<p>I thought it might be informative, and probably funny in a sort of sick fashion, to have a thread just for those instances, which we and our kids have all encountered, which amount to "The XXX Academy? Your kid is so smart, why isn't s/he going to college?" </p>
<p>In this vein, here is what happened to us last night:</p>
<p>Kids off to local high school track for running just as dusk sets in. A pair of young lovers are also walking the track and afterward, stopped to ask me what the kids doing... I said S was going USAFA and wanted to be in tip-top form when he got there, especially due to the high altitude. "Oh! I am going into the Air Force too," said the young lady (maybe age 19 or 20). Her knowledgable boyfriend says, "Oh, I see. He can't get into the Guard or Reserves, so he's enlisting?" I am sure you can visualize the tilt to my head and the puzzled expression I wore at that point. When I explained that USAFA was akin to West Point or Annapolis, his light bulb went off. "I get it! He's going to radio operator school." I just said, "something like that" and drove home.</p>
<p>Last week's unbelievable moment: "Air Force Academy? So, will he be on a ship or driving a tank?"</p>
<p>When I first read it, I thought you meant she was also going to the AFA, and thus I was puzzled. After I re-read it I got it!</p>
<p>Just get ready for it, he will face that the rest of his life, even family members will ask stupid questions!</p>
<p>When DH got promoted to 0-5 his folks couldn't make it, He worked for a 2 star at that time and he officiated the oath. General Gould is a wonderful man, and if I am not mistaken, his youngest son should be graduating this yr from the AFA. General Gould was also stationed at the AFA for a while. His wife is also wonderful and an officer. </p>
<p>Anyway, back on track...Gen. Gould was kind enough to speak to Bullet's parents that day, and this is a direct quote from my father-in-law:</p>
<p>We are sorry we hd to miss it, but when Bullet becomes Gen. of the Army we will definetely be there! Unfortunately, he was serious, so as you see even family members don't get it! Gen. Gould even laughed and said WHEN YOU DO GET THAT PROMOTION I TOO WILL BE THERE TO SEE IT :D</p>
<p>In our town, DS has a friend who got a full ride AFROTC scholarship to Duke, so when I said DS was applying to the AFA, with the list of his other schools, including Notre Dame and U Penn, they said "oh, I see he is trying for the Academy because he couldn't get into Duke!" DS can't wait to get out of NC, and Duke was never an option on the table.</p>
<p>Duke was one of the schools my son turned down for USMA - learn to smile and move on. Unfortunately there will always be those who make uninformed comments.</p>
<p>I'm an appointee for the Class of 2012, not a parent, but nonetheless I've got my own story about misinformation.</p>
<p>Back in October, I spoke with an AF recruiter who was standing at a booth at one of my high school's college fairs. After expressing my interest in the AFA, he offered for me to go along on a tour of Hanscom AFB that coming weekend. I ended up going, and so did four other kids from my area. While we were driving to Hanscom, my recruiter asked me how my process with the Academy was going. One of the kids overheard and asked, "He's enlisting, too?" (it turned out that kid had just enlisted through the D.E.P.) The recruiter said, "No, he's going to the Air Force Academy." The kid responded, "Wait...isn't that where I'm going this summer?" The recruiter answered, "No, you enlisted, so you'll train at Lackland AFB; he's going to become an officer." The kid was clearly confused because he thought that by enlisting he would be attending USAFA. I don't know how that one went over his head, but clearly, there was some misinformation along the line. </p>
<p>My guess there is that he thought the Air Force Academy was the one spot where all enlistees / cadets report for training. Obviously, he was very, very wrong.</p>
<p>Fencer...just realize that for the next 20 yrs., you wil say to your folks, No, he wanted this assignment, or No he isn't up for promotion, or No ** we can't go there because there is no base....better yet, you will **need to explain why your child decided to go to a foreign country or that you have no clue when they are coming home...Welcome to the Military!</p>
<p>I forgot to say try explaining why your child decided to go to no man's land to your neighbor, cousin or your best friend from college...that is the reason this site exists :)</p>
<p>The lack of awareness and basic literacy among much of the American public has contributed to this mess in more ways than one. For example, when American military casualities in Iraq reached 4,000 on Easter Sunday, CNN reported than only 28 percent of the American public was aware of this benchmark--or for that matter had any idea of the number of American military deaths and injuries in Iraq.</p>
<p>As far as family goes; we're in good shape. It took about my first 10 years in the Air Force before my family got it figured it, but they have. I'm sure they will be better with my son going to the Air Force Academy. </p>
<p>But; for my little FUBAR recently (November):</p>
<p>My son found out he got accepted to the Air Force Academy the same day as the state championship football game. After all the excitement a few days later, he was helping some of the fellow players get ready for the end of season banquet; so he was going to be gone all day, for a couple of days. The phone rang, it was for my son, it was an Army Guard recruiter. I tried to explain that my son was going to be gone for a few days and to call back. He asked if he could talk to me instead. He obviously wanted to get my son in the guard. They are very persistent to senior high school students.</p>
<p>I thanked him for caring, and explained to him that my son got accepted to the Air Force Academy. Normally I would let my son deal with this, but the recruiter was persistent. He asked if I though my son might change his mind and possibly prefer the guard instead? I politely said that I doubt it. I said; you did hear me tell you that he got accepted to the Air Force Academy. He said yes; "but we can offer him better things, like College". I have to say, I was speechless. And for those who have read my posts, that's hard to do. </p>
<p>Needles to say, I told him if he wanted to call back when my son was home, he was welcome to; but there was a really good chance my son wouldn't be interested in the guard. He thanked me and assured me that if my son changed his mind that he (the guard recruiter) could probably help my son get into college if his grades were good. I thanked him and hung up. And, FWIW; I then went and got a beer and let my brain numb a bit.</p>
<p>I got the "Which one?" or "Where at" questions a lot...although blank stares or confused faces were the most common. "When did you enlist?" and "Where are you stationed?" pop up now and then. Eventually, I started saying "It's like West Point for the Air Force." A few light bulbs go off, after that.</p>
<p>My S was at a college fair in the fall where the ANG and AF Reserves had a booth and was talking with the men there when the subject of the USAFA came up. S said he was hoping for the nomination (he already had the LOA at this point). The ANG guy said they had a better deal for him and if he'd sign on to be a helicopter mechanic, they'd pay his tuition at a state college when his enlistment ran out. While I have huge respect for mechanics, I think this young man just didn't get the whole Academy picture.</p>
<p>^^^^ My Mid likes to "play" with people who ask these types of questions:</p>
<p>"Sir I am on the USS Bancroft and we are stationed in Annapolis Maryland!" I have heard him tell people what his ship is like. "Sir we are rather large ship with about 4400 aspiring officers. I have learned alot while on the USS Bancroft, however it will take me another 2 years before I am ready for a new assignment."</p>
<p>Anyway his defense is to have fun with the comments/questions rather than get annoyed by them.</p>
<p>At least "we are all in the same boat", er I mean "ship"!! (Or plane or tank or... :)). Sorry, I couldn't resist a little humor. It has been a rough week!</p>
<p>USS Bancroft! That's great Tex. Your son must be a hoot. Does anyone EVER catch on to his commentary?</p>
<p>I do have fun with most of the comments people make, but some of them do take some rattling around in this ol' brain before I can laugh about them.</p>
<p>Try telling people you are going to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy if you think you have trouble with USNA, USMA, or USAFA.....oh man was that ever ridiculous. Or having recruiters call your house into your 2nd class year asking your parents if you would like to enlist.</p>