The worksheet below outlines items you should work on and complete in May. I welcome questions and comments.

If you’re interviewing for a Service Academy in 2020 for admission in 2021 your interview may be over the internet using software such as Zoom or Go To Meeting. Even though you will not have to travel to a member of congress’s office you still must be well prepared. I’ve put together the following list to help you be successful.

The most important thing to do first is to test your system. Whether you’ll be using a phone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer with a camera it is critical that you test your system to be sure that you have the hardware functionality and the connectivity to make the connection. For example, Zoom is free and therefore you can set up a video with a friend to test. Equally important is that if you don’t have the connectivity or access to the internet immediately let your member of congress know. They will help you set something up with your school, police department, local official, etc… It is their intent to give you a fair interview and to have you equally compete with others. As I have said in other posts, don’t be afraid to speak up.

Once you have your system or location confirmed check out where you are going to sit. You want to have a clean as possible background with light that will illuminate your face. If the light behind you is brighter than the light on your face then you appear as a dark silhouette, and people will not be able to see you. You also want to be in a location that will be quiet and undisturbed by others. Don’t set up in the kitchen where your family is passing through constantly and making all sorts of noise. It is also important to check your background, make sure that there is nothing offensive or something that could be misinterpreted. You may think that boars head with an apple in its mouth is cool but if one of the interviewers is an animal activist it will not help you at all. The less behind you the better.

You should dress just as if you were going to meet in person. In a previous blog, I wrote extensively about how to dress. Dress for success and make sure you wear pants even though no pants is the Zoom style of 2020. Read my post on how to dress and follow it.

The big problem with Zoom meetings is that it is hard to know when to talk and when not to talk. Your interview team may not as familiar using Zoom as maybe you or some of your peers. Be polite and try not to talk over others, if you do apologize. Also be aware that you have to stop, take a breath, and let the interviewers ask you questions. It is possible to keep on talking and talking and block others out. A good practice is to pause, wait for a reaction if none then continue. You have to play this aspect as it comes with your team.

The next important hint is to look directly into the camera. I know it’s a hard thing to do but it’s important. When you look directly into the camera the people on the other side feel that you are talking directly to them, if you look away it appears that you are distracted or uninterested. Tonight watch the evening news and see what the anchors do, they look directly at you.

My last point is just as important as all the above. No distractions! If you use your computer have only one tab open for the Zoom call. If you use your phone shut off all other apps, especially messages and text alerts. For the brief period of time that you have you want it all used for impressing your interview team.

I’ll say it one more time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you don’t have the connectivity or access to the internet immediately let your member of congress know.

Be prepared, and good luck!

Each academy has a different name for it whether it’s called; Plebe Summer, INDOC, Beast Barracks, Swab Summer or Basic Cadet Training.  That first summer will be your first exposure to your new home, way of life  and it will be strenuous one.
 
I’m writing this blog during July 2020; the date isn’t really relevant but the weather conditions are. 

Here on the East Coast of the US there has been three (3) prolonged heat waves of where temperatures have reached the high 90’sF and the humidity is equal to that of the Amazon rain forest.  It is also the period of time when; USNA, USMMA, USCGA and USMA conduct summer training for the incoming class.  Each of these four (4) academies has been affected by the heat waves.  This year the weather has been exceptional brutal and I’m sure many an incoming cadets or midshipmen has never experience weather like this before.  The USAFA has its own unique circumstance, even though there is relatively no humidity in Colorado the temperatures are hot and the elevation is at 6,200′ well above that of Denver.
 
In previous blogs I’ve discussed some of the keys to success in the application/nomination  process and how to interview.  In this blog we’re going to talk about physical preparation for your summer training and things to keep in mind when you’re in that training cycle.
 
It’s not enough to pass the candidate fitness test, submit your results and then sit on the couch waiting for your acceptance letter you have to prepare yourself physically and mentally long before you walk in the front gate of your academy.  Many a prospective cadet has been accepted  and couldn’t handle the initial training only to find themselves dropped or they sustained a career ending injury.  You don’t want to be a statistic, you need to prepare.
 
I strongly suggest that prospective students pursue a vigorous program of; running, pushups, sits ups, pull ups, swimming and weight training.  The better shape that you’re in the easier the initial training period will be.  If you can easily run three (3) miles quickly recover and then move on to your next training evolution you will be far ahead of the curve.  Imagine if you can’t handle the run and are physically exhausted, then you will not be able to handle the next training event and then struggle to keep up.  Like doing poorly in academics this can be a hole that you cannot dig yourself out of.  Unfortunately, many students get injured during summer training and the primary reason is that they are not in good physical shape and are fatigued which can lead to an avoidable injury.  These injuries may be minor but every academy graduate has a story about that guy who got hurt so bad that he was out of the program before it even really started.
 
So how do you handle the physical stress and the heat?  Physical stress is all part of the training and is to be expected.  You can lower the amount of physical stress by doing a little research on what is to be expected of you and work out with those expectations in mind.  A big one is pull ups, not everyone can jump up on a bar and knock out a dozen pull ups, but if you visit the Naval Academy you would see an athletic field surrounded by pull up bars, if that doesn’t give you a hint to work on pull ups nothing will.  Do your research, YouTube has plenty of videos to take a look at.
 
So, you’re at the academy and you’re training hard but you physically don’t feel right and are afraid to say something.  If you hurt yourself and need medical attention say something!  No academy went through all the trouble and expense to get you there just to have you injure yourself and go home.  Don’t be afraid to speak up if you need help.  Additionally, if you are training and feel heat stroke coming on or need water don’t be afraid to say something.  No senior cadet/midshipman wants to have to answer to his superior as to why one of his trainees is in the hospital, it reflects badly on them.  If you need water, feel ill or are hurt speak up, it could be the difference between you continuing or leaving.

 
I often hear from potential students that they can’t swim.  It is understood that not everyone has access to a beach, ocean or pool.  The academies will do a a swimming assessment and separate out those who need basic swim training.  It is their intent to make you into a competent swimmer.  There is however a downside to this, it may be during your free time therefore giving you less time to do the things you need to do in order to keep up.  So, if you can swim then practices as much as you can, if you don’t know how to swim try to find a place to learn.  If you have no options, don’t worry you’ll be trained.

 
Please don’t be afraid of summer training but please do everything possible to be in the best possible shape going in.
 

This topic is as important as any other topic discussed on this blog. Social Media is a great thing in our society but it can also cause you great pain if not properly managed.

This post is written during the summer of 2020, a time of great turmoil in our country. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc on the nation’s health and economy, protesters are filling the streets seeking racial equity and social justice, and those on all social media platforms are facing scrutiny over what they post and what they have posted. I was prompted to write on this topic because of this news story (link here). A Boeing executive was forced to resign because he wrote an article as a young navy pilot explaining why women should not be allowed in combat. He wrote that article 33 years ago and lost his job in 2020 because of that article. Another incident, less publicized, also happened this summer. An incoming service academy candidate was on an introductory zoom call with his potential academy. The zoom call was held due to social distancing requirements and to smooth the induction process. The potential candidate picked up a firearm while on the zoom call. The candidate was immediately informed that his appointment was rescinded and he was not able to appeal the decision. I’m not here to debate the merits of these decisions; I’m here to help you to not make the same mistakes and clean up your digital life.

If there is one thing that I highly recommend you do today it is for you to delete ALL of your social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, TiKTok, Snap Chat, YouTube, etc……… If your footprint is deleted, the odds of you being called out on a post are negligible. Realistically, I know you are not going to do that, so please do the next best thing and go through your digital life. I’m assuming that you are in high school or just graduated and have some semblance of free time to take on a task that will span the many years of your social life.

I highly suggest that if you are not going to delete an account that you should sort through each account from the beginning of time and delete anything that may be deemed unacceptable to others. My criteria is simple: is it something that you wouldn’t want your mother, grandmother, religious leader or your girl/boyfriend’s parents to see? If so, delete it. Is it something that could be misinterpreted by another and deemed offensive? If so, delete it. Is it something that you wouldn’t want the upperclassmen at a service academy to see or know about you when you get into that service academy? If so, delete it. What you may think is harmless may be extremely offensive to others. If you have questions about whether to delete something or not, ask a trusted family member for their opinion. Oftentimes, others have a clearer view of the world.

The decision is easy; clean up your digital footprint or risk your admission status and future career goals.

The academies may or may not be actively looking at your social media accounts but others are and they are not afraid to expose your transgressions. Additionally, there will come a point in your military career where you will need to have a high-level security clearance and your digital footprint will be examined. Make sure your digital life accurately reflects the person you want it to reflect.

So, you cleaned up your digital life what can you do going forward?

Think twice before you post something.
Think twice before you join in on a group post
Be cognizant of who is in the background of your photos and what is going on in those photos
Behave like you are being filmed all the time when in public or at a social event. A current academy “cadet” was filmed making a racial comment at a party and it resulted in his immediate dismissal.
Be aware that today’s friends are tomorrow’s enemies. Don’t allow yourself to be compromised.
If you’re at a party or event where inappropriate things are going on, remove yourself immediately.

The above post may sound pretty drastic. You may even think extreme but just think of all the things that you see on the news and internet every day. Obama’s daughter was allegedly photographed smoking pot, a governor was photographed in blackface, a NASCAR driver wouldn’t remove the Confederate Flag from his garage, if you were filmed or photographed doing these sorts of things it would keep you out of the academy of your choice.

I just finished the interview season for my United States Senators.  Some of the candidates were excellent and well prepared, some of the candidates were not qualified, and some of the candidates had great potential but just weren’t adequately prepared.  In this blog, I’m going to discuss what not to do during an interview and some things to be prepared for.  I will also provide you with my insight into why.

Be Prepared

A service academy interview with a Member of Congress (MOC), whether it be with a senator or congressman’s office, is not just an interview for a Federal Service Academy but also a job interview; a job that could last 20 years or more and a job that will affect the security of the country and the lives of those who serve with you.  This is an extremely important interview!  It is expected that you arrive thoroughly prepared.

You should bring a copy of the application that you submitted to the Congressman or Senator, as well as a resume that breaks down your significant accomplishments in an easy to read fashion.  Yes, I know that you filled out all the forms and doubled checked every submission, but a resume is a great tool to put in front of the interviewers to show how qualified you are.  The resume also helps the interviewers scan through who you are and then ask pertinent questions that would be to your advantage.  Bring copies so that everyone on the interview panel has a copy.

Be Dressed for the Part

If you’re a young man, arrive wearing a tie, pressed shirt, and clean shoes.  If you have a suit or sport coat, wear it. At the very least, a tie should be worn. If you have dress shoes,

make sure you polish and wear them. If not, make sure that you have clean shoes on.  Remember you are dressing for an interview to become a military officer.  Horror story – I once had a candidate show up in a soccer uniform under warm-up clothes because he was going to a game after the interview.  I asked him why he came dressed like that and he responded that he was pressed for time and didn’t want to waste time changing before his game.  So what was more important: his game prep or Service Academy interview?  By the way, he wasn’t a recruited athlete with a Letter of Acceptance.

If you’re a young lady, arrive wearing conservative clothes.  Dress slacks or business type skirt, a clean pressed blouse, a jacket, and conservative shoes are a good choice.  Stay away from fashionable “evening wear” type clothing.  Horror story – I once had a candidate show up in what only could be called “The Britney Spears” outfit.  The young lady had on a short plaid skirt, white knee socks, tight white blouse but to her credit, she did have on a matching tie.  I had children that attended parochial school so I knew what the uniforms looked like.  I asked her if this was her school uniform to which she replayed, “No, but I thought it would be fun”.  It was not fun, it was inappropriate.   Remember you are dressing for an interview to become a military officer.

Bring a pen and a small notebook

In addition to the copies of your resumes, bring a small executive size notebook and a pen in good condition.  The notebook serves as a prop, you’re ready to take notes and write down something of importance.  You may never use the notebook but it shows that you’re prepared.  There is nothing worse than having to ask an interviewer to borrow a piece of paper and a pen.  It’s understood that many candidates live on their phones; that’s fine and is a fine backup to take notes, however, a phone on the desk doesn’t project the same professional image as a notebook.

Put the phone away!

Yes, I did say above that a phone is a good back up to take notes, but please put the phone away.  I cannot stress enough that a phone should be turned off and under no circumstance should you look at it at any time during an interview.  If you are looking at your phone, you are clearly telling the interviewers that your social media life is more important than your interview. If for some reason there is an emergency that occurs right at your interview, ask to be excused and to come back in an hour or so. People understand emergencies, but not social media.  Horror story – a candidate had a phone on the table face up and was responding to messages during the interview.  When asked what was so important, we couldn’t get a straight answer.  I hope he was messaging his backup school that he was doing poorly on his service academy interview!

Give a “straight answer”

This is perhaps my biggest complaint about many candidates and something that is evasive on their part.  For example, “How many people are in AP classes at your high school?” Candidate response, “not as many as last year.” Another question, “You retook the SAT, what did you get on the math section?” Candidate response, “I did better but not as high as I wanted.”  I could go on and on.  The bottom line is that the interviewer is looking for a definitive answer, a number!  If you feel that you must explain, do so after giving the information.  Horror story – A young man had submitted his paperwork for the USAFA and repeatedly stated that he wanted to be a pilot.  It was pretty clear in his application that all he ever wanted to be was a pilot.  At the interview, he was asked what he wanted to do in the Air Force and he went on to explain that he was interested in pararescue.  When asked about being a pilot, he danced around the question.  Towards the end of the interview, we ran down our checklist and asked if he had scheduled a DODMEB (physical exam).  The candidate responded that he had taken his physical and was disappointed that there was a problem with his depth perception.  Please note, the interviewers did not ask about the results of his physical exam; interviewers can’t ask about physicals but the candidate volunteered the information.  It became immediately clear that he couldn’t be a pilot based on his physical, but still could enter the academy if selected.  The candidate was evasive; he should have been straightforward and stated that he had wanted to be a pilot but his physical status may prevent him from doing so but he still wanted to attend the academy and serve his nation.  The interviewers have been around, understand the intricacies of the academies, and certainly understand that sometimes you can’t always get what you want because of circumstances beyond your control.  Be honest, be forthright – if you’re not it becomes very clear, very quickly.

Be more than one question deep

If not getting a straight answer is my biggest complaint about candidates, this is clearly a very close second.  You are being interviewed for a nomination to a service academy and must have some knowledge of the service that you intend to serve in.  If you want to go to West Point, you need to have some knowledge of the options available upon graduation from USMA.  If you want to be a pilot, you need to have some basic knowledge of what planes the Navy or Air Force are flying.  For example, if someone wants to be a pilot I always ask them what their favorite fighter plane is.  I can’t tell you how many times I can’t get an answer.  I also ask what was the last book or movie that they watched about the military. Again, I can’t tell you how many times I don’t get an answer.  Interviewers are not looking for a detailed military analysis; they are just looking for some action on the candidate’s part that they understand what they are getting into.  Horror story – a candidate stated that he wanted to attend the USNA and wanted to be a SEAL upon graduation.  I asked if he had read the book Lone Survivor. Not only hadn’t he read that book but he hadn’t read anything on the SEALs.  When he was asked why he chose the SEALs, he stated that he wanted to help people and then went on to explain that he saw SEALs in Haiti handing water out after a hurricane on TV.  This candidate wanted to help people like the SEALs did in Haiti.  We explained to him some of the things that SEAL Teams do and how it isn’t always a humanitarian mission.  The candidate was shocked and said that he wanted nothing to do with something like that.  A candidate needs to do some basic research on his academy and branch selection.  He not only wasted his time but the time of the staff members and the interviewers.

I could continue for another page or more but I think the messages are clear. Be Prepared. Be Professional. Be Focused. Be Educated about what you are interviewing for.

Most importantly – Be Yourself!

Good luck.