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Replied Jan. 16, 2009

Academy of Choice:

USMMA, USCGA

Applying for Class of:

2013

Home State:

Washington

About Me:

Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field

GPA:

3.71

At 3:15pm on January 16, 2009, WC said…: It depends entirely on the needs of the Navy. In 2006 there were 300+ flight school billets available to USNA midshipmen. As it happened, nearly everyone who was physically qualified and had selected pilot as their first choice for service selection got it. I would venture to say that with our new administration, the needs of the Navy will not be what they were in 2006. As result, I would expect that the number of slots available for flight training in Pensacola will be very limited. In the past, when similar military pullouts and downsizing occurred, USNA grads were given preference in attending flight school when there was limited availability. I'm not sure how the class of 2013 will be effected, but keep in mind the plausibility of the aforementioned.

You are correct - USMMA grads usually have no problem getting selected for Navy Air.

At 2:51pm on January 16, 2009, WC said…: The merchant marine academy allows its graduates the opportunity to cross-commission into all services (Air Force, Army, Navy); however, I am unsure how many or what billets in each of these services are available to USMMA grads. If your daughter is interested in being a merchant marine or coast guard officer USMMA or USCGA would obviously be a great step in the right direction; however, if your daughter anticipates cross-commissioning into another service because she wants to fly jets, etc. USMMA or USCGA would not necessarily guarantee her the opportunity to do so. My philosophy in '02 was to attend the Academy that allowed for the most post-graduation opportunities while still retaining the prestige associated with a "name-brand" Academy (aka West Point, USAFA, USNA). Out of those options (USMA, USAFA and USNA) I chose USNA because it commissions into both the NAVY and Marine Corps - virtually ensuring that all my options were open (ground, sea & air) should a summer program change my mind toward one billet or another.

At 11:35am on January 16, 2009, WC said…: I went navy primarily because of the variety of options available after graduation: pilot, swo, subs, usmc,SEALs, EOD, etc...it's the only academy you can graduate from (without interservice transfer)where you have the opportunity to fly jets or go ground (usmc)