<p>My Mid complains every time I see him. If it it's not one thing it is something else. When I at KP last weekend(parents weekend) and this weekend (Superintendents Counsel). He made an interesting comment. "Drinking is not too important to me." While on the LLIR to the city he was approach by over 50 Plebes(the first weekend without parents) all asking for advice and what to do and see. I stood back and listened to his suggestions. He acted like a mother hen telling them where to go and what to do. I lost count how many times he gave out his cell number in the event they ran into some problems. Not once did he tell them to get drunk or to go whoring. Even when we were leaving Penn he spotted a few Plebes that were given wrong directions from a stranger. He changed directions caught up with them and pointed them in the right direction. You keep baking the cookies some are listening.</p>
<p>It's wonderful to hear about your son!!! You should be very proud.</p>
<p>There may be some problem people at KP, but we are always encouraged to see how special so many of them are. They go to sea and do just fine, with pointers that help them know how to avoid problems. For one thing, there is almost no incident at the academy or at sea that does not have alcohol involved with it. That is the factor that breaks down the strong backbone and weakens decisive resolve.</p>
<p>Yes, I will keep baking, and we are there for them. When one of them begins to get into trouble, we want to be able to steer them right. Much counseling and listening goes on at Cookie Cafe, and other places. At the Plebe candidate retreat we had 91 students over Labor Day weekend. My husband and I team taught on a topic that is very important that they understand. There will be many other opportunities to help them along the way.</p>
<p>With your son, I think what you are seeing, is your fine work as a parent, and you should congratulate yourself. Good work.</p>
<p>Hello,
I am a KP grad and also a Chief Mate on merchant vessels for many years. I hold an unlimited Master's license and have been around the world many times.
As Usmma2009 so eloquently stated, there are not many men and women on ships who enjoy spending their valuable free time in port at such places as church, cookie cafe's, etc. But... there are some. It sounds to me that perhaps 2009's sea life was less than fulfilling. Perhaps you were a target of a few old salts. Perhaps you were lazy and received a bad eval. I am sure your 5 or 6 ships you may have been on couldn't have come close to making you the worldly expert on all things nautical. Perhaps you should join a brokerage firm. But I ask you this, why were you at the famous "4 floors of whores" if you are a self-professed moral and
pious individual? Smells of hypocrisy. Singapore is a fantastic city with a lot to offer.<br>
It is true, there are a lot of hard individuals on ships. It is the nature of the business. But who are you to tell a KP mom who misses and loves her baby what her son will and will not enjoy to do with his family?<br>
I have a son at KP. I would hope that he will steer clear of the places you mention but as a young man growing into himself, it is his choice. It doesn't make him a bad person. We will still love him. Choosing Kings Point puts into our children's hands a great gift. One of choice. He can choose to go into the military as an officer. He can choose to further his schooling. He can choose to go to sea, as either an engineer or deck officer.<br>
One of the first things I do when I get on a ship is call Kings Point and request 2 cadets. While they are on board I do not baby them. I work them hard. But in every port I cut them loose. I warn them about the inherent dangers of the particular port because after all, it is the most important thing we can do. Protect ourselves. It is a dangerous world and large ports are particulary dangerous in certain countries.<br>
But, Usmma2009, I as a grown man and 'Hardened' merchant marine, still enjoy walking through a corn maze with my family.<br>
The most disturbing thing about your comments however was your tone. You were obviously not taught to give respect to your elders.</p>
<p>Kawalla and husband! Have not heard for you in a long time! Welcome back, and excellent post and very well said. Thank you!</p>
<p>Thanks Kawalla for your words of wisdom.</p>
<p>In what ways does KP prepare Mids for these "inherent dangers"?</p>
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<p>Maybe the solution is to fore go the merchant marines and go Navy. I have been to Singapore several times and, yes, it is a fantastic city, and no, I have never heard of the establishment until now. I've always said that there is a whole other world out there that I know nothing about. Sometimes good and sometimes bad.</p>
<p>The Chapel program has a seminar before each group goes to sea. Is there anything else that the academy does?</p>
<p>The academy gives the boys a sea year pack that talks about all that stuff. Also, instructors at school, upper classmen and the crew aboard ships all contribute their advice. They need to go ashore in pairs or groups. I have had only one incident in over 20 years.</p>
<p>"They need to go ashore in pairs or groups."</p>
<p>That's why a good sea partner is important.</p>
<p>There could be more done in training before they go to sea. Even simple things like buying a sea trunk for their stuff, when they will be flying all over the world to pick up their ship, and have to carry their luggage up narrow gangways.</p>
<p>I just reread what I wrote. I mean that a sea trunk is definitely not appropriate, but no one tells the midshipmen that information.</p>