I graduated in 99. It was probably the best thing I ever did outside of my family and church. I will say that he has to want to go for himself. At the end of the day, the guys that are only there because their parents want them to go there will have a tough time during the first year. It sounds like he wants to do it and it was his idea, so he is half way there already.
The application process is over-involved and a pain, I think its like a test or something. He needs to call, right now and get a pre-candidate questionare. Go to the website, you should be able to get one sent to you from the Admissions page. I believe the web address is www.usna.navy.mil.
After you do the first questionare, if he meets the minimum qualifications he will get a whole package to complete. Some things the teachers/guidance counselors fill out. You may have to weigh in as a parent to make them do it in a timely fashion. This process will go on until around new year's of his senior year if I rememer correctly. He should know something for sure by March, no later then May. It is a good idea to apply to the Air Farce academy and West point if he's interested in the Army and definatly the Coast Guard Acadmemy. Dont be upset if he doesnt get the CG Academy, they are super selective, they are so small. The Merchant Marine academy is good to I have a buddy that went there, but the name is not as recognized and they have a wierd military status that I dont even understand. I personally like the Naval Academy best, but maybe I am biased. ha ha.
Contrary to popular belief, you dont have to know anyone to go there. The congressmen and senators can all only have like 5 people in all the academys at any time that they sponsor. So the guys from your area will get together and make sure they sponsor as many folks as they can. My dad gave money to the Republicans a lot the same year the Democrat congressman sponsored me, so I feel that politics doesnt really play in this thing. The academy admissions folks will help you a lot. If you are active duty or retired, he is also eligable for a presidential nomination. They will give you sample letters to write, and the addresses to send them to. He will have to interview with the congressmen or their representatives and it is a good experiance. There is a ton of stuff he has to do, medical quals, physical fitness test done by the high school PE teacher and stuff like that, but he can do it if he just keeps working at it.
When he goes there, he will not have civilian cloths for the first two years. I mean, he will not own them, they will not be in his room, he mails home what was on his back when he gets there. All he needs to go is 2000 bucks to offset the uniforms and a pair of underwear. And a desire to do well. There is no TV or radio the first year. There is basically no liberty to amount to anything the first year either. He will make friends in that company that he will know for years after he graduates. As a senior he has to choose service assignment, Navy surface, subs, spec ops/war (only a few spots, he has to be a PT animal to get one of these) or pilot. Or USMC ground or air. Everything is competitive except for surface basically. I got USMC air, but ended up as a ground pounder due to the ringing in my ears. Unless he goes flight, he will do 5 years active duty in the service afterwards. It is a great experiance and I think they do a pretty good job of letting you see how it feels to be on the recieving end of orders. Most everyone I knew there was pretty well adjusted. Also, you get to hear some pretty neat speaches.
Also, you get to go to probably the most conservative college in the world. We booed Algore and Janet Reno. It was great. Not that any of us had any political leanings or anything (we dont do that as officers).
Anyways, I hope this helped. Tell him to not waste his time with poly sci, get an engineering degree.
To echo what others have said, your son really has to want to go for himself. I didn't pursue the opportunity after my nomination, because I wanted to fly and have bad eyes. I knew I would not have been a successful student, and I am a person that does not do well just to get by. I either want something bad enough and I get it, or I don't bother. Pretty amazing that I pursued a major/career in film eventually.
After I received the nomination, my trip to Annapolis was a real eye opener. There were just too many kids who did not belong there. The quintessential senator's son/daughter comes to mind. To those of you who made it through and stayed in the military for all the right reasons, have my respect. Having the government pay for your education is not a reason to go here or any other military academy.
Yes, I think the application process was a test. Even after my nomination, receiving a packet was like pulling teeth.