Experience. Strategy. Results.
A disciplined strategy for Service Academy appointments and ROTC scholarships.
Founder-led and team-supported guidance for Service Academy and ROTC applications, congressional nominations, essays, résumés, interviews, DoDMERB, and Candidate Fitness Assessment preparation.
Founder-Led Accountability
U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 and former Blue and Gold Officer
Senior Military Officer Leadership
TOPGUN instructor pilot and senior military officer
Academy Admissions Expertise
Academy graduates, former liaison officers, and admissions-evaluation experience
Comprehensive Team Support
Service Academy and ROTC strategy, applications, essays, nominations, DoDMERB, CFA, and interviews
Our Process & Expertise
A Clear Strategy for a Complex Admissions Process
Service Academy and ROTC candidates must manage overlapping applications, nominations, medical qualification, fitness requirements, essays, recommendations, and interviews. We bring those moving pieces into one disciplined, personalized plan.
Our Process
Step One
Assess
We evaluate the student’s record, goals, candidacy, and opportunities.
Step Two
Strategize
We build a personalized roadmap for every stage of the admissions process.
Step Three
Execute
We guide each milestone with accountability, preparation, and expert review.
Areas of Expertise
Senior Leadership
Senior Operational Leadership. Personal Strategic Guidance.
Every client benefits from the direct involvement of two principal consultants whose careers span operational aviation, command leadership, elite military instruction, academy liaison work, candidate evaluation, and professional interview coaching.
Founder
Chad Theriault
Founder & Principal Consultant
- USNA Class of 2009
- F/A-18E Pilot
- TOPGUN Graduate
- TOPGUN Instructor Pilot
- Former Blue and Gold Officer
Chad’s career was shaped by operational naval aviation, elite military instruction, candidate mentorship, and high-stakes interview preparation. After graduating from TOPGUN, he was later selected to serve as a TOPGUN instructor pilot. Following a combat deployment supporting operations in Iraq and Syria, he was selected as the 2015 Strike Fighter Pilot of the Year. He leads SAC’s strategy for candidate positioning, essays, interviews, and communicating leadership potential across Service Academy and ROTC applications.
Principal Consultant
Matthew Robinson
Principal Consultant
- USAFA Graduate
- Former Commander
- 3,700+ Flight Hours
- Former Admissions Liaison Officer
- Admissions Evaluation Experience
Matt brings more than two decades of operational aviation, command leadership, military instruction, and Service Academy candidate evaluation. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and former commander with more than 3,700 flight hours, he helps candidates strengthen their applications through disciplined planning, honest assessment, and a clear understanding of the qualities academies seek in future officers.
Ways to Work With Us
Service Academy Admissions Consulting and ROTC Scholarship Services
Choose comprehensive, senior-led support across the full admissions process or focused guidance for interviews, essays, resumes, and DoDMERB. Every engagement is private, personalized, and built around the candidate’s specific goals.
Signature Comprehensive Engagement
The Commissioning Portfolio
Comprehensive Service Academy and ROTC Scholarship Consulting
$15,000
One flat engagement covering the full scope below.
One coordinated strategy. All five Service Academies and up to three ROTC scholarship applications.
- All five Service Academy applications
- Up to three ROTC scholarship pathways
- Application strategy and deadline planning
- Congressional nomination preparation
- Essay and resume development
- Recommendation letter strategy
- Interview preparation
- CFA and DoDMERB guidance
Service Academy Pathway
Service Academy Strategy
Comprehensive guidance for a candidate pursuing one or more Service Academy appointments, with the option to add additional academies or ROTC scholarship applications.
Additional applications: Add any additional Service Academy or ROTC scholarship application for $2,000 each.
- Application roadmap and deadlines
- Congressional nomination strategy
- Essay and resume development
- Interview preparation
- Recommendation strategy
- CFA and DoDMERB guidance
ROTC Scholarship Pathway
ROTC Scholarship Strategy
Dedicated support for ROTC-only candidates pursuing Army, Navy, Marine Option, or Air Force ROTC scholarships.
Additional ROTC applications: Add another ROTC scholarship pathway for $1,500 each.
- Scholarship-board strategy
- Application timeline management
- Essay and resume development
- Officer and unit interview preparation
- Recommendation letter planning
- DoDMERB guidance
Focused Guidance
Specialized Advisory Services
Focused engagements for families who need experienced support at a specific, high-impact stage of the process.
Three-Round Series
Interview Preparation
$1,200
Three private preparation rounds. Additional rounds are $500 each.
Structured preparation for Service Academy liaison interviews, congressional nomination panels, ROTC scholarship interviews, and other military-accession interviews.
- Diagnostic baseline and interview strategy
- Leadership-story and answer development
- Questions tailored to the interview body
- Recorded mock interviews and detailed feedback
- Body language, pacing, and executive presence
Essay & Resume Development
Application Narrative Package
$1,250
One academy or ROTC scholarship pathway.
A coordinated process that develops the candidate’s resume, essay strategy, and overall leadership narrative as one cohesive application story.
- Strategic story-development session
- Resume creation or comprehensive revision
- Essay strategy and structured outlines
- Two complete revision rounds
- Final resume, essay, and narrative alignment
Individual Medical Advisory
DoDMERB Advisory
$250
Initial consultation. Follow-up advisory support is $200 per hour.
Individual guidance for medical-history preparation, remedials, disqualification concerns, documentation organization, and potential waiver pathways.
- Medical-history and concern review
- Documentation and communication strategy
- Remedial and disqualification guidance
- Waiver-process education and next steps
- No waiver outcome is promised or guaranteed
Results & Client Success
Strong Outcomes Built Through Strategy, Preparation, and Execution
Service Academy appointments, congressional nominations, and ROTC scholarships are earned by the candidate. Our role is to help each student present the strongest authentic version of that candidacy through disciplined planning, honest assessment, and individualized preparation.
All but One
Appointment or Preparatory Offer
All but one comprehensive CY26 Service Academy candidate earned either a direct appointment or a recognized preparatory-school offer.
100%
Congressional Nomination Success
Every eligible comprehensive candidate who completed the congressional nomination process earned at least one nomination.
100%
ROTC Scholarship Success
Every comprehensive ROTC scholarship candidate who completed the applicable process received at least one scholarship offer.
Focused Support
Success Across Targeted Engagements
Candidates receiving focused interview preparation, essay development, or DoDMERB advisory support also went on to earn Service Academy appointments.
How These Results Are Calculated
Real Families. Real Candidates.
What Clients Say About Working With SAC
Experiences from comprehensive consulting, ROTC scholarship support, interview preparation, and DoDMERB advisory engagements.
Comprehensive Service Academy Consulting
U.S. Naval Academy & U.S. Military Academy Appointments
Proud Parent · Class of 2030
The Service Academy application process is unlike anything else, and having someone who truly understands it made all the difference. Chad’s experience, attention to detail, and calm leadership helped our son navigate every phase with confidence.
From interview preparation to unmatched communication to final decisions, Chad was always prepared, honest, and fully invested. Receiving appointments to both the Naval Academy and West Point was an extraordinary outcome, and we are deeply grateful for the mentorship and discipline he instilled along the way.
This was not just consulting — it was true mentorship.
ROTC Scholarship Consulting
4-Year Army ROTC & Marine Corps ROTC Scholarships
From the very beginning, Chad brought clarity and structure to a process that felt overwhelming. He helped our son understand not just what to do, but why each step mattered. The planning, accountability, and honest feedback made a measurable difference.From a Service Academy Parent · Class of 2030
Earning multiple 4-year ROTC scholarships was the result of years of hard work, but Chad’s mentorship ensured that effort was presented the right way. As parents, we appreciated his professionalism, transparency, and steady guidance throughout the process. We would recommend Service Academy Consulting without hesitation.
Interview Preparation
Army ROTC 3-Year Scholarship
I had a great experience learning from Chad and his services, he helped me grow into a better speaker and communicator in order to perform well on my army ROTC scholarship interview as well as countless other interviews.Luke · Class of 2030
He also helped me gain confidence to communicate myself and make opportunities for myself. His method of teaching was very efficient for me because of the rigidity and consistency of reciting and improvising on the spot. Wouldn’t be where I am without these services!
DoDMERB Advisory
West Point Medical Waiver Approval for West Point LOA
The medical waiver process was complex and stressful, but Chad’s guidance made it manageable. His attention to detail, clear communication, and realistic approach helped our family navigate each step with confidence.Parent of West Point LOA Recipient · Class of 2030
We are extremely thankful for the support throughout the West Point waiver process.
Free Admissions Resources
Practical Tools for Service Academy and ROTC Candidates
Use our free resources to evaluate Candidate Fitness Assessment performance, better understand the DoDMERB medical qualification process, and find clear guidance for Service Academy applications, congressional nominations, and ROTC scholarships.
Most-Used Free Tool
Candidate Fitness Assessment Calculator & Preparation Guide
Enter your CFA event results to receive an unofficial performance estimate, academy-focused feedback, and guidance for improving strength, speed, agility, and endurance before test day.
- Free CFA score calculator
- Event-by-event performance feedback
- Academy-specific preparation context
- Eight-week preparation guidance
Medical Qualification Resource
DoDMERB & Medical Waiver Guidance
Learn how medical history, remedials, disqualifications, supporting documentation, and potential waiver pathways can affect Service Academy and ROTC candidates.
Service Academy & ROTC Library
Admissions Insights for Students and Parents
Read practical guidance on academy applications, ROTC scholarships, nominations, interviews, medical qualification, fitness, essays, resumes, and application timelines.
Begin With the Challenge in Front of You
Find the Guidance Most Relevant to Your Family
Whether you are just beginning or facing a specific obstacle, start with the topic requiring your attention now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear Answers Before Your Family Begins
Service Academy appointments and ROTC scholarships involve several overlapping processes, each with its own deadlines, standards, and decision-makers. These answers address the questions families most often ask before choosing a consulting path.
When should my student begin preparing for a Service Academy or ROTC scholarship?
The strongest time to begin is during freshman or sophomore year, when there is still time to shape academic rigor, standardized testing, leadership, athletics, fitness, and meaningful service. Junior year is when preparation should become increasingly structured.
Students beginning later can still benefit from a focused, milestone-driven strategy. The priority becomes identifying the highest-impact actions, protecting critical deadlines, and avoiding work that will not materially strengthen the candidacy. Explore our Service Academy application timeline guidance.
Does SAC support all five Service Academies and ROTC scholarship programs?
Yes. SAC supports candidates pursuing the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
We also support Army ROTC, Navy ROTC, Marine Corps Option ROTC, and Air Force ROTC scholarship applications. Each pathway receives program-specific guidance rather than a single generic application strategy.
Can my student pursue multiple Service Academies and ROTC scholarships at the same time?
Yes. Many strong candidates pursue more than one commissioning pathway so they can preserve options while learning which service, academy, and officer career best fits their goals.
We coordinate the shared elements of the candidacy while separately managing academy-specific prompts, recommendations, nomination requirements, fitness standards, interviews, and deadlines. Learn more about Service Academy and ROTC scholarship planning.
What is included in comprehensive Service Academy and ROTC consulting?
Comprehensive consulting begins with an assessment of the candidate’s current academics, testing, leadership, athletics, service, fitness, medical readiness, and application timeline. From there, we build a coordinated strategy for the academies and ROTC programs being pursued.
Depending on the engagement, support may include application planning, milestone and deadline management, essays, resume development, recommendation strategy, congressional nominations, CFA preparation, DoDMERB readiness, interview preparation, and final application review.
Does SAC write essays or complete applications for students?
No. The student must own the experiences, judgment, voice, and final submission. We do not manufacture stories or replace the student’s work with consultant-written language.
Our process uses detailed story-development conversations, prompt analysis, structured outlines, student-authored drafts, and iterative feedback. The goal is an authentic narrative that sounds like the candidate at his or her best. Review our Service Academy essay-development process and candidate resume-development guidance.
Can we hire SAC only for interview preparation, essays, resumes, or DoDMERB guidance?
Yes. Focused services are available for families who do not need comprehensive management but want senior-level support at a critical stage of the process.
Options include Service Academy, ROTC, and congressional interview preparation, essay and resume narrative development, and individual DoDMERB and medical-waiver advisory. Scope and pricing are defined before the engagement begins.
Is the initial consultation complimentary?
Initial consultations for comprehensive admissions consulting, ROTC scholarship strategy, interview preparation, and application narrative services are complimentary. The purpose is to understand the student’s goals and determine whether the requested support fits SAC’s services.
DoDMERB consultations are paid because individualized medical history review, documentation analysis, and substantive strategy begin during the first meeting. SAC provides process-oriented consulting and does not replace a physician, attorney, DoDMERB, or the applicable waiver authority.
Can any consultant guarantee an appointment, nomination, ROTC scholarship, or medical waiver?
No. The student earns the record, completes the work, and performs in the interviews. Final decisions belong to Service Academy admissions offices, congressional nomination sources, ROTC selection boards, DoDMERB, and the applicable medical waiver authorities.
SAC commits to candid assessment, disciplined preparation, organized execution, and the specific work defined in the consulting agreement. We will never promise an outcome that no private consultant controls.
Your Next Step
Build a Clear Service Academy or ROTC Strategy Before the Process Becomes Urgent
Whether your student is beginning early, entering the application cycle, preparing for a high-stakes interview, or facing a specific admissions challenge, the first step is understanding where the candidacy stands and what should happen next.
- Founder-led strategic assessment
- All five U.S. Service Academies
- Army, Navy/Marine Corps, and Air Force ROTC
- Comprehensive and focused support

