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.
Gain Service Academy Admission
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Podcast Overview
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.
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Publishing Since
12/4/2020
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Recent Episodes
April 17, 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
March 26, 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.
March 9, 2026
DoDMERB Series 3: Mr. Larry Mullen's Memo on DoDMERB Sucess
If your family is navigating DoDMERB, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is working the process the wrong way. In this episode, LTC (Ret.) Rob Kirkland and COL (Ret.) Dr. Arthur Cajigal break down Mr. Larry Mullen’s well-known Applicant Reference Guide—the practical DoDMERB “do’s and don’ts” that help applicants and families work with the system instead of against it. You’ll learn why the applicant should lead the process, how parents can support without taking over, what strong medical documentation actually looks like, why summary letters often fall short, how to think about DoDMETS vs. DMACS 2.0, and what families should avoid if they want to keep things moving. In this episode:• Why the applicant should lead communication with DoDMERB• How parents can support without slowing things down• What counts as a strong medical record submission• Why summary letters often are not enough• The difference between the DoDMETS portal and DMACS 2.0• Why status updates can create panic if misunderstood• Why timing matters in a first-in, first-out system• Why asking “what are my chances?” usually leads nowhere• What to do—and what NOT to do—to avoid unnecessary delays 📄 Download Mr. Mullen’s memo here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ppnf36ebHdJEATwMisZn9q2MSuOQKVrU/view If this episode helped, subscribe, share it with another Service Academy family, and send us your DoDMERB questions for future episodes.
54 total episodes available
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- What is Gain Service Academy Admission?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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