Share this:

It’s America’s birthday and I’m celebrating. My Army Sergeant son is visiting from Japan–Okinawa. My Navy Lieutenant daughter’s still in the DC area in the next in her long line of Navy jobs. They do not leave her in one position for long! I thank both of them and all those soldiers who fought for America’s uncertain future so long ago.

God be with all of us.

July To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important military and patriotic days:

• July 4th–Independence Day
• July 25th–Remember the Pueblo!

Here are some articles to help you through July:

• July 25th: Remember the Pueblo
• You Know You’re a Plebe when…
• Plebe Summer Care Packages: What to Send
• You Know You’re a Plebe Parent if…
• 33 Rules (aka Rates) Plebes Must Follow
• What’s My Plebe Doing Today?
• Plebe Parent Weekend
• Plebe Parent Weekend is Past; Reform is Coming

Now, check the ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Freshman Year HS
• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself Sophomore Year HS
• Want to Attend USNA? Prepare Yourself Junior Year HS
• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Senior Year
• What’s it Like to Parent a Midshipman?
• 23 Common-sense Rules to Thrive in the Military
• Popular Excuses for NOT attending USNA
• Give Me a Midshipman Parent and I’ll Give you a Navy Football Fan

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor at UC and CSU, a columnist for NEA Today, and mother of a LT CDR in the Navy and a SGT in the Army. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money before you achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy as their college of choice.

June To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important military and patriotic days:

• June 14th–Flag Day

By now, you’ve finished your application, maybe been accepted and are eagerly awaiting I Day. Here are some articles to help you through June:

• You Know You’re a Plebe Parent if…
• You Know You’re a Plebe if…
• D-Day: June 6th
• Flag Day: June 14th
• 4 Posts about I-Day
  • Are You Going to I-Day? Part I
  • Going to USNA? Ready for I-Day–Part II
  • USNA I-Day For Parents
  • You Know You’re a Plebe when…
• Plebe Summer starts
• Plebe Summer Care Packages
• Summer like a Midshipman

Now, check the ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• Gen. Patton’s Address to the Third Army
• Must-read Books Before Entering USNA
• Popular Excuses for NOT attending USNA
• Give Me a Midshipman Parent and I’ll Give you a Navy Football Fan

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor at UC and CSU, and mother of a LT CDR in the Navy and a SGT in the Army. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment in time and money because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more before achieving your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application–

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy their first choice college.

• The Naval Academy Candidate Book: How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to Survive

A general and useful overview of the USNA application and the academy in general

May To Do List for USNA Applicants

 

First: Check May’s ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

Here are important events you’ll want to read about in May:

• You Know You’re a Plebe Parent if…
• Commissioning Week
• Herndon Climb
• Military Appreciation Month
• Service Selection: SWO
• Didn’t get in USNA? Try NAPS
• What happens after USNA Graduation
• Armed Forces Day
• Memorial Day

More articles worth reading:

• Book Review: Master and Commander
• What to do once you’re accepted
• Your daughter is going to USNA. What’s ahead for her?

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor at UC and CSU, a columnist for NEA Today, and mother of a LT CDR in the Navy and a SGT in the Army. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment in time and money because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more before achieving your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy their first choice college.

April To Do List for USNA Applicants

By now, you’ve finished your Congressional Interview, maybe even your BGO Interview.  You’ve attended a Candidate Weekend Visit. You have one big job remaining: Keep your grades solid, your attitude positive, and your goals clear.

If you’re the parent of a child who has been accepted, it’s time to start thinking about Plebe Summer:

• Plebe Summer–It’s coming!

• You Know You’re a Plebe when…

• Plebe Summer Care Packages: What to Send

• You Know You’re a Plebe Parent if…

• 33 Rules (aka Rates) Plebes Must Follow

• What’s My Plebe Doing Today?

If you’re just starting to think about attending the US Naval Academy, here’s your guide to making that dream come true:

Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application

…and then read these posts:

Now check April ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• Make your Naval Academy Dream Come True
• 23 Books to read
• Signs that you fit the military lifestyle

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), and over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor in technology-in-education, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. She is also the proud mother of a Navy LT CDR and Army SGT. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money to achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application–

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy their first choice college.

Share this:

March 25th is National Medal of Honor Day – when we pay respects to service members who distinguished themselves through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”. Citations for Medal of Honor recipients describe feats of courage, strength, and resilience. Recipients overcame the paralysis of fear, and in some cases, they persevered in spite of wounds that would normally be so painful as to be disabling. Some of these heroes willingly gave their lives for the sake of their buddies.

From my friends over at ArmyLive , here are eight surprising facts about the award.

1. The earliest actions for which the Medal was awarded took place before the Civil War

had even begun (Feb. 13-14, 1861).  Bernard J.D. Irwin was an Assistant Surgeon in the Army when he voluntarily went to the rescue of 2d Lt. George N. Bascom who was trapped with 60 members of the 7th Infantry. Irwin and 14 men began the 100-mile trek to Bascom’s forces riding mules. After fighting and capturing Apaches along the way, as well as recovering stolen horses and cattle, Irwin reached Bascom’s forces and helped break the siege. The Medal of Honor was awarded to Irwin on Jan. 24, 1894 – more than 30 years after he performed his heroic deed.

2. Originally, the Medal of Honor was only awarded to enlisted service members.

On March 3, 1863, this was extended to include officers as well.

3. There are three versions of the Medal of Honor: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money before you achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman: How to Crack the USNA Application

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to-earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy their first choice college.

March To Do List for USNA Applicants

By now, you’ve finishe…. You have one big job remaining: …..

Here are some articles to help you through December:

• March 1st–Candidate Section of the application is due!
• March 3–National Anthem Day
• March 9–First Battle of the Ironclads
• March 15–Admissions forum in NY (see USNA Facebook page for more info)
• March 25–Medal of Honor Day
• March 31–NASS applications close 

Now, check on March 9th for the the March ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• How to Think (one of 5 critical skills for future USNA applicants)
• Why We Serve
• USNA and Summer STEM
• Don’t shoot fast, shoot good and other bits of wisdom from a military life
• OCS–an Option

February To Do List for USNA Applicants

Start this month by checking the February ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

Here are some articles to help you through December:

• Valentine Greeting for Your Soldier
• The USNA Love Formula (uses a bit of calculus)
• USNA and Summer STEM
• 5 Critical Skills to Accomplish During High School
• 10 Great Books to Read Before You Become a Midshipman

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money before you achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy as their college of choice.

January To Do List for USNA Applicants

By now, you’ve finished your Congressional Interview, maybe even your B&G Interview.  You’ve attended or are preparing for a Candidate Weekend Visit. You likely have all pieces submitted for your application.

One article to see what’s happening at USNA while you are in High School:

• SWO Ship Selection

You have one big job remaining: Keep your grades solid, your attitude positive, and your goals clear.  Now, check the January ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Freshman Year HS
• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself Sophomore Year HS
• Want to Attend USNA? Prepare Yourself Junior Year HS
• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Senior Year
• 5 Critical Skills to Accomplish During High School
• How to solve problems
• How to manage your time
• How to prioritize
• How to get along with people
• How to think
• 10 Great Books (plus 3) to Read Before You Become a Midshipman
• Talk Like an Ivy Leaguer

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor at UC and CSU, a columnist for TeachHUB,  and mother of a LT CDR in the Navy and a SGT in the Army. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money before you achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy as their college of choice.

December 14th, 2019 Noon

is the 119th annual Army-Navy Game, at noon in Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia PA

This is the 120th game in this American college football rivalry game between the teams of the Black Knights of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and the Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis and has come to embody the spirit of the  United States Armed Forces. Navy leads the all-time series 60-52-7. Army won last season’s meeting 17-10.

Here’s a video that embodies the rivalry. Watch it, then watch the game:

A Game of Honor

Here are Army-Navy Spirit Spots:

December To Do List for USNA Applicants

By now, you’ve finished your Congressional Interview, maybe even your B&G Interview.  You’ve attended or are preparing for a Candidate Weekend Visit. You have one big job remaining: Keep your grades solid, your attitude positive, and your goals clear.

Here are some articles to help you through December:

• Remember Pearl Harbor!
• Christmas Like a Soldier
• A Soldier’s Christmas Poem
• Top military books for Christmas gifts
• Two more military fiction you may enjoy (I confess–I wrote these): To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill),

Now, check December’s ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

More articles worth reading:

• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Freshman Year HS

• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself Sophomore Year HS

• Want to Attend USNA? Prepare Yourself Junior Year HS

• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Senior Year

• What’s it Like to Parent a Midshipman?

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, adjunct professor at UC and CSU, a columnist for TeachHUB,  and mother of a LT CDR in the Navy and a SGT in the Army. 

First Steps:

Depending upon where you are in the process, you may have done some of the items on this list. Skip them. Be happy you’re done. Move on to the next:

If you’re serious about attending the USNA or any other military academy, buy a few books (or check them out of the library) on the process. It’s worth the investment because if you pursue this dream, you will be investing much more of your time and money before you achieve your goal. Better to make sure this is the direction you want to go.

Here are two books to get you started:

• Building a Midshipman

From the perspective of a woman who was accepted and how she accomplished it. Down-to earth, personal, definitely not dry, and should give confidence to any teen, male or female, considering a military academy as their college of choice.

USNA vs Notre Dame

Here are important events you’ll want to read about in November:

November 16th

11:30 am PT

NBC (or streamed)

Every USNA Midshipman and parent is a Navy Football fan so be sure to watch this!

Want more events for November?

• November is Warrior Care Month
• November 10th: Happy Birthday USMC!
• November 11: Veteran’s Day
• What’s a Candidate Weekend Visit?

Now check November’s ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

November To Do List for USNA Applicants

More articles worth reading:

• What’s it Like to Parent a Midshipman
• USNA Facebook page
• Give Me a Midshipman Parent and I’ll Give you a Navy Football Fan
• 39 Reasons to Love the Marine Corps
• Here’s What You Should Know about the B&G Interview
• A Typical Day in the Navy
• Qualifications of a Naval Officer

…and a few videos:

---

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of two military-tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days (starring the USS Bunker Hill), and over one hundred resources on integrating tech into education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice reviewer, adjunct professor in technology-in-education, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.