<p>Well, our children are going to be/are defending that First Amendment. Glad the community supported the college. </p>
<p>I support my son.</p>
<p>My son has received negative comments from his grandfather (my husband's father). He does not want any of his children or grandchildren in the military. He had the nerve to tell my son that if he stays in the Army he will be killed. :mad: It infuriates me!!! I would like to tell him to keep comments like this to himself but my husband doesn't want to say anything to his father. My son handles it by ignoring the comments and changing the subject.</p>
<p>^^^^ouch!</p>
<p>You have a smart son.</p>
<p>When I called the GC today to tell him S had received ALO, his comment was:</p>
<p>"Well, I guess that's good for him, but I think they should just do away with those Academies." On afterthought though, GC did say how happy he was for DS and that he knew S would do very well no matter where he "wound up."</p>
<p>had a similiar response back when....</p>
<p>I pulled the well-meaning grandparent to the side, reminded them that this was our son's decision- well reasoned, of sound heart and mind- and that while we may not "like" the idea, our job was now to support.</p>
<p>At the same time, I used those "opportunities" as another "check" that this was still the goal. If they want it bad enough, they will defend their reasoning for themselves. For me, it served as another validation that our son had, indeed, thought this out thoroughly.</p>
<p>I came to the understanding that, at least in our case, said grandparent was well-meaning and well-intentioned, and acted out of love and concern for our son.</p>
<p>Said grandparent came to understand that some things are best left unsaid, no matter how well-meaning and well-intentioned and acted out of love and concern for our son.</p>
<p>Keep the faith.</p>
<p>What really upsets me is that my father-in-law has said negative things to my son about the Army and West Point several times over the last couple of years. He shared his opinion; my son listened and made his own decision. In my opinion it is now time to drop it. Unfortunately my father-in-law is the type that is "always right" and will continue to share his negative opinion with my son. I foresee my son choosing to spend very little time with his grandparents if this continues. It is a shame my father-in-law cannot see he puts people off with his attitude...which is one reason we live 3,000 miles away.</p>
<p>I think your fil is my sister, WAMom. She is vehemently opposed to S even fencing, let alone "joining the stupid army." That's why we haven't seen her in 11 years. </p>
<p>On the other hand, other relatives very supportive and happy for S, knowing he's doing what he really wants to do.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What really upsets me is that my father-in-law has said negative things to my son about the Army and West Point several times over the last couple of years.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I would be curious as to the "why".....</p>
<p>perhaps getting at the root of that, should it be important to you, would help to appreciate where he is coming from, and perhaps shed some light on how to best deal with it.....</p>
<p>just a thought....</p>
<p>Hello everyone, this is my first post. My daughter will be in the class of 2012 at the AFA.
My daughter hasn't really received any negative comments, a few fellow students are rather jealous, but no serious comments. I did have a rather strange experience with an Army recruiter that had call to talk to my d. I told him that she wasn't interested in enlisting because she was working on getting into AFA (has since received LOA). He said "Oh, where is she going to college?" I repeated that she was going to the AFA, "Yes, but where is she going?" he said. I was really confused but said again "The Air Force Academy." The recruiter then said "Don't you mean ROTC? She has to attend a college somewhere." I finally said "The Air Force Academy, you know like West Point but for Air Force. It's in Colorado Springs." </p>
<p>He really seemed to have no idea there was an Air Force Academy!</p>
<p>Wow, maybe that recruiter wouldn't be the best to ask about anything else, if they don't know about the AFA!</p>
<p>Daughter has never received any hostility, but wives parents did try to talk her out of the Navy and into the Air Force. They aren't very well informed but seem to think that women in the Navy can never have a "normal" life, while women in the Air Force can have husbands and babies and everything without it having anything to do with there careers. When I pointed out that all three of their daughters and their son waited until they were in there 30's to start a family, they weren't too pleased.</p>
<p>Bottom line, daughter listens to everyone politely, lets them know her opinion if asked, but won't argue. She knows what she wants and is going for it.</p>
<p>Of course, as a Taekwondo practitioner, if she came up against real hostitlity she'd probably just tell them to "talk to the foot." Just kidding (mostly.)</p>
<p>twxtwinmom,</p>
<p>Welcome aboard. And congrats to your daughter!</p>
<p>I love it when people think I need to know their opinions. Twin1 was telling all kinds of people that Twin2 got the LOA from USAFA at a fencing tournament. Twin1 is very proud of his bro and was doing some "bragging" about him. Two of the parents came over to me, across a crowded gymnasium, and informed me that if Twin2 actually attends the AFA, "he'll be in the Air Force, you know!" "He's so smart, don't you want him to go to college?" A third mom came over to me and while she actually knew what a service academy is, said that she would cut off her son's thumbs before she "let him join Bush's military." </p>
<p>What's that expression? "Stuck on Stupid?"</p>
<p>Hey Moms -
First of all, I want to say "thanks" to all of y'all, because I know how it feels to send your "best friend" (son or daughter) off to a Service Academy. I know y'all don't hear appreciative words or get support nearly enough. Even tho' I'm a "Service Academy mom" too, I just want to tell you all how great I think you are - it's not the same as sending a kid to a regular college. You know they are making sacrifices that other kids aren't making; they're living with a lot more discipline in their lives, and they do have to work harder than civilian college kids. As much as some people want to correlate a SA to a CivCol, they aren't the same - not the same while they are there, and not the same future to expect upon graduation. Anyone who wants to believe that going to a SA is like going to a CivCol doesn't understand the mission. It's different, and our experiences as parents are different. How about the fact that they have to report to I-day weeks before their friends move into their dorms? How about the fact that once they get there they are stripped & shorn? And then once you say "good-bye" and watch them march to the drumbeat into Bancroft you can't even talk to them again for several weeks - and even then it's just for a few minutes (usually with someone yelling in the background!), and then no more contact for a few more weeks. This is a pretty tough gig for a parent - for most of us it is a shock because we've been so involved in our kids' lives. And that is just the initial part of the SA experince for a parent. Yes, not many people can understand what our kids go thru, or what it's like to be the parent in this situation...</p>
<p>So let me be one who tells you - because you can't hear it enough - "Thank you, Moms & Dads!". Your kids are awesome (you knew that!), and you are awesome too, for supporting them thru this process - even in the face of ignorance & crticism from other people. It's so ironic that our kids could be unappreciated - or even criticized for choosing a SA. When I first got on CC, someone (Shogun? Bill? Zaph?) posted, "Half the people don't know what you're doing, and half don't know why you're doing it!". That quote kind of helped me tolerate some of the ignorance about the SAs that we've encountered. It's sad, but I guess people are just different, and it would be boring if we all thought alike. At least you know that you have strong support from other SA parents...</p>
<p>And this SA parent just wants to say, "Thanks!" to all you other SA parents. If your kids are just getting appointments, "Congratulations!". Bravo Zulu to all of y'all. Be strong in the face of criticism - you're going to have to be strong a lot from here on out, but you can do it!</p>
<p>And just in case you could use a little inspiration today, here is a great link for one public figure who seems to "get it"...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcau37NKG4%5B/url%5D">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcau37NKG4</a></p>
<p>Hope you all have a JOYFUL Sunday.
God bless.
~BZ</p>