More on getting into USNA:

Prepare for the Congressional Interview. For many of you, that happens in October. Here’s what you should know:

• 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

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

September To Do List for USNA Applicants

9 Secrets for Getting in USNA

USNA Midshipmen Sign 2-for-7 Contract

Here’s What You Should Know About the Blue and Gold Interview

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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, 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 columnist for TeachHUB, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.

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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.

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Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a combined event that is annually observed in the United States on September 17. This event commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. It also recognizes all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become US citizens.

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The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. This year, that’s September 15, 2017. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.

You will never be forgotten.

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9/11: We Remember

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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.

Today, I honor the warrior, his job to fight for America’s way of life, invisibly and heroically, across the globe.

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Cpl Dakota Meyer

Received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary actions

NATO forces, not Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Robert Wagner

Stephen Cochran 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force

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This day in USNA history:

Navy Colors Blue and Gold were born, 27 August 1802

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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 To Hunt a Sub, her debut thriller. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a tech columnist for TeachHUB, a program reviewer for ISTE, and freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Currently, she’s editing the sequel to To Hunt a Sub, which should be out next summer.

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—

You Know You’re a Plebe Parent if…

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

• Plebe Parent Weekend–August

• Plebe Parent Weekend is Past; Reform is Coming

• USNA Midshipmen Sign 2-for-7 Contract

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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 columnist for TeachHUB, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.

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I post this every year to remind Americans what happened 48 years ago. It seems to be more relevant this year than usual, with the North Korea troubles:

In January, 1968, the intelligence ship, the USS Pueblo, was captured by North Korea. Its crew was not released until December 23, 1968, after being tortured and beaten. Here’s a pictorial of the story, from the official USS Pueblo website:

Here’s the story, as retold by Oliver North:

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Here’s a good list of ideas on how to make  Plebe Summer great for the entire family:

• 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

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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, 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 columnist for TeachHUB, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book 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: How to Crack the USNA Application—

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Here’s a good list of ideas on how to make I-Day great for the entire family:

• 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…

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Plebe Summer Fun

When a high school graduate selects USNA, their first year begins right after high school graduation, before June is even over. It is called Plebe Summer and is filled with exercise, work, study, tests, few phone calls or IM’s. No contact with anyone.

Once they are in the Ac Year (still their first year at USNA, but classes have started), it gets easier, but not much. At the end of each school year, they get a short leave if there’s time in between other duty requirements, including summer school, summer cruise(s), working at Plebe Summer activities as Cadre or other functions.

What I’m saying is, this bias for action is a mindset that moves well beyond summers-are-for-relaxing that most teens adopt like skin. Look at Plebe Summer. It’s the last summer before college. All the Plebe’s friends are playing, beaching, vacationing, and the newest USNA Midshipmen are running with logs on their shoulders, paddling rubber boats, learning to shoot weapons, cleaning their rooms for inspection.

So, I’m thinking, high school students should try a bit of that, see if it fits them before committing. How’s this sound:

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People across the United States celebrate Flag Day on June 14 each year to honor the United States flag and to commemorate the flag’s adoption. On the same day, the United States Army celebrates its birthday.

Enjoy this slideshow of flags I’ve seen around the nation:

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Today, being D-Day, it’s time to reflect on our military. Here’s an excellent post by Michael Smart, author of the popular Bequia Mystery Series, on his favorite Navy stories:

Today, being D-Day, it’s time to reflect on our military. Here’s an excellent post by Michael Smart, author of the popular Bequia Mystery Series, on his favorite Navy stories:

“Battle Stations…”

By Michael Smart

J. Murray’s just released “Twenty-Four Days” (read my review here), the second novel in the Rowe-Delamagente series, moves much of the action to sea, taking us aboard nuclear submarines and surface combat warships. Murray’s in-depth research and knowledge of the U.S Navy is once again on display in this sequel to “To Hunt a Sub”, providing dramatic authenticity to the edgy science that buoys the plot. Reading the tense battle scenes evoked memory flashes from some of my favorite Navy and submarine stories, placing Murray in pretty lofty company. So I thought I’d share my favorites (in no order of preference) from popular novels, television series, and movies, of which Twenty-Four Days recalled fond memories. Perhaps you know of others you might wish to share and discuss.

CLIVE CUSSLER’S DIRK PITT SERIES

Clive Cussler is a truly amazing story teller, and his marine and naval scenes never fails to excite and enthrall. When I open a Dirk Pitt novel I can’t put it down.

THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER

Read more…

Michael Smart is the author of the Bequia Mystery Series set in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a tropical archipelago in the Eastern Caribbean where Michael lived and sailed for many years.

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

Seniors–Accepted?

Permits to Report are going out until I-Day. If you get one, notify the Admissions Office of your intention to accept or decline immediately.

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update
From the USNA website:

The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) is located on Naval Station Newport in historic Newport, Rhode Island. The Naval Academy Preparatory School is the Navy’s fourth oldest school; only the Naval Academy, Naval War College, and Naval Post Graduate School are older.

The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is to enhance midshipman candidates’ moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the U.S. Naval Academy. The ten-month course of instruction at NAPS, lasting from August through May, emphasizes preparation in English Composition, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Information Technology.

Demanding military, physical and character development programs complement the academic preparation to fully prepare students for the challenges of life at a service academy. As part of the physical development program, NAPS offers a varsity athletic program that competes against other preparatory schools, junior colleges and college junior varsity teams.

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The USNA Herndon Monument is a 21-foot-tall grey granite obelisk. It was erected in memory of Captain William Lewis Herndon, who courageously decided to go down with his ship, SS Central America, and the men left aboard rather than save himself on September 12, 1857.

Every year–this year, May 22nd, 2017 at 10:30 am–it is coated in lard and the USNA Plebes try to climb it using a mixture of ingenuity, physics, teamwork, and muscles. The goal: Place their cover on the top.

Here are some images from my daughter’s year:

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And her are some videos that do a darn good job of describing it:

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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,  a columnist for TeachHUB, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.

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update

More than half  USNA graduates matriculate to the Surface Warfare community where they become Surface Warfare Officers onboard Aircraft Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates, Dock landing ships, and other surface vessels, and manage professional and highly trained Sailors to maintain and operate the ship’s systems.

What do they do? Surface Warfare Officers are involved in virtually every aspect of Navy missions. Antisubmarine warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, land attack, theatre air missile defense, support for Marine Corps and Navy Special Warfare (SEAL) missions, communications, damage control, and shipboard management all rely on the knowledge and expertise of Officers in the Surface Warfare community. During a sea tour, Surface Warfare Officers are in charge of any number of shipboard operations and activities and work with or within the following forces:

• Aircraft Carrier Forces: Provide and coordinate air defense from conventional and nuclear-powered carriers
• Cruiser-Destroyer Forces: Provide ship attack and defense measures with a wide array of missile and fire power capabilities providing antiair, submarine, and surface warfare support
• Amphibious Forces: Embark and transport vehicles, cargo, and troops for amphibious assault operations
• Combat-Logistics Forces: Provide combatant ships with fuel, ammunition, food and supplies, and provide repair, maintenance, and rescue capabilities through fleet support ships
• Mine Warfare Forces: Detect, identify, and neutralize threats to maritime forces from hostile use of mines

Shore duty may involve a tour-of-duty at the Pentagon, a student assignment at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, or command and management positions at shore bases and stations across the globe.

Before the Surface Warfare Officer earns his/her pin (showing s/he has accomplished all hurdles toward this moniker), they attend the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) located in Newport, R.I., where they are trained to navigate a virtual vessel through any number of simulated hazards in the school’s full-mission bridge.