<p>
[quote]
Take your time, visit both schools and then make the decision and jump in with all you've got!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's a done deal once the decision is made. Take your time making the decision, don't take your time putting the decision off and making it on April 30th. You can't look back or think "could have, should have" once you commit.</p>
<p>Best of Luck</p>
<p>penquiz - first off congratulations on having such a decision before you! Others have weighed in with excellent advice - but I'll throw in a few more 'little' things that people don't always think of. Think about places to be stationed over the course of your military obligation. The Navy vs Army has completely different answers. Think about the location of the college campus and whether you want to spend 4 years in that spot.( There are real advantages and real disadvantages based on your personality to be either in the midst of a small city or on a completely isolated campus). Think about the global mission of the US - and picture which kind of military service you see yourself doing. These kinds of questions are somewhat less important than the ones already posted that I'd say are more primary - but they do add up to a total picture that can help you sort out who YOU are, and how YOU can best match your desires, gifts and talents for the sake of service to your country. </p>
<p>Either choice is a noble one.</p>
<p>How cool is that!</p>
<p>One other variable to consider is how much you enjoy playing golf? Another may be how you feel about a fellow officer "hugging" you? :confused: :)</p>
<p>The good news for your decision-making is that the USAF and USN cultures are distintinctly different, and with research, you'll discover each and the better match for your personality.</p>
<p>Why yes, the Air Force has some very nice golf courses, thank you! In fact, you are issued clubs upon graduation! :D :D :D</p>
<p>no you're not.</p>
<p>Hey bud,
I guess I'll chime in here because I was in exactly your precise predicament one year ago. Literally, I had to make the same decision you did. All the advice given above is sound advice. I'll preface by saying that I come from an Air Force family and had planned on going to USAFA all my life, but I'll go ahead and list some of the reasons why I ended up going to Annapolis instead:</p>
<p>1) Career Opportunities after graduation. From USNA you can go Navy pilot, NFO, SWO (nuke and conventional), Subs, SEALs, EOD, Marine Air (pilot and NFO), and Marine Ground. From USAFA you can go pilot, nav, or one of the "desk jobs" that support the pilots, including maintenance, weather, personnel, supply, logistics, engineering, etc. It all depends on what you want to do. I couldn't fly in the Air Force because my eyes are too bad (even for the USAF's limits for PRK); I can still enter the Naval Aviation community when I graduate here because the Navy has different standards. Little things like that can make a really big difference in your decision. At least they did for me.</p>
<p>2) Each place and service has a different "feel" and culture to it, including how the people interact and present themselves and how the service as a whole works. In the Navy, you are told what you cannot do and everything else is presumed legit. In the Air Force, you are told what you can do and everything else is wrong. Depending on how you see yourself as an officer, little cultural things like that can make a difference in your success.</p>
<p>3) Location. USNA is at sea level; USAFA is at 7000+ feet. USNA is next to a town; USAFA is next to a mountain. 'Nuff said.</p>
<p>4) Majors/academic interests. USAFA advertises as having a lot of different majors, but in truth Navy has just as many through its use of sub-tracks. The aero major is divided between aero and astro; poli sci is subdivided into international relations, comparative politics, and U.S. government; econ can be qualititive or quantitive, etc etc. A lot of the majors have different sub tracks you can go into, and that's nice because it gives you choices.</p>
<p>5) If you like tradition, Navy definitely bests USAFA in so many categories.</p>
<p>In the end, it comes down to what you want to do and what you see yourself doing. Personally, I found myself better suited for Annapolis. But only you can make that decision for yourself. I hope that I've successfully explained my rationale for the decision I made. If I can answer any more questions about USNA, PM me and I'll see what I can come up with. Best of luck to you wherever you end up going.</p>
<p>And one more view of this all ...</p>
<p>This was written to a young man who was selected to both the Air Force and Navy Academies and asked for advice from Bob Norris, a retired Navy pilot, about which to choose. Bob's reply: </p>
<p>Young Man,</p>
<p>Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"</p>
<p>USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot ... so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.</p>
<p>Navy Snapshot: Naval Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girls in the bar want to meet Naval Aviators. That bar is in Singapore.</p>
<p>Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask ... pack warm & good luck in Colorado.</p>
<p>Banzai</p>