The relationship between academic major at the United States Naval Academy and Service Community Selection

Abstract

This study provides information for those individuals responsible for guiding midshipmen's choice of naval service community. This research focused on individuals who received their first community choice. The analysis demonstrates that choice of academic major frequently affects the likelihood that an individual will select a particular community. For example, a shift from a group one major to a group two major significantly decreases the likelihood of selecting Marine Corps. Another finding is that a shift from group one major to either group two or group three majors decreases the likelihood of selecting submarines. The fact that it is possible to predict community choice from academic major may not be obvious to midshipmen when they choose their major during the second semester of their plebe year. This project was designed to provide company officers with the information needed to counsel midshipmen about the service community available following graduation from the Naval Academy. The choice of career field is the culmination of four years of hard work by midshipmen, and this decision can affect their naval service career for many years. This information needs to be provided to the people involved in the major and community selection process. This should be done prior to the midshipmen choosing their academic major