One comment from a current mid [surprise!]

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I don’t cruise here too often; not enough time and not enough interest.
I have one bit of advice for those that are trying to get in here, especially those that are hanging on every word posted here, you should cool your jets and relax. It’s not even January and you all are talking about I-day?!</p>

<p>Most importantly, however, be careful about what you read in this site. This site, like all of those on the web, has some accurate and inaccurate information. It seems that, currently, there are about six types of people that post on here.</p>

<li><p>Ex-mids that love to SCREAM so they can REALLY get there point across about their days in the academy. Some of what he says is accurate for today’s Academy; some no longer applies. If he had really learned all that he said he learned at the Academy, perhaps he would quit SCREAMING at everybody and quit trying to be SUPERIOR to everybody and just help.</p></li>
<li><p>A couple of over-obsessive know-it-all dads that may have been in the Navy but don’t seem to have attended the Academy. Nonetheless, these dads have researched EVERY aspect of the admissions, plebe, and academic process so that they can give advice to everybody on everything. Some of what he says is accurate; some is not. I don’t think this web site is suppose to be a contest to see who is smarter than others about something you haven’t experienced. Jeeezz . . .you people don’t even know each other. </p></li>
<li><p>A few parents of current mids, who seem to have a good handle on THEIR side of the experience but less knowledge of what really goes on in here. [I have to give them some credit for seeming to restrain themselves.] Still, they don’t know what goes on here on a daily basis. </p></li>
<li><p>Many parents of potential mids, who are curious about every aspect of the application process, plebe year, etc. [I suppose this is normal and seems relatively harmless.] After all, if the parents don’t find out, it doesn’t seem that the applicant is inclined to find out and, who knows, maybe what the parents find out will be useful to the plebe next summer.</p></li>
<li><p>Many, many potential mids that are hanging on EVERY word that is posted as if gospel. STOP IT! If you have received an appointment, is there ANYTHING that anybody can post here that would change your mind? Go about the last of your senior year. If you have an appointment, quit worrying. Everything [and I mean everything] that you need or need to know will be provided for you. If you don’t have an appointment, quit worrying. You can’t change a thing now.</p></li>
<li><p>About three or four current mids, who, as might be expected, have varying levels of interest in re-visiting the anxiety of application.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The bottom line: Each of you will find your own way through this experience. You will be part of a team for sure, but, at the end of the day, you have to want to be here in order to succeed. Nobody else can make this happen for you.</p>

<p>You can read all you want; ask all the questions you want; listen, read, talk, and type all you want, but the Acadmy place is nothing like what you expect. The highs are very high indeed; the lows are particularly trying. Unless a person has graduated within the past three or four or five years, they can’t really say what the experience will be like when YOU arrive. Some things are relatively constant; many, many things change from time to time.
What you bring with you on I-day will be important to you for about 8-hours. Beyond that? It doesn’t matter. Whether or not you went to NAPS might be important for about a week. Beyond that? It doesn’t matter. I think that somebody said what you did in high school isn’t important in here. Mostly correct.</p>

<p>Quit worrying. If you get in, you get in. If you last the summer, you lasted the summer. One day at a time. One accomplishment at a time.
Its not as bad as you might think. Its not always great either. With the support of my shipmates, my parents, my belief in God, and my belief in myself, I have made it this far. I will make next semester. I will probably make it three more years.</p>

<p>All the mindless arguments in here about whether the school is better or best; whether mids are better or best; whatever . . . don’t matter to me one bit! One year from now, when you are preparing to go home for Christmas, wherever you may be going to school, it won’t matter to you one bit either. </p>

<p>Its almost Christmas; I can’t wait to get out of here.</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
1. Ex-mids that love to SCREAM so they can REALLY get there point across about their days in the academy. Some of what he says is accurate for today's Academy; some no longer applies. If he had really learned all that he said he learned at the Academy, perhaps he would quit SCREAMING at everybody and quit trying to be SUPERIOR to everybody and just help.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Obviously they aren't issuing senses of humor at USNA anymore. As for sounding superior, I suggest you reread your own post, Junior.</p>

<p>One last thing. I'm not an "ex-Mid". I'm an Alumni. BIG difference.</p>

<p>
[quote]
The bottom line: Each of you will find your own way through this experience. You will be part of a team for sure, but, at the end of the day, you have to want to be here in order to succeed. Nobody else can make this happen for you.</p>

<p>You can read all you want; ask all the questions you want; listen, read, talk, and type all you want, but the Acadmy place is nothing like what you expect. The highs are very high indeed; the lows are particularly trying. Unless a person has graduated within the past three or four or five years, they can't really say what the experience will be like when YOU arrive. Some things are relatively constant; many, many things change from time to time.
What you bring with you on I-day will be important to you for about 8-hours. Beyond that? It doesn't matter. Whether or not you went to NAPS might be important for about a week. Beyond that? It doesn't matter. I think that somebody said what you did in high school isn't important in here. Mostly correct.</p>

<p>Quit worrying. If you get in, you get in. If you last the summer, you lasted the summer. One day at a time. One accomplishment at a time.
Its not as bad as you might think. Its not always great either. With the support of my shipmates, my parents, my belief in God, and my belief in myself, I have made it this far. I will make next semester. I will probably make it three more years.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Read and heed, folks. He's spot-on.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Its almost Christmas; I can't wait to get out of here.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That's certainly a constant. Man, those last few days seem to drag on forever....</p>

<p>So! What company and deck are you in/on? Major? Service Selection desire? Are they still scrambling you guys at the end of 3/c years or did they come to their senses and do it after Plebe Year again?</p>

3

<p>"If you don't have an appointment, quit worrying. You can't change a thing now." jamtex</p>

<p>On the contrary, certain candidates may be borderline and the academy wants to see 7th semester grades AND some kids may kick bu*t on the Feb ACT and get an appointment based on their improved scores/grades.</p>

<p>enjoy your well-earned leave. I'm debriefing my mid next week...</p>

<p>Oh, and Zaphod provides a good historical perspective AND he has a great personality!</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
3. A few parents of current mids, who seem to have a good handle on THEIR side of the experience but less knowledge of what really goes on in here.

[/quote]

So, as a current mid, what really goes on?</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Zaphod provides a good historical perspective AND he has a great personality!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Don't let that fool you, though! I'm good-looking, too! :D</p>

<p><insert gag="" smiley="" here.=""></insert></p>

<p>Seriously, though. Thanks, mom! ;)</p>

<p>One of the most difficult things I had to deal with throughout my stay at Canoe U was trying to get my parents (especially my dad) to understand that not only did they have no idea what it was like, but that even if I explained it to them, it wouldn't do any good.</p>

<p>The experience is so outside the norm of the average life that it's hard to grasp. Sure, most people have been to college and made close friends. Some have been through difficult academic programs. Some have overcome depression, or loneliness, or impatience, or any number of personal challenges. But few have had to do it ALL.</p>

<p>Additionally, there is a lot of misinformation (good and bad, purposeful and accidental) that floats around about the place, and which generates any number of misconceptions. For my dad, the Academy could do no wrong. Period. It was heaven on earth. How many times did I feel like clawing his eyes out for saying, "But it MUST be <this way="">!". Infuriating. Even worse was when he tried to tell me how things were at USNA based upon what he'd read or heard. "Hey dad? NEWSFLASH! I GO THERE!" </this></p>

<p>OY!</p>

<p>No one who hasn't attended the place can ever fully understand what it's like. Those who have been through it oftentimes shrug off questions like the one above with a simple, "It's not that bad." In some cases it's modesty. In others it's a desire not to relive the hell. Most of the time it's both.</p>

<p>This is why I started that thread aimed at the parents. You CAN'T go through the Academy with us, so please don't try. Be there. Live the experience of having your kid go through the Academy. Listen to his stories. Ask questions, but be ready to be told he doesn't want to talk about it, and even if he does, understand that you're losing something in the translation.</p>

<p>Don't know how else to explain it, really....</p>

<p>I'd love to hear what it's like now. Air conditioning. E-mail. Room phones. Wow...</p>

<p>Plus, I'd love to hear whatever stupidities the Sup' , 'Dant, and/or CDO have come out with. </p>

<p>I still remember when they prescribed the afternoon uniform as Working Uniform Blue Alpha (now Winter Working Blue, unless they changed it again), wear raingear. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. :rolleyes:</p>

6

<p>Jam Tex, You have a good head on your shoulders. Have a well-deserved Merry Christmas with your family.</p>

7

<p>Jamtex: thanks for the information- as a mid-mom-in-waiting, you are right that we are very, very curious- no doubt you experienced some of this with your parents as well. Thanks for the "current" updates- play nice with the plebes if you can next summer! ;) enjoy your christmas break and before you know it you'll be a member of the alumni too and sharing all of your memories of the "good 'ole days" !</p>

<p>Zaphod- I love your posts, and your NY sense of humor- please keep it up!</p>

8

<p>Jam Tex: You make some excellent points and are absolutely correct that only those who have experienced the Academy (and really only those who have done so recently) can truely know what its like. And even then, they will have a perspective limited to their personal experience. </p>

<p>I'd like to put one other item on the table that I believe you will agree with: only parents who have experienced the journey their child has taken from application to decision to I-Day to Commissioning Week can understand what it is like to be the parent of such a child. Don't get me wrong, we are observers now, supporting cast members if you will. But we're still real people, with extremely real and very powerful feelings about our children, and it is in our nature to seek out others who can help us understand and therefore provide the best possible support we can.</p>

<p>I am the parent of a child who turned down an appointment to the Academy. I am also the parent of a child who accepted an appointment to the Academy. I guarentee you that no matter what you know about being at the Academy, you will never know how it feels to be a parent in either of the above scenarios until you are one yourself. I'm guessing you wouldn't disagree :) </p>

<p>One of the most wonderful and initially surprising things about this board is the number of parents who post (and probably other who lurk) here. I was a lurker myself for literally years before I thought I had enough insight to help anyone else! There are very few (if any!) other online communities where groups of parents with this particular life experience can interact. Please keep in mind when you get annoyed with us that while you are coming to terms, in your own unique way, with a most extraordinary experience, so are we.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Zaphod- I love your posts, and your NY sense of humor- please keep it up!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You mean "Noo YAWK", right? ;)</p>

<p>My pleasure. :)</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
You mean "Noo YAWK", right?

[/quote]
Nah---us Long Islanders don't have an accent- especially those of us living on the north shore! ;) You must have picked up a little texan to be talkin' like that!</p>

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<p>Please keep in mind when you get annoyed with us that while you are coming to terms, in your own unique way, with a most extraordinary experience, so are we.</p>

<p>AMEN....How profound.......'Nuf said.</p>

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<p>


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<p>Hey! well, the rural texans do I suppose. Houston is lacking in the Texan accent. Good posts YALL! :D</p>

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<p>JamTex – How intuitive you are at such a young age. I would suspect that you are truly on your way to becoming a good leader. You are extremely well spoken. I admire that. Safe travels home & enjoy! I can only guess it really is the little things that will count for many of you. You’re own beds at home, a meal that isn’t eaten on the run, SLEEP! And watching tv on the couch in your jammies. The thing about this forum is that you have to take the good with the bad & sometimes the ugly. Use the useful information to your benefit and learn to take the bad with a grain of salt. I’ve learned MUCH here that has been useful to my kid. For that, I’m grateful. He really would have packed his Sponge Bob boxers for I-Day if these people wouldn’t have saved him. There have been some lively discussions that are downright entertaining. Opinions, when they aren’t your own, generally are. We’re such a small group and to have this place to connect with others in similar circumstances is a Godsend. As to that, I wouldn’t say that parent’s here are up their kid’s behinds. Its a matter of fact finding for our kids to help them make informed decisions. I found that my kid didn’t know what questions to ask to get him where he needed to be. When you aren’t aware that things exsist, how can you know of them. Here, we could read about what others were finding and piped in when we could to help someone else. If I can help the upcoming kids/parents with questions about underwear :) or what date my kid had heard about his nomination to take some of the anxiety away, what is NAPS/Foundation, what day Navy shows up to beat Army :) sure, I’ll be here. Its the unknown that gets most of us in a tizzy. Reading what kids, Alumni, & parents write here gives every point of view possible. Where else can ya get good stuff like this!? There have been times when parents have been made to feel unwelcome here. Fortunately, we’re going through a different version of academy life and have a lot to offer from our perspective. Besides, we have cash and our kids have to claim us if they want it.</p>

<p>Most of our kids are not too forthcoming with information relating to their lives at these Academies. They’re too busy trying to survive. So we tend to share a lot here, trying to relate or to get help with problems on our end. At times, it may seem like an AOL chat room and other times it can get a bit over your head so talking it out seems beneficial. When you’re a parent, you don’t shed the worry like an old pair of socks. Its a given. There is a different perspective on the parent’s part here that isn’t well understood unless you’re one of us. Just as I don’t have an inkling of what “real” life is like for my academy kid, its true for my kid in that he’ll never understand what it is like to be in my shoes. I’d pay big bucks not to have him walk in them. No matter how difficult he has it, its a tough old world out here and not any better than his toughest difficulties there. I have a hard time with one group knocking another group because we’re not in each other’s shoes and never will be. I don’t however have a hard time weeding out whats important and whats not. Its all good. Keep sharing the info and the comments! My sugar must be low with all this blah blah. I know I have chocolate somewhere in this house.......</p>

14

<p>Very well said, JM! Can't add much. Good job!</p>

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<p>:) I told you my sugar was low. Its just too glorious of a day to be placed into a well boxed catagory. We all come here for varied reasons and its just the coolest place to hang out. I hope all feel welcome here and don't shy away from strong words that have been exchanged or flee altogether from fear of attack. The pen is mightier than the sword sometimes but then again, sticks & stones.... At the end of the day, we're all seeking the same things. The very best wishes for everyone here. If you're not, then you're getting lumps of coal in your stocking I tell you. Make Merry!!</p>