Intro - Mom of a 14-year-old raised overseas, interested in USNA

[Saranoya]

Hi

I'm the mother of a 13-year-old daughter, born in the US and therefore a US citizen, but raised in Europe. Neither myself nor her father (or any other family members) are from the US. I am, however, a graduate of the Military Academy in my home country, and a former military SAR and transport pilot. My child is interested in potentially attending an American SA, preferably USNA or USCGA. I'm not sure this is a realistic option, but I want to support her as much as I can in her attempts to realize this dream. Hence my popping up here.

For now, my daughter's interest goes out primarily to anything and everything having to do with the *history* of the US Military / US Navy and/or US Coast Guard. Can anyone recommend one or more good books on the subject, preferably in audiobook form (for listening on the way to / from school)?

TIA

 

[Capt MJ]

Good morning and welcome. There have been several threads/posts here over the years from U.S. citizen applicants living out of the country, with non-U.S. parents. They are eligible to apply, and some get in. Diversity of background is a good thing!

Fourteen is a good age to start exploring.

Others will surely pop up with books and other recommendations.

On the practical side, she should start exploring the USNA and USCGA websites, thoroughly - links, drop-down and hamburger menus. There is a minimum 5 year active duty service obligation after graduation. For USNA, a nomination is required. That can prove problematical for those in your daughter’s situation, but not impossible. For USCGA, nominations are not required.

Assuming your daughter has citizenship in your own country as well, the U.S. service academies have international students who earn their degree but commission in their own country’s armed forces or complete other home country government service requirements. They are a valued part of the class. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense have agreements with other nations’ counterparts for this program. The candidate works with their home country ministry of defense or appropriate department and then applies to the U.S. service academy. No nominations are required. This path will depend on if there is an agreement in place.

Here’s some info on that path for USNA and USCGA:

International Candidates

International Candidates page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Mon May 27 05:08:48 EDT 2024.

www.usna.edu

International Cadets - United States Coast Guard Academy

International Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy The Coast Guard Academy is uniquely suited to prepare international maritime leaders to address the most complex global challenges of our time, those that require transnational solutions and long-term cooperation between nations: Polar climate...

uscga.edu

An official Navy history resource:

NHHC

www.history.navy.mil

And Coast Guard:

History Overview

Finally, since she seems to be leaning sea service, explore the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, USMMA, one of the 5 U.S. federal academies. USMA and USAFA are the other two.

International Students | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Application process for non U.S. Citizens.

www.usmma.edu

Down the road, she would have to talk to Admissions to see how it would work for her to apply as a U.S. citizen. A nomination is required.

If you haven’t found it yet, The Acronym List on the home page is helpful.

 

[justdoit19]

Hi

I'm the mother of a 13-year-old daughter, born in the US and therefore a US citizen, but raised in Europe. Neither myself nor her father (or any other family members) are from the US. I am, however, a graduate of the Military Academy in my home country, and a former military SAR and transport pilot. My child is interested in potentially attending an American SA, preferably USNA or USCGA. I'm not sure this is a realistic option, but I want to support her as much as I can in her attempts to realize this dream. Hence my popping up here.

For now, my daughter's interest goes out primarily to anything and everything having to do with the *history* of the US Military / US Navy and/or US Coast Guard. Can anyone recommend one or more good books on the subject, preferably in audiobook form (for listening on the way to / from school)?

TIA

Welcome!

if you get to the point that you would like to connect to an international USNA mom, who has 2 attending via overseas appointments, let me know and I can connect you with her. She is involved with the international parents FB group for USNA parents. And has offered to help others with questions she can answer.

 

[Saranoya]

Thank you, Captain MJ. The option for international students to attend the SA’s in exchange for a service obligation at home is something I wasn’t aware of until now!

justdoit: We do know one person from our country, who has dual citizenship and is a USCGA alumna and former NAPS Cadet. But she graduated a long time ago, so things may have changed from when she went through the process. I’ll be sure to reach out to you if we ever get as far as an actual decision to apply. Thanks for the kind offer!

 

[LKNBrawley]

Hello @Saranoya, my DS who will be class of 2027 at USNA lived in Germany and South Africa. He attended international schools. Being an American overseas for almost his entire childhood gives him a different perspective of the world and solidifies his desire to attend a SA and serve our country. I believe my constant message to him and his sister all these years that we represent the USA while aboard might play a small part.

What a geat ambition your DD has!

 

[Saranoya]

Hello @Saranoya, my DS who will be class of 2027 at USNA lived in Germany and South Africa. He attended international schools. Being an American overseas for almost his entire childhood gives him a different perspective of the world and solidifies his desire to attend a SA and serve our country. I believe my constant message to him and his sister all these years that we represent the USA while aboard might play a small part.

What a geat ambition your DD has!

Funnily enough, we do not consider ourselves Americans (well, we aren't), and so if you'd asked me six months ago, I would not have thought my daughter even realized that serving in the American military might potentially be an option for her. But despite not having raised her as a true American patriot, I have to admit: for someone who aspires to be a career military officer, the US armed forces offer many more opportunities than probably almost any other military organization in the world.

 

[Capt MJ]

Funnily enough, we do not consider ourselves Americans (well, we aren't), and so if you'd asked me six months ago, I would not have thought my daughter even realized that serving in the American military might potentially be an option for her. But despite not having raised her as a true American patriot, I have to admit: for someone who aspires to be a career military officer, the US armed forces offer many more opportunities than probably almost any other military organization in the world.

Every warfare specialty in the Navy is open to women. The opportunities for leadership, world travel, advanced education, transferable job skills, etc., are rich.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

Alejandro Villanueva was USMA (the Army service Academy), not USNA, but still a good example of what you are talking about. It helped that he was a good football player. I don’t know if your daughter plays any sports well, but that can help in the process if she is recruited. It’s not the end of the world if she isn’t.

Alejandro Villanueva (American football) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I also have a friend from work who had dual citizenship, lived in Europe most of his life, and attended the Naval Academy. He had to give up his foreign citizenship prior to commissioning. After 20 years as a P-3 pilot in the Navy he retired and reapplied for his foreign citizenship. He kept track of his visits to Europe to see his family and was able to prove he had ties and got it back.

In a funny aside, he went to USNA in the pre Internet days. What he saw prior to Plebe summer were pictures of sail boats and such in brochures. His parents had no ties to the military and assumed as much as well. Some sort of free American university where you got to sail. So he showed up expecting a sailing school, but after the initial shock of Plebe summer he enjoyed it.

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