September 2002 Blue & Gold Officer's Notes

Cindy Miller '90, Area B&G Coordinator

What is a BGO?

A BGO is a USNA Blue and Gold Officer. BGOs perform counseling and interview students that are applying to USNA. A BGO performs a very important and needed service to the Academy Admissions office by providing a face-to-face interview with the candidate and evaluating the student for their true desire to attend USNA and serve in the Naval service.

Who can be a BGO?

A BGO can be an active duty or reserve officer, retired military, a civilian who was an Academy graduate, or civilians who are parents of midshipmen or graduates. We are always looking to add BGOs to our great team here in Georgia; we currently have about 60 BGOs in the state. We can use BGOs no matter where you live in Georgia but I am making a special plea to those who live in Savannah, Columbus, the Northeastern most section of the state, Dublin area, Douglas area, Waycross area, Bainbridge area, Milledgeville area, and Waynesboro area. If you are interest in being a BGO and helping USNA get the most qualified and motivated students, please contact me at (770) 650-8921 or cindymiller@1990.USNA.com.

How much time is involved?

Within the first few years of being involved in the program, BGOs are required once to attend a one-week training course in Annapolis during the summer. USNA pays for your transportation, lodging at Bancroft Hall, and food at King Hall. We have an upcoming condensed training session on Saturday, September 21st at NAS Atlanta from 9am to 3pm. If you would like to attend the training to either become a BGO or learn more about the program, please contact me at the above number/e-mail since we have to give the front gate all names of attendees for security reasons.

BGO work can accommodate almost anyone’s schedule. We have airline pilots, drilling reservists, active duty, retirees and those that work “normal” jobs in a lot of different job fields the program. As a BGO, you can determine how many schools and students you want under your area of responsibility. Since it is all on the computer system now, it is requested that all BGOs have a computer with access to the web.

What do BGOs do?

USNA Admissions has a computer system and web site that lists all the students that are applying to USNA and their information such as school they attend, SAT scores, whether they passed the medical and physical tests, nomination information and when the student submitted the required application paperwork. As a BGO, you have access to the students that are assigned to you. We initially contact all candidates and introduce ourselves as the BGO. When a student has completed about 50% of the required paperwork, we interview them based on some guidelines given by USNA Admissions. The interview is then input into the computer system by the BGO and is presented to the admissions board when the students record is reviewed. BGOs are also able to assist the student to make sure that the information in the computer system is correct so that only the correct information is sent to the admissions board.

Besides working with students, BGOs go into their schools and talk to counselors, attend college fairs, and work with congressmen and senators on their nomination committees and with their Academy Days (Academy Days are where the congressman invite students of all grades that are in their district and interested in any of the academies to come and talk to academy representatives).

What do you get for being a BGO?

In some cases, you can receive drill credits toward retirement (without pay) but in most cases, BGOs do it because of their love of USNA and the values it instills in the midshipmen. By working as a BGO, we insure that the high standards in leadership, morals, athletic ability, and academics are maintained at USNA. It is a wonderful way to help young students and ensure the future of America.

How do you get involved?

If you would like to become a BGO or if you want more information, you can me at (770) 650-8921 or e-mail me at cindymiller@1990.usna.com. Attend the USNA Alumni Association meeting on Friday, Sept 20 where I will be speaking on the subject of Blue & Gold Officers. Attend the BGO training at NAS Atlanta on Saturday, Sept 21st (RSVP for Saturday's training session is required for security reasons so please contact me if you want to attend).

Cinday A. Miller ’90