<p>i think it's great you're already planning for the future, or at least getting an idea of what you wants to do. i know that i sure wasn't researching colleges when i was in eigth grade. we need more kids to be like you!
and mrgreenapple: let him have his own reasons for wanting to do this now- i'm sure he'll come up with more substantial ones as he learns new things about west point.</p>
<p>Really, let's not gang up on ArmyFreak...it's great to have dreams. My son started talking about going to a service academy when he was 10. At first of course it was based on a romantic notion of what life would be like. But he evolved over the years to the notion of service to country and is now at the Coast Guard Academy. Good luck AF!</p>
<p>Okay thanks, atleast he kind of kept his dreams serving his country. I have read a lot of books on war and everything, I want to be in combat! I feel like I am made for it.</p>
<p>Hmmm...you've got 4 years. Always keep an open mind.</p>
<p>"I want to be in combat!"</p>
<p>must..... resist.... :-X</p>
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Okay thanks, atleast he kind of kept his dreams serving his country. I have read a lot of books on war and everything, I want to be in combat! I feel like I am made for it.
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<p>I somehow doubt you actully know what war requires.</p>
<p>I doubt that anyone that hasn't been there knows what war is like and requires. Going to war to go to war is a scary thought. Wish to be part of a peace time Army. Wish that your life and leadership will prevent, not lead to war. </p>
<p>The people that glorify war tend to be the ones that have never experienced that extreme of humanity. Never experienced the blood curdling cry of their brother. Never had to write a letter to someones parents. The glorifiers forget to mention lifeless bodies, broken bones, and shattered minds.</p>
<p>You want to be in combat...</p>
<p>I want my family and my white pickett fence. I want my family to live in a nation that is safe. I want my family to live in a World where nations communicate and interact in a diplomatic and peaceful way.</p>
<p>I know my reason why I want to fight in the Iraqy war, its personal, and had a huge impact on me for the military. If you met me and spoke to me, you'd see what I meant.</p>
<p>Listen to mrgreenapple. He is closer to war than I hope any of us ever will be. Being in a situation in which you could die instantly, violently, and without warning, shouldn't be at the top of your to-do list. I was sucked in by these misconceptions not long ago myself, and I still imagine myself "charging the machine gun nest" in moments of weakness;). Don't do it for the glory, though; it's all about doing some good where good is desperately needed, even if it goes unnoticed. (However, keep in mind that I am not even a cadet at this point, and any cadet/soldier's advice trumps mine.)</p>
<p>taffy: Maybe you should request that they create a :-X "smile thing".</p>
<p>army freak...read some past posts....do your best in high school....and we'll help you along....cool?</p>
<p>I agree 100 percent Mrgreenapple, you put that perfectly...as always, thanks for your insight of actually being in the army.</p>
<p>see the thing with alot of the applicants and plebes are that they feel they are physically qualified...which is true they definatly might be. But the major part of any service academy during plebe summer is gonna be the mental aspect of it. </p>
<p>You can read as much as you want about the academies and be 100% gung ho about the military...but when you finally leave that comfort zone of home on I day...you enter a new world. </p>
<p>Im not trying to discourage you in anyway, im so happy that there are still people out there with faith and pride in our military who are willing to make that sacrifice. People question why i wanna join the military all the time. Its just something people dont really understand unless they feel it too.</p>
<p>But yea its definatly very very mental and you gotta think about that in the time before you apply. Really ask yourself if you are mentally prepared to be screamed at and to do things that may seem pointless at the time. There are guys who are in amazing physical shape but who just arent in the state of mind to go to the academy and make the sacrifice.</p>
<p>Im glad you are very determined and I applaud that. You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders and you know what you wanna do and why. However, you are very young still and while its great to have a goal, keep your options open and definatly think about this decision and consider everything that goes into being a cadet. </p>
<p>Its a big decision, and one that will undoubtedly be worth it in the end. Just definatly think about that before you go into it. It may seem that I sound like im trying to discourage you but Im not at all. Theres alot more to being a cadet/midshipman/soldier then the glory that we read about in our history books or see on the military channel. Please make this decision with an open mind and alot of research.</p>
<p>I wish you LOTS of luck and I hope that you do accomplish your goal one day. Our country needs more individuals like yourself.</p>
<p>Doogie311> I totally agree with you, I have literally talked it over with my friends and thought it over for weeks now. Some of my closest friends will be going to war soon and I also don't want to be left behind, but that isn't why I want to join USMA. I have been thinking for hours non-stop why, why, why. By the way I know your not really discouraging me, your keeping me aware, thanks.</p>
<p>I see it as you guys do, why would I want to go to war and be on the verge of dying. Thats what I am trying to find out myself.</p>
<p>"I see it as you guys do, why would I want to go to war and be on the verge of dying."</p>
<p>I dont really think thats what it is. You can die anywhere, anytime. the question you should ask yourself is why would I want to go to war and be on the verge of killing.</p>
<p>yea almost everyone in my family is in the military and im pretty sure none of us wanted in to be on the verge of dying...</p>
<p>i mean whatever reason you wanna join is totally up to you...but it may not be a strong enough one to give you the motivation you need to one day wear the uniform</p>
<p>Army Freak,</p>
<p>It's great to see you are a driven person. However, you are still VERY young in the eyes of adults. Your confictions may waiver as you mature. That OK too. As you continue to prepare for your goal of USMA, become the best well rounded individual you can be. Grades, athletics and leadership make up the "whole package" candidate. </p>
<p>I have a sophmore son (15 years old) who was VERY certain he wanted to go to the USMA since he was in 2nd grade. He has even opened a correspondence file at WP. He is VERY driven like you with one exception. He now sees that this might not be the path he will follow, yet he has not closed the door on his academy dreams. He is ranks top in his class, on course to earn 11 Varsity Letters (has 4 already), very involved at chuch and missions work, participates in leadership workshops at school.......etc. My oldest son (17 years old) has had to live and compete in the shadows of his younger brother. The younger son took the older one's varsity spot on the XC team as a freshman. You can only imagine how hard that was to deal with (from the child's and parent's view). It has only been in the last year and a half since my oldest son decided he wanted to serve his country. Even though his "stats" were on the lower end of academy applicants, he stayed the course. He has already recieved two 4 year ROTC scholarships (AF and Army), nominations to AF and WP and an Appointment to AF so far. I share this with you in hopes that you might see that your future goals may change. Keep an opened mind.</p>
<p>On a side note: My 15 year old took the ACT and SAT with out any prep/review, spring of his freshman year. He wanted to see how well he could score. This gave him a bench mark to improve on and practice never hurts.</p>
<p>On a second side note: I have to agree with an earlier post reguarding high school athletics.
Cross Country has been the best conditioning for my boys. They started running XC in junior high to stay fit for wrestling. You gain so much stamina and endurance which will help you push through the toughest days of academy life. </p>
<p>Best wishes to you and keep us posted on your successes :).</p>
<p>Thank you for your help. I don't necessarily want to go in the army just for killing, I want to serve my country too for helping my family succeed. I am kind of used to from what I read, west point life. I mean I get up at 5:30pm, make breakfast, walk 1.5 miles to the bus stop, go to school, go straight to tae kwon do class, get home around 8:00pm, then study until around 9:30 - 10:30pm. I don't think West Point life will be my main concern although I know there will be tough days.</p>
<p>Army_Freak,</p>
<p>Remain committed to fulfilling your goal by keeping up with all that you're doing. But remember something important - have fun. One of the challenges highly motivated kids have is that they just don't make the time for leisure pursuits, hanging out with friends, and having a good time. You can be so focused on your goal, that if for some reason, the goal is taken away, you can be devastated. So, in time, look at some of your other options also. You will experience quite a bit of growth and maturing during high school. Take advantage of the time you have to further develop other interests and fine tune your reasons for wanting to pursue a military career, not just attend West Point.</p>
<p>MOT, you took the words right out of my mouth! It is sooooo important to enjoy life. Well done.</p>
<p>I think I'd enjoy the military acually. I do admit I'd miss my friends, but some of them are going in the military too. Like I'd never see my girl friend which I am sure she won't go to the army. I also thought this career in military is for me because everything they say, I have very good. For instance I can pass "beast" right now. In tae kwon do we have similar requirments at my rank. I just round out they have a martial arts team which would totally help me getting in. I've seen the Army martial arts team and what they can do so I can maybe get in for tae kwon do. By then I'll be a 3rd degree black belt. I saw the West Point martial arts black belt testing and it seems to me ours is much harder and longer. For instance, my requirment is to break a concrete block with my fist or palm heel strike and I need to break 3-4 boards with a round-house kick (not to mention they break 3 boards with a side-kick). If I stick to tae kwon do and win the championships on March 4th, I think my chance would increase if getting in if I keep it up.</p>