April To Do List for USNA Applicants

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

Important military and patriotic days in April:

• Gold Star Spouses Day–April 5
• National Former POW Recognition Day–April 9
• Air Force Reserve Birthday–April 14
• Army Reserve Birthday–April 23

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

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

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?

More articles worth reading:

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

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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 SSGT. 

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.

March To Do List for USNA Applicants

By now, you’ve finished everything and are waiting to hear. Your only remaining job is to continue with the traits of leadership, aggressiveness, physicality that made you a good candidate to start with.

But, just to be sure, check the ToDo list to see if you’re up to date:

Important USNA, military and patriotic days:

• March 1st–Candidate Section of the application is due!
• March 3–Navy Reserve Birthday
• March 3–National Anthem Day
• March 4–Hug a GI Day
• March 5–Seabee Birthday
• March 9–First Battle of the Ironclads
• March 13–K9 Veterans Day
• March 25–Medal of Honor Day
• March 29–National Vietnam War Veterans Day
• March 31–NASS applications close 

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

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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 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.

February To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important military and patriotic days:

• USO Birthday–February 4th
• National Salute to Veteran Patients–week of Feb. 14
• Coast Guard Reserve Birthday–Feb. 19th

Here are some articles to help you through February:

• 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

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

More articles worth reading:

• 33 Rules (aka Rates) Plebes Must Follow
• 9 Secrets That’ll Get You Into USNA
• Six reasons why you might be a midshipman…

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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, and the thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and  Twenty-four Days. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer,  and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.

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.

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

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:

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?

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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 SSG 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.

Articles worth reading:

By now, you’ve finished the application save a few remaining items. You’re job now is to wait, patiently. Keep your grades solid, your physical in shape, your leadership well-tuned.

Important military and patriotic days:

• Marine Corps Birthday–November 10th
• Armistice/Remembrance Day–November 11th
• Veteran’s Day–Nov. 11th
• Warrior Care Month–entire month

• 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 (since there is no ND-Navy game this year):

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

November To Do List for USNA Applicants

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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 SSG 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.

October To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important military and patriotic days:

• October 10th: Happy Birthday, USNA! (initially opened with 50 midshipman students and seven professors)

• October 13th: Happy Birthday, US Navy! (the Continental Congress authorizes construction of two warships)
• October 10th: US forces take Okinawa
• October 18: Military World Games
• October 27th: Navy Day

Here are some articles to help you through December:

• Patriotic Music for your USNA Dream
• The Sailor’s Creed: What it Means to be in the Navy
• Successful USNA Grads

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

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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 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.

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9/11: We Remember

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Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of September (this year, September 2nd). It was originally organized to celebrate various labor associations’ strengths of and contributions to the United States economy. It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events.

Labor Day is a US holiday dedicated to workers across the country. The public holiday always falls on the first Monday in September. The first federal observation of the holiday occurred in 1894 however the first Labor Day observed in a state was in Oregon in 1887.

Remember our American warriors today who never get a day off. Their job is always critical.

September To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important military and patriotic days:

• Labor Day–first Monday in Sept.
• Sept. 2nd–Day the Japanese surrendered in WWII and the official end of the war
• Sept. 2nd–flyovers for the 75th end of WWII.
• Patriot Day–Sept. 11th
• Constitution Day–Sept. 17th
• Sept. 18th–USAF’s Birthday. Read more
• POW/MIA Recognition Day–3rd Friday in Sept.
• Gold Star Mother’s/Family’s Day–last Sunday in Sept.

Here are some articles to help you through September:

• The Congressional Interview
• The Congressional Interview–Part I
• How to Prepare for the Congressional Interview–Part II
• How to Prepare for the Congressional Interview–Part III
• Labor Day: Honor American Warriors
• 9-11: We Remember
• POW/MIA Recognition Day
• Constitution Day!

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

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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: How to Crack the USNA Application—

From the perspective of a high school student who was accepted. 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.

August To Do List for USNA Applicants

Important USNA, military, and patriotic days:

• 2 for 7–See pictures from last year; older article on it here

• USNA Coronavirus guidance
• Plebe Summer
• Plebe Parent Weekend
• Reform of the Brigade of Midshipmen–August 13th
• US Coast Guard birthday–August 4th
• Purple Heart Day–August 7th
• Navajo Code Talkers Day–August 14th
• National Airborne Day–August 16th
• Navy Colors Born–August 27, 1802

Here are some articles to help you through December:

• Five Popular Excuses for NOT Going to USNA–Still
• Give Me a Midshipman Parent and I’ll Give you a Navy Football Fan
• Headed for USNA? Prepare Yourself–Senior Year

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

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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, a freelance journalist on tech ed topics, 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