I am currently a second class cadet (junior) at the United States Air Force Academy who worked with the Olympic Institute for Leadership Development in order to gain admission to the Academy.  When I made the decision that I wanted to apply for the Air Force Academy, I realized that although I had the desire to apply, I lacked the knowledge of how to make it through the application process.  After several attempts to contact local recruiters, who all provided little insight into the process, I decided to meet with Mr. Douglass.  I hadn't realized that there was anything like the OILD, whose main goal is to help candidates through the application process, and it was by chance that a friend of mine who was applying for the USMMA told me about the Institute.  After my first discussion with Mr. Douglass, I began to get an idea about the services that the Olympic Institute for Leadership Development provides, but I had no clue at the time of how critical the OILD would prove to be in the process.

The Institute provides many services that are crucial to the application process which greatly improve a candidate's chance of being accepted.

When I began the application process, I wasn't sure of what needed to be done, or how to go about doing it.  Although I am confident that I would have found out who to contact in order to apply, the Institute filled in several gaps that would have remained empty if I had worked alone.

First, and most importantly in my case, Mr. Douglass made me aware of the various sources that I could apply to get a nomination to the Academy.  At the time, I was under the impression that I could only get a nomination from a U.S. Congressman or Senator, but Mr. Douglass informed me of the other options that I had for a nomination, which eventually paid off in great dividends.  Without this critical knowledge of the process I wouldn't have even been where I am today. 

Second, Mr. Douglass provided a middleman through which I could communicate with the Academy, which provided me with both a better understanding of my standings in the application process, as well as the deficiencies that I had and how to improve them.  Beyond these points that were of critical aid in my situation, the Institute rendered many services including helping me in obtaining the applications, giving me advice on both academics and activities that would aid me in gaining admission to the Academy, and making sure that I was up to date in the admissions process.

With all of the Institute's help (which included far more than what was mentioned here) I was able to both gain admission into the Academy, as well as experience success at the Academy due to the preparation that the OILD program provided me.  The Institute helped in my preparation for the Academy in two different ways.  First, I was provided with a much better understanding of what it takes to get into the Academy, including multiple high school courses that I hadn't even planned on taking, as well as suggestions for classes that would help me succeed in the rigorous Academy academic situation. Second, I was provided with insight into the activities that I could participate in to make me a better candidate, and the physical and mental preparation that was needed in order to survive my first few years at this institution. 

With the suggestions that I was given by Mr. Douglass, as well as the constant motivation he provided, I was able to make it successfully through the hardest years of my cadet career.  I am now in my third year at the Academy and I have succeeded physically, academically, and militarily.  I hold a 3.11 GPA and have made several merit lists throughout my cadet career.  I hope to graduate the Academy with honors and go on to fly fighter aircraft for the Air Force. 

As high school begins to fade into the past, and the dreams that I had begin to materialize into reality, I set my sights on the future.  One thing I will never forget, however, is the critical role that the OILD played in my life, and that without them I am not sure if these dreams would be coming true.

--Sean Blair

Seth Brower

Before I can tell the extent as to how much the OILD and Brian Douglass has helped, I must first explain the circumstances surrounding my decision to contact Brian. 

I had been enlisted in the United States Navy at that time for roughly five years. I knew that I wanted a change.  I had decided that I wanted to become a Merchant Mariner.  I began searching for options.  I stumbled upon the web site for the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  I was not the greatest student in high school and was very intimidated by the application process.  I did not meet many of the requirements. 

While stationed in Bahrain, I met a young Naval Officer, Lt. Richard Hsu, a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  He recommended me to Brian Douglass.

I began consulting with Brian via email.  Having been familiar with the application process and working with many who have been accepted, he began working with me.  He helped me meet the requirements and had regular conversations with the Admissions Department regarding my application.  He was able to find out what things I was lacking and relay the information to me so that I could correct any discrepancies.

I am currently attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School, with a direct appointment to the USMMA next July.  I could not have done it without the OILD and Brian's help.  My goal has been met and I will soon have the opportunity for a rewarding career--that I might have not otherwise even pursued.

--Seth Brower

Scott Douglass

Not only does the Olympic Institute provide assistance in applying to Officer Select Programs around the country, but also to have the knowledge and expertise on all the educational opportunities that are available is invaluable.  Although my goal early on was to attend the Naval Academy, I ended up accepting my appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy because of the difference in career opportunities available, while still obtaining my earlier goals.  As a parent, you can respect the value of receiving information and expertise from an unbiased third party that is looking out for the best interest or your son or daughter.  There are other sources of this information, such as Academy Reps and Alumni in your area. However, their knowledge is generally within their own scope of whom they represent.  Each Service Academy and ROTC program is unique and, depending on your son or daughter's goals, the OILD can help direct them in the right direction.  Having all the information on all programs from one sources is another reason I believe in what the Olympic Institute will provide to you and your family.

The professional services and expertise provided by the Olympic Institute to a family with a son or daughter interested in obtaining admission to an Officer Select program such as a service academy or  ROTC scholarship is phenomenal.  The opportunities provided to me have changed my life and I hope to return the favor to the next generations of young people that have similar goals.  Through the Olympic Institute, I hope to accomplish that goal as well.

--Scott Douglass

Todd Hoyt

My name is Todd Hoyt from Bend, Oregon and I am currently a 1st Classman (senior) at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  Up until my senior year of high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do after graduation.  I had talked to recruiters from the Navy, and was contemplating either enlisting or going to a community college for a few years until I could figure out what I wanted from life.  Then in October, 1999, the father of one of my close friends who had graduated from Annapolis, heard that I was thinking of the Armed Forces and told me that I should try for a spot at an Academy.  I knew I didn't have the grades to apply to most of the academies, but my friend's father told me there was a smaller school--Kings Point back in New York, and he knew the local volunteer recruiter.  A few days later, Mr. Brian Douglass was in my living room showing me a video about life at the Merchant Marine Academy.

Once I decided that I was going to apply to USMMA, I realized that there was more paperwork and hoops to jump through than I ever expected.

I only had a few months to finish all the applications, interview with my congressman, get my physical from DODMERB, and fill out the many forms and questionnaires from the Academy.  To help me manage this task, I would go to Mr. Douglass's house in the afternoons, where he would walk me through the forms, making sure I filled them out properly, and had them in the mail on time.  Eventually, I got everything done, and received my letter of acceptance by mid-February as a track recruit.

Unfortunately, in my second to last track meet of the year, I tore my Achilles tendon, which required surgery to repair.  This injury caused me to lose my appointment to the graduating class of 2003.  That summer was very rough on me--all my friends were getting ready to head off to the colleges of their choice, and I was stuck at home doing physical therapy on my leg. 

I enrolled in a local community college for the academic year, and was seriously contemplating not re-applying to the Academy.  I didn't think I could face another mountain of paperwork, not to mention having to deal with trying to get my fixed leg past the DODMERB medical board. 

Again, I was fortunate.  I received a call from Mr. Douglass telling me that when I was ready to re-apply, he would be there to help me as much as he could.  After many long and tedious hours over the span of a few months, we sent my application back to the Academy and was accepted into the class of 2004. 

I may be a year older than many of my classmates, but my time at Kings Point has been a wonderful experience.  I am a three year captain of the track team, have earned an academic star, I am the company commander of 3rd Company and have several post graduation job offers from shipping companies.

--Todd Hoyt

Stacy Sult

As I began my high school career, I knew from the first day that I was interested in joining the military and possibly making that my career. My first step was to join the closest JROTC unit, where I met Scott Douglass, a former cadet, who came and talked about the Merchant Marine Academy. From there, he gave the cadets that were interested his dad’s number. That was my next step, meeting Mr. Douglass and talking seriously about a military college or academy.

Mr. Douglass was very willing to talk to my dad about the different military colleges and academies and what a high school student had to do to prepare themselves for this challenge of getting accepted. After my dad and I had talked it over, we decided that I would become a client of Olympic Institute and focus on getting accepted to a military college or academy.

Mr. Douglass was very informative on the different academies and colleges and what to expect once I got there. He coached me on the different attributes that the military academies were looking for: grades, physical training and SAT scores.

He called me weekly to keep updated on the paperwork needed to apply to the certain academies, making sure that I met the proper deadlines and had the proper information.

I am now attending Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. Mr. Douglass encouraged me to go to the college that I wanted to go to and MMI had the program that I was most interested in and most set up to accomplish.

I thank Olympic Institute for encouraging me on my path for a military future and career. They are the first step to a great career as a military officer.

--Stacy Sult

Christopher J. Winger

I began my connection with Olympic Institute by going to a college fair in November, 2002.  Before going to the college fair I had been looking at the different military academies.  At the college fair I introduced myself to the representative at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy booth.  The gentleman at the booth talked to my parents and me for quite a while.  He saw that I was serious about wanting to attend a service academy.  He gave me a card with the Olympic Institute's number on it and suggested we contact Brian Douglass.

A few days later we contacted Mr. Douglass.  He explained the goals of the Olympic Institute and how he could help a family like mine that was unfamiliar with the application process to a service academy.  He asked to see some of my school records, and we set up an interview with him.  During the interview we talked about different options, such as the different service academies and different prep schools that could help me if needed.  We talked a lot about my interests, goals and high school academic record.

We decided to hire Olympic Institute to guide us through this process.  Mr. Douglass explained the timeline that we would follow beginning in February, 2003.  He suggested that I begin thinking about who I would ask to write letters of recommendation for me.  In February, the application process began to move quickly.  Mr. Douglass explained what I needed to do every step of the way and gave me deadlines so that I would not fall behind.  We decided in the beginning that applying for early decision would be the way to go, so we followed the timeline and completed the application by July 1 and completed the medical exams in August.

I visited Kings Point at the end of September, 2003.  It felt good knowing that my application was complete at the time of my visit.  I did not have to think about what I still had to do, but instead I got to enjoy the overnight visit and take a good look at everything that was going on.  I left Kings Point convinced that I had made the right decision.

Throughout this process, Mr. Douglass has been very responsive and encouraging.  My parents and I have called on him and sent emails often, looking for clarification on some part of the application.  It is now October, 2003, and thanks to Mr. Douglass, I have completed all of the paperwork and am hoping for an early decision in November.

--Christopher J. Winger