The podcast that is all things regarding U.S. Service Academy admission. Whether it is West Point, the Naval Academy (Annapolis) or the Air Force Academy- admission is as much about the process as it is the attributes of the candidate. It is complex—and involves several qualifications which make it far more rigorous than the traditional college application. This podcast helps the listener understand and navigate the process in order to gain a coveted appointment.
West Point CFA Now Counts 15%: What Families Need to Know
West Point CFA scoring now counts for 15% of the Whole Candidate Score, up from the long-standing 10%. LTC Kirkland explains what the five-point shift means for families preparing a competitive academy application. West Point now publishes a 55/30/15 formula: 55% academic strength, 30% leadership and character, and 15% physical fitness through the Candidate Fitness Assessment. This replaces the long-standing 60/30/10 model. Source: West Point Admissions, Steps to Admission: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/steps-to-admission Rob also explains why removing video verification from push-ups and pull-ups creates a score-integrity concern, how West Point could improve verification, and how candidates should prepare. Train all six events in order, start months early, leave time to retest, and use an administrator who counts clean reps. The Service Academy series is hosted by LTC Kirkland and Capt Trisha Dach. This is a solo analysis from LTC Kirkland. If you want to know exactly where your student stands and what needs to improve, reserve a Service Academy Admissions Assessment. Link is in the description. https://gainserviceacademyadmission.com/assessment
17 Apr 2026
Naval Academy Whole Person Multiple: How USNA Actually Scores Candidates
The Naval Academy Whole Person Multiple (WPM) is the formula that decides every appointment, and it was just published for the first time. LTC Kirkland and Trish Dach walk through every category the Naval Academy now weights publicly and explain what families should actually change in their preparation now that the guesswork about admissions is gone.
Watch on youtube to see graphics: https://youtu.be/6qylTVlpsUE?si=rYipt1hw-uMT-tZD&t=123
This episode covers:
The 50/50 split between academics and leadership
Why official recommendations are now worth 24 percent
Why math test scores carry almost twice the weight of verbal
How athletics extracurriculars edge out non-athletic activities
The CFA retake window and its 2.5 percent swing
How strategy should differ for a freshman versus a junior preparing to apply
They also explain what the Rand recommendation study showed about score clustering, why optional letters of recommendation should come from coaches and community leaders rather than distant senior figures, how to quantify leadership impact with real numbers in the application, and the three concrete changes families should make starting this week to reflect the published weights.
If you want to know exactly where your student stands and what needs to improve, reserve a Service Academy Admissions Assessment: https://calendly.com/trish-dach/strategy
26 Mar 2026
DoDMERB Series 4: Vision, Hearing, and Dental Standards
LTC Kirkland and Dr. (COL) Cajigal break down the head and neck medical standards from DoDI 6130.03 that generate the most anxiety for Service Academy families.
This episode covers eyes and vision, refractive error cutoffs, the spherical equivalent calculation, LASIK and PRK timing, keratoconus, color vision testing and service-by-service policies, ear tubes and hearing tests, chronic sinusitis versus routine sinus infections, braces and Invisalign timing (including the June 1 rule), and wisdom teeth.
They explain what the standards actually say, how DoDMERB applies them, where families commonly misunderstand what is disqualifying, and why applicants should never delay medically appropriate treatment out of fear of DoDMERB.
The eyes and vision section uses graphics and visual explanations. That portion is much easier to follow on screen. Watch the YouTube version for the vision segment: https://youtu.be/hptRgIJsRdQ?si=eE4Y73Ee3AE07d1d&t=240
If your family needs help navigating a DoDMERB disqualification or waiver, contact us about DoDMERB Consulting: https://dodmerbqualified.com/start
About DoDMERB Qualified:
DoDMERB Qualified helps Service Academy and ROTC families navigate the DoDMERB medical qualification and waiver process. LTC Kirkland handles all family consultations. Dr. Cajigal reviews cases behind the scenes as the medical expert. Learn more at dodmerbqualified.com.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
33 ratings
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