<p>BigGreen always has great insight. Perhaps there is somebody you could speak with about your options? </p>
<p>I've talked to several alums who indicated that they were on the verge of quitting during plebe or yuk year for reasons that are similar to yours. They are really glad they stuck it out. I also worked with somebody who left after yuk year. He just couldn't stand polishing and wearing uniforms anymore. However, he said that he carried West Point with him every single day for the last 30+ years since he left.</p>
<p>Just my two cents, but from my experience, Yuk year just plain sucked. Plebe year wasnt that bad, and then with the classes and all of Yuk year, upperclassmen in your company just kind of ignoring you, and having a plebe who messes everything up, it just makes for a crappy time. I was probably one of the more bitter yuks in my company. Then I was a CFT2 SL and figured out that no one likes listening to yuks complain because it sucks for everyone, and once you become a cow, life's not that bad. I told my squad every day that yuk year was going to be worse than plebe year, and they were all like "there's no way," then midway through the academic year, most of them came to me and said that I was right. If being in the Army is what you feel will be best for you in your life, then yuk year's no big deal. Cow and Firstie year more than make up for it, and life will be great until you have to go to BOLC II...
Again, just my two cents.</p>
<p>Two days ago, a man walks into my workplace on business. He's about 58-60 years old. He says, "Who's car is that out there with the KP sticker in the rear window?" I told him it was mine and that my son is in his second year there. He grinned and said that he'd been a Plebe at KP but quit. He added, "If I could turn back the clock, knowing what I know now, I would have stuck it out". He went on to tell me his fond memories of the place & after he'd left, I thought, Wow. This guy still holds this regret after all these years. </p>
<p>Geoffa, I'm sure that you've done the deepest of soul searches & I shared this story because I want you to think about it some more. Please. Don't live too much in the "now". Now is bad/Future is better. Good luck to you no matter what. You seem like such a well put together young man. In other words, I LIKE YA! :D</p>
<p>Thanks again for all of those who have taken time to post on this. I have been talking to family friends and teachers that I respect here, tirelessly. This is a decision that either way I need to take to heart, and all of you have grasped my seriousness. Thanks.</p>
<p>The manner in which old grads always discuss their lives at WP seems to be fairly constant. There's a little joke about what certain grads have engraved in their ring, "IHTFP". One day it means "I Have Truely Found Paradise", the next it means "I Hate This F***ing Place". That pretty much sums it up, albeit rather coarsely. On one day I have plans to do airborne and air assault this summer, the next something happens where I become completely disenchanted with the student body. Never decide anything permanent on a bad day, though.</p>
<p>My Dad is trying to link me up with a CIA buddy that was an Army Vietnam vet for an AIAD this summer (AIAD takes the place of a graded course for your major, but gives you realtime job experience). I figure if I do it and really like the CIA, I can still get out before Cow Committment. If I feel that service in the Army is almost a prereq. to getting a field agent slot, then it makes no sense to leave. Only time will tell at this point. </p>
<p>i didnt read all of the posts....but being a plebe really isn't that bad....thank God I'm not at nmmi....and if you want a college experience, then don't come here.</p>
<p>Wow... Amazing how perspectives can change. Last year, I was totally ready to quit and hating life. Now, things are 100x better. I don't even know what it is--I love being a Yuk! I can give you the totally different side of being a Yuk. I know I'm supposed to be bitter, but honestly, I'm having a great time. I've gotten out almost every weekend, and have made a ton of new friends. Yea, it sucks being the adolescent child of West Point, but it's still better than being a Plebe. I'm pretty pumped about getting into my Major(s) next semester, and there's just a lot to look forward to. I think a lot of my change in attitude also has to do with a change in the way I'm looking at things--I'm just much more positive! Funny how much of a difference that makes... Yea, things suck. But they suck for everyone, right?</p>