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ARJV

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May 21, 2023
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Hi all. One of my goals is to become a pilot for the military and I am working towards an appointment to the Naval Academy. I heard getting started early is best and was wondering if I was on the right track.
I started my first sport wrestling in the fall. I managed to get 6th in my district
I ran track in the spring
I have good academic standing(4.0 GPA in advanced classes ie advanced computer programming mathematics foreign language)
I am a hardcore boy scout. I participate in lots of events and am working on my Eagle project.
I am also a member of the Order of the Arrow(Scout's national honor society) and have advanced beyond the first stage(there are 3).
I've taken up various leadership including assistant senior patrol leader, and am planning to run for senior patrol leader.
I was a crew leader for Philmont scout ranch, which is a 12-day trek in the wilderness. I led a crew of mostly 14-year-olds. This took about a year of planning and multiple training trips.
I am planning to become a junior lifeguard over the summer

I was thinking of joining the civil air patrol but I was wondering if it was too late the, nearest unit is 30mins away and was hoping to instead use that time to work out do scouts, or do school work.

Thanks for any feedback.
 
You have a lot of good activities. Look to be a captain in your sports. Look at boys state after junior year. Prepare for the SAT/ACT. Identify weak areas in CFA and work on them. Continue to take the hardest classes your school offers. You seem well rounded.

Keep up the good work!
 
ARJV said:
Hi all. One of my goals is to become a pilot for the military and I am working towards an appointment to the Naval Academy. I heard getting started early is best and was wondering if I was on the right track.
I started my first sport wrestling in the fall. I managed to get 6th in my district
I ran track in the spring
I have good academic standing(4.0 GPA in advanced classes ie advanced computer programming mathematics foreign language)
I am a hardcore boy scout. I participate in lots of events and am working on my Eagle project.
I am also a member of the Order of the Arrow(Scout's national honor society) and have advanced beyond the first stage(there are 3).
I've taken up various leadership including assistant senior patrol leader, and am planning to run for senior patrol leader.
I was a crew leader for Philmont scout ranch, which is a 12-day trek in the wilderness. I led a crew of mostly 14-year-olds. This took about a year of planning and multiple training trips.
I am planning to become a junior lifeguard over the summer

I was thinking of joining the civil air patrol but I was wondering if it was too late the, nearest unit is 30mins away and was hoping to instead use that time to work out do scouts, or do school work.

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...
If you are anything other than a rising senior then try to get leadership positions in school. Start a club that you are actually interested in and stick with it for the rest of high school. Keep up the sports and try to get captain/all-area honors. Plan to apply to USAFA's summer program (I think it is also called summer seminar) and also plan to participate in Boys State in the summer (apply for these in spring of your junior year). Take the SAT/ACT and keep retaking it until you are happy with your score (aim for 1200+ SAT and 29+ ACT). Keep up the good work in school and make sure you foster good relationships with your teachers for eventual SOEs. Start training (even if it is just staying in shape or exercising a little bit each day) for the CFA.

Other than that I think your Boy Scouts activities will already be able to give you a big boost in your overall application so that is already great.

Good luck!
 
Look into serving on your Council’s NYLT staff.

If you’re not a strong swimmer, start swimming regularly and take a few lessons to make your strokes more efficient.
 
ARJV said:
Hi all. One of my goals is to become a pilot for the military and I am working towards an appointment to the Naval Academy. I heard getting started early is best and was wondering if I was on the right track.
I started my first sport wrestling in the fall. I managed to get 6th in my district
I ran track in the spring
I have good academic standing(4.0 GPA in advanced classes ie advanced computer programming mathematics foreign language)
I am a hardcore boy scout. I participate in lots of events and am working on my Eagle project.
I am also a member of the Order of the Arrow(Scout's national honor society) and have advanced beyond the first stage(there are 3).
I've taken up various leadership including assistant senior patrol leader, and am planning to run for senior patrol leader.
I was a crew leader for Philmont scout ranch, which is a 12-day trek in the wilderness. I led a crew of mostly 14-year-olds. This took about a year of planning and multiple training trips.
I am planning to become a junior lifeguard over the summer

I was thinking of joining the civil air patrol but I was wondering if it was too late the, nearest unit is 30mins away and was hoping to instead use that time to work out do scouts, or do school work.

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...
Complete your Eagle Scout - big points for this
Junior year of HS apply to Boys State - again points
Letter in Varsity Sport(s) and try to attain Captainship - big points
My DD started CAP her sophomore year. Also, see if JROTC and Sea Cadets are available.
Your leadership experience with Boy Scouts will make for a good essay on your MOC nom and USNA applications. Keep it up.
Take as many AP classes as possible
Lifeguard is good - community service points
As stated above, take SAT/ACT as many times as you can until you are satisfied with scores.
 
Nothing in military aviation is guaranteed. Go until someone with authority tells you no. Hopefully that will not happen to you but unseen issues can pop up and take you off the aviation track.

Have an idea of another career field if the aviation field is out of the picture. On the Navy side that would be Surface, Subs, Special Warfare, etc.

Have a backup plan for your commission source. ROTC or OCS/OTC are alternatives to the SA’s.

Look at other branches with aviation as well. USAF, USCG all have aviation. A lukewarm reception from one might be open arms from another.

Keep us updated on how things go for you. Best of luck!
 
All good advice given above. In light of your current activities, including OA, I think you can 'skip' CAP. I would (as other mention) seek leadership roles in your current areas. For OA, seek to be part of the Chapter or Lodge leadership. Look into camp staff for the Scout summer camp, which is a lighter 'lift' than your Philmont experience. I assume you have served as SPL of your troop. If not, serve that role or ASPL. I also encourage you to become a lifeguard as you noted. You may continue the 'work' during your school year and perhaps teach swim lessons -- all good additions to your résumé. By the way, Scout camps typically need waterfront staff so you will be a great asset there too. Best of luck with your pursuits!
 
Don't forget to take advantage of BSA awards past Eagle, it has been shared with us that showing continued dedication to an activity is looked upon favorably. This can be especially true in BSA, when Eagle is achieved at a younger age, and interest is lost. The 50 miler award, National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, and Conservation Awards are good examples and are not easy to get. Also look into leadership positions with OA. IMO, this would be better than CAP, especially since it is 30 mins away.
 
Look into NROTC as well. We have just as many pilot slots each year as USNA
 
I think you're off to a good start and are on a positive trajectory. The going advice is depth over width. In other words, do activities you are invested in and be able to speak to your accomplishments in said activities. Don't join an activity or start a club because you think it will look good on your resume. It looks obvious when someone has 12 activities and not a lot accomplished in them.

As an Eagle Scout myself, that is is a million-dollar accomplishment. It will instantly connect you with any other Eagle Scout you come across in your life. It is one of the few things you do growing up that you can put on a professional resume. And as a Naval Aviator myself, getting your Eagle Scout will teach you the patience and tenacity necessary to get your wings. Getting your wings isn't easy and a lot of hard work makes the cool things we get to do happen. That said, I wouldn't want any other job in the military. Best of luck!
 
ARJV said:
Hi all. One of my goals is to become a pilot for the military and I am working towards an appointment to the Naval Academy. I heard getting started early is best and was wondering if I was on the right track.
I started my first sport wrestling in the fall. I managed to get 6th in my district
I ran track in the spring
I have good academic standing(4.0 GPA in advanced classes ie advanced computer programming mathematics foreign language)
I am a hardcore boy scout. I participate in lots of events and am working on my Eagle project.
I am also a member of the Order of the Arrow(Scout's national honor society) and have advanced beyond the first stage(there are 3).
I've taken up various leadership including assistant senior patrol leader, and am planning to run for senior patrol leader.
I was a crew leader for Philmont scout ranch, which is a 12-day trek in the wilderness. I led a crew of mostly 14-year-olds. This took about a year of planning and multiple training trips.
I am planning to become a junior lifeguard over the summer

I was thinking of joining the civil air patrol but I was wondering if it was too late the, nearest unit is 30mins away and was hoping to instead use that time to work out do scouts, or do school work.

Thanks for any feedback.
Click to expand...
Great job on the tangibles. You are off to a fantastic start.

However, it is also time to focus on the intangibles. Are you practicing good moral character every day? Are you learning how to be disciplined? Are you learning how to push yourself and motivate yourself from your own heart? Admissions can see this on an application in my opinion. Practice these skills too! Read a book or two. Practice now what it's like to be a "moral mental and physical" leader.
 
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