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PODCAST

ServeWell Podcast

Phil Black discusses the strategies and tactics that will help your child earn: (1) service academy appointments, (2) ROTC scholarships, and (3) acceptances to their top-choice colleges. If your child is pursuing any of these ambitious goals, this podcast is for you. With hundreds of success stories, including Phil’s own three sons (Yale Navy ROTC x 2, USNA), this podcast is a must-listen. Lessons are drawn from ServeWell Academy’s 4-yr online mentoring program detailing what students should

education how to

All Episodes

17:16

Ep. 089 | Letters of Recommendation

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/04/12

In today's episode, I discuss how to ensure that your child secures outstanding letters of recommendation.Unfortunately, a lot of students take this part of the process lightly. They think the teacher is the one who has to do all the work. They just sit back and make sure the LORs are submitted in a timely fashion. I don't think so. There's is a lot of prep work required to make sure your teachers are set up for success. Take a listen to this episode to make sure your child is staying on

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18:23

Ep. 088 | How to become a commissioned officer

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/03/31

In today's episode, I discuss different ways individuals can become commissioned officers in the U.S. military.Service Academies ROTC Officer Candidate School (OCS) Senior Military Academies (ROTC) Direct Commissions Enlisted to Officer programs CDO/CWO Field promotions There are a few more pathways that are even more uncommon. Learn more about this process in today's episode.

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22:55

Ep. 087 | How will AI impact these 4 cohorts

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/03/22

In today's episode, I discuss how AI will impact 4 cohorts:recent college graduates college students high school students middle school students I will also opine on how AI might affect students who choose to attend a service academy or ROTC program. Do you have a child in one of these cohorts? How will they fare?

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18:38

Ep. 086 | What to expect from your guidance counselor

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/03/15

In today's episode, I discuss what you should expect from your school's guidance counselor.Extracurricular activity audit? Suggestions for leadership roles? Summer strategy and planning? College essay brainstorming? Timelines for service academy and ROTC interviews? Advice for physical fitness tests? The level of support may vary based on what type of school your child attends (e.g. private, public), but there are many similarities as well. Listen to this week's episode to make sure you

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17:50

Ep. 085 | How will AI impact college graduates?

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/03/08

In today's episode, I wrestle with the tension between sticking to the old playbook (e.g. traditional college) vs. doing something more non-traditional (e.g. service academies/ROTC) in light of the AI revolution that is upon us.I will share my thoughts on how a service academy experience may be the best antidote for the uncertainty that will come with the wave of AI innovation, disruption, and chaos. Do you agree?

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29:45

Ep. 084 | Traditional colleges vs. service academies

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/03/01

In today's episode, I compare various activities/experiences at traditional colleges versus service academies. dorm life social life academics job placement finances adversity shared mission leadership Which path suits your son or daughter best?

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9:23

Ep. 083 | How to get on the right math track

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/02/22

In today's episode, I discuss the importance of the SAT (especially the math section) for students interested in service academies and ROTC scholarships.In a perfect world, your child will be at least one grade-level ahead in math by the time they enter high school. This will allow them to take the SAT at the very beginning of 11th grade. A 7th-grade math placement test is often what determines whether or not your child can move ahead in math. Be very aware of this fact when it happens. If

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14:58

Ep. 082 | Ship Selection

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/02/15

In today's episode, I walk through how midshipmen at the Naval Academy choose the ship they will serve on upon graduation.Note: Not every midshipman will be assigned to a ship. Only midshipman who are drafted into the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community take part in this ceremony (about 250 of the 1,200 graduates). The other service academies have similar traditions and protocols. What you learn in this episode can be used as a guide for how communities in different military branches

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19:50

Ep. 081 | Leadership opportunities

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/02/08

In today's episode, I go through a list of leadership opportunities that may be worth pursuing to beef-up your leadership credentials.school-based sports-based JROTC-based Summer-based Community service-based DIY-based For each of these experiences, the selection board will consider: (1) scope, (2) responsibility, (3) sustained commitment, (4) initiative, and (5) progression.

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21:59

Ep. 080 | Athletic vs Military Scholarships

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/02/01

In today's episode, I compare what it takes to secure a DI athletic scholarship compared to a military scholarship (e.g. service academy or ROTC). what are the odds? what are the risks? How do you improve your chances? Understanding the pros and cons of each pathway may help your child make one of the most consequential decisions in their lives.

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25:19

Ep. 079 | How campus culture shapes its students'...

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/01/25

In today's episode, I discuss the how much (or how little) a "campus culture" can influence your child's world view.I look at three different students: street-smart student middle-of-the-road student clueless student And 3 different campus environments: political (conservative or progressive) religious (faith-friendly or secular) social permissiveness (strict or anything goes) How will different campus cultures influence different types of students? Will that influence be positive or

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14:02

Ep. 078 | Solving teens' 3 biggest fears

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/01/18

In today's episode, I describe how service academies and ROTC scholarship opportunities solve for today's teenagers' 3 biggest fears:How will I pay for college? How will I find a job? How will I afford a home? Have a son or daughter who is thinking about these questions? Give this episode a serious listen.

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23:26

Ep. 077 | ChatGPT = no more excuses

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/01/11

In today's episode, I assume the role of a 15, 16, or 17-yr-old high school student who is interested in the service academies or ROTC. In the past, not much was expected of these aspiring midshipmen and cadets. Most had a very superficial understanding of what they were getting themselves into and there wasn't a clear path to figuring these things out. Those days are over. In this episode, I demonstrate how easy it is for any student to get information about the service academies and ROTC

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17:52

Ep. 076 (ROTC results)

ServeWell Podcast ·

2026/01/04

In this episode, I review the results from the early Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC selection boards.How many Air Force ROTC scholarships were awarded? How many Type I, II, IV Air Force ROTC scholarships were awarded? How many Navy ROTC scholarships were awarded? How many Army ROTC scholarships were awarded? What do these trends say about the competitiveness of ROTC scholarships? Listen to this episode if you have any interest in pursuing an ROTC scholarship in any (or all) of the

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21:38

Ep. 23 | Why do some people hesitate to consider SAs...

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/12/28

Why do some people hesitate to consider service academies and ROTC programs?I don't understand what they are I want a "real" college experience My child is not disciplined enough My child is not interested in combat My daughter has ADHD Listen to the counterpoints to some of these commons friction points when it comes to these unique opportunities.

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17:04

Ep. 075 | Service academies: pros/cons

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/12/21

In today's episode, I review the basic pros/cons associated with attending a service academy. If you are considering this path, please give a listen.

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18:32

Ep. 074 | Why is college so expensive?

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/12/14

In today's episode, I break down some of the reasons that college has become so expensive.the "original sin" open the floodgates demand up, supply same government subsidized loans lazy rivers, sushi bars, climbing walls College as the only option If you are aware how expensive college has become, but you're not sure why or how, please give this episode a listen. This may give you a better appreciation for the gift of service academies and ROTC opportunities. They are options known by few

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11:23

Ep. 73 | US Merchant Marine Academy

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/12/07

In this episode, I shed some light on the one of the lesser-known service academies...The United States Merchant Marine Academy The USMMA offers... 100% scholarship for all students Small campus (250 students per class) Bachelor of Science in STEM field Merchant Marine Officer's License Commission into Navy Reserves Guaranteed job upon graduation No active duty military commitment Can take a shore-based civilian job Flexibility to work in any branch Give this episode a listen to expose

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25:34

Ep. 72 | A guaranteed job after college

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/11/23

In this episode, I discuss what it's like to go to college knowing that upon graduation you have a guaranteed job for five years (or more) making $100K+ per year.What are the pros and cons? What's the catch? How does this compare to students who attend traditional colleges? In today's challenging job market, these differences are becoming more severe by the day...

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10:09

Ep. 71 | The military and the international experience

ServeWell Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode, I discuss one of the least appreciated benefits of serving in the U.S. military...international travel If you have ever dreamed of visiting faraway places, learning about ancient cultures, or observing foreign traditions, the military is a great place to start. The United States has military bases on dozens of countries across the world with major concentrations in Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and strategic locations globally. Ever wonder what it's like to

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