What led your son or daughter to apply to the US Naval Academy?

[Sherry James]

Hi Annapolis Moms/Parents:

I was wondering what brought each of our young men and women to apply for the rigourous roller coaster ride we lovingly call Annapolis. Please share your personal experiences and if your child was inspired by someone or becoming an officer or aviator or maybe was recruited by the Academy.

[Paymaster]

OK, so I'll start if off. Tom Claney, the author. When my son was about 12 years old he started reading Time Claney novels and was determined he wanted that life. He only applied to one college USNA and that was it. Couldn't convience him to apply anywhere else. He got early acceptence in early December.

The only thing that changed during his time at the academy was when he entered the academy he was going to go subs, but once they sent him to Pensacola during his 2nd class summer it had to be flight.

That seems so long ago now.

He has done so many things in his years since he left home. Its only thing we read about in the paper, and some that we will never know about.

Far wind and following seas

[Debbi]

We live in a small college town in Oklahoma - Stillwater. For a short time, there seemed to be a military academy "epidemic" running through the town--especially concentrated in one Boy Scout Troop! In the past handful of years, Stillwater has sent five young men to USNA, one to AFA and one to West Point. All but two of these guys were involved with one Boy Scout Troop. The troop leader is not former military, but he does teach honor, integrity, accountability, etc. - all the qualities the military seeks for its members and demands of its officers.

When Brett was commissioned, this troop leader traveled to Annapolis to enjoy the festivities. Of course, I seized a photo op of him and Brett and wrote up a nice article for the local paper.

On a funny side note--A lady I work with had a son in the same Boy Scout troop. She was complaining to me one day about how hard Lyle is on the boys. She didn't get very far with me on that one!!!!!!

[Leslie]

Great stories Ladies!!!!! So proud of all our kids.!!

My son had applied and been accepted to all the Fl. state schools. We assumed he would go to Universitly of Florida, like one of his brothers ,and get an engineering degree and then go into the Navy and fly , like his brother. But, one day in his senior year , in October, he came to us and said he wanted to appy to the Naval Academy. A friend at school was already way into the process, and Rory wanted to see if he could get in, too. So, he went on line and applied and the next day the Blue and Gold Officer called us. He said that his application looked very good, but , we only had a few weeks to get everything in order because the process had to be done by November. I think , for 2 weeks, all we did was Naval Academy stuff. He was so last minute. Rory ended up getting accepted and his friend did not. It was so hard for him to be happy , while his friend was put on the waiting list and had to wait. He was the first person from our high school to ever be accepted. Finally, 10 days before I -Day, his friend was accepted. This entire city was so happy for our boys. They were not only put into the same company, but they were also roommates. Sounded ideal.........until that first phone call home. My son tells me that his friend hates it there, he is in Tango, wants out, another guy down the hall tried to commit suicide with a pair of scissors to his neck. Found in the shower that way. But, not to worry , he was fine and loved it there. What a phone call. His friend did leave and came home. He came over to our house within a few days of returning and told us how much our son loved it there, how he fit right in, and not to worry about him. I was so thankful for that visit. This young man is a great kid. Funny how he thought he wanted this all his life and it wasn't for him. My son decided at the last minute to apply and it is the best thing that has ever happened to him.

[Taisha - James' Mom]

Hey ladies,
I didn't really know what made James decide that the Academy was for him until I read his personal statement for his application. In it, he shares that when he was 12, I called him to watch a special on the Military Channel with me about the Service Academies. He says this is what piqued his interest and that over the years he has researched and decided that attending the Naval Academy and being an Officer in the Navy was the life he wanted for himself. At 16, he can see being a Naval Officer as his career. And while it shows great maturity and focus, at first, I really didn't believe he understood the decisions he was making. Now after doing my own reasearch, I see that he is a wse young man who can make extremely sound mature decisions for himself. I am so proud of him!

[Kathy B]

Rachel got into a space camp program in 6th grade and from that point on wanted to be an astronaut. Her junior year in HS she spend days on the computer with a friend of mine researching where the NASA astronaut pilots came from and found most of the pilots were naval aviators and many were USNA grads..... so she applied both there and to the NROTC program. She decided on the Academy after a drag weekend with one of the track team girls.

[Sherry James]

My daughter Lauren's journey to Commissioning from the U.S. Naval Academy began when an old friend of mine (USNA '71) suggested that she apply to the Academy. He thought her academic and athletic talents might be strong enough to earn her a spot at his Alma Mater. At first she was very interested in the idea but as graduation approached and the country was entering into the Iraq War it became a scarier proposition. Some of her teachers and a few of her friends did NOT like the idea and were very vocal about their distaste for anything to do with the U.S. military. I thought they were not looking at the big picture and encouraged my daughter to see it for what it was-- a great opportunity for her.

To her credit though, she decided to give it a shot and accepted her appointment to NAPS and weathered all that was thrown in her way as there are STILL those with the outdated, never useful mode of thinking that women do not belong at the Academy. She has gained so much from her experiences there and so has our family and for that we are all appreciative and I'm proud that she is a USNA graduate and a Naval Officer. It was truly a blessed opportunity for my daughter and our family.

[Betsey Belle]

Hi Sherry! I had to smile when you talked about those who say women do not belong at the Academy. When Jamie was a Summer Seminar detailer, one of his "students" made a comment like that. Jamie called over another detailer (a female) and they both let this guy have it! I'll bet he never made a comment like that again!

Yes, the USNA has been a blessing for Jamie and for us. Even has allowed us to get closer to my husband's brother and family who are located in McLean, Virginia. Whenever we visit Jamie, we stay with Ed & Judy. Its been great. He's retired Navy (Captain) and so loves to hear what Jamie's doing. In fact, we'll be staying with him during Commissioning week--can't believe its almost here!

Hope to see you around town sometime.
Betsey

[Georgette N]

When my son was in 9th grade, we decided to spend the weekend in Baltimore. Our flight home on Sunday was late so we drove down to Annapolis. I had sailed into the city years before and thought it was a pretty town. It was the boat show weekend so we couldn't get a good look at the water. We decided to walk on to Academy to get a better look and ended up taking the tour.

My son was very quiet. He had talked about the military in a very vague way before. On our drive back to Baltimore he announced that the academy was where he wanted to go. My husband, as he loves to remind him, answered, "well if that's the case, you'd better start cracking open those books." And he did. He never once wavered from his goal.

[Betsey Belle]

My son dreamed of becoming a Navy pilot. Air Force was just not good enough! (After all, THEY don't fly on and off carriers!) He was originally denied an appointment, but kept at it, was on the waiting list, and succeeded in getting his appointment 5 days before I Day! Since then, he's been at the top of his class--is now in his last semester and will be going to Pensacola as soon as he can after graduation and Commissioning! The Naval Academy has been great for him. He wanted the Naval Academy specifically because he heard they offered the PRK eye surgery which he knew he'd need if he were to become a pilot. His second choice was ROTC at Purdue University and would study aviation. I'm so proud: my Dad was in the Navy, as was my uncle (both in WWII). My Dad was also a private pilot. Though he died long before Jamie was even born, it warms my heart that Jamie has followed in his footsteps in so many ways. My brother-in-law retired as a Navy Captain and my nephew is a Navy Lieutenant. So, there's lots of history.

[Sharon ~ K's Mom]

Hello, I am new to this site and look forward to learning from those here. Our son, Kyle is currently a high school senior and has three avenues to enter into the Navy. He has "enlisted" as of 06 January, took the Nuc testing and passed that. He is also waiting to hear if he receives an ROTC Scholarhsip (he's been accepted to Auburn University in AL) or an appointment to the Academy. He decided on the Naval Academy last August/September. I made a phone call to our Congresswoman and he completed the paperwork and did very well on his interview. So, we are in the waiting mode. Kyle is the type of person that researches every detail of what he is doing or wants to do before making any informed decisions. He talked it over with us, met with the recuiter when they came to his high school and we went to an informational meeting for the Academy. He wants to fly, become an Officer and we are supportive and look forward to helping me along the way. We are very proud of him and the many others that serve our country.

[Debbi]

You have every right to be proud of your son, Sharon. Sounds like he is a very mature young man. I have no doubt he will continue to amaze you.

My son graduated from USNA in 2007 and is about to embark on his first deployment as a P-3 pilot.

Welcome to the Navy roller coaster!!

[Sharon ~ K's Mom]

Thanks Debbi, he is a great kid that knows what he wants. He is excited to graduate high school and start his future. Being here will help us no matter which avenue gets him going where he wants to be. He is looking forward to each step, they get him to the start line. He doesn't like the waiting for the ROTC or the Academy, he wishes he knew now so he can plan his next step. He likes to have plan "A," plan "B," and even plan "C" in place so there are no surprises for him. Pretty much a kid that knows what he wants and puts everything in place to get himself there.

Congrats to your son!! That is awesome, that is where my son wants to be, a "Pilot." Good luck to him and to you!