Where Should I Go?

dshinka
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:33:43 +0000

Yeah, I’d say only go to an academy if you want to be a pilot in the Air Force (all AFA cadets get to fly if they’re interested and minimally qualified; it’s a competitive process for everyone else), or if you want a 20 year+ military career (academies offer excellent military training - superior to ROTC I believe). An academy is going to be extremely demanding physically and is going to take up all your summers (when you could instead be doing REU’s). Like someone else pointed out you have to get a nomination which can be difficult, depending on where you live. I got one from my Congressman Senior year, but I ended up being medically DQ’d… Oh yeah, if you have to answer yes on any of the medical questions - be prepared to visit several doctors and engage in several tests from DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board).

Doing college in the civilian world is a much better option for you, considering your goals. Also, I believe part of the 8 years is only reserve (probably 4 years active duty and 4 years reserve). Landing a good Navy Scholarship and serving will likely have you debt-free quicker and being in the military is something respectable to most employers so I don’t think you would have any trouble transitioning back into the civilian world.

With your track record you will likely be able to land most any job you want in the Navy (I know in the Air Force - everything’s about competition and performance - you compete for your job assignments, your base assignment, etc. I assume the Navy is the same way)

I think, overall with your goals, I would strongly discourage you from applying to Annapolis, and you would have to ask yourself if you want a military life for the other program you’re considering. They change your assignment every few years and being away from your family for most of the year in the Navy can be tough (they own you and if we’re at war or something you could be deployed… you could be deployed even if we’re not at war…) As an officer particularly you will learn a lot about communication and leadership that will give you an edge later on, particularly if you have a technical job where most of your peers would be hopeless at those two things.