powerhawk

So what would your advice be, how am I to go about making the big decision?

USNA69

Read everything you can about both the Academy and service life. Ask questions of everyone that can give you any insight about either or both. When you think you know everything about both your four years at school and at least five years afterwards, ask yourself if you can enthusiastically be a part of that environment. If so, it is worth the effort. If not, find something else to do. I think enthusiasm and knowing what one is getting into are the two major factors in the decision making process.

navy07

I agree with the above. Ask yourself what the real reason for wanting to go the academy is. Ask yourself if you ultimate goal is to be a combat leader for five years. There are many more things to add to the equation with the operation tempo due to GWOT. At this time and I do not forsee it changing much for a while, you will be deployed a lot. This is not the peacetime Marine Corps/Navy of the late 90s and pre 9/11. Multiple 12 months deployments are common.

People want to go to the academy for many reason. I have heard everything from wanting to be a leader to wanting to go because the uniforms are cool. You have to want to go to be a combat leader, a leader of Marines/Sailors, and everything else should come second. Going to the academy is a sacrifice. You will be sacrificing the "college experience" and a normal family life for at least five years after graduations. I however assure you that if you do choose to go the academy, you will make friends there that will be closer and more loyal than any frat brother you could find. In my opinion I could have no greater honor than leading America's sons and daughters into combat.

These are just some things you must consider before applying and more importantly before accepting a comission in the armed forces.

CelticClan07

Powerhawk-

You've received a lot of great advice and info on this thread and your honesty is refreshing. After reading through your posts a couple times and yet not 'knowing' you, I think you already know your answer to your question. You seem to be agonizing so much over applying to/attending the Naval Academy, that may be your biggest indicator.

I wish you joy and success wherever life takes you.