<p>Some have applied to several U.S. Service Academies and ROTC programs. While others have only applied to one service academy and the ROTC program that corresponds to that particular branch of the military. Why are students choosing one service academy over another? Or, if offered the choice, service academy or ROTC?</p>
<p>My son chose the USNA as his only academy and the NROTC as his only ROTC choice. He has always wanted to go to the academy since he was little. Ryan went on a school field trip to the academy when he was in 3rd grade and his fate was sealed. My father was a navy mustang intelligence officer and I was stationed on fast attack nuke submarines. He has been given a NROTC scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill, NC but if he gets an appointment to the academy he will be going to Annapolis.
Ryan wants to be a navel fighter pilot or seal and that's always been his dream, so the other services have not even entered his mind as an option.
I hope he gets an appointment, its all he's worked for since 3rd grade. When you are a parent and you see your child make every decision through school and life moving toward achieving a goal like the academy. You really hope they get in because you know they have wanted it so bad. After CVW weekend we asked him "well what if you don't get in?" He said he was going to curl up into the fetal position and cry! LOL yes he was joking!! But there is some seriousness to the statement.
As to the choice between USNA and NROTC he worded it like this. "If I decided to go to UNC even though I got an appointment to USNA, then I would always wonder in the back of my head if I made the right decision or what would have become of my career if I have chosen the academy. But if I go to the academy, I will never second guess or wonder what it would of been like at UNC" That's it in a nut shell from his perspective.
I wish I could have been so driven and intelligent as my son at his age..... Both my wife and I are very proud of him.</p>
<p>Well it is kind of crappy having a son way way smarter than me. LOL</p>
<p>my reasoning is alot like rmoorenc's son. i applied only to the naval academy and nrotc program because it has been my dream since i was young. my father was an '84 graduate of the academy and a career marine. the naval academy has really been the only option i ever considered despite my uncle going to west point. in middle school i lived at the academy while my father taught there and that experience essentially sealed the deal. the naval academy can satisfy almost any of my military desires while the other service academies cater to one area. i guess i had my eyes set only on usna and the marine corps, that is why i only applied there.</p>
<p>Naval Academy was my son's only choice for a Service Academy. The location is absolutely beautiful! (The most beautiful college campus Mom has ever seen!) Most importantly, he said you can fly, be on a ship, or chose ground. The other branches seem to have fewer choices.</p>
<p>He is in his second year, and has loved his experience!</p>
<p>Good question. I was one of the ones that applied to everything: USAFA, USNA, USMA, AFROTC, AROTC, Marine Option NROTC. I got all of the ROTC scholarships (got Army to 5 schools), and so far have been accepted to USMA. I was QQQed for USNA and have a nomination, so I'm waiting for news on that. I was also accepted at the USAFA. </p>
<p>I fell in love with the USNA at Summer Seminar. I'd been a West Point lover since 7th grade, but I went to the Summer Seminar just to see what it was like. For awhile after that, I was gung ho USNA. But after a lot of thought and prayer, I've decided that West Point is my best option. I really like the history there, and there's so much structure and tradition (I'm not bashing the USNA at all--it's just different). Plus, I really want to roll around in the mud and hike through the woods and that kind of thing. I don't know... I guess I just went on my gut.</p>
<p>I am a member of USMA class of 2008. If you guys and gals are lucky enough to get into more than one service academy that is great and you definately have a big decision to make. I picked West Point because it has so much more history and tradition than the other acadamies. So far I am extrememly happy with my decision and everything is going well. Whichever academy you chose you are making a good choice and we will all be on the same team in a few years. Later </p>
<p>Brendan Mosher</p>
<p>Marines4me,
You sound a lot like my daughter---she'll be the one off to your right in July (also covered in mud, no doubt!)</p>