<p>queenbee89, you should meet Confused. You belong together. Dumb and Dumber! I don't have any patience for such a fool. My son is going through plebe summer now and you should be glad that such a fine young man as my son will serve his country even though you don't deserve him to. period.....</p>
<p>Gee, we sent a public school dude who worked his @$#%# off to get where he is now. Even refused to retake the SATs and ACTs since he was swimming 4 hours a day (on a second rate team that he was very loyal to) and working 20 hours a week as a lifeguard while taking 4 AP classes and earning a 4.167 GPA. But that was at one of those ratty little public schools (oh, yeah, where his dad and I teach). Oh, and his dad and I are both from those horrible single parent families and both hold advanced degrees. HMMM. Have I covered everything? Ask me our ethnicity. I dare you. </p>
<p>Husband says "You are completely delusional. The only thing that I can think is that you posted this only to incite and inflame. The worst of all possible combinations, someone who speaks about that which they know little or nothing. I see this is your first post, hopefully future posts will be more considered." </p>
<p>Remember, USNA is not a social program. It is a leadership laboratory. Raw ingredients are important. Unfortunately, there are only about 1200 spots in each class, so many well-qualified applicants will not be admitted. The admissions board must make hard decisions based on available information, interviews and nominations. It is a time-tested process that works for them. </p>
<p>There are many mids from less than affluent backgrounds. I invite you to reconsider your remarks or to seek more information before venting your frustration here. Hopefullly you will come to find out that your characterization of mids is not accurate.</p>
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<p>HOLLLLERRR!!!!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
queenbee89, you should meet Confused.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Assuming it's not the same person, can you imagine? They'd get along like a house on fire....</p>
<p>Gosh this has been made for some fun reading.... I thought I would liven things up a bit.....Calm down people!</p>
<p>When I looked at the stats for the class of 2010 I just wanted to see if my kids SAT's and activities were on par with the class.... others wanted to dwell on how many white boys were admitted vs how many applied to evaluate their chances....
Oh yea then there were all those comments on kids from single parent households etc.... I just got the feeling that some of you don't think kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds deserve a spot. </p>
<p>Funny thing is.... I agree with Momof1 and Z.... yep imagine that... </p>
<p>You misunderstand Z, but the academies are mostly full of white males... why do you think parents have a hard time recognizing their sons in the pictures??? </p>
<p>Believe it or not there is still an attitude that a female (however well deserved) is taking the place of a well deserving male. </p>
<p>I have read many posts on this forum by parents who could not understand why their overacheiving son with the 1600 SAT and an 8 pages resume didn't make the cut into an academy...........well Momof1 you have the answer... It isn't all about the numbers. </p>
<p>I do wish we could get away from the how many males/females, white, hispanics, blacks are admitted. That is not likely to happen in the near future... Over 1/2 of all college freshman are women yet the academies only enroll 10-15% women......When the day comes that 1/2 of applicants are women then reporting the male/female ratio will be no big deal.<br>
You all should not concentrate on the "numbers" but on getting well deserved qualified future leaders.... </p>
<p>For those of you who disagree that diversity is good..... I am thinking that the military is not for you. I still think that being born a white male give any applicant the best shot at admissions.</p>
<p>Z.... you are the one who gave my child hope when you said it is very possible a "regular" kid could get in.... you probably don't remember that question I posted a couple of weeks ago... the thread was deleted... don't know why but it was about how to get an LOA.... </p>
<p>I don't really want to publish my autobiography on here but I will tell you this .... I was an Air Force brat whose father flew 185 combat missions in Vietnam.... so don't any of you question my understanding of the military or my patriotism. Oh and I fly the American flag every day.</p>
<p>I really am not the "bleeding heart liberal" you all assumed I was.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I still think that being born a white male give any applicant the best shot at admissions.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>you have got to be kidding.</p>
<p>Ask any BGO- that is the most competetive field of all.</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and educate yourself on the process..IMHO, you are missing the mark big-time. OK if you are just here to stir the pot....but heaven help you if you are mentoring your own towards this goal-- air force brat or not, you are certainly missing the boat!</p>
<p>I stand corrected. The 89 were indeed previously enlisted personnel.</p>
<p>Thanks for clarification. I read it as a run on sentence. Sorry.</p>
<p>OK, I never post on these pages because I have nothing to do with the military, but I am an avid lurker, and this post from Queenbee is just ridiculous. </p>
<p>"Oh yea then there were all those comments on kids from single parent households etc.... I just got the feeling that some of you don't think kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds deserve a spot."</p>
<p>Well then, your 'feeling' is wrong. No one has ever stated or implied that kids from low socio-economic backgrounds don't deserve a spot. </p>
<p>"Over 1/2 of all college freshman are women yet the academies only enroll 10-15% women."</p>
<p>Irrelevant. Are 50% of applicants to the academies female? If not, why should be class be skewed towards women when they don't apply? Jeez. </p>
<p>"For those of you who disagree that diversity is good..... I am thinking that the military is not for you."</p>
<p>No one has said that. But diversity for diversity's sake is NOT good. Especially if it is done for political reasons that could compromise the quality of an incoming class. There, I said it. </p>
<p>"I was an Air Force brat whose father flew 185 combat missions in Vietnam."</p>
<p>Good for you. It doesn't excuse total ignorance however, unfortunately.</p>
<p>Way to go Layla!</p>
<p>HAHHAHAHA</p>
<p>pwned</p>
<p>Thanks, Laylah</p>
<p>It's good to hear from someone who is actually engaging their brain.</p>
<p>Wow! Go away for a couple of days and you miss all the good stuff.</p>
<p>Questions: who are all those "rich white boys" that are the only people admitted to USNA? The people I met were, let me see...an African-American enlisted Navy family who brought both of their boys on the same day, the state trooper from Alaska and his wife the ER nurse, the mom who emigrated to the US from Cuba in a raft, the grandpa from Illinois who was an enlisted Marine in Korea and is a retired machinist... the list goes on. Maybe since my hubby is an LDO (limited duty officer who worked his way up through the enlisted ranks) we weren't allowed to sit with the rich white folks. </p>
<p>While I did encounter one or two who kind of sniffed when they learned our older daughter is an enlisted Marine and that hubby actually started as a bluejacket, the vast majority of people were just like us. They came from every conceivable background, many with all sorts of disadvantages. I was thrilled to know we are now part of such a diverse organization.</p>
<p>I think I will stay in the cheap seats...</p>
<p>You da man, Layla!</p>
<p>P.S. Are you really P. Clapton? Love your tune. Both versions.</p>
<p>Diversity in the Navy has been the theme of practically every policy speech given in the past couple of years by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen. If you really want the gouge, keep up on Navy news at: <a href="http://www.news.navy.mil%5B/url%5D">www.news.navy.mil</a></p>
<p>CNO Calls Diversity a Strategic Imperative </p>
<p>Release Date: 6/30/2006 12:21:00 PM </p>
<p>From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs </p>
<p>PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen addressed a packed audience at the Naval Air Systems Command Total Force Diversity Day here June 29. </p>
<p>Mullen left no doubt about the importance of pursuing diversity at every level in the Navy, calling it a strategic imperative and reminding the attendees that the Navy is engaged around the globe. </p>
<p>Having the cultural skills, having the diverse backgrounds in order to literally achieve our mission is really critical, said Mullen. "That is why [diversity] is a strategic imperative." </p>
<p>This level of engagement, he argued, requires a much better understanding of cultural norms and values than Sailors typically have right now. </p>
<p>While the CNO noted that the Navy has made great strides in improving diversity in recent years, the pace of globalization and the war on terrorism have made it necessary to renew those efforts and adopt change even faster. </p>
<p>Weve got to create a sense of urgency and a belief and a commitment," he said. "Leadership has to say it: 'Weve got to change.' </p>
<p>Mullen noted that the Navy has created a new Diversity Concept of Operations, which lays the groundwork for how the service will seek to improve both awareness and opportunities at all leadership levels. </p>
<p>Diversity, the CNO stressed, is about creating opportunities for all, not breaking down barriers for some. And he pressed the audience hard to begin a healthy dialogue about the subject. </p>
<p>Part of how we got here is because were afraid to talk about the subject. We dont know how to talk about it. Weve got to get over that. Amongst friends, it's a challenging issue. We worry about ticking people off, about saying the wrong thing, he said. </p>
<p>Understanding one anothers concerns was a vital first step to making progress, Mullen argued. I cant see diversity from a minority position, he noted. I have not grown up in those shoes. I didnt live that way, and I need help understanding it. And I need understanding that that is the case, not an expectation that I would pick it up instantly. </p>
<p>Mullen also encouraged leaders in the Navy to take on what he termed accountable mentorship. He argued that leaders must consider it a primary responsibility to ensure the success of those they mentor, aggressively tracking career milestones. </p>
<p>As a mentor, its my responsibility to make sure that individual makes it, he said. We have got to get [diversity] right or it jeopardizes us as an institution. </p>
<p>"The Navy is my command," Mullen added, "and this is a big part of making sure we get it right.</p>
<p>"While I did encounter one or two who kind of sniffed when they learned our older daughter is an enlisted Marine and that hubby actually started as a bluejacket, the vast majority of people were just like us."</p>
<p>And to add to that beachmom, a good number of the ACTUAL PLEBES there to stay for the Class of 2010 were formerly enlisted, like my dad in the Marines w/ class of 1980.</p>
<p>ya, and tyrese gibson in the movie Annapolis!</p>
<p>Wow have I missed a lot! I do not post much but here goes- My question is who cares who is from where or what- these are all young men and women that have
volunteered to put their lives in danger for you! When the bullets fly they don't care who they hit! Be proud of these young people, thank them for their sacrifices, and keep them in your prayers. My son went to a private school and worked really hard to get in to the Academy. I am proud of him and his fellow mids. If your child wants to get in to the Academy help him or her, support them in everything and don't keep worrying about the statistics- there are many young people from all economic backgrounds and races that met all the requirements but didn't get in. So just stop and instead of whinning and fighting on this list take the time to help your child and encourage them.</p>
<p>"what about the kids who just wants to better his/herself, who can't afford $1000 SAT Prep classes, who works their butt off in high school. why should they be penalized for their parents??"</p>
<p>"Frankly, I think that if a kid has parents that have the finances to write a tuition check should go to college and ROTC and open a spot for a well deserving student who may not get the chance for a college education otherwise....."</p>
<p>...you didnt completely contradict yourself there!</p>
<p>OK, I give. I can deduce the concept, but what exactly do the initials 'awb' stand for?</p>