<p>Almost the same story here gonecokanutts. Only met mine once for ten minutes, after I requested to meet him (he wanted a phone interview). Special thanks to USNA1985 for helping me get even that far.</p>
<p>Congrats to all the others though, I bet the ceremonies were awesome.</p>
<p>You can still have a ceremony...it does not have to be your BGO. Talk to your guidance counselor and then call the USNA parents club in your area to set it up. Our ALO sometimes does the ceremonies, but he couldn't on the date of my son's...we contacted the parents club and they sent out an officer we had met at the founder's day dinner...he did a great job!</p>
<p>TKinAK,</p>
<p>I have to admit that the presentation of my appointment was one the single greatest moments in my high school career, too. It was a culmination of the hard work I put in. You should cherish that moment in time when everyone stood up to applaud you and use it as motivation while you're at the Academy. I remember getting a standing ovation, too, and I live in one of the most anti-military areas in the United States. Really, you should be justifiably proud of all your accomplishments, as they will certainly be put to the test when you come here. Congratulations...it brings most of us back to that moment when we first received our appointments in front of our classmates.</p>
<p>
[quote]
...and I live in one of the most anti-military areas in the United States.
[/quote]
Many Americans are anti-war, but I've yet to meet anyone who is "anti-military."</p>
<p>
[quote]
Many Americans are anti-war, but I've yet to meet anyone who is "anti-military."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You would be surprised how many people correlate the starting of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with servicemen and women. </p>
<p>You take a look at people like Westboro and Code Pink, though they are extremists, it makes you wonder how many people in this nation also think that way.</p>
<p>A lot of people in this nation are very ignorant about what the military does. They do not understand. They are civilians. They know little about the military, and what they stand for. It isn't necessary for them to learn about the military and what they do to keep us protected--it's not their role in society. </p>
<p>Most people just don't care about the military is also another factor. George Orwell said something along the lines of "People sleep peacefully at night because rough men are willing to do violence on their behalf". People are protected, will say "oh thank you", but their respect ends there. Well, that is what I get from my conversations around school. My school has 2,600 people in it, and there will be quite a few people enlisting, doing ROTC, or plan on going to OCS after college. There are 2 other kids in the school who are going to USAFA. </p>
<p>The typical high school student at my school asks "Why?". As in, "Why would you join the military?".</p>
<p>I have gotten the response "You want to go to Iraq?". People are idiots. </p>
<p>People at school ask me what college I am going to, since by now most people already know where they are heading off to. </p>
<p>It is SO hard to explain to people what the prep school is for the Naval Academy. They don't understand. Most of the time I will just say "Naval Academy" just so I don't have to explain the prep school process to them.</p>
<p>People at school also know I am a big fan of the Corps. The usually response to my answer is "I thought you were enlisting into the Marines?" or "Oh, thats good too, the Navy supports the Marines."</p>
<p>As if explaining a the USNA Foundation Program was hard enough, trying to explain how the Marines are part of the Navy is another...</p>
<p>Any ways, in conclusion, people are ignorant, no nothing about the military, and will choose to throw stones at those who want to be in it.</p>
<p>I think all schools should have curriculum that teaches about the military so people are not so uninformed.</p>
<p>My son finds it particularly funny as his school is very international and some of his friends aren't returning to their homelands as they have enforced military service when they do go back! (Chinese, Korean, etc). He is very unusual in his school (just a regular kid in my mind) and I'm going to be interested to see their response at his awards ceremony.</p>
<p>usna09mom - I have met people who are anti-military. I live with a whole bunch of them up in the northwoods of WI.
TXinAK - congrats on the recognition you've received for your appointment.
Most (around 90%) of the comments I get from my classmates about my decision to attend USNA are sarcastic, cynical, or both.
LongC - one of my classmates insisted that I was "enlisting" by going to the USNA. Wouldn't believe me when I told him there was a difference between enlisting and going through an officer accession program.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there are people out their who are both ignorant about the military and anti-military. Code Pink, the city of Berkley, and the guys who tried to blow up the Times Square recruiting station are all such examples. It is unfortunate that these people exist but there are always going to be people who take their opinions out on the wrong people.</p>
<p>Just watch this video.
YouTube</a> - Hannity & Colmes vs Crook
It explains this issue perfectly.</p>
<p>Ignorant high school students are always going to be there as well. Nobody realizes that going to a service academy is equivalent if not harder than going to an Ivy. This is something that usually gets changed with age. It will always be a problem however.</p>
<p>For all you candidates who are having trouble getting a commitment out of your BGO, don't take 'no' for an answer. You rate it. Call him one more time, and if you receive a negative response, contact the Area Coordinator. His name and phone number is in the on-line catalog. Explain your situation and ask him to arrange someone else to do the presentation.</p>
<p>usna09mom....I live in a very pro-military area of the country - very Navy/Marine rich San Diego county and I can tell you I have bumped into some people who are virulently negative about the military. I used to assume that if I shared I had a daughter who is learning Arabic to serve as a Marine Officer, at least there might be some sense of American pride coming from the other end.....but I have personally been the recipient of comments like: "I would NEVER allow MY child to serve in the military!" or "How can YOU L E T YOUR child even CONSIDER wanting to be involved in an illegal part of our government?" </p>
<p>If you pay attention to the news, the poor Marine Office in Berkeley had been publically excoriated by the Berkeley City Council and told they too were unwanted in 'their community' and only when public outcry forced the situation did those who are quoted with the most anti-military comments on the record, backtrack a bit. I even called up to their office - talked to a Marine volunteer on Valentine's Day....his name was, I kid you not, Romeo ( I thought at first he was pulling my leg, but indeed that is the man's name) and he told me that yes, they are dealing with anti-military sentiment, but in his words,concerning moving their office out of the city of Berkeley.... God bless them..."We Marines aren't going anywhere". I was so grateful for them I mailed up a big box of thank you peskemom cookies!</p>
<p>peskemom,</p>
<p>"Tell it to the Marines!"</p>
<p>I look forward to cool and sunny San Diego in the October/November time frame.</p>
<p>jadler03...you'll have to contact us when you are local! use: <a href="mailto:nofoolingme2003@yahoo.com">nofoolingme2003@yahoo.com</a> to let me know!!!</p>
<p>I have a USNA dinner from the parents or alumni in my area this wednesday. I suppose I can ask someone there. Thanks for the advice! Idon't want to miss out on the ceremony.</p>
<p>Thanks for the good advice PlebeMom2012 and USNA69......after several polite emails back and forth the BGO found another USNA grad to fill in at the HS awards ceremony next week .</p>