<p>Many of the Appointees have (will get) Appointments to more than one of the Service Academies. As we know, all provide great opportunities. However, I was just wondering if anyone would like to comment on what primary factor(s) led the Appointee to choose the one over the other(s) (or even what led them to even apply to one over the others), other than just "I knew it was the one for me." Was the decision based more on serving as an officer in the particular Service of the Academy or the Academy itself, was it family legacy, academics, military regimen, location, familiarity, etc.? Proud parents may also want to comment as to any particular advice they gave sons/daughters. I know it is ultimately the Appointee's decision, but certainly some discussions were had.</p>
<p>We are Air Force and the first thing out of everyone's mouth is, "For an Air Force kid, why the Navy?"</p>
<p>For the boy, Air Force means you have to fly or you have desk duty. Army is on the ground and tanks. With Navy, you have an opportunity for land/sea/air. There are more professional opportunities.</p>
<p>Second, the education at Navy is very solid. Multiple Rhodes scholars, one of the toughest engineering programs in the US, long history of tradition. These are our son's reasons, not ours. This was his choice to go military.</p>
<p>The boy applied to two and we're still waiting on Air Force, but like I've said before, that's mute, since he's already accepted his appointment to USNA.</p>
<p>I actually originally choose the Naval Academy so that I could go Marines... Since then that has changed from Marine Corps to Aviation. However, I still feel I made the best decision for me for several reasons. First, as was stated earlier, the choice to go air/land/sea is there. Also, I absolutely love the Annapolis/Baltimore/DC area. I can't think how depressed I would be stuck up in the backwoods of upstate NY or the mountains of Colorado. Some people enjoy the outdoors, but personally I love being on the water and in close proximity to major metropolitan areas. Also, after graduation, no one can argue with the Navy's locations. On leave I love spending as much time as possible on and around the beach and almost anywhere in the Navy that I get stationed will be right on the beach. In fact, I'm already looking forward to Florida weather for later this year. I'm not sure about the Air Force, but I do know that much of the large Army bases are out in the middle of nowhere....
This is just my extremely biased view. But in that biased view, I have the largest variety of options, and the absolute best areas to live after graduation. Other than that, the academics and school prestige are about the same between all 3 schools, so a career after the military is bright from any perspective</p>
<p>I have another question:</p>
<p>What if you are offered admission to one academy, and accept to meet the deadline of May 1st. However later (as I hear happens for a good number) you recieve another offer of admission to a different service academy. Would it be possible to decline the 1st one you had already accepted if the second was your top pick?</p>
<p>itlstallion422</p>
<p>The Air Force bases, for the most part, are okay. I think they have more for the Navy families, since they are deployed (out in the fleet, somewhere) like clockwork. The only Army posts I have ever experienced were overseas in Germany and those made me quite sad.</p>
<p>Used to be the old adage about Air Force bases (as perceived by old Navy salts) that when the Air Force is building a new base, they first lay out where the golf course, commissary, etc., are going to be and then they worry about the air fields!</p>
<p>Ummm, yeah, that'd be about right. I mean, you HAVE to HAVE a great golf course! Plus, shut the little women up with a spiffy new commissary! :D</p>
<p>Just kidding! I wouldn't be surprised!</p>
<p>An inexplicable and unconditional love for the Navy since I was 4. I can't give you any other reason. Honestly.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What if you are offered admission to one academy, and accept to meet the deadline of May 1st. However later (as I hear happens for a good number) you recieve another offer of admission to a different service academy. Would it be possible to decline the 1st one you had already accepted if the second was your top pick?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>we asked this very same question..... and 3 of the academies gave us the exact same answer, in no uncertain terms.... "NO".....</p>
<p>once you have committed, you will not be able to switch it to another of the service academies should an appointment arrive after the fact..... an issue if USNA is your first choice, as they are traditionally the slowest to sent out the appointments.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Many of the Appointees have (will get) Appointments to more than one of the Service Academies. As we know, all provide great opportunities. However, I was just wondering if anyone would like to comment on what primary factor(s) led the Appointee to choose the one over the other(s) (or even what led them to even apply to one over the others), other than just "I knew it was the one for me."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This proved to be a difficult decision, one that our son tossed and turned with for a period of time... especially as he had terrific experiences at USMA, USNA and USMMA.... </p>
<p>he narrowed it down to USMA and USNA-
the deciding factor was that he wanted a career at sea, and he wanted to study Naval Archectiture..... after visiting both schools again, he decided on USNA.... happily, no regrets....</p>
<p>please keep in mind, for some the "reason" why one is chosen over another will be some "intangible".... while for others the reason will be crystal clear.... as a parent, the litmus test for me was how happy they were with their decision by Thanksgiving.... thankfully, it worked out.</p>
<p>For our son it has been Air Force and nothing but the Air Force since he decided he wanted to go to the Academy. I asked him what started it all, and he pointed out the 4th of July parades that we go to up north every year. Every year there is a flyover (usually F-16's) right down Main Street in Eagle River, WI during their parade. Son said he decided 4-5 years ago that he was going to go and fly a jet fighter, researched how to do that, started the journey to USAFA, and now has his appointment. Amazing what you learn about your own kids when you ask.</p>
<p>Our daughter started ( this was in 8th grade)from the premise that she wanted to be a Military Officer and was open to considering all 3 Academies. Since her dad was USNA it was easy to talk to him about his experiences/opportunities there. She talked to lots of people with experiences at both USMA and USAFA. Then she started thinking about what she feels drawn to and it became apparant throughout early high school that she wanted to be a MARINE. All her adult mentors, the ones she truly admired and respected were Marine Officers. She knew she wanted to be like them in their espirit de corps. </p>
<p>When it came time for Summer Seminar apps she applied to all 3 Academies since we had no idea how competitive her app was. When she got into all 3 we made her choose 2, and she chose Air Force and Navy. After coming back from both of those it was a no brainer to her. She hated Air Force's Summer Seminar. They called the young people 'campers', did not do any physical training and basically babysat them through some classes. She was disgusted ( I am not exaggerating her emotions.) Navy's Summer Seminar confirmed for her that she wanted USNA and USNA only with the goal of a Marine Commission. In the end she did not apply to any other Service Academy and told her Congressman she would only like a nomination to USNA.</p>
<p>And like nurseypoo's kiddo, she felt USNA had the most opportunities for anykind of military service on air/land/sea so that no matter what she would be able to explore all career options available to her.</p>
<p>You really have to go with your gut. Many moons ago (when dinasaurs roamed the earth), I was accepted to all four; USAFA, USNA, USMA and CGA. My father was a career Army officer and we lived on many posts as a kid growing up, I was comfortable with the Army. I did a grand tour of all four academies spring break my HS Sr year. Coming from Southern California, the East Coast was intimidating and foreign to me. I wasn't as comfortable with the grey skies, grey buildings, ivy type of architecture, etc. The AFA was my last stop on my way back home. Once I saw the mountains, blue sky and all that aluminum and glass, I fell in love with the place. It felt more like the West Coast where I lived at the time. Went on to graduate and do a 20yr career in the AF as a pilot and don't regret my decision.
Fast forward to today. I now live on the East Coast. We looked at the Naval Academy for our son. I was extremely impressed. That would be my personal choice today. My sister graduated from USMA and I believe her West Point and Army training was better than my AFA experience as far as positioning one for follow on civilian employment after military service. The CGA quite possibly is the best kept secret of the whole bunch.
The bottomline is that you can't go wrong with any one of the four. Anytime I hear of a young person getting accepted to any of the military academies, I do two big cheers. The first cheer is for the kid. The second cheer is for the parents. The quality of education and leadership training is priceless. Good luck.</p>
<p>Lukester-</p>
<p>What'd you fly? My husband was a FAIP before his F-16 dreams became a reality.</p>
<p>"The bottomline is that you can't go wrong with any one of the four. Anytime I hear of a young person getting accepted to any of the military academies, I do two big cheers. The first cheer is for the kid. The second cheer is for the parents. The quality of education and leadership training is priceless. Good luck."-----</p>
<p>HEAR HEAR LUKESTER!!! My sentiments exactly</p>
<p>I too was a FAIP, then flew C-141s</p>
<p>"Quote:
What if you are offered admission to one academy, and accept to meet the deadline of May 1st. However later (as I hear happens for a good number) you recieve another offer of admission to a different service academy. Would it be possible to decline the 1st one you had already accepted if the second was your top pick? </p>
<p>we asked this very same question..... and 3 of the academies gave us the exact same answer, in no uncertain terms.... "NO".....</p>
<p>once you have committed, you will not be able to switch it to another of the service academies should an appointment arrive after the fact..... an issue if USNA is your first choice, as they are traditionally the slowest to sent out the appointments."</p>
<p>That is what I suspected, however there has to be some way to be able to get out of it. Say for example a person is accepted to AF, waits until the deadline (May), then finally accepts appointment. Then say on June 1 he recieves an appointment to USNA, there has to be a procedure in place for this, seeing how it must occur relatively often as candidates apply to multiple SA's.</p>
<p>Final paperwork is due to USNA by 1 May. I don't think they do anything after this date, i.e., offer appointments.</p>
<p>I think besides becoming injured and not being able to go to ANY of them, you can't switch.</p>
<p>I believe that is the norm for the majority of applicants, however I have heard stories of people recieving appointments right up to just a few days before I-day.</p>
<p>They do offer appointments after May 1st. The period right after the deadline is when they fill out the class as now they know the number of Appointments that are being turned down. Yes there are kids who do turn down the Appointment. </p>
<p>If you are offered and appointment after May 1st then you only have 2 weeks to give the Academy a reply. This process keeps repeating it's self until the class size of about 1215 is met.</p>
<p>They also will fill the slots of those who for whatever reason will not be able to be admitted on IDay. Last year I remember some on this board hearing about a week before IDay. Bottom line is if you what USNA never give up hope. If you want an Academy experience and USNA has not come through by May 1st accept the other Service Academy and embrace it.</p>