Please do not say this or any version of it in either your application or your interviews as it is not the correct response to why you are applying to the academy. You apply because you want to serve as an officer in the Navy leading others on ships, subs, and planes in the accomplishment of duty and mission. Commit the mission of USNA to heart to start re-training the tape that plays in your head as you craft your responses to the questions you will be asked on paper and in person:
To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.
Memorization describes the core of Plebe year. As I posted in the Hazing is still an issue thread, our Plebe had to memorize Bugle Notes (the manual of plebe knowledge, a lengthy collection of traditions, songs, poems, anecdotes, and facts about USMA, the Army, the Old Corps, and the rivalry with Navy) as well as the week’s meal service to be able to perfectly repeat to any upperclassman on demand. At Navy, among many other things, you will memorize Reef Points:
Every midshipman is given a copy of Reef Points on I-Day. This book serves as a thorough introduction to the Navy and the Naval Academy, and includes its mission, history and traditions. Plebes will be required to memorize virtually all of the more than 1,000 facts that are outlined in this small, blue book of approximately 225 pages so that their transition into military life is comprehensive and complete.
I was turned off by all of the rote memorization (especially the week’s mess menu, what’s the point of that?) until our son explained that in times of war and under duress, an officer may see or hear an order only once and getting it exactly right may mean the difference between success and failure, even life and death. The academies do nothing by accident no matter how ridiculous some of it seems. Though you may end up in a desk job during peace time, the purpose of the academies is to prepare you to lead in a time of war, no glossing over that.
Who you know is completely irrelevant. Appointments are determined by panels specifically to avoid favoritism as the process is mandated to be egalitarian, equally accessible to all. Your congressperson and senators simply sign off on the recommendations. You will not see these people although some senators do make calls to congratulate winners. Our son received several nominations (you can get more than one), but did not receive any calls or meet any member of Congress. The nomination process is quite complex and you would do well to have an understanding of how it works. Everything you could want to know about it is described here: Nominations | United States of America Service Academy Forums.
The process of applying to a service academy is daunting. It’s meant to be; it’s part of the test.