Congratulations to your S. My S was interested in all things military since he was a child. He considered applying the Service Academies but changed his mind in jr. year high school and decided ROTC was his aim. He wanted to have the “college experience” and earn a commission at the same time.
He received a NROTC scholarship. He attended our big state u. and was commissioned on the same day he graduated. That was in 2009. He’s never regretted his decision. He’s in charge of a Special Operations team.
The things they do are pretty scary but he loves his job. How could we stand in the way of that ?
Best wishes and good luck to your S and your family.
One final post to close out this thread. VelveteenKid is now VelveteenCadet at USMA. He graduated on 6/7 and reported to West Point on 6/29. We didn’t even get a final summer with him. He completed six weeks of basic training, and we watched him march in the Acceptance Day Parade on 8/15. He is now enjoying the academic year, doing very well and loving the academy. I hear it in his voice. Am I still conflicted? No, I have no right to be. He is an adult, and he is thriving and happy with his choice. What more could I hope for?
Congrats @VelveteenR ! Those of us whose children have attended one of the SAs remember the roller coaster ride of emotions well. Please thank your son for his service for me.
VelveteenR - I am new to this place and didn’t even know it had an SA forum. Found this place looking for information for daughter #2 who thankfully is looking at a more traditional college path. My wife and I had to laugh at your thread as it could have been us writing it for daughter #1. We had many similar feelings. Our first daughter to leave the nest chose USNA but it was a tough decision as she also loved West Point. Given we are east coast, we were glad she rejected USAFA early on. Similar to your situation our daughter loves it though I suspect deep down we will always be conflicted. But like you said, their happiness is all we can hope for!
So did you attend the Army Navy game?
We plan to go this year and I already informed the daughter that I will be wearing Army gear and rooting them on. We also have family that cam through West Point so have divided loyalties.
Thanks, @Justthetruth. We did not attend the game; I’m not a football fan. I hang on serviceacademyforum.com now as that seems to be the CC equivalent for SA families. We’re still adjusting, but VelveteenCadet has found his home.
All the best to DD2 as she travels the more traditional road.
Glad he is liking it. Given he survived the summer and even more so the first semester of the school year its a good sign he will stay.
We found we enjoy the football games because it gives us a brief chance to to say hi to daughter and her usna friends. We generally avoid service academy forum. Thought it had useful info for applicants but a few at usna warned us away from it suggesting it had very one sided views.
No clue yet what life holds for DD2. Trying to find some resource to help her figure that out. Like I had to figure out DD2?? I had to google that. Ah, darling daughter; got it.
Are you east coast and able to visit on occasion? He did find a good sponsor family? I can’t speak from experience obviously but that seemed to be a big thing that many cadets had mentioned to our daughter.
We’re in the SW so, no, not close, but DH (dear hubby) travels and is on the east coast frequently so we take advantage of that. Our son went to boarding school in CT for high school, so this is his fifth year away from home. He’s a seasoned traveler with airline status and is used to being away for the school year; he didn’t have any adjustment there. His BS prepared him well academically. He had a great first term. No issues there either. There is zero chance he will voluntarily separate, but a mom can dream.
I agree that the SA forum is rather one-sided. I am definitely one of the odd ones out, but I have found it useful in trying to understand what the huah is all about. I guess I’ll never get it, though. Instead, I listen to the happiness in my son’s voice and admire his deep sense of purpose. I hold him tight when I can, support him when he needs it, and pray for him always. He will make a fine officer, of that I am sure.
You and my wife should have a drink, LOL. Sounds like we all have similar views.
Getting to the games, spending time on the yard, and hanging out with a lot of them we have gotten a better understanding of what all the “hua!” is about than we did on the various forums or other social media sites. At least at the academy it is largely as advertised. The rub seems to come when they get out in the fleet (or the army equivalent) and see the reality of the service. I am told that a majority leave once fulfilling the minimum service requirement so chance are good they do come back! Either way, like you said, all you can do is hope they are happy and at least at the academy that seems to be the case.
