FYI savingthisone: all USNA applicants, with the exception of enlisted navy/marine corps personnel, must be nominated to proceed to an appointment. in addition to your senators and congressmen, all are eligible for a vice-presidential nomination, and some are eligible for one from c-in-c himself. it's no big deal, really; if you impress your blue and gold officer and the academy admissions folks, they'll scrounge one up for you from the samoan house representative or something.
speaking as a retired mid, who left usna after 2 years, who has lots of rotc friends, and who is ocs-bound, i think the only real differences between these officers in the fleet are the ones they make up for themselves. academy grads pretty much have a network of buddies anywhere they may go, so there is that. but otherwise, every source commissions some born leaders and some absolute crank yankers.
yes, the academy is tough, long, and very often pointless in its rules. i certainly didn't have the patience for it at the age of 20, and i don't regret leaving, because i was able to learn a lot about myself, the world, and academics that i just was not going to get by the bay. but all that aside, even at its worst, being a mid at USNA is really something special, and marching to noon meal, or cheering at the army game, or climbing the herndon monument, or touring the history that's on the yard just produces one of those "i'm actually here - WOW!" feelings that makes life worthwhile. so do some soul searching and decide what sort of a person you are. that'll determine what you're best suited for, college-wise. but as long as you're committed to the fleet and the servicepeople, whichever way you go, you'll be okay.
show me your WAARRRR face!
