<p>Just thought I'd start a topic like this now that most of our applications are done...</p>
<p>How are the connections between the families of the posters on this board and the military? How does that factor in to your decision on applying to an academy, doing ROTC or just general thoughts on the military in general? What are they're opinions on your wanting to serve?</p>
<p>My dad was in the Air Force (retired O-5), USAFA class of 1980. I once heard a long time ago that it's easiest for kids to plan their future if they take a similar route as one of their parents. I guess that's true in my case, as I only have a small idea of how one would go about getting a job fresh after college. I got interested in the academies because I started my college journey by thinking about where my parents went. My dad is totally supportative of an academy, but wants me to really consider all my choices (I currently go to Washington and Lee and do ROTC at VMI, so it's awesome here).</p>
<p>My father's father was in Patten's army in Europe. My mother's father was a tank commander during the reconstruction in Germany. My uncle on my mother's side served in Korea. My uncle on my father's side served in Vietnam. I have cousins I haven't met in ROTC programs. Neither of my parents were in the military however. My interest stems from my love of aviation. Also, my grandfather on my mother's side enlisted with the army aviation, but the war ended before he could pursue it.</p>
<p>Neither of my parents were in the military. My father tried entering the army when he was 18, but could not due to medical reasons. Both of my grandparents served during WWII; one in the Army and the other in the Navy. My interest in West Point mainly stems from visiting the academy when I was a kid, and then again when I went to SLS over the summer.</p>
<p>No American military connections:
Father served as an officer in the Combat Engineers in Canada
His father in the RAF just after WWII/Brother in the Signal Corps
Mother only child, Her father was a German grunt.</p>
<p>Why I want to go to WP?
Serve my country. Defend it in its time of need. Protect American freedoms.
Participate in global affairs in the only way I know how at such an early age.</p>
<p>Father- Decorated Vietnam Vet
Grandfather- WWII Europe
Grandfather 2- WWII Pacific
Great Uncle- Medal of Honor Recipient (Marines)
....
Eighth Great-Grandfather- Signer of Declaration of Independance Revolutionary War Vet</p>
<p>Yea I wrote my congressional essay abotu my family history. Thats a big reason why I am going, to continue the tradition, and to serve the US of A.</p>
<p>My grandfather on my dads side was enlisted navy and my dad retired from the navy as a lt. commander. My grandfather on my moms side fought in the japanese army. My uncle is retired AF and served in vietnam. My godfather was a USNA grad class of 1972 and is a vice admiral. My sister is a cadet at WP in the class of 2007.</p>
<p>My dad was enlisted for 6 years. All he ever did was speak highly of his CO who was a West Pointer. One day I looked him up and he turned out to work as a senate aid and retired as a full Colonel. I decided that's where I wanted to be so many years after graduation.</p>