AN OPEN LETTER TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:
If you are an aspiring candidate or the parent of one who desires a career in public service and the opportunity to serve our country through attending one of our federal service academies ( Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine), college ROTC programs, military junior colleges, prep schools and state maritime academies.. You have come to the right website.

By and large over the years we have worked primarily with “average middle class” kids. From time to time we have been approached by “high profile, well connected elected public officials” to assist their kids. When this happens as it did again recently, we were reminded that these families understand that it is just not the “process” that is important here, but more what I like to call our “secret sauce” that makes this come together so successfully.

Did you know that in any given year 90% of all who apply to the academies fail?

Did you know that in any given year at most academies, only about 33% of the class are filled with graduating high school seniors?

Did you know that in any given year 58% of all who receive a Congressional Nomination are NOT qualified to attend an academy?

Did you know that the Olympic Institute has compiled an impressive Record of Accomplishments over the past nine years assisting young men and women into Officer Select Programs?

Would you rather be part of the 90% who fail each year or the 100% of our clients who succeed in gaining access to Officer Select Programs each year?

Often we hear from some high school districts and Congressmen that they feel their students, parents and constituents have “sufficient information and access” to the military academies and programs and that the Olympic Institute is not needed. We respectfully and strongly disagree.

As taxpayers we all have similar “information and access”. We can obtain from the IRS forms, brochures, guides and instructional booklets. With all this information and access why then do so many of us seek outside assistance from bookkeepers, accountants, CPA’s, Tax Consultants, private companies like H & R Block and TurboTax?

We believe it is because the government system is always changing, it is complicated, daunting and often intimidating and we want to pay only our obligated amount of tax without running afoul of the authorities. In short, in order to gain an advantage and the maximum personal benefits we look to the professionals. The same rationale and logic exists when we want our children to enjoy the advantages and personal benefits of a successful application to a federal service academy. We want our clients to be prepared for the rigors and challenges ahead so that they will graduate/complete the course.

In 1998, as a neophyte parent with an aspiring candidate for the federal service academies, I personally experienced the “least” that the academy recruiting system provided. I concluded that our kids deserved better; that our country’s military academies could do better, and that our country’s future depended on it. In the spirit of American free enterprise I endeavored to “build a better mousetrap,” I created the Olympic Institute for Leadership Development.

Offering access and information to the general public is the least that the academy or secondary school’s can offer. If the OILD could only offer already packaged or duplicated access and information there would be no need for the Institute and I would be pursuing another vocation. Stephen R. Covey in his book, “The 8th Habit,” writes we live in an Information /Knowledge Worker Age. I believe we possess and distribute important information and knowledge on this subject.

We have developed a personalized and proven program of counseling, guidance and mentoring that leads to success. We present ALL academies, programs and options, not just the standard “my academy”, program or option of most academy admissions representatives. It is important to match the candidate’s educational and career goals with the right academy, program or option.

If you really want to be part of the 10% who get the appointments, and if you are considered an “average” middle class American who plays by the rules, but feels they lack the clout, privilege, inside information and influence, THEN you need to contact the Olympic Institute for Leadership Development today.

We specialize in assisting young men and women who have either been told that they “may not be good enough to get in” or think quietly to themselves that “they could never get into one of those schools,” or who may need to find an alternative route (prep school) to ultimately reach their goal successfully.

We are looking for so called “average” young people whom we pre-qualify academically and medically and believe will become “above average” leaders in the 21st Century. In short, we are looking for “diamonds in the rough.”

Friends, you have the option, the choice, to do your child’s academy application process yourself-the way it has been done for years-and take your chances on their being selected. Or you can use OILD, a reasonably priced professional service to assist you in both preparing and applying. With our help you can level the playing field with those seeking admission that have “pull” or those who “know the ropes.” Check us out. Find out why people use our service and are pleased with the results.

Warm regards,
Brian M. Douglass
President & CEO