<p>midmom-
Care to back that claim up? I'm not saying that there's not drinking at the Naval Academy, obviously there is. But as much as drinking as a normal college? I really doubt that.</p>
<p>alot of the upperclass do go out and get drunk on the weekends. that is part of the reason why plebes and youngsters stand watch 24-7 on the weekends so they can help any tipsy mids back to their rooms. however the drinking at usna isnt like other colleges because it definately doesnt happen on campus or with plebes so its not the big party atmosphere. mids travel to other schools for that.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I suspect you won't be receiving much sympathy on this thread; I think most everybody has convinced themselves that being selected for the USNA is the greatest thing that could have happened to their child.</p>
<p>I started this thread because of my perception of the difficulty facing my son in making the choice of where to attend. He, like many of the children mentioned in this thread, had several top-flight schools to choose from. [He was accepted to four of what are generally considered the top twenty schools in this country.] He is choosing USNA for career, academic, and environmental reasons, i.e. honor, teamwork, etc. I appreciate the thoughtful comments that have been posted.</p>
<p>I convinced myself last year, after attending a Navy football game and seeing the caliber of kids that chose to attend the Academy. After examining the academics of the school, the resources that our government devotes to the Acadmies amazed me. I sincerely believe that my son was equally impressed and that has led him to making his decision. [He also attended SS and has spoken to many graduates about this.]</p>
<p>There are MANY opportunities for today's college graduate to be ordinary. There are MANY "normal" graduates of the top twenty schools that go on to lead very ordinary lives. As does everybody else, I think my child is destined to be extraordinary and I think the USNA is a good step in that direction. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not know how to start a poll on this thread; otherwise, I would be curious to know how many adults our age would, somewhat regretfully, admit that their lives are ordinary. [I have previously had an "extraordinary" government job and know the feeling of accomplishment that goes along with it.] Not that adults don't enjoy their lives, [I do] but, rather, how many adults wish they had taken advantage of opportunities to be extraordinary. Primarily, I don't think my son wanted to regret not going to USNA.</p>
<p>You said that every piece of mail makes YOU sad; just as we, who think the USNA is good choice have to restrain ourselves in favor of our child's choice, so must you consider that it is your child's choice. </p>
<p>Obviously, from the responses posted herein, it is a difficult choice for everybody -- the parents, the child, the government. I am so proud of the caliber of child -- soon to be an adult -- that chooses the USNA. It is a tough thing to let this baby of yours go, the one whom you have nurtured for 18 years. Especially, when they could be attending a top-flight school just two hours down the road; but, that's life.</p>
<p>[I suspect that, despite rules and codes to the contrary, enterprising, aggressive, smart young men -- and some women -- will find a way to entertain themselves with an occassional drink; and, probably even sex (!). I also suspect, however, that its not as prevalent as at some "wet" campuses.]</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity "heyitsme" are you AT the academy? Your info indicates you are 17; so, how do you write with such knowledge? First hand or, as appears likely, just something you've heard or read about?</p>
<p>what i know is from what my father told me who went to the academy. my mid told me the same thing at cvw. at summer seminar the kids in my squad asked our squad leader about drinking, and i talked to my neighbor about it who is also at the academy right now and that is what they told me.</p>
<p>I saw several drunk firsties when I was there. I guess they drink more on weekends than college students just because they know they don't that opportunity often.</p>
<p>"Care to back that claim up? I'm not saying that there's not drinking at the Naval Academy, obviously there is. But as much as drinking as a normal college? I really doubt that."</p>
<p>-That claim is just wrong. Anyone on here who has attended both the academy and a civilian school can argue with me about this point, otherwise, just trust me. Heck, I think even the US News rankings speak to the lack of drinking at the academy. </p>
<p>"I saw several drunk firsties when I was there."</p>
<p>-Well then, in THAT case, maybe I have it all wrong . . . </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>Yeah, when I was there for CVW there were some drunk firsties that night. Then again it was service selection night so I guess they had a reason to celebrate (most of them).</p>
<p>"how many adults wish they had taken advantage of opportunities to be extraordinary."</p>
<p>If they did I doubt the accomplishments would be "extraordinary".</p>
<p>There is nothing "ordinary" about raising the kind of kids that go to service academies. Nothing.</p>
<p>"There is nothing "ordinary" about raising the kind of kids that go to service academies. Nothing."</p>
<p>I beg to differ. The kids who go to service academies aren't superheros, they don't come from "extraordinary" parents, they are just normal kids who work a little harder, know what they want, and go for it.</p>
<p>Shogun: Great point. Now if I can only get my kids to substitute "extraordinary" for "weird". </p>
<p>Unfortunately, indviduals (including parents) who are willing to put others (including their children) ahead of self are becoming less and less common in our increasingly self absorbed society.</p>
<p>One of the big positive I see about the academies when compared to "top 20 civilian" universities is the emphasis the academies place on duty to country/others. The concept of subordinating personal needs/wants to "serve country/others" is integral to the academy way of life. Not so at most of the universities.</p>
<p>My wife and I have tried hard to help our sons develop servant hearts. It has been a real challenge to compete with the MTV "do your own thing" self indulgent code of conduct. </p>
<p>While selfish and selfless young people populate both the academies and civilian colleges, I sense that individuals selecting the academy way of life will have a better chance of retaining and nurturing their servant's hearts.</p>
<p>Hope that's not just wishful thinking on my part.</p>
<p>"I beg to differ. The kids who go to service academies aren't superheros, they don't come from "extraordinary" parents, they are just normal kids who work a little harder, know what they want, and go for it."</p>
<p>Well, I don't know, I think I'm pretty extraordinary. LOLOLOL
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>BodaSirvak</p>
<p>Have a couple of kids, then see what I mean. Good luck.</p>
<p>BodaSivrak,</p>
<p>"they are just normal kids who work a little harder, know what they want, and go for it"</p>
<p>I would classify the above statement as a non sequitur...</p>
<p>Over the years I've worked with thousands of teens, and in my opinion, kids who attend service academies are extraordinary in many different ways.</p>
<p>Shogun,</p>
<p>I'm sure you're very proud of your daughter, and you should be, but with all due respect sir, you seem to like to flaunt how great a parent you are. </p>
<p>Oh, and it's SiVRak ... If I had a dollar for every time ...</p>
<p>"Over the years I've worked with thousands of teens, and in my opinion, kids who attend service academies are extraordinary in many different ways."</p>
<p>Kids who don't go to service academies are also extraordinary in "many different ways". There is nothing average about the service academies, but you guys have to realize ... there are MANY things kids do that are "extraordinary in many different ways".</p>
<p>Parents who have kids who go to service academies are, in my opinion, NOT superparents ... there are MANY parents who raise outstanding kids who do not go to service academies. Shogun's comments made it seem like service academy parents are somehow "better" parents.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to downgrade anyone's accomplishments, and I'm sure every parent on this forum is indeed a great parent. But I believe some of the parents on this forum need to be a little more humble about their kids and their accomplishments. </p>
<p>I don't want to drag this topic out, I just thought I'd contribute my two cents.</p>
<p>Shogun,
Sounds like you and your wife have done a brilliant job with your children! If we had more parents like you and others on this forum, maybe we wouldn't have so many gangsters hurting people in every large city in this country. Personally, I think you've earned bragging rights!</p>
<p>BodaSivrak (hope I got that right) - </p>
<p>I think you may have misunderstood Shogun. As a parent, it is humbling to end up with a teenager who is willing to put service to country ahead of the more selfish concerns that we see all around us. And who has the mental, physical, and emotional ability to lead others. </p>
<p>I can assure you that having a kid like this is, unfortunately, not "ordinary". They create themselves, and we can only stand back and get out of their way. And be a little proud.</p>
<p>BS:
This is the Naval Academy forum afterall, and you're the first one to use the term "superparents."</p>
<p>KateLewis,</p>
<p>I wholeheartedly agree with you!! You should be a little proud, but I don't believe, as wstcoastmom said, that you should have "bragging rights". </p>
<p>You said</p>
<p>"I can assure you that having a kid like this is, unfortunately, not "ordinary". "</p>
<p>Yes, there are many kids who don't end up well, and a kid like that is special, as MANY kids are. But that doesn't mean you are an "extraordinary" parent and deserve bragging rights. </p>
<p>It's sad that there are parents who are not good parents, and that there are kids who do not grow up in a more nurturing home, but I was absolutely DISGUSTED by the "bragging rights" comment.</p>