Whoa! REJECTED From West Point : What's Next?

Have you ever received a rejection letter from a job, college, or United States service academy? It can be a tough pill to swallow, but it's not the end of the world.

Just ask Colonel Quintin Jones, United States Marine Corps, who recently shared his story of overcoming what he believed to be a major disappointment in his life. He's proof that rejection doesn't have to define you and that with hard work and perseverance, you can still achieve your goals.

#positivethinking #mindset #resilience

[Burzurk]

I’m very glad for Colonel Jones! Like him, l too was a cadet candidate at USMAPS. I gave up my Army ROTC commission to attend USMAPS. I was literally weeks away from earning my commission in the ARMY ECP. I had applied to West Point while in this senior ROTC program but was rejected two times. I finally got accepted to USMAPS in 1989 and attended the entire school year of 89/90. I thought I was pursuing my dream of attending West Point. I grew up in Texas as a minority Mexican American. Nobody in my family went to college or served in the military. Here I was at USMAPS pursuing my dream. In the end, I did not receive my appointment at USMAPS. I was absolutely crushed. I was in tears for days and days. All my fellow CCs around me, it seemed, received their appointments. I never received a recommendation from the USMAPS Commandant. As I recall, I fell short by one or two points on the Math portion of the ACT. I held a B average throughout USMAPS. I improved tremendously in academics over the course of the year at USMAPS. This was the lowest point of my life, not receiving my appointment. I had given up my ROTC commission to attend USMAPS and West Point. Now I had nothing. What was disgraceful was that there were many MANY recruited athletes who didn’t even come close to matching or surpassing my academic record, but they were recruited specifically to be football players and wrestlers for West Point. They called these recruited athletes “blue chips” back then. I sat next to several of these athletes and watched them fail class after class and perform horribly on the SAT/ACT tests. I saw their grades and scores because they sat next to me. They all received their appointments. All were ungrateful individuals who seemed to not even care about how West Point or USMAPS bent over backwards to help them and carry them the whole way. After I was given the heartbreaking news that I did not receive my appointment, I traveled by myself to West Point and talked to anybody in the academic department who would listen to me. I asked desperately for help, but nobody cared enough to help me or speak out for me. Similar to Colonel Jones, I had nothing but disappointment and felt shame having to return home and face my family and friends. My former Army ROTC peers/friends found out about what happened, and I just could not even face them. I think USMAPS and West Point are dishonorable because of what happened to me and how they favored those recruited athletes over me. I cared so much about West Point and knew exactly what a wonderful opportunity I could have had. Back then the age limit was 21. I could not try a fourth time to earn my appointment. Today I think the age limit is 22 or higher, the age at which one can start at West Point. I went back home, picked myself up by the bootstraps and graduated from college. Like Colonel Jones, I too became a Marine Officer. I went through the Marine OCS program. I got out as a Captain in 1998. I’m glad I didn’t attend West Point. I wish I could have known Colonel Jones. It would have been an honor to attend Annapolis with him. But my route to being a Marine Officer was meant to be. I hope that this dishonorable and dishonest favoritism doesn’t continue at West Point, but I’m almost certainly sure that it does.

[dominicdaley]

Holy shit hahaha that's my old Battlion Commander when I was with 1/3 😆😆 Lavadogs!

[FaydsterTV]

I haven’t heard the official word yet, but I’m getting the feeling I’m not gonna make it into West Point. I’m currently 22, and this was my only chance at making it in. I am active duty navy, but I didn’t let it deter me. I started my application process last spring and was making great strides until I was called for my 2nd deployment. I ended up being deployed from June of 2021 until this February. I was in contact with almost 6 different POC’s with Admissions and they all knew my situation. I was told by the Directorate of Admissions himself that my deadline would be extended so I could take my SAT this month. Cut to about last week, I had taken the test and am awaiting results to be posted so I can complete the last part of my application. Suddenly, I was notified by my Field Force Representative that my file was closed. Upon realizing this, I emailed back to one of the AO’s asking why they made that decision prior to them receiving scores. They refused to reply to me and only felt compelled to explain themselves when confronted by my Congressman’s office. He said the official reason was because I never had a nomination on file. I immediately informed him back saying that my file had the nomination on it for over 2 months. Since then, I have been trying to persuade the higher ups at admissions that I should be given a fair shot at uploading my scores so my file can be considered for admission. This happened over the weekend. Now, it is halfway through the week and I have not heard back from any of them. I’ve been told to not give up hope, because a good SAT score can give me a higher chance of being accepted despite what has transpired. Needless to say, with my almost 5 years of active duty experience, I am quite disappointed with the lack of attention to a guy like me who has answered the call more than once, and won’t even be given a fair chance, it seems, to accomplish my goal of attending West Point. I’d rather it happen to me instead of other AD applicants.

[joshua]

Saying to yourself "I didnt make the cut" and then brushing that off and finding a way to make the cut is what makes a formidable individual.

At the end of the day, the goal is to be an American Military Officer and West Pointers are not automatically good officers.

[seankim]

I got rejected from USMA in March 2021. Thankfully USAFA took me in and I'm doing well here as a USAFA cadet. To this day I am quite puzzled on why I didn't get into WP because usually people get rejected from USAFA and get into USMA.

[eddiejones]

When Col. Jones graduated from HS in 1992, I was a young Army E-5 Supply Sergeant stationed at Ft Hood, Tx.

[prucdevy]

As a retired Infantry Command Sergeant Major with personal experience at West Point both of you gave me great joy to see how professionals respect each other and teach others how it should be. The two of you should inspire the next generation to appreciate dedication to service and country regardless of the chosen service. Thank you for such a nice and honest interview.

[hoofgripweightlifting]

Wow. I really enjoyed listening to both of you fine Warriors and American Patriots. You both epitomize the high standards of what it takes to be gentlemen.

I was also rejected from West Point. I was also rejected from Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy.

But it didn't stop me from seeking an Army commission. I ended up enlisting after high school, then jumped over the fence eventually.

To the young people out there reading this: Don't give up. There are many ways to achieve your goals.

To the future members of the Officers Corps: The service academies are fine institutions with rich heritage. But remember what you do for the Nation, what you do for those you will command, what you do for the military, these matter most than your source of commission.

Norwich - The Military College of Vermont, Class of '97.

PS - I am also a minority. Filipino-American. I was 12 when we immigrated to America. That's why I wanted to enter military service. Because America gave so much to those who were born here, as well as to those poor immigrants (like me) who came here. Needless to say, I love America.

[ryanpoolecountry]

I respect the Army but I love the Mind set of Marines and the culture is diffrrnt then Army, Thank you for this inspiring video I plan on serving too im studying for my asvab losing weight and pushing myself to be a marine like you Sergeant major thank you for your videos every night i watch your videos to keep me motivated

[chrissteinhilber]

Great interview, SgtMaj. The Colonel clearly demonstrated the importance of perseverance and staying focused on your goals. Just because you stumble or hit an obstacle along the way does not mean you cannot overcome it and achieve your objective. Never quit, never surrender and Keep Moving!

[tyroneshoemaker]

Motivating interview with Col. Jones. Thank you SgtMaj. Fields for bringing him on and a giving him an opportunity to share his story. I never shared this on social media but I did not make it through Officer Candidate School for the USMC. That particular part of my journey has haunted me for quite some time. I have moved on to other endeavors (currently a Career Coach/Advisor) and I will be sharing more of my career challenges and successes, as well as other people's stories. SgtMaj, you have motivated me to stay the course I have planned out this year with a positive mindset. If we ever cross paths or have a chance to collaborate on a show or whatever, I would be greatly honored. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[marksmusicplace]

wow 1992, I was stationed at Fort Hood. I already been in the US Army for 3 years with a deployment to Desert Storm. COL Jones proved that you never let set backs stop your ambitions. Perservere and press forward and adapt and overcome and you will become successful. SFC Underwood US Army ( Retired) .

[stevenmcgillivray]

Who needs them? when you have the Citadel, and VMI?

[moiseslerma]

semper fi sgmj fields and thank u 4 that motivator guest col jones

[mario]

Sgt Major great topic but I feel the best learning lessons in life are your failures. Respects to Col Jones.

[danielvillarreal]

Fascinating interview, Sergeant Major! I’m an Old Soldier, 11A5SLA (Infantry Officer, Parachutist-Ranger, Latin American Spanish Linguist) and retired Texas Spanish-English Licensed Court Interpreter, permanent resident of Taiwan 🇹🇼 who teaches for a living. The Colonel’s story speaks to what I tell students about the USA 🇺🇸: we can remake ourselves, even several times, and move on to succeed elsewhere when something doesn’t work out.

[MonteHayTheMotivator]

Absolutely incredible interview! I had a chance to communicate with Quintin offline and he has been the ultimate professional. I can only imagine the positive impact and influence that he's had on those under his charge and many generations to follow. Thank you once again Mario and I truly appreciate Colonel Jones leadership, commitment, and selfless service to many! God bless the both of you and your families.

[levihodges]

Awesome had the pleasure of serving with Colonel Jones twice. Once as he brought Marines as a Captain to Baghdad to secure the Coalition Provisional Authority and at 3/3 when he led what I called Locked On Lima. Hope he heads back to Hawaii. Great interview SgtMaj

[nwu]

I learned so much about leadership from my time at Valley Forge. It was not easy but worth it. Hooah!!

[tekxpert]

i was rejected my 1st year of applying to west point. i applied again the 2nd year, went through usmaps and then graduated 4 years later. you have to keep trying and praying to YAHWEH & Accepting his will. Accept his will. i was branched 11B entry level branch. Mario still made COLONEL A BLESSING FROM YAHWEH Which was his will. you're never a failure. failures made you successful if you learn from them brother! wish you blessings going fwd