I need ideas on how to improve my chances at receiving an appointment to one of the military academies?

My largest goal at the moment is becoming a combat pilot in the Air force or Navy, and winning an appointment to either of the respective academies. I have been taking many steps in the last few years to gain an appointment to either academy. As of now I am a freshman in high school and have already ran on my cross country team and swam on my swim team. I have played soccer on an out of school team for 4 years as well. Academically I have performed well so far, Averaging 3.65 in all honors classes. Outside of school I have been participating in Civil Air Patrol, the USAF auxilliary, accrued many community service hours through the local YMCA, CAP and other volunteer organizations. I believe that I have already made myself more competitive for a nomination due to my service in CAP. I am already a Staff Sergeant and the Public affairs officer at my Squadron. I am counting on earning the grade of Colonel, and receiving the highest award in the CAP cadet program by my junior year. I will also have received the community service award at my school by then. I want your expert advise on more things I can do between now and the time I will interview for my nomination. Thanks

cordeliabrainiac

I'm seeing a lot of partcipation but not a lot of leadership. . .what service activities have you led, organized, coordinated etc.?

Ever organized a canned food drive for the local food bank? Clothing drive? Started a Spanish Club...young Democrats? Been president/captain of any clubs/teams?

I'm not knocking participation but we are specifically looking for leaders and that means people who can rally people around a cause or event.

I would recommend that you gather some of your CAP friends get together for a Habitat for Humanity build. . . .or something along those lines...and the more people you can get together to help out, the better.

WOW...Your post is so very nicely written. Never would have expected it was written by a Freshman in H.S. Good job - and way to go with being so active and being such a good helper with all you're involved with.

Whoa...then I noticed your ID of: "Ilikehotgirls", Ooookaay?? Now I'm confused.
But then, I think: "..ooh, that's right, he's just a freshman."
To me, your ID projects unprofessional-ism and immaturity -
a complete Contradiction to what you wrote in this post. I'm assuming you've only used this ID here, and not with any communications with CAP Brass, or academies.

No matter. Luckily BECAUSE you're just a Freshman, theres time for improvement, as you take more leadership training before graduation. Hence the previous suggestion about taking on a leadership role...I agree with that persons answer. Being a helper is wonderful...but being a leader of the helpers will ZOOM your chances forward in anything you wish to do. You've got a good start with all you volunteerism.
Tho, haven't you had some training with customs and courtesy's in CAP, where they taught you to look at all details you project, when presenting oneself to the public or to the Brass? You also would have gone through such a class, at some point in Encampment, where they talk to you Cadets about how to carry oneself and how to watch what you write and/or say.

Best wishes -

del Rosario

I have basically the same goals and preparations that you have, so I know your need to be better is well founded. I have recently been accepted to the Naval Academy's Summer Seminar. This will allow me to spend one week at the academy being instructed by the upperclassmen and professors. I will get to experience virutally everything that any midshipmen will experience while at the academy. I have been told that if the admission board had to choose from two people with exactly the same qualifications except for the fact that one went to the summer seminar, they will choose the one that attended the program every time. However, when people attend this camp they realize that the military life is not what they want. So consequently there are just as many if not more people applying to the seminar than the academy making it very competitive, but I don't think that, with your qualifications, that you will have any problem getting in. Good Luck!

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