Can anyone tell me about the Naval Academy?

[tiggerlover]

My son is talking lately about entering the Naval Academy (he is only 14 so he has time yet). But I just wondered if anyone has had experience with the application process or any helpful information. Am I correct in my understanding that if accepted you have to "pay back" for your education by giving 6 years time to the active military? Does that mean you do not have to pay to go to the Academy? I don't mean to sound clueless, my husband was in the military for 20 years but he was enlisted so I do not know about this side of the service.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[tar heel]

Yeah, it's free and you have a military obligation. Very, very competitive admission. most kids need a congressional appointment, and your rep will have some. I have a friend whose son is looking at it, and he may qualify to go in as an athlete.

 

[tiggerlover]

I think a chat with our congressman is what sparked his interest. I know recommendations/grades/community service etc. play a big role too and we are friendly with a former Admiral whom I am sure would give him a recommendation when the time comes and DS is an A/B student in honors class with lots of community service so I would hope that would help. I will definitely have him continue dialog with the congressman for guidance. DS is also talking about joining the NJROTC, which I hope would be helpful too. Thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

 

[dis-happy]

If he's super interested have him look into the summer program for high schoolers. They get to try out Naval Academy life for a week....I think it may even be a free camp. My cousin's child applied for the Naval one and didn't get in, but did go to the Air Force Academy camp. In the end he decided to go to a 4 year college after graduation instead of one of the service acadamies.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Yes, if accepted, your son would "owe" service after graduation. He would be commissioned as an Ensign and I believe, owe 6 years of duty. If he is accepted to a special service after graduation, ie: aviation duty, he would owe more time.

His time at the Academy and education would be "free". He would also receive a monthly stipend while at school.

 

[DisneyGirl421]

Both my dad and my uncle went to the Naval Academy.

It is a VERY competive application process, so be warned on that. Also, plebe summer (ie, a summer-long bootcamp before freshman year) is intense, and there are many that don't make it to see fall semester's classes.

And yes, it is 'free' but you do have to give 6 years of military service afterwards.

My dad graduated in '79 as an Mechincal Engineering major, and retired in '92 (I think?) as a Lt. Cdr. And my uncle graduated in '83 as a political science major, and retired in '05 as a Captain, with his last assignment being a professor at the Academy.

 

[RUDisney]

My 15yo DS is interested in attending West Point. I've already explained to him that he has to graduate as one of the top in his class. My best friend's DH graduated from WP in '88 and he was 5th in our class from a preparatory school.

My DS has the athletic requirements down and the service commitments down. He just needs to pick up his grades. We also know that he can get a congressional appointment when it is needed.

My BFF's DH repaid his college time and the army paid for his master's degree and PhD. He's a Lt. Col. now and teaches math at WP. I can't see him leaving the army until they tell him he can't serve any longer even though he knows he can make more $ as a civilian. The army and his family are his life.

Best of luck to your DS!

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks for all of your replies, a lot of helpful information!!

 

[joviroxx]

My nephew graduated from the Academy, and like others have said, you do "pay back" with service afterwards. He is now in his 6th year and I think he has decided to continue serving.

That said, his younger brother also attended the Academy but was kicked out. He had a bit of an attitude problem. Keep in mind that if you get kicked out after a certain time, you ARE responsible, monetarily , to pay back the time spent. It would no longer be "free".

Here is a link to FAQ's

http://www.usna.edu/admissions/faq.htm

 

[dex08]

If he's super interested have him look into the summer program for high schoolers. They get to try out Naval Academy life for a week....I think it may even be a free camp. My cousin's child applied for the Naval one and didn't get in, but did go to the Air Force Academy camp. In the end he decided to go to a 4 year college after graduation instead of one of the service acadamies.

I was going to recommend this as well. My nephew is graduating from HS this year and he attended the Naval Academy summer camp last year. It's even an honor to get accepted to their summer program and a very high % of this program's attendees gets accepted into the Academy.

I truly thought he would decided on the Navy as a career and he did love the summer camp, but 'living the life' for a week in the summer made him realize that going to the Naval Academy would not be just 'college' but a way of life. He decided not to even apply to go there.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

My 15yo DS is interested in attending West Point. I've already explained to him that he has to graduate as one of the top in his class. My best friend's DH graduated from WP in '88 and he was 5th in our class from a preparatory school.

My DS has the athletic requirements down and the service commitments down. He just needs to pick up his grades. We also know that he can get a congressional appointment when it is needed.

My BFF's DH repaid his college time and the army paid for his master's degree and PhD. He's a Lt. Col. now and teaches math at WP. I can't see him leaving the army until they tell him he can't serve any longer even though he knows he can make more $ as a civilian. The army and his family are his life.

Best of luck to your DS!

Good luck to your DS. DH taught at West Point for 3 years and LOVED it. We debated going back there after he completes his 2nd masters degree but it would have extended our time in the Army longer than we wanted. It is very competitive to attend but looks amazing on a resume' in the civilian world. The college experience there is vastly different that one at a state university but the cadets still find plenty of ways to have fun.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

My son is talking lately about entering the Naval Academy (he is only 14 so he has time yet). But I just wondered if anyone has had experience with the application process or any helpful information. Am I correct in my understanding that if accepted you have to "pay back" for your education by giving 6 years time to the active military? Does that mean you do not have to pay to go to the Academy? I don't mean to sound clueless, my husband was in the military for 20 years but he was enlisted so I do not know about this side of the service.

Thanks in advance for any help.

My cousin was in the Navel Academy and graduated.

He was a top athlete and top student. You have to be all around. It's highly competitive and prestigious.

And there are a list of people who are eligible to nominate you: senators, congressmen, the President, and I think some military people can nominate.