<p>Anyone going to Marion Military Institute as an AOG Scholar?</p>
<p>my son is, I have be ironing his name into things all week</p>
<p>Well, you are way ahead of me! Where are you staying?</p>
<p>We're bringing our RV down, still looking for a campground close. where are you coming from?</p>
<p>There is an RV Park right in Marion - <a href="http://www.marionlakesidervpark.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.marionlakesidervpark.com/</a></p>
<p>we are coming from Eastern PA - probably staying near Birmingham the night before.</p>
<p>My son went to MMI last year and is currently at West Point. There is a hotel in Marion, the Gateway Inn, that is for all practical purposes on MMI's golf course. It is small, but clean. If you can't get in there, try a hotel in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa or Selma. Selma is the closest, but doesn't have many choices. Tuscaloosa is only about fifteen minutes further and has many more options. I talked to my son last weekend and he said that Beast was much easier for the kids that had gone to MMI, than it is for kids straight out of high school. So hang in there, it will be worth it. Good luck...</p>
<p>Yeah, I'll be going to Marion. I've gotten everything on the list and all I have to do it put my name on everything. My parents and I will be driving down from central Maine. It's going to be one very long trip. However, I will be stopping into West Point on my way down to see it again to know exactly why I'm doing this year of prep. For a little motivation, you know? I hope to see all of you down there!</p>
<p>Best of luck to you, Weed!
JAM and djfrro, Congratulations to your sons! </p>
<p>What great preparation all will have for West Point.</p>
<p>Thanks momoftwins! But it's daughter for me!
FWDad - we have emailed! Your kind encouragement and information has been invaluable!</p>
<p>Weed - yep stop into West Point again - we did that with my daughter on a long weekend to NE this summer. It will really perk you up!</p>
<p>Hi All,</p>
<p>My son is going to MMI as well. He is working hard on the to do list and making some head way. </p>
<p>We live north of Atlanta. See you all in a couple of weeks! </p>
<p>FWDAD - how is your son doing at WP?? Thanks for all your words of advice during the spring.</p>
<p>I've tried calling that RV Park, the phone has been disconnected. on the web site it said that the park was up for sale so it may be closed. we'll find something. son is excited.</p>
<p>JustaMom,</p>
<p>My bad! Glad to have more moms of daughters here. (How did I mess that one up? :o)</p>
<p>Has anyone heard about roommate information?</p>
<p>No I haven't heard back from them at all yet. I don't have an email address, regular address, roomate info, or my unit assignment. It says it was all supposed to come in by Aug. 1st, so there is still some time.</p>
<p>My son didn't find out who his roommate was until he was literally moving into the barracks. His roommate ended up being a "Puddle Pirate," which I later learned was a Coastie (a Coast Gaurd Academy candidate). The roommate was from California and my son was from Texas, so not a lot in common going in, but they got along fine. For room assignments I think they put sponsored cadets with sponsored cadets, but not necessarily all AOG sponsored cadets with each other. </p>
<p>Last year it didn't seem like MMI was orgainzed very well before we got to Marion, but it to their credit, once we got there it all worked like clock work. If they are having an "Open House" for the sponsored cadets this year, by all means go. Introduce yourself to the faculty and you will feel a lot more comfortable about the next eight months. The AOG cadets should make a point of speaking with COL Bauer as he will be sheparding them through the West Point process. </p>
<p>Skybirdsmom...my son is doing well so far at West Point and likes what he is doing, although it is not always easy. Last week was spent doing "fun" things like going into the House of Tears (gas chamber), mountaineering, throwing live grenades and shooting guns. He lost 14 pounds in the first three weeks due to the increased running and physical activity.</p>
<p>We're seeing the same thing FWDAD, Marion seems to be a little disorganized at the moment, but I'm sure everything will be fine when I get down there. I called the commadant's office and he gave me my unit assignment, Alpha Company. That was all that he could tell me and he said I would get everything else I needed when I got down there.</p>
<p>There will be a reception for Parents - looking forward to it. Col Bauer is a class act. He has been in touch emailing the kids - gonna keep them on track! AOG kids should consider themselves very lucky to have him and this program.
My daughter will be in Band Company.</p>
<p>I am glad that I am not the only one who was feeling that Marion was a bit disorganized. Looking forward to getting down there to see the place.</p>
<p>I hope you all enjoy your time at Marion. Remember before you get to Marion that MMI is not West Point and it is not Big State U. It doesn't pretend to be West Point and it has little or no relation to a civilain university other than on the academic side. It is not as new or as well maintained as West Point or Big State U. It is, however, a means to an end...it is your ticket to West Point. Last year COL Bauer and the good folks at MMI got that ticket for every AOG sponsored cadet that was at MMI. That is an impressive statistic considering that there were more than 20 AOG sponsored cadets at MMI. The day before my son reported for R Day this year he went to dinner with his fellow MMI cadets. I was absolutely amazed at the friendships that my son had made with the other kids he went to MMI with, so much so that I can say that he is not going through Beast alone. He is going through with twenty best friends. Take advantage of the opportunities that will be presented to you at MMI. The faculty at MMI is top notch and they want you to succeed. They will make your transition to West Point much easier. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>there is going to be 36 aog sponsored cadets there this year, what are the chances that they will all receive appointments?</p>