<p>I know that when I was a frequenter of this board as a high school student this place was filled with other students looking for question and insight into the academy. It was a great place to come and find others sharing the same experience and hopefully find a few midshipman around to answer your questions.</p>
<p>It seems it has become more of a political and news story/ parent site. This is not a bad thing, but I just hope that there can still be a place for those kids to come, and talk about what they're getting themselves into and have a place to get questions answered for themselves. I notice many of the other schools still have a forum where students can come to find advice and to find future classmates.</p>
<p>As a current midshipman, I know how invaluable it was to me a few years ago on my way into the Naval Academy. I encourage the parents here to ask your kids if they have any questions, maybe they will enjoy being able to talk to other candidates and midshipman and help make more sense of it all. :)</p>
<p>I'm not looking to change anything overnight, I would just like to be able to foster an environment to help the kids who are interested out. Some questions the kids aren't going to ask their parents, and even if they will it can be nice to talk with someone who understands what you're getting yourself into and can provide some insight.</p>
<p>I just want to them to know they have resources out there to get some of their questions answered and make the process easier.</p>
<p>Would be great if we could get the person that lists all the articles to do them under one thread as has been asked several times before by various people. This would make the forum so much more consistent and easy for the interested parties to follow. But it seems that person is not willing to do that unfortunately. :(</p>
<p>I agree MOM......this person is now inundating the Air Force link. If I am not mistaken, I believe most individuals that use the Internet know how to search for articles that Interest them. Some people just have too much time on their hands. But as usual, this will get lost with all the other posts</p>
<p>I believe there is room here for everyone....
students and candidates seeking advice,
parents seeking guidance and support,
alumni offering insight into days gone by
and current Mids who, when time allows, update the above to current practices-
and even GA, who kindly keeps us all abreast of the many, many USNA-related activities that go on the yard....of interest to many.</p>
<p>The KEY is to start a thread with the question being asked- or the item being reported.....
and the scroll button works wonders to get through items that may not be pertinant to the individual reader at the time.</p>
<p>starzfun- it is great to have a Mid here to post- a few do, but we could all benefit from more of you, as the view on the yard can look different depending on where you are viewing it from.... plebe, youngster, 2C or firstie.... company....rank....athlete....D&B...etc.... </p>
<p>the thing to remember is that not one person can paint the entire picture- it is different for everyone, as each can only view it from their own perspective and experience. So while I understand your goal, IMO it would be selling the information "short" ....</p>
<p>so what I will suggest is tolerance for everyone who comes here looking to share information based on their experience- as Mid, alumni, parent, student, candidate, etc.....</p>
<p>and with respect for your view- a gentle reminder that while it is true you may be the one on the yard "doing it," it is not a journey you take alone- not by a long shot!</p>
<p>
[quote]
and with respect for your view- a gentle reminder that while it is true you may be the one on the yard "doing it," it is not a journey you take alone- not by a long shot!
<p>^^^^
lol-
sometimes I feel like I am right there-
and other times I feel utterly useless like I am light years away....
and all of it limited by the narrow perspective of a parent....</p>
<p>but I have learned, and continue to learn, that while we launch our kids to a world where we have limited insight, there are plenty walking the journey with them.... friends and peers, mentors, teachers, alumni, BGO's, sponsors.... (gf???)....and even Z-man on occassion ;) ... not to mention the little angels planted on their shoulders protecting them, we pray!!!! </p>
<p>Getting back to the orginal observation . . . starz's observations are mostly correct.
Although in recent weeks, it does seem that the political/harassment attacks have lessened.
Since I have rarely come back as a result of the trends that many threads seems to take, perhaps I will take a second look.</p>
<p>Starz . . .the only thing I can say in defense of the frequent posters, and there is very little I can say in their defense, is that frequently their questions do reflect the questions of their children. I know my dad used to come onboard and ask questions that I had and relay the information to me. So . . maybe it all works out in the end.</p>
<p>Maybe, just maybe, those who seem to delight in constantly criticizing others will simply go away or lessen their involvement.</p>
<p>Mid applicants . . . .sort thorugh the clutter [even though you shouldn't have to] and ask away. Ask about the REAL LIFE here now [not how it was 20 years ago] and you are liable to get REAL answers.</p>