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USMMA - welcome to kings point, dumbass!
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<p>Cool! Congrats!</p>
<p>Hey Zaphod here are a couple of lines from reporting day, and reasons that a couple of plebes that DORd have given in the past:</p>
<p>Parent at another Service Academy during reporting day parent briefing:
(raises hand at Q&A session) Excuse me, when will we be able to bring my s/d television, stero and refrigerator?</p>
<p>Admin: Reason for wanting to leave?
Plebe (1): I didn't know that this was a military school
Admin: ??????? (is this an alternate universe????)</p>
<p>Plebe (2): I'm more of an "artsy" type. I didn't realize this place was so engineering intensive (....I'm into the Classics)</p>
<p>What a waste of an appointment!</p>
<p>You cannot POSSIBLY go through the entire application process and NOT know PRECISELY what you are getting into!</p>
<p>Those cowards just didn't want to admit that they were spineless. They obviously preferred to be viewed as clueless!</p>
<p>You're absolutely right: Wastes of good appointments!</p>
<p><-- Furious! :mad:</p>
<p>So true....but you would have loved the *ss chewing an O-6 whose son DIDN'T get an appointment last year gave to those spineless (none bracing, smiling) DORs sitting at Tango table last year!</p>
<p>It was priceless to see their smug little smiles disappear when they realized that the next few days before they were cut free weren't going to be pleasant (hey plebe...brace...eyes in the boat...I don't give a flying rats *ss if you're DORing)!</p>
<p>While I have thoroughly enjoyed all the college discussion on this site for the last year or so, I have never truly felt the need to register and respond, until now. I have learned so much about colleges and the academies here and that has helped me with this particular parent journey.</p>
<p>My son is at an academy. He worked very hard during high school and explored many options- the academy was at #1 for a while, then there were doubts after a summer program, then reconsidering, then #1 again and so forth. The choice for an academy is not just a college choice, its a life choice- truly daunting for any 17 year old. I myself would never have been able to handle a decison of that magnitude at such a young age.</p>
<p>Attending R-day was terrifying for us all. "was this the right decision?" The previous months we (he) did an overnight where we were given the opportunity to ask questions. "What if this is not a good fit, I asked?" The smiling response was "that fine, we understand that, we respect that- cadets have up to two years to withdraw" Frankly, I doubted that, "Really?" I said. "Really." No one wants to "take someone else's spot" but who's to say what that "someone" would have ended up doing. - I believe you can never truly understand an experience like this until you live it- day in and day out. We as parents can say whatever we want from our homes but we are not there, living the life. During the parents session the speaker said "If your son or daughter decides to leave, do not think of them as failures- they are successes just by being here" (not verbatum, but close). I felt they completely understood how and why cadets may DOR. They plan the incoming class accordingly, with appropriate measures in place to depart with dignity.</p>
<p>So just like I would never criticize an academy and its wonderful mission, I would never criticize a young man or woman who elected to make what I consider to be a very brave choice- admit a mistake, learn from it and move on. Anyone who has endured plebe or swab summer could not possibly be considered weak or "spineless" in my eyes.</p>
<p>The next obvious question is- did my son elect to leave? Let me put it this way. He's still there. Is it easy- no! Is this a difficult time- yes. Is this an amazing experience- yes, on so many levels.</p>
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So just like I would never criticize an academy and its wonderful mission, I would never criticize a young man or woman who elected to make what I consider to be a very brave choice- admit a mistake, learn from it and move on.
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<p>That's all well and good, but when you quit and cite "I didn't know this was a military school" or "I didn't think it would be this hard", then you are vermin worthy of scorn, because you are blatantly lying.</p>
<p>What, did I miss the part in the catalog where full-body massages and Mai-Tais by the pool were described as the hardest part?</p>
<p>If you leave because (as often happens in life) you decide that maybe the Service isn't for you, then maybe you deserve some slack. If you get clobbered by the academics, then that's fine. </p>
<p>Otherwise, forget it.</p>
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Anyone who has endured plebe or swab summer could not possibly be considered weak or "spineless" in my eyes.
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<p>That's the whole point. They DIDN'T endure it. They quit as soon as the going got tough. Some spineless goons don't even finish the first day, while others who would almost kill to be in their shoes are forced to look through the gate and wait another year.</p>
<p>...and your son knows it, having been through it. Good for him that he's held on! VERY good for him! :)</p>
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must be like the horse school we have in upstate NY!! (or is it mules....???) </p>
<p>Are we thinking the same place? <evil grin=""></evil></p>
<p>Don't know if "mules" is the right term!
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<p>nah- I still have a soft spot in my heart for USMA- after all, they too gave an offer of appointment to the thorpedo- although I do twinge a bit when I see the "sink navy" tiled on the rooftop of the athletic building!! (anyway, that would be an ass - not a mule....????)</p>
<p>What I was thinking of was SUNY-Morrisville- a little hole-in-the-wall agricultural school upstate in morrisville NY- comes with a greasy diner, one gas station, one stop light and one autoshop- and thats about it- but they do raise horses and dairy cows and teach animal husbandry- for those not making it into the Cornell agricultural school....</p>
<p>Tune in this Saturday....Navy takes on Army in Lacrosse at Michie stadium.......NAVY ALL THE WAY!!!!!! (and I have to miss it- darn wedding to go to- think they would miss us at the table????) ;)</p>
<p>northernmom,</p>
<p>Welcome aboard! I've often felt that most parents are confident that attending an academy is their kid's choice and they want to support it. It doesn't take very long to evolve into pride. As in many cases, some parents take it too far. I think when we hear of cadets/mids leaving an academy and the parents are shocked, they probably haven't been listening. Parents should listen to Admissions and to their own kids. They should look at the stats, read the literature and understand a bit more about the challenges their child will encounter. On R-Day, we expect to see graduation. But about 25% of the parents will not be there. How do I know it won't be me? I don't know it. Nor does anyone else. If R-Day is tough, just think how tough it is to begin that 3rd year. This time the commitment counts.</p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds a bit preachy. That's not what I intend.</p>
<p>Northernmom, please stay with us. We'd love to learn more from you.</p>
<p>And Zaphod, I think you're right. I cannot understand the kids who leave on the first day because they miss their girlfriend or because it's just too military. Somewhere there is a determined kid who will be going through a 2nd year of applications because he was the next in line on the NWL. Someone who really didn't want to be there took his place for a day or a few weeks.</p>
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anyway, that would be an ass - not a mule....????
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<p>Well, yeah. I just thought you were being polite! ;)</p>
<p>I agree that new cadets should not use the excuse that they didn't know it was a military school or that it would be hard. If you have gone through the application process you KNOW they are military academies. If they realize they made a mistake in accepting an appointment then own up to it and move on. I do feel that quitting the first day or within the first few weeks means that they were not committed to begin with. Maybe they went to an academy because of parental pressure or some reason other than for themselves. </p>
<p>My son is one that will most likely not get into USMA this year. He was offered the civil prep program, which he has accepted, and is looking forward to being in the class of 2011. I feel very disappointed that a new cadet would quit on R-day after taking a spot that could have been filled by a young man or woman who, like my son, is committed to doing whatever it takes to graduate from the academy.</p>
<p>When my son first told me he wanted to go to West Point I was surprised. I have known since he was young that he loves everything Army but it never occurred to me that he would apply to West Point. The first thing I did as a parent was educate myself about USMA. I have gone with him to meetings here in our state put on by the field force people, I have read books about USMA, I have read most everything on their website and I have been involved in helping my son through the application process. A few weeks ago I took him to West Point for a visit. It was an expensive trip for us, being from the west coast, but I wanted him to be absolutely sure this is what he wanted to do. The trip only strengthened his desire to attend USMA.</p>
<p>I only recently found this website. I wish I had found it sooner because it has been useful in my education about all the service academies. </p>
<p>My point to all the parents out there is that if your son or daughter is considering a service academy, EDUCATE YOURSELF and make sure your child is doing this for the right reasons.</p>
<p>I just want to say that I have great respect for all the men and women out there that serve our country, as officers or enlisted, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.</p>
<p>Finally....Go Army beat Navy!!!!
(I am practicing being a good West Point Mom. LOL)</p>
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Finally....Go Army beat Navy!!!!
(I am practicing being a good West Point Mom. LOL)
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<p>Another soul lost to the Dark Side. :(</p>
<p>WAMom,</p>
<p>I'm so glad you found us. Please stick around as we need more experts on the civil prep program. Keep practicing. It will drive one poor, misguided sailor crazy! ;)</p>
<p>LOL. Thats all I got to say.... Except.... ok, I guess I can say congrats to your son WAMom. And to you. He would have looked better in dress blues tho..... ;) Hold tight for a wild ride this year! And next. And too, maybe the one after that as well. He'll do great but you're gonna be a mess! Glad you could come join us! LOL</p>
<p>Where's my Taffy!? Prolly stuck in some airport somewhere. Hope he's not flying Delta. (GRIN) Post tomorrow Taffy. Please!</p>
<p>WAmom68- welcome! </p>
<p>but if I may, it's GO NAVY- BEAT ARMY!!!
(satallite radio broadcast: tomorrow: Navy vs Army Lax / Mitchie stadium).
The patriot league title is on the line!</p>
<p>Or if he smartly chooses Kings Point, "Beat Coast Guard!"</p>
<p>Are CG and MMA prime rivals like Army and Navy?</p>
<p>You bet! Across the Long Island Sound -- annual contest for Coast Guard and the Merchant Marine Academies. Started in 1980 at the
Secretary's Cup - since both were under the Dept. of Transportation. Now Homeland Security and Transportation. The respective Secretary's usually attend and both schools are about the same size. It is based on all sports and the highlight, of course is the football game. See various USMMA and USCGA posts here on CC.</p>
<p>Current standings for 05-06: 8-5 Coast Guard.</p>
<p>Thanks, Weski. Didn't know that!</p>
<p>So I guess Air Farce got left out in the cold. Again. ;)</p>
<p>The fact that CGA doesn't win every competition with KP should be a huge source of embarrassment for Bears.</p>
<p>Every athlete at KP has essentially two off seasons of supervised training and contact with his team and coaches taken away from them. </p>
<p>Take for example wrestling. At CGA an athlete will come in as a freshman, and begin working out with the team informally after Indoc. Team captains and leaders drive the preseason efforts and in October regular practices start. Its pretty much the same at KP for freshmen. But when the season is over, all of the sophomores go to sea (often in harms way) for eight months by themselves and come back to their team in the beginning of November just as matches are starting. The freshmen stay at school until classes end in June and go to sea for four months by themselves and come back at the same time in November. These are not the most conducive environments for training for a sport. </p>
<p>While in New London, the team stays together and trains except for the summer break. </p>
<p>This bifurcation is replicated in every sport. Add on top of that while they are at KP the everyone has to take a course load 25% heavier than their counterparts at all the other academies because the same amount of academic coursework has to be done in three years instead of four. </p>
<p>The Mariners don't complain, they know that's what they signed up for.</p>
<p>It just seems to me that it would be an unpardonable embarrassment to lose to them in anything.</p>