Your U.S. Service Academy Calendar
- LTC Brechin, USAF, Ret.
- May 23
- 4 min read
USAFA, USMA and USNA have some important dates for you to keep in mind!
Applying to any one of the U.S. service academies involves a multitude of detailed steps in preparation and execution that span the entire year. For younger students -- freshmen, sophomores and juniors -- there are preparations that may start today. And, of course, for seniors, you should be fully engaged in the application (or waiting!) process.
Let's review the year and discuss what you as a candidate for the Air Force Academy (or any other service academy) should be doing as the days of the calendar reveal themselves.
SPRING
Freshman/Sophomore
CFA Prep
It is never too early to start your preparations for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). Establish a fitness routine that includes long-distance running and stick to it!
STEM Camps
Both USNA and USMA host summer STEM camps and the applications are open to you. Also, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) holds camp around the country, including at the US AIr Force Academy. SAME applications are also open.
Expand Your Résumé
Look for ways to participate in sports, clubs and other activities.
Academic Courses
Review the academic recommendations for the SAs, including four years of high school math, English and Science. Meet with your counselor to ensure you are on track for next year.
Junior
Summer Seminars / Pre-Candidate Questionnaire:
Starting in mid-year, the summer seminar applications will open. Only USMA's SLE and USNA's summer seminar will be available to complete in the spring as USAFA's deadline is January 15. Deadlines for USMA and USNA are typically April 15 and March 31, respectively.
Collect Recommendation Letters
Most nomination applications for your Members of Congress (MoC) require these letters, including letters from teachers, mentors and others.
Naval ROTC application
Typically opens in April.
Pre-Candidate Questionnaire
If you did not apply to the summer seminar at a particular service academy (SA), then you will need to complete the PCQ for each SA.
Other Summer Plans
Look for ways to expand your résumé by planning your summer in the spring ensuring you have some good experiences, including teamwork and leadership.
CFA Prep
Senior
Appointment and ROTC Scholarship Decisions
The majority of appointments are in March and April. Typically, you must accept one by May 1.
Plan and execute
Did your plan of execution work? If you missed earning an appointment, you should plan to re-apply next cycle.
SUMMER
Sophomore (Rising 10th grader)
Have a great summer. Continue your workouts.
Junior (Rising 11th grader)
SAT / ACT
I recommend taking the SAT or ACT 'early and often.' A test (or two) may make sense for new Juniors.
Senior (Rising 12th grader)
Applications
Service academy and ROTC scholarship (Air Force and Army) applications will open and candidates should start them as soon as you are able.
Nomination applications should be open, too. They are typically due in the fall (September - November). Confirm the exact due date for your Members of Congress (MoCs).
CFA Prep
Summer Activities
Find ways to expand your résumé, including your plans that you made durin the spring!
FALL
Freshman/Sophomore
Academics
Start the semester strong doing well in school, plus follow-up with your counselor to cover the recommended academic preparations for the service academies.
CFA Prep
Junior
Recommendations
It may seem premature, but your junior teachers are ideal 'candidates' to write letters of recommendation (LORs) for you. Start the school year well by building your relationship with your teachers through strong classroom participation and performance on all assignments/tests.
SAT / ACT
There are more opportunities to take either test all the way through December prior to the summer seminar applications opening in the winter/spring.
Senior
Collect LORs
Your spring requests will allow you to have all of these in hand to submit.
Nomination Applications
Finish up all requirements and do not wait until the 'last minute' to submit the applications. That's a disaster waiting to happen!
Most nomination interviews will be conducted in the latter part of the fall into December.
Prepare for Interviews
BGO, FFR and ALO interviews for the service academies should be completed along with the same for ROTC scholarships. Plus, as noted, the nominations interviews invitations should be in your hand, if you are selected.
Medical Evaluations
The DoDMERB questionnaire should be completed and medical evaluations scheduled. "The earlier, the better" is ideal for working with the medical evaluation process.
WINTER
Freshman/Sophomore
STEM Camps
The Naval Academy and West Point sponsor STEM camps for which you may apply.
Maintain your good work in school, activities and sports.
Junior
Summer Seminar Applications
All seminar applications open from December through February: USAFA in December, USNA in January, USMA and USCGA in February.
Senior
All applications are due on January 31. However, you should complete the applications well before this deadline!
My website features a wide spectrum of blogs on the different topics noted in this article, including the CFA, DoDMERB, interviewing, recommendation letters and much more. Here are some online articles that will interest you from my site:
Staying on pace and completing your preparations and applications in a timely manner, matter! Work on the important things when that they are 'not' urgent and near deadlines as you follow the "Service Academy Calendar." This habit will be an important one when you become a midshipman or cadet.
Start the year 'right' and it will likely end with the 'right' outcome -- earning an appointment or ROTC scholarship!
[ I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire Academy application process -- keeping you on an effective pace, well before the deadlines. Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com, 503.515.7406 or complete my contact form on the home page. ]
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