im considering applying to the us naval academy or to the us air force academy. Any tips?

Question

I'm a sophomore in high school....what are some requirements...how should i do the interview? waht kind of grades do i need? thanks!

Answer 1

The best source of information would be the catalogs for the Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. You can write to them and ask for the catalogs. You may need to send a small amount of money for the catalog.

The Academies are very prestigious, and really they are looking for the best of the best. It is true that you need a recommendation from your Congressman or Senator and each of them can recommend two candidates per year to each of the Academies.

If your high school has JR ROTC that might be worth checking out. However ROTC programs in colleges and universities are the nations second source of military officers. While the military won't draw attention to the fact, almost every officer at the highest ranks is an academy graduate.

First, why do you want to go to the academy? What are your goals. You need to be clear on that, and you need to be able to communicate it well.

Grades are important. Do everything you can to get a 4.0, straight A's ( not to worry candidates get accepted without straight A's). But the military is not interested in bookworms only.

Extra curricular actives are also important. I know students who were accepted to the academies with records in with gymnastics, cheer leading ( yes, young women can go the academies.) or work on the volunteer ski patrol.

Think about sports, debate team, boy scouts, many males at the academies are Eagle Scouts. Take the time to become involved in leadership. Class president, or an officer in a school club are good indicators that you have the leadership ability and motivation to succeed.

Fitness is important. I missed out on the academy because I did not take the fitness requirements seriously. Get the catalogs read about the physical fitness tests, and get a program going to be sure you are strong enough. Inside story: most cadets at the academies have trouble during their first Summer of training because they do not have the upper body strength required to succeed at the obstacle courses. Have a regular fitness routine, running, and weights for strength, even if you are star of all your high school sports ( and especially if you more the debate and chess club type!)

If you get in, be prepared for the hardest most difficult experience of your life. They will ask more of you than you can possibly imagine in the first year. All I can say is always remember you are up to it, but they program will push you to the point where you feel like you can't go on. Even them remember you are tough enough to make it through.

Some high schools have JR. ROTC. You could look into this. Another program is the Civil Air Patrol Cadets. Some communities have CAP groups ( civilians who fly search and rescue missions) and these groups may sponsor cadet groups for high school students. CAP is a great program if you can find it.

I want to share an encouraging story. I went to high school with a guy we all called dumb Roy. Well Roy decided he wanted to go to the Air Force Academy. He was passed over the first year he applied because we had better candidates from our high school. He went to college and joined ROTC there. He applied again in his freshman year of college to go to the Academy, and got passed over. Well Roy didn't give up. He kept up in college and worked very hard to be the best in ROTC and applied again in his second year of college and with the recommendation of his ROTC instructor, he was able to get accepted to the Air Force Academy. He It took him 6 years to finish college because at the Academy he had to start over at year 1 even though he had already done well in two years of college. Of the seven students I went to high school with who went onto the military academies, Roy was the only one to finish and is a very happy career Air Force Officer. Success is possible.

Look at who you are, why you want to do this, and put together a program for you next three years that will allow you to do you best.

Answer 2

Well basically you need to have grades that you're teachers could only hope for. Meaning the standards are very high. I do know at least for the AF Academy there is a pre-school. A year of academic and physical preparation before hand.

I also understand, that the endorsement of a member of congress, or even that of the Vice-President can be required. I would suggest that you start writing now, so that in time your name will be recognized. It takes a lot of pre-planning and forethought. Certainly a worthy goal and I wish you the best in this endeavour.

Answer 3

Those are very prestigious academies. I think you need a congress-person's recommendation for the naval academy (not %100 sure). Good grades, good SATs too I would imagine. Better get going on that and good luck.

Answer 4

naval

but i prefer the navel academy..

but really now Naval..
and you need college education first, go into the ROTC at school to see if you can get some money for college..and once graduated from college you will have a rank already and be fast tracked to go to Naval Academy ....
start volunteering on a campaign for congress person in your area ..so you can ask them a favor when you need them.
good luck

Answer 5

Also depends on where you live. Nominations from Congressman or Senators are more or less competative in certain areas of the country. For example, I actually live in the city of Annapolis and it is extremely difficult to get in from here though not impossible. Don't forget that there alternatives to gaining a commission in the military such as ROTC or other programs.

Answer 6

Do you have references? Do you do volunteer work? Are you in sports? Are you self-motivated? Do you do well in school? If you can answer yes to all these questions, I say go for it. References are very important. Get letters of recommendations and take them to your interviews when you apply for nominations from your congressmen. Send copies in too. All of the Military Academy's are very challenging so you do have to be very self motivated.

Answer 7

Be sure to get into your high school's ROTC.