What do your peers and teachers think...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Military Academy - West Point
21

<p>ruski,</p>

<p>One of my daughter's friends is Russian. She turned down a full scholarship to Yale to attend West Point. I'll just bet some people were telling her she was nuts. She hasn't looked back.</p>

<p>And Zaphod is right about SA's being tough to be at but great to be from(except that WP is really better than boat school ;)). It seems as if so many of these kids who don't second guess their decisions to attend a service academy still find a lot to complain about. It's nearly an art form for many. </p>

<p>Funny story: We recently had dinner with my daughter and some of her friends. One of the cadets told her not to tell anyone that he really has no complaints. He just loves everything about West Point. You can just imagine for yourselves why he doesn't want anybody to know.</p>

22

<p>Zaphod,</p>

<p>I look forward to having an experience similar to yours at my high school reunion. </p>

<p>Thank you for the story.</p>

23

<p>Zaphod, that is a great story indeed. Alums (even those from worse schools :-D) often know just the right story to give cadet candidates such as myself and all the others on CC that extra bit of motivation. Thanks very much, and extra thanks for serving.</p>

24

<p>My pleasure. :)</p>

<p>As for serving, well, that was my honor. You'll feel the same way someday, too. :)</p>

25

<p>I am certain that all aspiring cadets and academy alums have certain masochistic tendencies within them. Of course, that is a good thing because the good things in life cannot be achieved without some measure of pain and sacrifice.</p>

26

<p>Spending a year in Roswell.....now there's some pain and sacrifice for you :)</p>

<p>N-M-M-I, with our colors flying high! We're all in step and full of pep, lalalala.</p>

27

<p>Is NMMI New Mexico Military Institute? Do they have an academy prep program like Marion Military Institute?</p>

28

<p>Yes, they do.</p>

29

<p>Aha! Thanks for clearing that up for me.</p>

30

<p>I am kidding about NMMI. Foundation is a wonderful opportunity and NMMI has been great for Spider.</p>

31

<p>My friends didn't believe me when I told them I was applying to West Point. I go to a private school in Atlanta where going to Iraq is as anathema as going to prison. After months of discussion and argument, my parents are allowing me to go, but rather grudgingly! Everybody around me is still pretty supportive, though.</p>

32

<p>My grandmother gave me a piece of paper the other day and on it it said "No matter what you decide, you're bound to have moments of regret, as well as moments of unbelievable joy. But once you decide, don't look back. Stick with it and let there never be a doubt whether it was the right thing to do." Whenever I ever have a doubt about my decision to attend West Point I just pull that paper out of my pocket and read it. Hopefull it will help make some of you guys' decision a little easier.</p>

33

<p>LFWB's experience was interesting. At school, the teachers that knew him were very supportive, but the rest of the school was clueless and indifferent. He recieved recognition at the Senior awards ceremony, but half the folks thought he was going into the Marines. (He chose USMMA over USNA)</p>

<p>Church was very different and uplifting. We attend a progressive (some might say very liberal) Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Everyone, was totally supportive of his decsion including all his peers.<br>
When he's home he goes back in his uniform and is welcomed with open arms.</p>

34

<p>
[quote]
After months of discussion and argument, my parents are allowing me to go, but rather grudgingly!

[/quote]

Your parents need to be clued into the fact that they have no say in the matter. You're an adult, and can choose to go whether they like it or not. They don't have to "allow" you. They simply have to accept it.</p>

<p>I honestly do not understand the mindset of anyone who doesn't jump for joy at the thought of a friend or loved one being appointed to a Service Academy. I can only ascribe it to utter ignorance at best. We won't get into what I ascribe it to at worst. :mad:</p>

<p>Go to West Point and kick its ass. Graduate and never look back. The pride will be yours and will last the rest of your life. Let the naysayers and the cowards go to the Ivy League or the party schools. You have a higher calling at a place where they're turning out adults and leaders, not self-important ninnies with no sense of honor or duty.</p>

<p>K-sarge's grandmother (obviously from an older, smarter generation) has it nailed down tight. Beautifully said and perfectly accurate.</p>

<p>God bless and good luck! :)</p>

35

<p>Zaphod,</p>

<p>THANK YOU for that non-politically correct post.</p>

36

<p>"I honestly do not understand the mindset of anyone who doesn't jump for joy at the thought of a friend or loved one being appointed to a Service Academy."
I think many family members have mixed feelings - absolute pride, mixed with fear of what lies ahead for the young adult they have raised. I understand that mindset and identify with it completely.</p>

37

<p>I read all of you young people's posts (and I type this while I have tears pouring out, nose running, and my throat choking) and I am so proud of all of you. I'm over on the USNA posts with Zaphod, and like him, I accidentally found this post. </p>

<p>I vacillate between unrelenting pride/happiness at my son's appt. to USNA. Then I think of him in harm's way, and I cringe.</p>

<p>But Z is correct. Although he won't legally be an adult until he's having his butt kicked during Plebe summer, this is what he wants. This is his dream. Since it is an honorable one, my husband I support him. It doesn't hurt that he's the military brat of a military brat. Even his grandfather who wanted to see him as a cadet on the Hudson is proud of him.</p>

<p>While his whole family supports him, as well as the faculty at his school (it makes them look VERY good college wise), some of his school associates have basically said that he's throwing his life away. When he tells me this, and then helps me pick my jaw up off of the floor, he just kind of laughs and tells me, "Mom, they don't understand." Others look at him in admiration, while his friends tell him congratulations, they knew he could do it.</p>

<p>Maybe the adversity some of you see/experience now will help you deal with it later if it arises. My dad and brother served during the time that protesters screamed they were babykillers. My husband's service was during the time of a great patriotic surge (1st Gulf War), so he got nothing but hoops and hollers of appreciation. </p>

<p>I'm thinking Americans learned their lesson and will never stoop to such vulgarity, again. I, for one, applaud all of you and thank you in advance for your service to our country to keep everyone safe.</p>

<p>Dang it! There're those tears, again!</p>

38

<p>Trust me, my parents and I have shed many a tear. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that this last year has made me more appreciative of everything my parents and teachers have done for me than anything else. Sad, but true.</p>

39

<p>Most weren't all too happy with me. I came from a place with over 50% of applicants to ivies accepted, where anything less than or deviating from the typical, corporate name brand was quietly but openly mocked by the community.</p>

<p>My elders were happy though, my ancestors earned their citizenship here as mess chefs, or so the family story goes. My coach was proud, but hoping I'd go to USNA like her brother (I withdrew my app there after my LOA from USMA)</p>

<p>My parents wanted me to "be a normal kid and go to a normal school." Most of my friends thought I was joking until I brought the laminated document as proof. My teachers also thought I was joking...then confused, and eventually accepting when they saw that it was what I really wanted.</p>

<p>I really hope that for anyone with really poor reactions, that the people dearest to them come to terms and accept what they want out of life.</p>

40

<p>
[quote]
Zaphod,</p>

<p>THANK YOU for that non-politically correct post.

[/quote]

Oh! My pleasure!</p>

<p>Those are my specialty! :D</p>

<p>
[quote]
Most weren't all too happy with me. I came from a place with over 50% of applicants to ivies accepted, where anything less than or deviating from the typical, corporate name brand was quietly but openly mocked by the community.

[/quote]

Right. Then these same clowns turn around later and excoriate the military for being exclusionary or intolerant. Is not the irony incredibly rich? :mad:</p>

<p>
[quote]
My parents wanted me to "be a normal kid and go to a normal school."

[/quote]

Well, you turned out to be an EXTRAordinary kid going to an EXTRAordinary school. You'd think they'd see that and appreciate it.</p>