Why is entry to the Naval Academy so archaic?

Question

I'm always curious about how other militaries of the world do things, so my usage of the Wikipedia eventually led me to the page about the US Naval Academy.

What's the deal with politicians being able to appoint people for entry into the Naval Academy? I realise you don't need to be chums with anyone important to get it, but it certainly doesn't seem to rule out the possibility of a senator appointing his friend's son over other, more suitable and qualified candidates. Or am I wrong anywhere? Are there any merits to this antiquated system?

Answer 1

Just because a senator endorses an application to one of the service academies, does not guarantee admission. There is still an admission process.

I think it is actually a good thing. It is one of the few things congressmen and senators do for individual local constituents!

Answer 2

All the service academies require a congressional nomination for a potential Cadet or Midshipman to receive an appointment to the academy. It's actually not a hard process, write a couple of letters showing your high school transcripts and extra curricular activities. Bear in mind a Congressional nom. does not guarantee an appointment but it is a must have to get one. It's just to ensure only highly qualified people with a bright future for leadership gain entrance to the service academies (in theory at least) Just like everywhere else you get good ones and bad ones. As far as Senator Smith or whoever nominating his buddy's son, that may be a real problem. I honestly can't say one way or the other. I'm sure there would be some sort of checks and balances in there somewhere.

Answer 3

Congressmen and Senators may sponser 10 nominations to each military academy each year. However, being sponsered is not automatic admittance (although it does help quite a bit). For the politician to put his name on a sponsership form means this student meets and/or exceeds the academic, extra curricular and any other requirements in place by the particular acadeamy. You may be friends with Ted Kennedy, but if your grades were'nt perfect, you didn't participate in extra curriculars or have an outstanding community service record, you aren't getting his recommendation. And don't forget, attending these schools means you are agreeing to a mandatory term in the military as an officer after graduation or you are paying back the cost of attending these fine institutions of higher learning. This is not a free ride by any means.

Answer 4

At one time, that's exactly what happened.

Only those with political connections were able to receive appointments to the military Academy's.

But, because of scandals and bad press, now they all use the same system to screen their appointments.

Most Use either a test or the same screening process Universities use to screen applications.

Applicants are graded on such things as GPA, Sports, extracurricular activities .

So this has pretty much taken the political process out of the system.

I received a General Officers appointment to West Point.

I was not accepted. But i was offered a slot in the prep school.

Answer 5

all the provider academies require a congressional nomination for a skill Cadet or Midshipman to obtain an appointment to the academy. that is somewhat no longer a complicated technique, write a pair of letters displaying your intense college transcripts and bigger curricular activities. bear in mind a Congressional nom. would not assure an appointment even though it somewhat is a would desire to would desire to get one. that is purely to make particular purely tremendously qualified those with a wonderful destiny for management earnings front to the provider academies (in theory a minimum of) purely like everywhere else you get reliable ones and undesirable ones. so some distance as Senator Smith or whoever nominating his pal's son, that ought to be a real situation. I actually can no longer say one way or the different. i'm particular there would be some sort of assessments and balances in there someplace.

Answer 6

Senator can ask the board at the academy in a letter to let a person in and it goes along way to help but they can not just tell the navy to take a person.

Answer 7

the senator does not have the authority to appoint anyone, the school admissions board has control over that. Congressional letters of endorsement are just like any other letter any other college requires..letters of reference, nothing more.

Answer 8

It's only a small price to pay for what you recieve in return.

The system is in place presumably to reduce the number of applicants that need to be reviewed.