A little concerned.....

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I am new to this whole internet forum thing. My daughter is going to this "summer seminar" thing that the Navy Academy. I have absolutely no experience in the military and honestly these past months have been a shock. I had no idea she wanted to do this. </p>

<p>As the proud parent of a daughter with a shining future, I assumed she would want to go to a more mainstream school, like Harvard, or Berkley. I want to support her, but what can I expect as a parent of a daughter who wants to join the army. </p>

<p>I'm sorry if I don't know all the jargon associated with the military, but I would like some help in understanding where my little girl is coming from. So if any of you experienced parents have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>First, if she goes to the Naval Academy, she'll be a commissioned officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. </p>

<p>I wouldn't put the cart before the horse. Let her go and come back from NASS and then see what are feelings are when she gets home. If she loves it and decides she wants to pursue an appointment at the Naval Academy, sit down and talk with her about why she wants to go to the Academy and subsquently, serve in the Navy or Marine Corps. </p>

<p>There are people who feel the need to serve their country and do something bigger than themselves. I suspect there are probably 1000 reasons young people chose to attend the Service Academies. </p>

<p>I think it's a noble path for a young person to take but ultimately, it's your daughter's choice to make and your job to support despite any misgivings you have a parent (believe me, we all have them). </p>

<p>Her education will be excellent if she does go to Navy, but more than that, she'll have experiences that other kids her age can only imagine. Whether she only stays in for her 5 year commitment or makes the military her career, she'll be in good stead for the rest of her life.</p>

<p>One mother's opinion!</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
but what can I expect as a parent of a daughter who wants to join the army.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>To get chewed out if you confuse the Navy with the Army. :D</p>

<p>Please don't be concerned. What you are and will go through is nothing new, and plenty of parents here will be happy to help you. Just prepare yourself for one hell of a ride, though, if your daughter decides to follow this all the way through. "Emotional rollercoaster" was coined to describe the Service Academy (SA) application process.</p>

<p>As the kids going through any SA quickly learn, the best way to get through this is one small step at a time.</p>

<p>Best of luck. IM inbound. :)</p>

<ul>
<li>Z</li>
</ul>

4

<p>NavyNavyNavy: For Annapolis a good place to start is at the USNA website. It's here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu///homepage.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu///homepage.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>If your daughter is interested in the Army, the USMA (United States Military Academy) is at West Point; their website is here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usma.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usma.edu/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>And take it from a UC Berkeley graduate (MS, Engineering); as for quality of education and experience these are two of the greatest and most prestigious schools in the world. The ivy's don't hold a candle to these places. My own son, who had dreamed for years about attending Berkeley, never looked back when he received his West Point appointment.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you and your daughter.
GABN</p>

5

<p>navynavynavy
your mom's emotions are perfectly normal and understandable coming from your background. One author you may find very helpful in reading is Franky Schaeffer. Franky had raised 3 children in hoity-toity Boston area upper crust life....and his youngest son John enlists upon high school graduation in the Marine Corps. Franky has now written at least 3 books on this subject and one book with a mom who also travelled this journey.</p>

<p>I know the first book is titled: Keeping Faith - but there are several more, including his latest a novel based on this same subject....Baby Jack.</p>

<p>If you do a local library search or go to any large bookstore you can look up the rest of the books - but I suggest you might get alot out of reading these as it will help you realize the journey you are about to embark on as your daughter actively considers the military is one many have travelled before you.</p>

<p>I actually married a USNA graduate and STILL I found it incredibly jarring to think about, in a post 9-11 world, my youngest child, my 'baby' of my brood of 5, telling me on Sept. 11, 2001 as a 12 year old that she was going to serve her country as a military officer. And in the next sentence told me where to bury her. My God - what words from the mouth of this little girl. But this was clearly a call upon her heart as she is now a Youngster at USNA, and will help run NASS....had an outstanding Plebe year and is already an Arabic major with hopes to serve as a female Marine officer fluent in the Arabic language and Middle East knowledge. Trust me dear mom - it is never easy to watch our beautiful, talented, wonderful children want to choose this kind of military lifestyle....particularly hard I think for we mom's of daughters. I feel my role is to be the 100% support she needs - to be her cheerleader - her confidant - her best friend in the early going until she gets her 'adult legs' so to speak - and to let her know that no matter what she ever does, I love her unconditionally. The fears, the worries, the tears, the concerns, the questions I leave to places like all my USNA co-parents, this forum and other friends I have met on this journey.</p>

<p>Please feel free to ask away here, especially of we parents who are 'being there, doing that' as we speak.</p>

<p>You can email me privately anytime as <a href="mailto:well....nofoolingme2003@yahoo.com">well....nofoolingme2003@yahoo.com</a></p>

<p>If your daughter is going to Summer Seminar, clearly the Naval Academy sees her as worthy of consideration. Congratulations mom - you've done an outstanding job!</p>

<p>God bless you and her.</p>

<p>with solidarity and love</p>

6

<p>Thank you all so very much for the information, I'm going to spend this week while my daughter is at the Summer Seminar catching up on the Navy (not army) gouge. God bless and thank you for your kind words.</p>

7

<p>I think most parents at any of the service academies have been at the place you find yourself at right now- </p>

<p>and I will second the advice offered by Atrmom-
let her experience NASS-
as well as the other schools on her list-
visit- often-
the rest will declare itself.</p>

8

<p>Heh... No one can top my "Whats a Merchant Marine Academy?" stage. We all have to start somewhere. Navy, you'll learn lots from your kid after she returns from NASS. She'll be bubbling over with infomation if she loves it. It'll sure be an exciting summer for you and your daughter in looking at all of the many options. There are some great folks on these threads to help with all the questions. Don't be shy in asking them! Good luck!</p>

9

<p>A bit more than a year ago my daughter came home and said "How 'bout Annapolis?" I said "it's a great town to shop in I hear". Well, she was too late to apply for the summer session. I suggested that she attend one of the soccer camps just to see. She went the first week in July so the plebes were there. She came home more hooked than before she left. Here we are counting down the last 26 days. It is a learning process. Good Luck !!!</p>

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<p>^^^ good luck to the Class of 2011!!! Get in lots of hugs and kisses!</p>

11

<p>Your daughter will have a great time. My older son went two years ago and now attends the academy. My younger son left for summer seminar yesterday as well. The older son has had a lot of fun at the academy and has made many great friends. He sails in the Chesapeke on weekends and took a trip to New York in the fall. This summer he will be going to Australia and Japan, and will sail from Annapolis to Florida.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
Heh... No one can top my "Whats a Merchant Marine Academy?" stage.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, that's still better than what I heard more times than I can count:</p>

<p>"What school do you want to go to?"</p>

<p>"The Naval Academy."</p>

<p>"Really? Which one?"</p>

<p>:mad:</p>

13

<p>Haha, I heard that about Air Force a lot.</p>