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He was a big strong guy but apparently lacked an essential quality for survival at The Citadel...mental toughness.
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<p>I'm sorry but I wouldn't make that kind of a value judgment about any child including my own without first hand knowledge of what they were going through and why they left; assuming he hasn't confided in you, how can did you come to that conclusion, much less put it in print? Kids leave colleges all across this country for lots of reasons that have nothing to do with "mental toughness". </p>
<p>And despite posts to the contrary getting pounded on or physically humiliated doesn't make you a better man if you choose to stay and survive any more than growing up in an abusive household prepares you more effectively for parenthood. There is a great difference between being mentally and physically challenged and rising to that challenge in contrast to surviving and coping with abuse, there is a difference; in the application and outcome.</p>
<p>Yes this is very important for your son to attend. It gives them a chance to stay overnight in the barracks with a few of the current knobs. We had signed up for one but they changed my son to one that had academic scholarship opportunities.He actually had to prepare a paper for the visit. It was very worthwhile to go to this overnight. They get an idea if they do or do not want to pursue going to The Citadel. If a student just wasn't sure then I think this might help make up their mind. They had parents programs also for pre-knob. It was helpful to us as well.</p>
<p>Hi--my boyfriend is going to The Citadel this fall and I wanted to know what to expect. I know he'll be under a lot of supervision...but what are the rules exactly? Will I ever see him again? How often are there overnights?</p>
<p>You will see him again if your relationship is strong enough to support him. The question you should ask yourself is do I want to be a part of the military life long term? Would you be asking about overnights and seeing him if he went to a "traditional" college thousands of miles away where you couldn't afford to travel to?</p>
<p>It's not that at all. I know that our relationship will last regardless--we've been Charlestonians our entire lives, I'm going to the College of Charleston, and we've been dating for five years. It's not a question about staying together--I was just wondering about the contact restrictions for knobs...are they allowed to use cell phones? How often can they leave campus?</p>
<p>I think you will be a great support to your boyfriend. Just remember that he is not going to be able to call each day. No cell phones or room phones first semester. If grades are good, he can have second semester. No overnights first semester. Make sure that he doesn't spend all his time with you when he is out - needs to be a part of his company/knob group to survive. You will be able to help him get the laundry done and your room will be a good place that he can escape the barracks. You will need to be strong and help him. My son's girlfriend from up north gave up by Easter break his knob year - she didn't feel that he was paying enough attention to her - I could have strangled her! She did not even wait until he got home to tell him - the southern girls seem better able to understand The Citadel - good luck!!!</p>
<p>I was in the process of applying to the citadel their minority officer said I was a great candidate and they have sent me letters ever since. My online name was Hirohito right before I went to Boy's State and won the FSU schlorship [sic]. Which pretty much messed that up! But my goal is West Point! I doubt that many people go to the Citadel to get to West Point like they did back in Westmoreland's day!</p>
<p>I have a friend from my town who is at the Citadel now and plays now their basketball team he got a full schlorship to play basketball for them and he said knob year was TOUGH! His name is Walter Howard, he hasn't had the best seasons but he's still a great guy and the last guy from Citrus County, Florida to go to a major military school!</p>
<p>Sorry to break way from the current discussion, but how much partying goes on at the Citadel? Is it really strict with with no down time among the cadets? If there is, where is it usually held, and how big are they?</p>
<p>The son of a friend of my brother attended The Citadel. He said that there was a profound bias against students from northern (aka Yankee, aka Blue) states. He said the southerners made the life of northern students more miserable that normal. Anyone heard of anything along those lines</p>
<p>There is no bias against cadets from the north.....There is no extra attention for these individuals except for the occassional off handed remark. My knob room mate was from Mass. and his name was Sherman.....He received the obligatory "Your Great Grandfather burnt my great grandfathers house down Sherman and I am going to get payback" followed by much laughter , even from all the knobs.... I am originally from West Virginia so I often was asked about my dental condition and how well I know my cousins.....and the livestock....All of this was pre Shannon Faulkner so I doubt those comments occur now..... Always in good humor and always for comedic relief from stress.....Never were those kind of comments made with malice....Sherman's older brother gave him more grief than our own cadre....</p>
<p>Have a question for you, i just got accepted into the Citadel as a transfer student from Miami University in Ohio. My question is about contracting, i have never taken the ACT or SAT’s, i took the practice test in hs and got fairly low scores. If i dont meet the SAT requirement for rotc scholarship cant i still commission there? the only difference is i don’t receive any funds right? Now if i can still commission as long as i have a high pt score and gpa, do i still do training camps and so forth in the summers or what? Thanks for your time.</p>
<p>If anyone could help me out with some of my questions about contracting without the scholarships and how that all works that would be great. My email is <a href=“mailto:bickfolh@muohio.edu”>bickfolh@muohio.edu</a></p>
<p>My son is currently at a top Military Academy (high school). After one year, he has a significant leadership role and is really flourishing - excellent grades, leadership skills, respect from mentors, peers and ‘new boys’. etc. </p>
<p>Initially, he wasn’t interested in attending a military college but now that he’s been there a year, he’s warming up to it - especially since he also plays the bagpipes. There are not many schools with pipe bands to choose from therefore The Citadel is on his radar. </p>
<p>I’m curious…<br>
How difficult/easy will his transition be to a military college having attended a military high school? (Interestingly enough, his current school resembles a “mini” Citadel.) </p>
<p>How “prestigious” is Citadel’s pipe band? (overall? versus other schools?)</p>
<p>How much time will he be able to dedicate to piping?</p>
<p>Finally, I just noticed a comment about “life being hell” at Citadel if you’re in the Regiment Band… Why? And does that include the Pipe & Drum band?</p>
<p>I graduated from The Citadel in 2003. I’ll echo the statement that it’s a tough place to be at but a great place to be from. Knob (freshmen) year was tough, very tough. You had to balance the rigors of a military lifestyle that was far different that 99% of your fellow knobs has ever experienced. A friend of mine who endured knob year at The Citadel and then transferred to WP to go through another 4th year system indicated The Citadel’s class system was tougher from a lifestyle standpoint. However, academics at WP were a level above The Citadel’s (he studied poly sci at The Citadel and pre-med at WP). I think most assume that the academic challenges at WP are greater. Knob year is not for the faint of heart. One companys (comparable to fraternities at non-military schools) knob class started with 43 and ended with 15 on Recognition Day (last day as a knob where you are “recognized” by upperclassmen). In terms of stress, the next 3 years are a cakewalk. </p>
<p>Obviously ROTC plays a huge part of being a cadet. All cadets are required to enroll in ROTC courses regardless if they plan on having a military career after graduation. Those cadets not on ROTC scholarship, contract (or actively seeking one) don’t participate in ROTC activities outside the classroom. With that said, I think The Citadel still has nearly 40 percent of its senior class accepting commissions into the 4 branches. The last I heard it was the largest commissioning source for all branches outside of the service academies. This may have changed. </p>
<p>Being a graduate has definitely helped me get my foot in the door for both graduate school and employment opportunities. People are intrigued by the lifestyle and what The Citadel represents so it makes for a great conversation and selling point during interviews (if you can make it through The Citadel you have the tools to take on tough challenges, job assignments, etc.). </p>
<p>Probably the one aspect I appreciate the most from my Citadel experience are the friends I made going through that first year of “fun”. I still keep in contact with all my classmates and considering them my most loyal friends. </p>
<p>Of course there are negatives to a rigorous military college. You’re confined to campus the majority of the week. You have curfew on the weekends. You get penalized for being late to class, missing class, not keeping your room spotless etc. You’ve got to be in some sort of uniform at all times although seniors get to wear a school sanctioned coat and tie.</p>
<p>Hello all - I am new to cc with and have a quick question. My son a rising senior is very interested in attending a military college. Well, his actual plan was to enlist right away after high school but we have managed to convince him that he can serve after the four years… here is the question: I am concerned about the fact that we are muslim and how that may play into his experience at one of these schools. He was born and raised here and he is as American as apple pie. I know these schools are very tough for “all” students, but i can’t help worrying that his name/religion may win him extra attention of the wrong kind. I know i am sounding like an overprotective mother. I also know that nothing I learn here will deter him from attending or enlisting. His first choice is the Citadel…any one out there a student of color that attended this or VMI, Norwich? your comments would be greatly appreciated you can also e-mail me if you prefer.</p>
<p>lola67, I don’t have any answers to your question but did want to point out that if your son is interested in going Army, he might also consider North Georgia College and State University. It’s a four year college with a corps of cadets that many don’t know about.
North Georgia’s battalion is always rated very highly.</p>