<p>hooooo. It is not backwards to many, many families if the parents want the kid to join the military. Just defending those who feel that way. It can, surprisingly, cross all socio-economic lines. </p>
<p>I lived in VA, the high-priced intellectual hubs and the downright backwoods. Please don’t take the attitude that what you feel is right is necessarily right. (Hand-in-hand with the comment that they shouldn’t have kids, and advocating limiting privacy of our records, it gets scary.)</p>
<p>Or, that your own perspective as a student, discussing and defending ideas, is more valid. That a teeny country like Singapore (which, I believe still bans the sale of chewing gum,) is a model for the US and the direction we should take. That personal privacies should be eliminated, because some parents are jerks about filling out a finaid form.</p>
<p>And, cc in VA is quite inexpensive. It is a very viable option, for a kid whose family is “unable or unwilling” or would prefer he take an alternate route. The bottom line has to do with the student’s motivation, determination and willingness.</p>