<p>I copied/pasted this from the Coast Guard thread in case any of you don't read there often. It was just REALLY eye opening. We've all read the stats but when you actually see it, well, it begins to sink in on just how far our first year kids need to go. Scary! I'm gonna go email my Plebe and tell him to "Lock on" tighter! </p>
<p>"To give all a visual perspective, take a look at the first link, then take a good long hard look at the second. This should make you fully aware of how tough USCGA really is. I just want future applicants to understand the realm of what they will undertake. If you think that getting in is a hard task, staying the course is harder. USMMA shows much of the same. It so shocked me, I just had to post these. It truly is a large miracle to make it through a service academy. Everyone with kids in academies, knock on wood, cross your fingers, wear your four leaf clovers, heck, put a lucky buck-eye in your pocket, and praaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy!"</p>
<p>That's scary, since our kids put so much work into getting there. Almost every one of the cadets that is not in the second picture thought they could make it four years.</p>
<p>The good thing though is that retention rates at the military academies is much higher than almost all of the civilian colleges.</p>
<p>I hate to be the resident curmudgeon . . .but have you ever seen a group photo such as this taken with gaps between the members? Seems odd that a commercial studio would take a photo such as this and then expect to sell it . . . . Furthermore, how would anybody remember where the particular gaps should go?</p>
<p>It looks like they might be spelling out something...maybe beat USMMA! Anyway I agree it's a "tough slog" to quote our SecDef...attrition rates are pretty high...CGA is one of the higher ones for some reason...doesn't mean it's tougher or less hospitable...just the way it works out...on the plus side Coast Guard graduates are more likely to "re-up" than those of the other academies.</p>
<p>Oh Boss! HA! HA! HA! We'll find out on Nov.12th pal! Hey! It looks like its a home game for you. Buy my kid a hot dog, will ya? HA! </p>
<p>Thanks for making that point about civy colleges Cougar. I'd forgotten what its like to be out there in Civy land for a moment. It is true and I just plain freaked when I'd seen that photo! They really do everything they can to keep them there and on course unlike the civilian colleges. </p>
<p>Bill, you're not a very good resident curmudgeon. Where were you when I was posting bad words on the other thread! Boss was watching my back though! And I wouldn't buy that ugly picture either. Who'd want a bunch of empty spaces where kids had once been? It would creep me out to look at that thing on the wall. Too sad to know how many of your kid's mates didn't make it. Some truly don't belong. But. Then there are those who struggle to stay and can't. Its a loose/loose deal for them. Why be reminded of it. I didn't see an option where you could purchase a "normal" shot either on the 2002 one anyway. They might make more bling-bling if they offered it. GRIN!</p>
<p>Wow, I never expected this thread to reach to this point. Excellent points on both civy colleges and the attrition rate at the academies. However, even with all the prep our kids do and all the assistance we provide along the way, some may not make it. </p>
<p>This AM he meet with an athletic trainer to ensure he does well on the Fitness test. Figure he has 4-5 months until he needs to worry about testing but better to train now. Also this will be a test of his dedication, getting up at 6:00 AM to workout trying to reach the goal.</p>
<p>He is still trying to contact the BGO for our area. Monday is his Navy visit. I have talked my wife into joining us for the New England trip. I think after the visit to CGA we will tour USMMA and WP during that weekend. If he shows any interest we can open a file and come back for a formal visit. So October looks to be very busy, with his HS season wrapping up and visting the CGA/USMMA/WP in the same weekend. The following Friday we fly out to Colorado Springs for his Air Force visit.</p>
<p>I have made arrangements with a friend retired AF to discuss a military career. Also I am hoping to meet up with a business associates neighbor while in Annapolis who had a great deal of insight into Navy.</p>
<p>"Wow, I never expected this thread to reach to this point". That statement makes me grin big. hdhouse3rd, just wait till we all get going. You'll be amazed at how quickly we ramble off the subject track. The next thing you know, we'll all be taking about somebody's 1965 Chevelle that they are re-doing or a chocolate rum cake recipe. The only thing that remains solid here is GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!! Or wait. Was it GO NAVY BEAT ARMY? Can't recall right now. I just know that USMMA will beat USCGA in football soon. </p>
<p>Anyhow, you are really doing a great job. Get info in any place you can find. You'll find the more that you & your son learn from those folks, the better quality questions you'll have to find the answers you need. Tell your wife to get on over to that gift shop for a beat army memento.</p>
<p>" I just know that USMMA will beat USCGA in football soon." Who put you up to that JM...after I send you love...oh my! Don't go crazy on us! I may have to suit Steve up after all...once he gets out of the water. See you on the 12th!</p>
<p>Crazy is so right! She keeps saying "Go Navy Beat Army". That's the wrong way to say it. And I had every intention of sending her some chocolates...</p>
<p>Here we go again. hdhouse3rd is gonna think he's entered the third floor of LuLu Town hospital. Just send me the dang chocolates and we can all just get along. HA! HA! You cracked me up win that post to Jamz. He LOVES the git r dunnnn thing. Tell him that often. We only said it once over parent's week-end and I just don't think he heard it nearly enough. Go Gamecox! (see other thread for that one)</p>
<p>Graduation rates have improved from the pre-90's when the rate was about 50%. In the 90's the average graduation rate was 62% with a high of 68% ('94) and low of 59% ('91).</p>
<p>Don't know if I interpreted his numbers correctly but I think he said that during the last 14 years attrition during Swab summer is about 10%, Academic Attrition 8%, Conduct Attrition 4%, and Voluntary Disenrollment was 15% - making a total attrition of 37%. For comparison purposed, the other academies have about a 25% attrition. However, in the early 70's both army and navy had about a 50% attrition rate.</p>
<p>The major "pitfalls" for USCGA cadets are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Time management is a common failing. Parents could encourage their cadets to develop effective time-management strategies, identify priorities, set goals, and control how they use time. Cadets time is less programmed, especially in the academic year, than many realize </p></li>
<li><p>Cadets resist studying during absences from the Academy. Parents could encourage them to study when visiting home, pointing out that successful lifelong learners never miss an opportunity. </p></li>
<li><p>Cadets are reluctant to use our student support services. We have quite a safety net, and our teaching faculty is well known for their interest and willingness to help individual cadets who ask. Parents could help them understand that to seek help is not a sign of weakness. </p></li>
<li><p>Cadets whose heart isnt in it are sometimes pressured to stay. This frequently makes matters worse. Parents could talk with their cadets and help them follow their hearts. It is in the best interests of the Coast Guard, and in their individual best interests, to guide them to associations that will be fulfilling.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for steering us back on course Captain Aspen! Those are all excellent points. I'm concerned about #2 these days. Withholding chicken and dumplings & sweet tea could be strong motivation while visiting at home.....</p>
<p>Can't say it enough. Use Use Use those student support services kids. Do anything you can to make your academy lives better.</p>
<p>Of course this is not unique to the CGA but thanks for the post Aspen. Anyway I think #1 bears watching as well. They have a lot of "free" time, more than you would think. On Tuesdays my ds has from 12 to 4 free which is quite unique. Not to begrudge them the free time but the computer world is a tremendous distraction as we parents can attest.</p>
<p>This year USNA took an interesting approach to problem #1. Some midshipmen also have blocks of time between classes on certain days as Bossf51 describes. Up until this week, the plebes were not allowed back into Bancroft during class hours. Since they also do not rate sitting down (outside) on the Yard, they would have to go to one of the many study rooms across campus. Can't say for sure if this was designed to support building better habits about using their free time, but one would think it might both encourage them to get familiar with the study rooms and to avoid distracting activities (like phone calls, chatting online or computer games) that are more comfortably done in the dorm room.</p>
<p>Not for the plebes at USNA: its a serious offense for a plebe to be on their rack (bed) during the day on school days! Not sure if there is a penalty for nodding off on your keyboard...</p>