<p>USNA69, that is why my son could not get his appointment presented at honors night...it would have hurt the feelings of those who did not receive such honors. Can ya tell I'm still a little miffed??</p>
<p>mom3boys,</p>
<p>Same here! As a matter of fact, when the counselors all got up and gave the scholarship dollar amounts for the kids they were responsible for, our son's counselor was almost apologetic and very understated about our son's accomplishments, even giving the caveat "He went after these awards very aggressively." How else is there?</p>
<p>I made sure the school got a graduation announcement. ;)</p>
<p>BTW Expert with pistol, sharpshooter with rifle (probably too many bad habits from shooting at ptarmigan and moose!) (No, he wasn't shooting at ptarmigan with a rifle...)</p>
<p>We were very fortunate that my daughter's HS really supported kids who "aggressively went after" scholarships and SA appointments. I will never forget our BGO's intro about D's appointment, nor the recognition she received from all those in attendance.</p>
<p>I do not consider my presentation a success unless my candidates receive a standing ovation, usually the only ones of the evening. However, you are absolutely correct. Some of the schools are impenetrable. Usually the attitude of the senior counselor. A very tough 'nut' to crack.</p>
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I do not consider my presentation a success unless my candidates receive a standing ovation, usually the only ones of the evening.
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<p>Thank heaven that the BGO who came to my son's awards banquet felt the same way!</p>
<p>The principal invited me in to discuss the matter...I'm usually pretty good at getting my way...he would not budge. He didn't think it was right to honor SAs and not every other scholarship and "parents would not want to sit there all night." At least they did cut some of the nonsense this year: perfect attendance (they were usually absent) and 17th place in the state DECA competition. With nearly 800 seniors, it could be tedious, but I let him know how strongly I disagreed with his decision. Ultimately, it was his decision. My DS did not care, so that was what comforted me; the fact that he was fine in not receiving any public attention for his accomplishment. The school treated it like an athletic signing, and all his friends came to watch. Not what I would have chosen, but oh well....</p>
<p>My Mids Principal teared up when talking about his (my sons) accomplishments, then my Mid got a chance to speak and he began to cry. Just our families personal experience. Now that we have 6 or 8 letters under our belt from the plebe, seems things are fine, he is doing well, and the Navy has things well under control.............and HE is getting it. That is what is so important.</p>
<p>I guess with 800 kids to get through in one night it would be tough to pick and choose who gets recognition. Our sons HS graduating class was less than one tenth that size and despite being a bastion of left wing conspirators I have to give them credit for going above and beyond when it came to recognizing the accomplishments of the kids. His BGO came and made a great presentation; probably all the more compelling as our son was the first graduate of his HS to attend the USNA. </p>
<p>Our son was really looking forward to his day at the range, so when I noticed his company group photos from the range were posted I expected to see his smiling face. He really enjoys shooting, built his own tricked out M4 during his senior year. Back in the stone age I used to be a firearms instructor and shot competitively for my detachment, I tried to teach him what little I remembered and he was certainly hoping to get his double Es. </p>
<p>Only problem was his face was no where to be found on any of the photos; company or his squad. He wasn’t in any pictures… Knowing he would have shown up on crutches to shoot even if he broke both legs, we were at a loss to explain his absence. We finally heard he pulled a long watch that day so he could not qualify. He was assured that once the Academic year started someone would get him to the range, along with other Mids on watch or SIQ. </p>
<p>That day could not have come fast enough, as he’d often get the “What? No ribbons…did you miss everything??</p>
<p>Day finally comes in September with yet another snag, “Time to go” as in “NOW” so they head to range but he’s not able to get back to his room for his glasses… problem is he can’t see much past the end of the sights. He manages to qualify Sharpshooter on rifle and Marksman on pistol, but he’s still kind of down about it. </p>
<p>Story does have a happy ending, he went out for Combat Arms and shot one more time with his glasses on, he got his double Es.</p>
<p>Good news for those that got their sharpshooter letters, or get to wear one or 2 "E's" on their ribbons, and even those that just managed to handle a gun for the first time and still hit the target!</p>
<p>While you are all celebrating, please say a prayer for the 16 that were sitting at Tango today. I think there were a few "S's" and "E's" amongst them.</p>
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<p>This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for shooting, this is for fun.</p>
<p>haha, LOL!!</p>
<p>sorry to be ignorant but can you explain the comment </p>
<p>"the 16 sitting at Tango today"....</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>just for the record...that last comment was made by me (mom of 10) but somehow I was logged under my mid's login name. Obviously, he could not have posted here today :)</p>
<p>"Tango" company, as I understand it, is what you might call a holding company for Plebes who are considering leaving USNA. These Plebes are separated from the regular stresses of Plebe Summer, as they are not required to participate in various training evolutions. They do have an opportunity to consult with USNA chaplains and officers as they consider their decisions. I do not know how likely it is for a Plebe to decide to continue, once they have moved to Tango, although I have read that, if they do decide to stay, they can be given the chance to join a different company, to help them get going again without undue prejudice.</p>
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This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for shooting, this is for fun.
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<p>A comment like that on the yard now will get you an invite out Gate 3.</p>
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the 16 sitting at Tango today"....
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<p>2012mom did a good job of explaining Tango.
As of Friday, 16 are questioning their desire to remain. There are several firsties assigned to support them during this time. During the process they will be counciled and will have an opportunity to speak to several people at the academy to make sure they have given this decision thought. The reasons they are there are varied. Some may ultimately decide to stay the course and rejoin the brigade- but if they decide to leave, the academy, from all appearances, helps to support them in what is, no doubt, a very difficult decision.</p>
<p>At the school I cover most extensively, they make a big deal out of all scholarships. I have had to endure two hours of waiting each awards night for three years in a row to present the appointments because the school does them alphabetically.</p>
<p>They like to make a big deal out of the total dollar amount of scholarships earned by the graduates, and last year, over $1M was awarded in just three appointments to USNA (2) and USMA (1). They did make me cut down the "appointment script" to 25 words or less.</p>
<p>It does upset me (a little) that the "Cletus T. Jones FFA scholarship for $250" gets the same recognition as an appointment to USNA, but I grit my teeth and am happy just to get the opportunity to get some free publicity for USNA out here in Hooterville.</p>
<p>It’s not tough seeing how this might be a source of minor frustration. Our Mid never got a mention at the senior awards ceremony for receiving an appointment to USNA, although the principal did single him out for recognition on graduation night, which then required our going out and buying some buttons. But it seems to me this can be and is a confusing issue. </p>
<p>On one hand those of us associated with SA Mids & Cadets want to tout the significance of this monumental student achievement AND its monetary magnitude. And rightly so. But on the other hand we’re quick to contend steadfastly, even indignantly sometimes, this appointment and its ensuing 4 year education (and concurrent 5 or more years of employment) does NOT constitute a “free” education. Again, rightly so. Maybe more rightly so. Let me offer a few thoughts for those of us mired in this military minutiae.</p>
<p>In the first instance, we suggest this value be counted as “scholarship” awards. In which case, the $$ should be thrown in with the other awards aid. But most often, counting the $$ this way implies virtually no obligation or return aside from maintaining a GPA or majoring in a specific department or field of study. There’s certainly no obligation post-collegiate years. If this is the case, then call it a full ride, and forget the other argument.</p>
<p>But I think in fact it’s perhaps more true to form to see this as work-study money. In fact, recipients EARN every cent of it and more, it seems to me. It’s more like being hired for a job and a big part of that or at least the first part is education and training.</p>
<p>And there’s one more difference that might even suggest that the Cletus Jones FFA Milking Scholarship should merit equal time … or more that senior night in the auditorium. In most cases, unlike the USNA appointment award, Cletus … or ones who value Mr. Jones have given of their personal largesse to allow this award. USNA money are merely reallocated tax dollars. Now, I’ll be the first to suggest that schools ought to indicate that public announcement of these smaller monetary awards won’t occur until a certain level is available for awarding, in order to make these ceremonies more bearable and sense-making. If yours is like ours, pretty soon we’ll be having 25 word talks for awarding gas money to get to the nearest State U. if someone’s willing to fill up the tank in memory of Aunt Minnie.</p>
<p>But imo, while there should be plenty of room for student recognition and the awesomeness (that word DOES apply in this situation, don’t you think?) of this step … for several reasons including past achievement, future possibilities, and life-and-death commitment to serving our nation and every person who cares about freedom.</p>
<p>Wow, this is obviously a cultural, regional, school board to school board type thing. I am very happy to report that our Mids BGO got over 5 minutes, my Mid got about 5 minutes, and the principal talked about it and cried, yes cried and he is a 6 foot 6 African American man. He told the audience that this was his first student to achieve a Military Academy and he was so proud of that. There was not a dry eye in the house. The rest of the students were equally honored, but the emotional level with my Mids appointment was unequalled. Was a great moment in time and nothing more than that. He got the heck ragged out of him the next day for tearing up........he got over it. His letters are upbeat, he is having a good time, likes his Cadre, likes his roommate's, no complaints EXCEPT he does not like to stand at attention for hours on end.</p>
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As of Friday, 16 are questioning their desire to remain.
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<p>I guess my curiosity can't hold back...how would you know that?
And question #2....when typically would a parent be looped in (if at all) or at least informed?</p>
<p>Tango Company has their own tables, which are labeled as such in King Hall, which means any Mid still at the Academy eating in King Hall could see how many are in Tango.</p>
<p>While not common, there are some people who manage to go into Tango company at the beginning of the summer where they stay until the end and then suddenly decide they really like USNA again. There's one of those dirtbags in my class.</p>