<p>…about your decision to attend (or apply to) West Point? I can imagine that there are parts of the country in which going to an academy would be unpopular or discouraged, and then again there are those small towns in which the military is highly praised. I live in Georgia and go to a private Christian school, and have received nothing but overwhelming encouragement and support for my decision to be an Army officer. Is there anyone here who has a friend or teacher who does not like Bush/ the US military/ Iraq war, and how are you dealing with it? I just thought this would be an interesting discussion. If you need a pep talk, I’m right here!!</p>
<p>im not applying to West Point, (NA, CGA, AFA) but i have gotten it both ways. for the most part all adults are proud and supportive. i have some friends who think it is cool, but also some who tell me "i could do better." i dont think anything of them for it, they just dont completely understand my decision. most of them are looking for a college that they can party 24/7 at, and major in something that will help them get the highest paying job possible.</p>
<p>for the most part though, praise and encouragement</p>
<p>Futurewarrior, I live in GA as well. What part of GA do you live in? I live in Fayette County if you know where that is.</p>
<p>Most of my friends wonder why I aspire to become a military officer, because they think that somebody with grades like mine can have an easy life after going to an ivy league school. However, I know that becoming a cadet, enduring the lessons of the academy, and pushing myself to the limit everyday will serve not only me well but also my country.</p>
<p>Most adults think it is great that I am thinking of West Point, as they think it suits my personality and life style.</p>
<p>Turbo,</p>
<p>Yeah I know where Fayette is, I've played soccer and baseball down there. I live in Forsyth county, it's up GA 400.</p>
<p>What private christian school?</p>
<p>Covenant Christian Academy in Cumming. Are you from my area, sir?</p>
<p>This is actually a great discussion topic. Every year we find that most future cadets are highly respected for their choice. Others are second-guessed and even ridiculed. I recall another parent at our high school asking me why I couldn't talk my daughter out of attending WP. I prefer to give these people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they just don't understand the mission of the service academies. Providing information in a diplomatic way seems to work.</p>
<p>I live in Maryland inside the beltway. It is an incredibly liberal area where most seniors right now are being accepted to ivy league schools. </p>
<p>my school is a small parochial school with about 1200 kids from k-12. I often get asked the question why would I ever want to go to the military. Sadly, more people than you think are like John Kerry and think that those who can not graduate from highschool go into the military. I live in a very ungrateful community. </p>
<p>But nevertheless, I am always supported by my teachers but my friends are 1. clueless about the Military and 2. dont support me serving in the US Army. they think I should serve in another military but that is a different story.</p>
<p>Honestly, I often get disturbed by the lack of understanding and appreciation my community has for the Military. But what really matters is that my parents and brother support my decision. They do, so as long as I have their backing, I know I will be fine.</p>
<p>I'm from Indiana, and everyone is extremely supportive. I have friends, teachers, employers brag that I'm going to be going to this school. I don't think I've heard a single negative thing except from the random person saying they don't want to me to get shot.</p>
<p>I'm glad I live in a country where we can get this kind of encouragement.</p>
<p>Futurewarrior,</p>
<p>I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>My daughter has been accepted for the class of 2011 and I must admit that her application process was a community effort. We were overwhelmed by the folks who wanted to be a part of helping her achieve. </p>
<p>One of the most touching aspects was when she was asked to be the featured speaker at the Veterans' Day Assembly presented by the local Lions Club. (At that point she had not yet been accepted, but around here everyone saw it as a "done deal.") The theme was "Supporting Our Troops." I wish every one of you could have heard her opening statement which was something like "I asked myself "Why me?" I'm not a soldier, surely there is someone more deserving than I to do this." However she then launched into how she felt just having the support of our community, church and school as she undertook the process. The ones who helped her train, those who were literally knocking on the door saying "pick me" to write letters of recommendation, her English teachers who took great pains proofing her essay, those who showed up to cheer her on duing the fitness test, those who have served and offered advice and assistance in so many ways, certainly the staff at our Representative's office, the list is endless. </p>
<p>The highest compliment she was paid during the assembly was when the Master of Ceremonies introduced her saying that if he had a child going into battle, that my daughter was exactly the kind of person he would want in the lead. At the end of her speech the Veterans in the front row couldn't stand up fast enough to applaud her words. It was an amazing experience and one we will remember always. There was hardly a dry eye in the house. </p>
<p>We have seen nothing but pride, support, and encouragement from everyone (well, maybe not Grandma!) who touches our lives. Would that it be for all.</p>
<p>Katemac, congrats to you, your daughter, your family, and your wonderful community. This is fabulous.</p>
<p>Mike89, sorry to hear about your situation. It is unfortunate that alot of Americans are ingnorant about the people who defend them. Stay strong man, the reward is worth it.</p>
<p>thanks FutureWarrior.</p>
<p>Sadly, I think its all about the politics and which part of the country you live in. I live in a very liberal sheltered community and I attend a Jewish School. Thus, many of my fellow students and community members have not been exposed to the military sadly. All they hear is what John Kerry, John Murtha, and others have to say about the military rather than from what it is really like.</p>
<p>I hope to become an Army Ranger one day and will do so hopefully with the support of those I meet at WP and my family right now. </p>
<p>You are absolutely correct that it is incredibly unfortunate that alot of Americans are ignorant and disgraceful to those who protect their right to be ignorant and disgraceful!!!</p>
<p>If someone ever calls me a “baby-killer” or whatever and starts ridiculing American foreign policy, I am going to look them in the eye and say something along the lines of “I signed up to protect your many freedoms, including freedom of speech. I am glad that you respect your militarys sacrifices enough to exercise that freedom.” That should shut them up.</p>
<p>It's been a mixed-bag for me. My peers generally think it's a worthwhile pursuit (with only one notable exception), and my parents are doing their best to be supportive. The one thing I've found to be rather humorous is that all of the older women from my temple have said to my parents during their discussions "she's such a nice jewish girl. Are you sure you want her to go to West Point?" Oh, those ladies. They make me laugh. I guess by going to WP and succeeding (ideally) I'll be helping to break some of those stereotypes.</p>
<p>I've also had a mixed bag. On the one hand, family friends insist on telling me about their fabulous experiences at civvie schools. My brother's fiance's sister (by the way, do I call her my sister-in-law, or what?) even offered to get me in touch with a buddy of hers at Tufts. The buddy? Dean of Admissions. :) But I can see where they're coming from - living in Russia couldn't have given them a positive vision of the military. They just don't want to see me in a place where I could be in danger, or to be sworn into a profession that I find out halfway into I hate, which I understand and love them for. Lately though, my parents have come around a little. They've talked to me about why I want to go and now, while they don't voice their support, they let me know I have it.</p>
<p>My close friends think that the military is a good choice for me. They say I fit the mold, and trust that I'll succeed. Otherwise, I can't think of one really negative experience I've had with anyone after telling them I'm going to USMA. A few teachers think I'd do better at a civilian college though (mainly my debate teacher - he thinks I mouth off too much). </p>
<p>By the way, eb11 - did you check out those "Surviving West Point" videos? One of the cadets on there described herself as a "Nice Jewish Girl" as well.</p>
<p>Didn't that girls' grandmother also dislike West Point? Those videos are good by the way if anyone here hasn't seen them. Between them and the book Absolutely American you have a pretty good idea of the USMA culture, or so you think. I'm assuming that as soon as I get there that idea will be shattered...</p>
<p>Good morning everyone.</p>
<p>I stumbled across this thread by accident and would like to offer an answer based upon my own experience, even if it wasn't USMA-related.</p>
<p>In 1985 and 1986, ahile I was going through the application process to USNA, I was supported wholeheartedly by family, teachers, and friends. There were, however, a considerable percentage of my classmates who, shall we say, fit a certain stereotype to the letter, and they did all they could to discourage me from my goal and basically make my senior year a living hell. I was called a baby killer, a war whore, and worse on a daily basis.</p>
<p>Trust me, these morons are a great source of motivation if you resolve within yourself to ram all of it back down their throats by earning an appointment and then graduating from USMA. I did it during our ten-year reunion when I simply walked into the reunion hall in my dress uniform. I didn't have to say anything. The looks of horror, jealousy, and embarassment fighting for room on each of their faces made all the earlier ribbing worthwhile.</p>
<p>Go because YOU want to go, and either ignore or take strength from those who say you can't, or who are too supernaturally ignorant to realize that the sacrifices you are making are among the most noble any person can make.</p>
<p>Good luck, and go get 'em!! :)</p>
<p>Futurewarrior, if USMA is anything like USNA (I know, I know, USNA is better ;) ), your suggestion that everything you think about the culture will change when you get there is true. Just remember, however, that the Service Academies are the worst places to be at, but the BEST places to be FROM. I swear this is true, no matter how nonsensical it may seem while you are a Mid or a Cadet.</p>
<p>Zaphod,</p>
<p>Thanks for the great post and for your BTDT perspective.</p>