Military values like honor, integrity, and courage don’t matter much when everything is calm, supervised, and low-risk.

They matter when you’re tired, frustrated, authority is real, and nobody’s watching.

Today LTC Kirkland breaks down why military values only hold under pressure if they’ve been trained as habits, using Aristotle’s practical ethics as the framework. Aristotle didn’t treat virtue as a personal identity or something you “believe in.” He treated it like training: repetition, discipline, and practiced reps that show up automatically when stress hits.

We’ll also look at what military history shows happens when ethical discipline erodes over time—and why leaders don’t “rise to the occasion,” they default to habit.

What you’ll learn today: 

If this helped, subscribe for Service Academy mentorship, leadership development, interviews, and application strategy.

Are you assuming “I’m a varsity athlete, so the Athlete piece is handled”? That assumption can cost you an appointment. For the Service Academies, being “athletic” isn’t just team participation—it’s quantifiable performance, leadership, and a smart plan to crush the CFA.

In this Academy-focused episode of our Scholar • Athlete • Leader series, retired Army officer LTC Rob Kirkland and former Air Force officer Trish Dach break down how academies actually evaluate your athletic profile, what percent of your Whole Candidate Score it can influence, and how to tell your story so the board moves your score up—even if you’re not a team captain. We also cover real-world CFA strategy, timelines, and injury-proof planning.

You’ll learn:

Timestamps

► CFA score planning & practice (take a practice test this week!)

*Special Episode* Worried the shutdown will derail your academy nomination or ROTC scholarship file? Take a breath. Academy admissions are operating close to normal. The friction is mainly in some congressional offices scheduling interviews and a few ROTC processing slowdowns at undermanned units and headquarters. If you are applying to both, here is what actually matters so you stay informed and calm.

What you will learn

"The red flag you're looking for is 'complete and on hold.' If you're not paying attention, you could be in this status for MONTHS..."

The new DoDMERB medical qualification process for Service Academies and ROTC Scholarships has rolled out, and frankly, it's causing a lot of confusion and delays. With two separate systems, DMACS 2.0 and DODMETS, candidates are getting stuck in bottlenecks without realizing it.

In this deep dive, we break down the new 8-step process, expose the critical disconnects between the systems, and give you the exact steps to take to stay on track. We'll show you how to be proactive, advocate for yourself, and avoid the common pitfalls that will sideline other applicants.

 In This Video, You'll Learn:

➡️ RESOURCES

Work with us: We’ve helped hundreds get qualified or win waivers. Planning session & full-service options: DoDMERBQualified.com

Discover which congressional districts in America are the most competitive for securing a nomination to West Point.

In this in-depth analysis, LTC Kirkland and Trish Dach break down the data on 69 of the toughest districts, exploring how geography, income, military presence, and local culture shape the nomination process.

Learn about the four main types of competitive districts, from wealthy suburban metros to military-adjacent communities and legacy-heavy regions.

The video also highlights notable absences, such as San Francisco, and explains why some high-income areas don’t make the list.

Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this video offers valuable insights and strategies for navigating the nomination process, understanding your district’s landscape, and maximizing your chances of success.

Perfect for anyone interested in service academy admissions, ROTC scholarships, or the intersection of education and public service. Here is the full list of the most competitive districts for West Point last year (the Class of 2029):

AK — BEGICH

CA-27 — WHITESIDES

CO-02 — NEGUSE

CT-04 — HIMES

DE-AL — BLUNT ROCHESTER

FL-01 — GAETZ

GA-03 — FERGUSON

HI-02 — TOKUDA

ID-02 — SIMPSON

IL-10 — SCHNEIDER

KS-03 — DAVIDS

KY-04 — MASSIE

MA-04 — AUCHINCLOSS

MD-01 — HARRIS

NJ-02 — VAN DREW

NY-03 — SUOZZI

OH-01 — LANDSMAN

PA-01 — FITZPATRICK

TN-03 — FLEISCHMANN

TX-03 — SELF

VA-08 — BEYER

The era of self-reporting your medical history to DoDMERB is officially over. The new DMACS 2.0 system now connects to civilian medical and prescription databases, and they are no longer just taking your word for it.

In this urgent update, we expose the biggest change to the Service Academy medical clearance process in a generation. We break down exactly how this new system, MHS Genesis, accesses your records and what it means for your application.

If you have ever been prescribed ADHD medication, seen a specialist, or even visited an ER, this is information you need to know now.

📊 KEY REVELATIONS IN THIS EPISODE:

GET EXPERT GUIDANCE ON YOUR MEDICAL JOURNEY:

✅ DoDMERB Disqualification & Waiver Help: https://www.dodmerbqualified.com/

✅ Dept. of Defense Instruction 6130.03 (Medical Standards): https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol01.pdf

Rejection from West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy or any U.S. service academy can feel devastating—but it doesn’t have to be the end. In this powerful episode of Academy and ROTC Insiders, Trisha and Lieutenant Colonel Kirkland walk you through exactly what to do after receiving a "thin white envelope" (TWE) and how to reapply with confidence and a stronger application.

📌 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

🎯 Whether you're a first-time applicant or planning your reapplication strategy, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you bounce back stronger and earn your commission.

👇 Resources Mentioned: 

Don't forget to subscribe for more guidance, tips, and insider knowledge to help you earn your academy appointment. 

Are you applying to a military service academy or ROTC program? Understanding the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) process is CRUCIAL to your success. In this comprehensive guide, Lt. Col. Kirkland and Trish Dach break down the entire process from start to finish.

What you'll learn:

Whether you're concerned about asthma, ADHD, orthopedic injuries, or other medical conditions, this guide will help you understand your options. We explain everything from completing your medical history questionnaire to appealing waiver denials if necessary.

Don't let medical disqualifications end your military career before it begins! With proper planning and knowledge of the process, many candidates successfully obtain waivers and achieve their goals.

Check out our comprehensive DoDMERB book on Amazon for even more details:

https://amzn.to/42MFiKD  

Book a consultation with us if you need personalized guidance: https://www.gainserviceacademyadmission.com/dodmerb/

Curious about the U.S. Coast Guard Academy? In this episode, we take a deep dive into what it takes to earn an appointment.

Learn how the Coast Guard Academy’s admissions process stands out from the other service academies, like West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy. From GPA requirements to SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and the Cadet Candidate Evaluation Board, we’ve got you covered!

📖 Sneak Peek: Our new book on the Coast Guard Academy is officially released! Grab a copy of the book here: bit.ly/coastguardacademybook 🎯

Key Takeaways:

Join hosts LTC Rob Kirkland and Trish Dach as they share expert insights into the admissions process—and today, a special focus on the often-overlooked Merchant Marine Academy.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on why the Merchant Marine Academy can be a smart choice for high-performing students who excel academically but may not be strong test-takers. With a higher acceptance rate compared to other service academies and unique nomination processes, it’s worth considering if you’re aiming for a career at sea.

We’ll cover critical topics like how nominations work, the breakdown of competitive scores, and why extracurricular activities with military connections matter. If you're interested in learning how to stand out in the application process, especially with upcoming changes in the admissions landscape, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Stay tuned for our upcoming book, Secrets of Merchant Marine Academy Admissions. Make sure to sign up for the waitlist below to get notified as soon as it’s available.

Join the waitlist here.

As always, we’re here to guide you through every step of the academy admissions process. Subscribe now to stay updated on all things related to service academy admissions.