ServeWell Podcast

In this episode, I reflect on my first Army-Navy football game. Hear about the unique experiences and traditions that make this one of the best competitions in the country.

In this episode, I discuss the long-term benefits of being part of a service academy network.

In this episode, I discuss how students who attend service academies or ROTC programs (IMO) are tripling their chances of succeeding in life, compared to students who attend traditional colleges. The leverage they gain comes from 3 things: 1. Professional training and education in STEM 2. An unparalleled financial package 3. Real-world, leadership experience

How so some students select their branch of service? Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine?

Why do some people hesitate to consider service academies and ROTC programs? - I don't understand what they are - I want a "real" college experience - My child is not disciplined enough - My child is not interested in combat - My daughter has ADHD Listen to the counterpoints to some of these commons friction points when it comes to these unique opportunities.

If you have a daughter who is: (1) smart, (2) athletic, and (3) inclined to be a leader... she should consider applying to a service academy. This advice may come as a shock to some. However, there are inherent advantages for females at the service academies. Find out what they are and how your daughter might take advantage of them.

This episode is only for students with the following characteristics: - Smart - Athletic - Leadership potential - Unsure about college major, career, job prospects - Adventure-oriented - Would prefer $125K in the bank vs. $125K in student loan debt If this describes you or your child, please give this a listen.

Not every college in the United States has an ROTC program on its campus. In this episode, I walk through how to determine which colleges have ROTC programs and for which military branches (e.g. Army, Navy, Air Force). This is Step 1 in creating a target list of colleges. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 51 of Sophomore Year.] - - - - - - - - - Learn about ServeWell Academy’s onli...

In this episode, I walk through a typical day-in-the-life of a service academy student versus an ROTC student at a traditional college. What are the pros, cons, similarities, and differences? Many successful ServeWell students will have the choice between these two compelling options. How would your child make their choice? [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 49 of Junior Year.] - -...

Legendary speaker, thinker, and leadership guru, Jim Collins, was once invited to spend two years at West Point as a visiting professor. By the time his tenure ended, he made a startling observation. He claimed that West Point Cadets seemed happier than his graduate students at Stanford Business School. In this episode, I explore how this could be the case. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online cou...

The terms “nomination” and “appointment” can be confusing — especially in light of how often they are used interchangeably. In this episode, I clear up the difference between the two terms in an effort to get everyone on the same page. These terms have wholly different meanings and should not be confused. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 38 of Junior Year.] - - - - - - - - - Learn...

The military is not known for being particularly efficient or nimble when it comes to paperwork, administration, or logistics. The service academy and ROTC application process is no exception. The red tape and bureaucratic struggles can be legion. In this episode, I explore why it’s worth the headache and teeth-gnashing. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 37 of Junior Year.] - - - -...

Summers are a great time for your child to take their applications to the next level. They can pursue activities, experiences, and adventures that would be impossible to do during the school year. However, without a plan, it’s easy for summers to turn into unproductive wastes of time. In this episode, I lay out a summer-by-summer blueprint of activities that your child should consider to prepare f...

My three sons took decidedly different paths on their way to a service academy (USNA) and ROTC (Navy, Yale University) program. In this episode, I explore the different inflection points that put them on different trajectories. In particular, their approaches to extracurricular activities (Boy Scouts vs. Speech & Debate), sports (specialization vs. multi-sport), and academics. Which path is yo...

Becoming a “recruited athlete” by one of the service academy coaches may represent the most direct and reliable way to earn an appointment to a service academy. However, attaining this status is easier said than done. In this episode, we explore the chances of your child becoming a recruited athlete, how they can attract the attention of coaches, and how they can close the deal. If your child is a...

What’s the difference in cost between: (1) service academies, (2) ROTC programs, and (3) traditional colleges? There can be a $100K swing — per year. Would you prefer your child to graduate with $0, $50K, or $150K (or more) in student loan debt? Listen to this episode to learn how Phil’s sons saved their family over $1,000,000 in college costs by making smart decisions early in their high school c...

The pursuit of a service academy appointment or ROTC scholarship is replete with interviews (e.g. congressional nomination panels, military liaison representatives, ROTC Officers, college alumni, etc.). For this reason, it is important for your child to develop strong public speaking skills during high school. In this episode, I discuss why this is important, what extracurricular activities can he...

Not all extracurricular activities (ECAs) are created equal. Which ECAs should your child pursue to get the most bang-for-their-buck when it comes to service academies and ROTC scholarships? Scouting, Boys/Girls State, private pilot’s license, Speech & Debate, Toastmasters, Summer Seminars, Sports, volunteering? Becoming a highly-qualified candidate does not happen by accident — it happens on...

In this episode, I discuss differences in ROTC programs across branches (e.g. Navy ROTC vs. Army ROTC) as well as within the same branch (e.g. Navy ROTC at Texas Tech vs. Navy ROTC at Brown). As your child gets closer to making these important decisions, it’s nice to have an overview of some of the most salient issues. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 13 of Senior Year.] - - - - -...

In this episode, I walk through the similarities and differences between the two related (but not the same) programs: service academies vs. ROTC programs. I cover aspects of academics, lifestyle, leadership opportunities, diversity, financial, career prospects, and other worthwhile topics. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s online course: Week 12 of Junior Year.] - - - - - - - - - Learn about ServeWell...

What should your child expect in their sophomore year? Apart from increased expectations, accountability, and maturity, they should also be prepared to be ignored. Sophomore year is known as the “ghost year” because no one pays much attention to them. They are not coddled like freshmen or pitied like juniors. They are in-between the two classes that get all the attention. In this episode, I urge y...

“Early preparation” is a key tenet of ServeWell Academy’s mission, and I do my best to convince your child that it’s worth the effort. There are countless reasons why early preparation redounds to the benefit of the applicant (e.g. never miss a deadline, optics, less competition, rolling admissions, special deals, etc.). In this episode, I explain the benefits of early preparation and why the unin...

Service academy and ROTC candidates will participate in several high-stakes interviews. Instead of stressing about these encounters, your child should think of them as opportunities to make their mark on their interviewers. In this episode, I cover the mechanics of preparing for virtual and in-person interviews (e.g. posture, non-verbal cues, grooming, small talk, knowing your audience, honesty, e...

Learn all about ROTC programs, how they work, what they offer, how they differ from service academies, and why they’re so competitive. Which branches of the military offer ROTC programs and as part of which colleges? This is the perfect introduction to the world of military-based college experiences and how ROTC programs fit into the conventional college landscape. [Based on ServeWell Academy’s on...

Junior year will be your child’s most challenging “academic” year. Beyond academics, they will also face high expectations, leadership demands, standardized tests, AP exams, and extracurricular commitments. One way for your child to mitigate these pressures is to familiarize themselves with the content of their most challenging classes ahead of time (i.e. the summer before junior year). In this ep...