Advice for those who haven't decided yet...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
21

<p>Sacto Mom, I hope am wrong, but are you directing your last post at me? </p>

<p>I have shared on this tread and other threads what career path my boys are leaning toward. I am honored to say that my oldest son (AF 2010) would love to be an emergency room surgeon. However, His drive is not for the title or future income potential. He is driven to serve his counrty. Considering our service men are in the heat of war, my son's passion is to be on the front lines repairing our servicemen and trying to save the lives of those hit hard. </p>

<p>For my middle son who is only a 15 years old, his dream at West Point was to lead troops. Since he has grown, he is recognizing that has other strengths as well. I would rather he not go the Academy route if he is not passionate about leading troops. You are so right about the need to train "LEADERS". My sons, or for that matter, any cadets that attends a SA are doing a disservice to everyone around them if they don't have the desire to lead.</p>

22

<p>Mom of 3, no this wasn't directed at you...I just felt Zaphod's point struck a chord and needed to be reinforced. You and I are on exactly the same page. Your son is not going AF because he wants to be a doctor, he is going because he wants to serve his country. It's honorable that he wants to be a doctor, but that is not his primary reason for going AFA. That was my point, which I guess I didn't make clearly enough. </p>

<p>And Homer, I am not at all saying that all candidates should assume a military career. Far from it. My point is that you will spend more time in active service, even if you just do your five years, than you will in college...so you had better make sure that's how you want to spend your time after graduation.</p>

<p>I think the real point here is that people who apply to service academies need to really think hard about the military service requirement. That's priority #1. Unless an applicant is considering an academy versus an ROTC civilian experience, it would seem to me that they don't have their priorities straight.</p>

<p>Priority #2 is whether the academy curriculum is right for you. There is a very thoughtful young person on the Naval Academy forum who had a choice between USNA and Harvard ROTC. She weighed the engineering curriculum at USNA against the Harvard curriculum and made her choice on that basis. She understood she wanted to be an officer either way but decided which academic experience would be right for her. Plus she wants to become a lawyer ultimately and she knew Harvard was the best place to position her for that.</p>

<p>Sorry if I was confusing.</p>

23

<p>It is undeniably true that not everyone who goes into a Service Academy is set on the goal of a career in the Service. Some obviously do, some don't, and I'd say the lion share don't know for sure either way.</p>

<p>With that in mind, throw in changes that occur. I went in wanting a career. On Service Selection Night I knew those desires were dashed, because I never wanted Surface Warfare to begin with. OTOH, I know guys who were gung-ho five-and-divers who are still going strong after 15 years.</p>

<p>The point of my comment:</p>

<p>
[quote]
"So decide right now: Do you want to be a pilot, or a doctor, or a submariner, or a Green Beret, or do you want to be an OFFICER who happens to be a pilot, or a doctor, or a submariner, or a Green Beret?"

[/quote]

was not to imply that only folks seeking a career should be applying, but rather that those who are applying need to recognize that after four long, hard, years, they may be faced with the realization that (for any one of a million reasons) they will NOT be able to do what they dream of doing. Some have their eyes go bad (I lost the chance to do NFO in my 2/C year), some may not have the GPA to get into nuke school (don't remind me), and others may simply arrive too late to grab one of the covetted few billets they wanted.</p>

<p>So, which is more important, being a pilot, or being an officer? If you graduate, you WILL be an officer, but you MAY NOT become a pilot. ARE YOU WILLING TO SERVE IN A CAPACITY YOU MAY NOT LIKE? If the answer is "No", (and there's nothing wrong with that), then my recommendation is to go somewhere else where your dreams can be more assured.</p>

<p>THAT was the point of the comment.</p>

24

<p>When my son received the MOC call telling him of his Appointment to USNA he was so very happy and proud. He had dreamt of this for quite some time and now it would become a reality.</p>

<p>He looked at me that afternoon and said "Mom... remember when I attended NASS last Summer at a the Naval Academy and then returned from that experience to attend Boys State at a civilian college? I knew right then and there that I would not be happy at a civilian school . I knew that if that was my fate I would have to make it work, but I just could'nt picture it."</p>

<p>Thank God that he will be able to realize his dream of being an officer. Our kids seem to know, even though these are the toughest of decisions, where they need to go and why. We can be there to support and encourage and question just as this wonderful forum does!</p>

<p>And my sincere thanks to Zaphod who has given me a greater understanding of this brave new world my son is about to enter! And also to the other parents who offe such wonderful advice!</p>

25

<p>momof3boyz~</p>

<p>thankyou- my feet have not yet touched the ground! </p>

<p>Now I have to keep a packet of kleenex in my pocket regardless of where I go- 'cause everytime I even think about it, my eyes get all teary- and then there goes my makeup- and I have to keep telling everyone that it's "just allergies" when I don't even have any-</p>

<p>I can't explain it- I wish I could- but I do get comfort in knowing that every other parent that has a son/daughter going through this expereince- regardless of how new or seasoned in the process- is experiencing the exact same emotions! Sometimes I could bust!</p>

<p>And Z- I really do try and not "blurt it out" in the first 5 words of conversation- your very first message still resonates in my head (...something to the effect that "the mids like to drop that bomb themselves...") (misquoted, I am sure, but the gist of your instruction to us...)...I do try, really I do!!! But sometimes I just can't help it!</p>

<p>So now all I want to do is get through I-day without slobbering all over the place- and I fear there is no hope of that- I am just going to bring very dark glasses and hope no one will be able to see what's behind them! Alas, I am a sentimental old fool~ </p>

<p>(well, maybe not soooo old! )</p>

<p>my hat is off to you- 3 boys! (my sister has 6 boys, and my brother has 4!) My one kept me running (as did his sister)- and you with another one seeking an academy- you have my respect indeed!</p>

26

<p>
[quote]
I can't explain it

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You don't have to. </p>

<p>We know. :)</p>

<p>
[quote]
So now all I want to do is get through I-day without slobbering all over the place- and I fear there is no hope of that- I am just going to bring very dark glasses and hope no one will be able to see what's behind them! Alas, I am a sentimental old fool

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You don't seriously think you'll be the only one, right?</p>

<p>Trust me, you'll have plenty of company. :)</p>

27

<p>Navy 2010, I cried every time I saw a building during our tour at USNA. How pathetic is that? Hehe, I'm sure the sight of Bancroft makes many current mids want to cry, but I have no reason or excuse. </p>

<p>I met my husband during OCS so for us, it feels very much like coming full circle to have Spider headed to the Navy. Most of what's great in my life came from my decision to join the Navy: My husband and kids, my civilian career (Navy background gave me many opportunities and choices). I'm just so grateful for all that and for Spider's opportunity that I get a little crazed on occasion.</p>

28

<p>
[quote]
Hehe, I'm sure the sight of Bancroft makes many current mids want to cry, but I have no reason or excuse.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The Mids cry for different reasons. ;)</p>

<p>I will say one thing, though. When we alumni come back and see the formation in T-Court, a VERY common comment is, "Jesus! Were we THAT young?" :eek:</p>

29

<p>Aren't we all going to be cute on I-day with our big, dark sunglasses, giant hankies and "allergies"! Here I was, worried about not being able to keep the emotions in check, only to find out everyone else has the same issues. What a great comfort this site is!
Thanks everyone for being so open & honest!<br>
Now... for some Merlot & chocolate (I've stocked up for the weekend!). Cheers all!</p>

30

<p>Should we start singing songs? :D</p>

31

<p>Spider turned 18 yesterday..........Sunrise, sunset...sunrise, sunset...swiftly go the yearrrrrrrsss (Fiddler on the Roof for you young people). Wahhhh.</p>

32

<p>I dunno, Z - ya got any good ones?
Please, Spidermom - no more! "Sunrise, Sunset" - Sheesh! What are you trying to do, get us all cried out before I-day?? Hey, will that work? (I doubt it! And I don't want to try it!).
C'mon Z, I bet you got somethin' to liven the mood for a Friday night - I ain't going for anything sentimental right now!<br>
Too bad you can't serenade us all w/ "Blue and Gold"!</p>

33

<p>With all the tears flowing on I-Day it looks like the Severn might rise significantly!!! I'll be right there!!!</p>

34

<p>
[quote]
C'mon Z, I bet you got somethin' to liven the mood for a Friday night - I ain't going for anything sentimental right now!
Too bad you can't serenade us all w/ "Blue and Gold"!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, if you insist:</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=174992&page=6&pp=15%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=174992&page=6&pp=15&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>:D</p>

35

<p>Zap! Stop posting that! I swear I'll die laughing from that. Something about that just absolutley tickled my funny bone to pieces. I have no idea why...
You girls better grow you some gator skin! LOL
Happy birthday Plebe-to-be Spider!! </p>

<p>No singing. I mean it.</p>

36

<p>Oouuuummmm Oouuummmmmm! I did it! I did it! I summoned the Great Ghost Blackbeard himself & he took care of our little problem! I am so COOL! Bow before me! Oouuummmmmm. <em>Jamzmom blows out her magic candle.</em> </p>

<p>Of course that joke of Momof1's will be missed. I was gonna print that out! LOL</p>

37

<p>Just got back from delivering pizza to a bunch of Mids. (Mid Atlantic Parents Assoc. Spring Pizza Party) 6 hours up -- traffic was brutle, 4.5 hours back for the chance to spend a couple of hours with some great kids was worth the trip. </p>

<p>If you can find the excuse, its great to spend time with these kids. They appreciate it more than you would think. Don't pass up the chances you get.</p>

<p>Hopefully, the NoDoze and Red Bull will wear off soon and I can get some sleep!</p>

38

<p>Oh wow LFWBDad. You get volunteer of the year award! I'd go... but.... I'd have to gouge out my eyes being in the car that long. </p>

<p>I know you were singing yo ho yo ho in the car to entertain yerself those many hours.</p>

39

<p>LFWB dad - many thanks on behalf of son - who must have enjoyed the pizza as he even called me last night to tell me!</p>

<p>Zaphod & friends - going to have to repost some of those good songs again as our long thread got pulled...can't imagine why;)</p>