When my son received his appointment to the Academy, we were all elated. He’d worked hard in h.s., graduating at the top of his class. We were financially unable to send him to college, so a scholarship was the only way. (He actually received two-and chose the U.S.N.A.). So off he went. Right away, he discovered he was just another fish in a school full of elite h.s. kids. Plebe year was hell on earth, with the constant mental stress being the worst of it, plus things like having to go up and down flights of stairs, while carrying a full pack, all night long, and still having to show up for classes in the morning. A few times he called home (clear on the other side of the country), saying he couldn’t take it anymore. We advised him to think about it overnight, and if he still wanted out, we’d send him a ticket home ... and every time, by the next day, he’d decided to stay. He graduated with his class in 1988, with a degree in Computer Science. He chose to join the Marine Corps, where he spent the next ten years, attaining the rank of Major. Meanwhile, he’d gotten married, and they wanted to start a family. The main reason he left the Corps in ‘98 was to make more money. Within a few weeks of leaving, he was offered jobs on both coasts; the one he took was in his hometown of Portland, OR. He immediately tripled his Marine Corps salary, and over the years he’s done very well. So, I’m proud of him. But one day a few years back, I asked him if he had it to do over again, would he make the same choice. He replied that he wasn’t sure. And I realized that perhaps he hadn’t told us the worst of what he’d endured at the academy. However, he pointed out that in the long run, the positives were that he’d received an excellent education (with no student loans to have to repay); that he and his wife had seen parts of the world (including three years in Japan) that they probably wouldn’t have otherwise; and that being a USNA grad had opened doors for him, eventually landing him a great job where he wanted to raise his family. The reason I’m writing this is to enlighten any young person who may be thinking of applying for an appointment to the Academy. It’s not all fun and games-it requires true grit to get through it all and graduate with your class. Something to think about....
Sharon LaFrenz thank you for your comment and advice. My son is 16 and a junior in high school. He’s considering joining one of the military academies. He’s never mentioned any interest of the military until this past summer. He also has worked very hard in school, and I want him to go to a good college but not sure he should take this path. I advised him to apply to several regular colleges and to try to get a nomination for a few of the military academies but to have an open mind. We are also in the same boat as you were, meaning that we can’t really afford for him to go to a good college which he definitely deserves, unless he gets scholarships and financial aid.
@@sharonlafrenz8086 I graduated from there long before you were probably born. I can honestly say that other then the birth of my son it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I was the second person in my EXTENDED family ever to go to college. I still am close a all the guys in my graduating class in my company I do not have any biological brothers ( I say brothers because at that time we were an all male plebe summer platoon) but I feel that I have 40 siblings now. And I understand how your son feels now that he is there. They told us on the first day we got there. "You might have been the smartest guy in your high school, or the best athlete or the student body leader, but everyone here was. If you were not you would not be here. But now we are going to throw you all together and see who rises to the top and who sinks to the bottom, This is the Tournament of Champions"
Edmer Reyes Don’t be so naïve. They’re just showing a few snippets of fun times but in reality from what I’ve read and research it’s not really like that. The military academies are very stressful, tough and very competitive. This video I doubt it’s a true representation of their first year
Good Luck. It will be the best time of your life. Trust me on that. There may be a time when you are wondering why you are there but it will past. Everyone that I know, even and especially those that for one reason or another did not graduate says that that really appreciate their experience there.
I have been watching this video since I was a freshmen in high school, finished up my application a couple months ago, and I hope to be there as the class of 2026!
Re-watched for funsies. Turns out I got waitlisted to NAPS, got off the waitlist, ended up going to NAPS and am now finishing up plebe year as class of 2027! (if there's a will there's a way!)
Hello Erin and congratulations for reaching your first class year I hope. I started at USNA in July 77, graduated in 81. I came back last summer for the Supe change of command, then in fall for AND Moran retirement.
god i wanna go so bad but im not too confident. currently my grades arent the best, i mean all my classes are honors and i go to the second best school in the state but i got a c ( the highest you can get ) on my , most recent report card and its making me feel bad. now i feel like i have to do really well on all of my next grades throughout the years and im a sophmore so theres not many more chances til i can start applying. on top of grades, i play 2 sports ( soccer both club and varsity, and a martial art) so i dont have too much free time ( although im thinking about dropping varsity soccer for jrotc next year if i cant do both at the same time) and since i dont have much time and cant drive yet, i cant go to the gym to get in shape. im pretty overweight rn and im really unhappy with my body and need to change for a chance to get i. im hoping this summer i can have a chance to get to the gy and start eating better foods soon. thanks for reading my little rant about myself if u made it this far :)
Since no one answered you here's my reply. Yes, it's in Annapolis, MD and the best thing I could say is talk to your daughters HS counselor or go see a recruiter? I know that your daughter has to have very good grades and a letter from your state's senator. And depending where you live, if you see someone in a navy uniform out and about, go up to them and ask if the first two options don't work out. Hope that helped. Good luck!
@@ichangle4325 yes but usually they are already in their countries Navy so they are sent over to do more training at the academy to learn how the US trains naval officers
Plebe Year has certainly changed. lol Whomever thought they could smile during the entire year. And don't even get me started on women and a dog??? lol *s/ 24 Year Retired US Navy Submariner - USNA Class of 1965 - Former Enlisted Man*
So you made a video of a few fun snippets. This is very miss leading to people who want to join. They will think it’s just fun all fun and games when in reality I’ve heard is very competitive, hard and stressful to be in any of the academies
hey," my friend USNA academy school i m like your music songs.is a beuatifull music.i m liket your songs music my friend usna acadmy school.from. Phillippiness manila.antipolo city.filinvesthouse.bodoy.date 04,03,2021 Time 10:40 am🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
This video just made me crave the academy even more
all these types of videos pull me closer in going to the Naval Academy
When my son received his appointment to the Academy, we were all elated. He’d worked hard in h.s., graduating at the top of his class. We were financially unable to send him to college, so a scholarship was the only way. (He actually received two-and chose the U.S.N.A.). So off he went. Right away, he discovered he was just another fish in a school full of elite h.s. kids. Plebe year was hell on earth, with the constant mental stress being the worst of it, plus things like having to go up and down flights of stairs, while carrying a full pack, all night long, and still having to show up for classes in the morning. A few times he called home (clear on the other side of the country), saying he couldn’t take it anymore. We advised him to think about it overnight, and if he still wanted out, we’d send him a ticket home ... and every time, by the next day, he’d decided to stay. He graduated with his class in 1988, with a degree in Computer Science. He chose to join the Marine Corps, where he spent the next ten years, attaining the rank of Major. Meanwhile, he’d gotten married, and they wanted to start a family. The main reason he left the Corps in ‘98 was to make more money. Within a few weeks of leaving, he was offered jobs on both coasts; the one he took was in his hometown of Portland, OR. He immediately tripled his Marine Corps salary, and over the years he’s done very well.
So, I’m proud of him. But one day a few years back, I asked him if he had it to do over again, would he make the same choice. He replied that he wasn’t sure. And I realized that perhaps he hadn’t told us the worst of what he’d endured at the academy. However, he pointed out that in the long run, the positives were that he’d received an excellent education (with no student loans to have to repay); that he and his wife had seen parts of the world (including three years in Japan) that they probably wouldn’t have otherwise; and that being a USNA grad had opened doors for him, eventually landing him a great job where he wanted to raise his family.
The reason I’m writing this is to enlighten any young person who may be thinking of applying for an appointment to the Academy. It’s not all fun and games-it requires true grit to get through it all and graduate with your class. Something to think about....
Sharon LaFrenz thank you for your comment and advice. My son is 16 and a junior in high school. He’s considering joining one of the military academies. He’s never mentioned any interest of the military until this past summer. He also has worked very hard in school, and I want him to go to a good college but not sure he should take this path. I advised him to apply to several regular colleges and to try to get a nomination for a few of the military academies but to have an open mind. We are also in the same boat as you were, meaning that we can’t really afford for him to go to a good college which he definitely deserves, unless he gets scholarships and financial aid.
@@sharonlafrenz8086 I graduated from there long before you were probably born. I can honestly say that other then the birth of my son it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I was the second person in my EXTENDED family ever to go to college. I still am close a all the guys in my graduating class in my company I do not have any biological brothers ( I say brothers because at that time we were an all male plebe summer platoon) but I feel that I have 40 siblings now.
And I understand how your son feels now that he is there. They told us on the first day we got there. "You might have been the smartest guy in your high school, or the best athlete or the student body leader, but everyone here was. If you were not you would not be here. But now we are going to throw you all together and see who rises to the top and who sinks to the bottom, This is the Tournament of Champions"
Same i want to go here but im only in the 7th grade 🔥🤘🏼
@Pickles its probably really compertitive bc alot of kids grow up with such a legendary school next to them
I never thought that a plebe year could be so enjoyable.
Edmer Reyes Don’t be so naïve. They’re just showing a few snippets of fun times but in reality from what I’ve read and research it’s not really like that. The military academies are very stressful, tough and very competitive. This video I doubt it’s a true representation of their first year
@@ivi122 it's what you make of it
@@ivi122 I would have done 10 plebe years compared to my BUD/S training Coronado!!
These young man and women are future naval and Marine officers. I absolutely love how the video beautifully captured the academy’s Humanity.
Humanity doesn’t win wars
Hoping to get appointed in the spring. Class of 2024 hopefully!
nicolas perales yo I got my nomination for 2024, did you?
@@soupbuket5708 I got one too! Lets go yall lets meet up in Annapolis!!!
Received mine too hope to see you guys there!!!
Good Luck. It will be the best time of your life. Trust me on that. There may be a time when you are wondering why you are there but it will past. Everyone that I know, even and especially those that for one reason or another did not graduate says that that really appreciate their experience there.
Miracle Haynes Hey, would you be willing to talk about what you did to get it (gpa, extracurricular, etc) It is my dream to go here
I have been watching this video since I was a freshmen in high school, finished up my application a couple months ago, and I hope to be there as the class of 2026!
Re-watched for funsies. Turns out I got waitlisted to NAPS, got off the waitlist, ended up going to NAPS and am now finishing up plebe year as class of 2027! (if there's a will there's a way!)
@@ellabiebl4170congratulations! I wish you the best for the rest of your career
Hello Erin and congratulations for reaching your first class year I hope. I started at USNA in July 77, graduated in 81. I came back last summer for the Supe change of command, then in fall for AND Moran retirement.
It’s my dream to go to the Naval academy. I really want to experience Sea Trials lol😁
did you make it?
They looks really happy being there. Congrats !
thank u for your service & God bless u all
Thank you for putting our country first
lol
you guys are actually kinda funny
gl the next few years
I’ma be here in a few months! USNA CO 2023
Hey I’ll be there soon too, CO 2023!
@@forcelover1 u received an appointment? I'll see you there!
Induction day is tomorrow, isn't it?
CallSignGaspar actually I’ll be doing a year of prep, so I’ll be CO 2024 now
My 9 y/o daughter loves this video. She aspires to get appointments at USNA or USAFA.
god i wanna go so bad but im not too confident. currently my grades arent the best, i mean all my classes are honors and i go to the second best school in the state but i got a c ( the highest you can get ) on my , most recent report card and its making me feel bad. now i feel like i have to do really well on all of my next grades throughout the years and im a sophmore so theres not many more chances til i can start applying. on top of grades, i play 2 sports ( soccer both club and varsity, and a martial art) so i dont have too much free time ( although im thinking about dropping varsity soccer for jrotc next year if i cant do both at the same time) and since i dont have much time and cant drive yet, i cant go to the gym to get in shape. im pretty overweight rn and im really unhappy with my body and need to change for a chance to get i. im hoping this summer i can have a chance to get to the gy and start eating better foods soon. thanks for reading my little rant about myself if u made it this far :)
you can do it!
Crush the SATs.
Thank you for posting this 🙌
Is this in MD? My daughter wants to go to USNA any advice? She’s 13
Since no one answered you here's my reply. Yes, it's in Annapolis, MD and the best thing I could say is talk to your daughters HS counselor or go see a recruiter? I know that your daughter has to have very good grades and a letter from your state's senator. And depending where you live, if you see someone in a navy uniform out and about, go up to them and ask if the first two options don't work out. Hope that helped. Good luck!
thansk for sharing such a great story
Tremendous video. Thanks 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I know it wasn't easy, but it looks like fun.
Fun? Wow! Worth it? Yes! Fun? No!
GO NAVY BEAT ARMY !!!!!!!!
Carlos Hawkins GO ARMY BEAT NAVY!
hey by chance did you help judge a njrotc drill meet at easton high school this past saturday on 1/9/19
You should make vlogs - I’d love to see more of the usna
Hmmm... a whole plebe year, and no whiteworks. Interesting.
(Class of '77 from the fabled 34th Company, Club 34.)
If i could go back in time...
ver este video me da mucha emoción ver la amistad que se tienen es muy hermoso y sus vivencias son las mejores
is there anything you can tell me about the Naval Academy please
What do you want to know?
@@PigsAway can foreigners join us naval academy? And is there any age limit? I'm 20 yo
@@ichangle4325 yes but usually they are already in their countries Navy so they are sent over to do more training at the academy to learn how the US trains naval officers
@@PigsAway thanks for the reply. So how to apply to there?
now retired, I can say I notice gap between what is taught and what is actually learned.
Great video
Congratulations. Based on the year, it appears you should be graduating this Spring?
Plebe Year has certainly changed. lol Whomever thought they could smile during the entire year. And don't even get me started on women and a dog??? lol
*s/ 24 Year Retired US Navy Submariner - USNA Class of 1965 - Former Enlisted Man*
song choice of as amazing
Awesome
why is everyone so happy ?
Congratulations
Are you planning on being a marine, or going into the navy?
She is Navy!
@@dalaylav2081 😂😂
Great video!!!
Nice..I remember my time 15years back😊
hello there, do you guys know how to join navy for foreigners?
Really nice video...
I'm a Fleet Applicant for class of 2024.
Austin Nolan same
Awesome👍🇰🇷
how's it going?
Dammnnnnn if only i was a US citizennnnnnn
Let’s get you to the point to where you can become one. 🇺🇸
So you made a video of a few fun snippets. This is very miss leading to people who want to join. They will think it’s just fun all fun and games when in reality I’ve heard is very competitive, hard and stressful to be in any of the academies
Not anymore
damn she is graduating she year
Nice
พี่จะพูดที่มีโอกาสได้ทำแบบเนี้ย
I could see the Russians and Chinese being terrified of this video
🇺🇸👏
Go Navy!
The lucky bags
hey," my friend USNA academy school
i m like your music songs.is a beuatifull music.i m liket your songs music my friend usna acadmy school.from.
Phillippiness manila.antipolo city.filinvesthouse.bodoy.date 04,03,2021
Time 10:40 am🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
RIDICOLI I RUSSI SONO UN'ALTRA COSA !!
WTF? This is the future of the Navy and Marine Corps? The country's screwed!
Propaganda?
Adam
Everything is propaganda when it gets down to it
John Reed thats deep dude