<p>My son will be attending US Merchant Marine Academy and whenever we mention it to someone the only word they hear is Marine.</p>
<p>Even his Grandmother voiced concerns about his being in infantry.</p>
<p>Even after explaining to people they still only have the word Marine registering and that is what they believe.</p>
<p>I would think it would be easier with Army - Navy - Air Force, but the grass is always greener.</p>
<p>Best of Luck,</p>
<p>CPASteve</p>
<p>So many people think the USAFA is the Air Force.</p>
<p>But I loved it on awards night, they where announcing the scholarships awarded to the students, 1,000 here, 5,000 there.</p>
<p>Then the Air Force Colonel presented my daughter with a 403,000k scholarship. That turned a few heads.</p>
<p>But they still dont have a clue.</p>
<p>At my sons' graduation, they announced the value of their USAFA educations as $400,000 and then the two colonels pointed out that the two of them were receiving an education worth $800,000 - almost a million. They got a huge standing ovation, which was very gratifying. At the reception afterward, a mother of a classmate came up to me and asked why they were being paid so much to join the air force, because her son was enlisting in the Marines and "really wasn't making that much." She wanted him to change services!</p>
<p>I guess this would be considered America's Best Kept Secret.</p>
<p>I don't believe High Schools push for the Service Academies, it was during the freshman year that my daughter told her HS counselor that she wanted to go to the USAFA. She is currently a Cadet Class of 2012. Her counselor didn’t have much of a clue on how the application process worked. Good thing the academy has it down.</p>
<p>She was the first woman from her HS to be accepted into a Service Academy. The school has been there since the 1950’s.</p>
<p>She has know she wanted to go to the USAFA since the 5th Grade, I encouraged her to take the hardest classes, she finished 2nd in her class (it was all her, not me). I made her take athletics when she wanted to take PE in middle school. I’ve always been expecting her to change her mind when she got into HS. She never did.</p>
<p>Hmmm, </p>
<ol>
<li> Serve our country</li>
<li> A great education</li>
<li> Leadership roles</li>
<li> A job out of college (not Mikey D’s)</li>
</ol>
<p>What parent would not want that for there child. I’m very happy for the choices she has made so far in her short life.</p>
<p>Good thing we have programs out there that encourage our children to look at the military as a option.</p>
<p>Boy/Girl Scouts
Civil Air Patrol
ROTC</p>
<p>OH MY GOSH! What fencersmother said would be so funny if it were NOT so sad!</p>
<p>The moral of the story here folks is that we're not going to the Academies for prestige or recognition. If that's what you're seeking, the academies are not the place for that. Not enough people my age (college age) care about the military or hold it in very high regard. Certainly it stings a bit when my high school classmates, who don't understand the big picture ridicule me for not going to Princeton. We have to suck up our pride and realize that we're making a huge difference in the world by training at these fine institutions to be ready to lead the world's most fierce fighting force- the U.S. military.</p>
<p>I guess the fruits of an Academy education pay off later in life, namely at graduation. Where else can you find the President, Vice President, or members of his/her cabinet addressing the student body at commencement? You're not going to find George Bush at Harvard, Yale, or Stanford wishing their graduates off. I'll have an awesome opportunity to shake the hand of the Vice President in just two years.</p>
<p>And when your midshipman/cadet is out of the military and looking for a job in the civilian sector, the people who matter at the top of the foodchain know about the service academies (it will certainly help all of our cases if McCain gets in office). Joe Schmoe or your typical 20 year old CC prestige driven kid may not give a hoot about the academies, but people who matter do.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>fyi - President George W Bush (Yale '68) gave the commencement address to the Yale class of 2001.</p>
<p>Yale</a> Daily News - Bush mixes humor with humility in Commencement talk</p>
<p>GoNavyXC, we knew what you meant. And it is pertinent. And you are correct.</p>
<p>Okay, so I know its been a while since this has been updated but I could help but read this thread...and, to be honest, I was not surprised by some stories. I am a senior in high school right now and I am currently applying for the Coast Guard ACademy as well as NROTC and AFROTC (the two ROTCs being back ups). Thankfully, my guidance counselors have some experience handling service academy applications from last year (2 navy, 1 CG). Last year, I had three separate instances from TEACHERS that somehow insulted the military. </p>
<p>Instance 1:
Chemistry Teacher: so, where do you want to go to school?
Me: Well, my top choice is the Coast Guard Academy.
Teacher: Why?! You're so much smarter than that.
Me: Well, I guess I want to go someplace where the military isnt constantly degraded and is respected. (man that shut her up pretty quick)</p>
<p>By the way, this teacher is a grad from Princeton and worked on prosthetic skin for burns..which she constantly brags about. My take on her bragging, "why the h*** is she working at a school in the middle of freaken nowhere of 500 kids if shes so brilliant?" </p>
<p>Instance 2 (this happened to my brother, who was in 7th grade last year):
Teacher (talking about current events): The reason why people enlist into the military is because they do not have the grades to go to college. (Translation: they're stupid)
My Brother: ....leaves the room, comes home that day crying.
My mom: Sends an email to the Superintendent (My mom hardly EVER gets involved with the school until stuff like this happens)
BTW: Both of my parents are retired enlisted Air Force...so that was a big slap in the face to him. </p>
<p>Instance 3 (this happened in a Banking and Finance Class):
Teacher: (discussing who credit companies go after): Does anyone know why companies go after people in the military?
Class: Silent
Teacher: Because they typically do not understand and are not successful because they do not go to college.
<em>End of class</em>
Me: Goes to guidance counselor, who gets ****ed off (brother is a Marine), then contacts another counselor (whose cousin is in the military) and they both talk to the teacher.</p>
<p>Now for some friends who have made comments:</p>
<p>This is the worst: Arent your parents in the army?
Me: Yes, because we all know that the air force, marines, navy, and coast guard are nonexistent...</p>
<p>T&F: while these things are not exactly surprising (6th page of thread, afterall), it does seem as if you have some support - though it's not from your teachers. </p>
<p>Today on college tour for daughter, now senior in hs:</p>
<p>College tour guide: "Oh, your brothers are at the air force academy? Wow, you seem like your family would be too smart for that." </p>
<p>Daughter is NOT attending that college, and the president and head of admissions can expect a letter by Tuesday. I already complained face-to-face. This campus has a large/active ROTC, so I was a little bit more surprised I think.</p>
<p>As I've read this thread, I'm amazed at the level of ignorance and rudeness that some people show towards any military person. </p>
<p>I can honestly say that no one has ever disrespected my s or me about his choice. Since he goes to KP, they often get it wrong, but not in a disrespectful way. </p>
<p>I'm so sorry to read all of these stories.....</p>
<p>Sometimes it can be down right angering, but other times it is just funny. During HS, I was at my orthodontist's office to get some paperwork for DoDMERB. When I told the receptionist why I needed the paperwork, she said, "The Air Force Academy? What's that?" At that point the other receptionist turned and said, "You don't know?! That's where all the top generals come from!" :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I once had a teacher spend our whole 15 min. conference telling me why my son should not go in the military - implying that he loves his students and doesn't want any of them to go in the military -- I wanted to say - "How dare you imply that I don't LOVE my son, or I would never encourage him to go after this dream"!!! But I let him rant and remained silent. I tell people that I feel are struggling to understand - not just bent on making a judgement - that I feel it is a "calling" - similar to the priesthood. No one could become a priest if they did not feel deep down it was where they belonged. It is too difficult, the lifestyle too restrictive. Same for the military. You either have it or you don't. Those who get in and don't "have it" get out quickly. And those who do, feel they have found a home. It's too soon to see which it will be for my son, but it is something he has talked about and researched since middle school. You can't force that - you can't MAKE them want it, it has to come from within. Usually when I explain it that way, people who care can understand.</p>
<p>In my opinion--worth what you paid for it--one should not "remain silent" when confronted by those of which you speak.</p>
<p>There are many who do not understand the distinction between the various academies and, for that, they should be excused.
But, for a teacher to imply what seems to be implied; well, that inexcusable. There are many who would say the same of any top student who chose to be "just" a teacher. That,perhaps, the best and brightest would not choose to be a "mere" teacher.</p>
<p>I think--and I wasn't there so my "thinking" just that, a "thought"--you would have better served your son and society, had you correcte dthe teacher.</p>
<p>Excuse me.
I don't usually respond to these type of comments because, after all, this all is conjecture and opinion; everybody usually believes they are th e only one who is right.
But, last night, I saw "Section 60" on HBO. See it if you get a chance.
It's a documentary about the area of Arlington where Iraq/Afghanistan veterans are buried.
Very sad. Very sad that many young lives are being wasted in these two conflicts for which, I doubt, even the nationals of those two countries care.
Very sad as to the impact on teh survivors. </p>
<p>Anyway, do not leave unchallenged those who would question why bright young men and women would choose to serve. You owe that to your sons and daughters. Yes, its worth the confrontation.</p>
<p>Point well taken. I will take that under advisement. My children were adopted. Most people don't understand that either and say insulting, hurtful things about that. I have just learned over the years that there are some who truly want to understand your choices and some who just want to pass judgment. In my estimation the teacher was one of the later. But you do make a good point and I will consider it when this comes up again - as it always does!</p>
<p>If that's the case, that he was "passing judgment, then he should be reminded that it is not his JOB to "pass judgment." Furthermore, for the reasons given, he is not exactly in a position to "pass judgment."</p>
<p>Those who seek to "pass judgment" deserve to be upbraided. They continue to "pass judgment" because, in part, they are not challenged. Like bullies roaming the schoolyard [or internet bullies who roam discussion threads], they continue down their merry way spewing ignorant vile to all who will listen because, well, because they can. Unfortunately, many will listen.</p>
<p>Son was a National Merit Scholar, accepted to Ivy League schools, could have gone anywher ehe wanted, blah, blah, blah. [Just like most of the kids of which we speak.] We have been fortunate that not one person has ever questioned his decision. Perhaps privately they have, but not to my face.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>My son first talked about a service academy when he was 10...on his own. He was thinking USNA, finally decided on CGA, and will graduate in 7 months God willing...</p>
<p>When he graduated from high school, as with the rest of his class, his college of choice was announced. "SPF will be attending the United States Coast Guard Academy." He received a standing ovation.</p>
<p>Thanks to Katrina, Admiral Allen, and The Guardian, people know what the Coast Guard and its Academy is (are?). We should be and are proud of our kids. They have chosen a different path, a difficult path. Come May my son along with a couple thousand of his peers will be putting his life on the line for our country. I couldn't be prouder. :)</p>
<p>My son has talked about service academy's since he was in elementary school. When he was in 8th grade, I talked to the high school counselor (I work at the high school). When I told his counselor of his interest in SA's, and inquired that my son wanted to know what he needed to do to be competitive, the counselor's words to me...."It will never happen."</p>
<p>My son is a senior in high school this year. He's carried over a 4.0 GPA, has a 32 ACT, an LOA from West Point in hand and is waiting (and praying!) for a nomination. And the counselor? He retired this year and my son cannot wait for the day when he can mail the counselor a letter with his news of an appointment!!! :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
the counselor's words to me...."It will never happen."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This isn't the first time I've heard this, and I personally find it appalling that guidance counselors would ever discourage someone from getting into a tough school. On the contrary, it would seem that part of their job would be to help along and "guide" those who aspire to get into top schools. I got encouragement and help not only from my own guidance counselor, but also from a counselor my mother knew at another school who had a son at the Academy</p>
<p>I got a few "yeah sure" looks, but no one actually said anything to my face.</p>