Joining a foreign military?

Dude. No one will stop anyone from being interviewed for an appointment. The most a politican could do to 'put his thumb on the scale' would be to submit his nephew as his primary nominee. Doesn't mean he'll get in. Doesn't mean another candidate won't be considered.

Congressional nominations were originally a way to assure that every state would be represented at the Academies, not just the home states of whoever was Secretary of War/the Navy at the time. It's essentially harmless and serves a purpose, so why not? Your suspicions of patronage and corruption are unfounded.

Ex military then, I would operate on the principle of once an officer always an officer.

If you're gonna complain about the potential unfairness or corruption in the selection process for service academy selection, you have a long road of mental anguish ahead of you when it comes time for service selection/platform selection/coast selection/shore tour billet selection.

Some shit in life isn't "fair," it's just the way it works. These guys are trying to help you out and being very patient in their responses. Play the game or go home.

Jacks, I really don't know where you're going with this. You've got a bunch of Academy alums telling you that's not how it works, and you're coming back with, but it COULD! What do you want us to say?

Perhaps they are I'm just saying it's a possibility. But yeah I'll apply alright and it's my dream to be accepted.

Honestly, jacks, if you come to a forum looking for advice, and you get it from people who know what they're talking about, and you keep arguing with them, what's the point of asking? It's almost as if you don't like the answers you're getting, since they don't fit with this idea you've got of academy appointments being politically motivated. If you want to be a US Navy officer and will go for that goal whatever route it requires, good on you, and best of luck. People on here will help you out. If you're not going to listen to the advice you're getting, people will eventually give up. That's true in life, as well as internet forums.

Jacks, ATTITUDE! Stop trying to "game the system", by setting yourself up for with an excuse if you fail to select. No one here can predict your CHANCES.

In reality, Candidates "pick themselves" with hard work, outstanding GPAs, leadership positions in clubs, volunteer work/community involvement (no organizer'ing lol), physical fitness, work records, excellent LORs & other achievements. If you want it, go for it....you're wasting your time (and ours), whining about a well-oiled, proven selection system... that you are totally clueless about, yet seem to repeatedly reject what is offered to you here by "Pros". Poop or get off the pedestal!
BzB, out!

For once, I agree with Brett.

Sorry to you guys if I appear to be complaining, or arguing I would call it being critical and debating, after all it is an extra-curricular of mine... I'm just saying that it is my opinion that the USCG academy system saves a lot of bother for all parties!

Okay, you made your point, now let it go.

At some point it isn't being critical or debating anymore, it is just being a pain in the ass.

P. S. How 'bout less "Just sayin' " and more "Just listenin' "?
*When you find your hole getting deeper, STOP digging!
BzB

Meh point taken
Anyone know what kind of standard is expected for those NROTC scholarships? Always wanted to study history in Yale

I wasn't talking about D-Bear in my missive, but yes, I did fly with him.

You are being incredibly irritating Go away for awhile and spend some time evaluating what has been offered to you. Also, you may want to ponder the "Gold Mine" of expertise on this board including many that are still in uniform and influence Naval Aviation every day . . . . . . .

I wasn't implying that D-Bear was the subject of your IAF story. Guess I should have made that clear. I knew he did some flying in the movie.

Geez, careful stickin' out that tongue, you might bite it, then sound like my little friendo here....
BzB

This comes to mind:


Why does USNA, USAFA, USMA and USMMA require a nomination? I'd guess it's to guarantee that students from ALL 50 states and territories are represented. Or maybe it's because it's "politicized". I've gone through the nomination process, and it's not politicized at all - as previously mentioned. Don't know why USCGA doesn't do it. You're out of your league.

Nope Yale got a unit a few years back

Ok, I'll try and do those
I know an ex legion guy actually.. they were absolutely crazy in the gulf apparently xD

I knew a mid at USNA who was an Irish (Naval Academy of some sort?) exchange student who crossed over and got a US commission. Weird circumstances involved. It needed approval from some big whigs in the five sided wind tunnel if I recall correctly. It might have even went into the congressional arena as well. If you want a taste of how much an administrative ass pain the DoN can put on you at once by all means just join the Irish boy scouts or whatever plan you had.

Also, for future reference jackoff, anytime you tell somebody to stop making fun of you about a certain topic, expect to get shit on about 10 times more because you asked for mercy. I would clown on you, but I don't have any Irish jokes.

It's hard to imagine this conversation going down like this without the internet. I have a feeling a 17(ish) year old kid would better consider his responses in person with the people with decades of experience offering advice here.

Irish naval college a cadet no doubt. Interesting way of getting a commission, I considered doing that: trying to join the cadets and going over to the U.S on exchange. And to reply to your comment treetop flyer, no I'd pretty much be happy to complain and be critical of procedure if warranted in person, I've discussed Irish Defence forces recruitment with pretty much everyone from a private to a brigadier general, I have no problem discussing issues just as long as people focus on them as opposed to talking shit about where I may or may not be from or my age (which shouldn't matter anyway provided I have something to discuss). I've also consulted with some academics and international military officers and they did raise an eyebrow when I mentioned Naval Academy entry required a political nomination as well as being academically and athletically proficient. This process doesn't mean I won't apply though, I've always wanted to serve my country particularily in Naval Aviation.

Oh and guys thanks, there is a good bit of advice posted here on various ways of commissioning, I'm strongly considering the USMMA, or Yale (NROTC scholarship or BDCP).