count! :)</p>
<p>I would definitely go for the tie. If you show up and no one else has one, you will either a) stand out in a positive fashion, or b) have the option of going into the head and taking it off.</p>
<p>I guarantee you you WON'T be the only one there with one. In such cases you want to be one of those WEARING one.</p>
<p>i dont understand what's wrong with an unbuttoned shirt!! flash a little chest hair, maybe a gold chain or two, it will project manliness.</p>
<p>ROFLMAO. Yeah. That's the ticket! :D</p>
<p>Just introduce yourself as "Rico Suave" while you're at it. ;)</p>
<p>I don't if it was quite the same event--my dd went to an alumni dinner after she had her Appointment. I browbeat both my dd and my dh into wearing suits--I pointed out that they could leave the jackets on the back of their chairs if they were overdressed. Um no, they were very GLAD they had them! And at the last minute, my dh chose a blue suit rather than brown--duh! It is Navy--what color did we THINK they would be wearing!</p>
<p>My dd also went to several open houses sponsored by various MOCs--information gathering gigs. My dd wore her suit, but took the jacket off quickly.</p>
<p>btw--that was one of the best investments we ever made--we bought a VERY nice suit with a silky embroidered blouse at the beginning of the entire process. It had both pants and skirt. She wore it to all her interviews. Of course, now it doesn't fit--she grew another inch... But it was well worth the money spent!</p>
<p>Good counsel.</p>
<p>Especially the Mr. T starter set.</p>
<p>navy2010-
Interesting you should mention the haircut. Last week I went the exchange at NAS oceana and got a navy regulation high and tight. Ahh, it feels so fresh. </p>
<p>Also, to clear up any questions, on the invitation it stated that it was an informational meeting with representatives from USNA, mids, BG officers, and leaders of USNA parents group. It is sponsored by the greater washington usna Alumni and is to be held at the navy memorial in D.C.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, to clear up any questions, on the invitation it stated that it was an informational meeting with representatives from USNA, mids, BG officers, and leaders of USNA parents group. It is sponsored by the greater washington usna Alumni and is to be held at the navy memorial in D.C.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I can count at least 7 reasons in that one sentence to wear a jacket and tie. :)</p>
<p>BTW, have fun! :D</p>
<p>Take Z's advice: consider the jacket and tie a "must do."</p>
<p>As for the haircut- good for you! Don't make it "too high and tight"... I mean, you are still in HS and not trying out for the Marines just yet (and girls do like a little something to run their fingers through!!! ;) ) </p>
<p>On that note, have a funny story to share with ya'all...</p>
<p>At the end of the Thorpedo's senior year, the awards ceremony to be exact, his BGO came to present him with a certificate of achievement from the USNA (appointment related, if I remember correctly). Anyway, the BGO had lots of wonderful things to say (mom and dad were crying bucketfuls), but I digress....</p>
<p>of all times not to have a haircut (thorpedo always favored the shorter look), he was there (in jacket and tie of course) but with this full mop on top of his head.....apparently the lax kids had decided at the start of the spring season (back in Feb mind you) that they would not cut their hair unless they lost a game.... well, they didn't up to that point, and he was captain, and so you get the picture.... by June, when this story took place, his hair was long enough to braid (thank goodness he didn't do that)...</p>
<p>Anyway, when I spotted the BGO walk up to the stage just prior to the start of the event, I asked he kindly "ignore" the whole haircut thing- I mean, the last time he saw our son he was spit-polished clean like a shiny new penny for his interview!!!! </p>
<p>The BGO was most gracious! When he got to the podium to speak, he mentioned our conversation..."I got it on good authority that Thorpedo has committed to growing his hair until such time as the team loses a game...and while I am pleased to see that by all accounts the team has been doing exceptionally well, I just want to assure him, and everyone else in the room, that the NAVY will be sure to take care of that first thing on I-Day." </p>
<p>Roar of laughter followed, along with one very sheepish 6'2" lax player who now had to climb up on that stage with all his locks!!!! Too funny! </p>
<p>Anyway, when you do get that appointment in the mail for USNA, do consider getting your hair cut on the short side before you arrive- I can't tell you how many white head-and-necks we saw from skin that had not seen the light of day for many, many a year! :)</p>
<p>USNAbound,</p>
<p>are you in your junior year of high school?</p>
<p>I attended this Open House last year. The officers and midshipmen wore Service Dress Blues while the BGOs wore Navy blazers with name tags. There really isn't a requirement for students to wear a coat and tie at this event; business casual attire should suffice. If you attend the Open House at the Army-Navy Country Club in May, you will definitely need to wear a coat and tie because of the dress code.</p>
<p>yes wafflebear I am. </p>
<p>Great American- what did you wear, and what were the majority of others wearing? Also were there a lot of people, and about how long did it last?</p>
<p>^^^^^
Last year I wore business casual. There was standing room only in the Arleigh Burke theater. The event lasted 4 or 5 hours.</p>