quitting the naval academy

i am a plebe and am leaving the naval academy. just wondering if anyone can tell me what its like to be home again?

I'd say it's probably different for everyone. No one knows they dynamic between you and your parents and how your relationship works. Couple that with reasons you are leaving and your future plans - it all depends.
You do have future plans - right? Are you worried about going back home?

I would concur withe above post; a lot depends on your family, friends and future plans. That must have been an awfully difficult decision (or maybe not). I had a friend who left after plebe year because she had been recruited by a coach who left when she entered and didn't get on with the new coach. If you wouldn't mind "sharing with the group," why did you separate? I think this might aid prospective mids who share your particular background.
Thanks on advance.

This bothers me. A person who thought they really wanted a great education and to stand up and defend freedom. I do understand the SA's are not for everyone, but it sounds like someone did not think this through, before they got to the Academy. Someone who occupied a slot, who doesn't want to be there and blocked someone who truly wanted to be there. It was stated right I am quitting. With a lot of time to think about the decision, that was made.

RGK

Had others done a better job and were more competitive, they could be on the inside as well.

I know it's been said a number of times "someone occupying a spot that someone who really wants to be there could have had".

In truth, you'll lose 33% of your classmates, so that's a number of spots. For kids on the outside looking in, who complain about some one in a spot they could have occupied because they "want it more", I would contend, if you were a better candidate, you would have had that spot.

Unfortunately "better candidate" means higher test scores for most admissions offices. Their must be a study out their somewhere that correlates the various admission criteria with completion rates and career progression.

With so many applicants It must be hard not to weigh test scores high. But does that really indicate success in a SA and success as a military officer. I know the whole person score montra. But in reality test scores matter most.

Someone who occupied a slot, who doesn't want to be there and blocked someone who truly wanted to be there. It was stated right I am quitting. With a lot of time to think about the decision, that was made.

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I think that was a little harsh. These are kids, and they can watch every show on the SA's, and attend SS, but it is different once you are there. To believe that these kids are not like traditional college students is insane. They go with an expectation, and for some that expectation does not meet reality.

This child, and yes, even at 18, they are children, is already hurting and living with fear/doubts to criticize them is not what is needed at this time. They need support.

Thatguy,

Go home with the knowledge that your parents will not love you less, nor will they be less proud of you. You did the honorable and mature thing, by admitting this isn't for me. It takes a lot of inner strength to do what you are doing, knowing some will pass judgement on you without knowing you. Understand some people will want to know why, and it maybe hard to explain it at first, but in time you will find the right words.

In time your life will fall into place, but be ready to give it time. This is probably the 1st time you have truly faced adversity and now you will need to figure out how to work through it personally.

You will not be the 1st to leave, nor the last. Most classes graduate with 25% less than they started with 4 yrs earlier.

As a taxpayer, thank you for not wasting my tax dollars on an education.

As a parent, I would rather see my child happy and taking on debt, than them unhappy for a free education.

Good luck in your future.

rkrosnar said:

This bothers me. A person who thought they really wanted a great education and to stand up and defend freedom. I do understand the SA's are not for everyone, but it sounds like someone did not think this through, before they got to the Academy. Someone who occupied a slot, who doesn't want to be there and blocked someone who truly wanted to be there. It was stated right I am quitting. With a lot of time to think about the decision, that was made.

RGK

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Congress dictates that the day prior to graduation each year that the size of the Brigade be no greater than 4400 Midshipmen. Through all the various attritions, USNA meets this goal. Had these individuals not resigned, they would have had to cut elsewhere. Probably someone who was really trying but having a few problems. Which would you rather lose? Someone who has discovered they don't want to be there or someone who is trying hard but struggling?

I have no doubt that test scores are singularly one of the weightiest factors in the WP formula. It is the case with the vast majority of colleges, and it is frequently debated. I think it has been posted around here before, the debate is academic: all that matters is that the SA's give them a lot of weight (as do Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford, Rice, etc.), so you had best do the same. No reason to sidetrack your energy about it. My DS knew he was not a superstar on test taking. He sacrificed time and money for a Kaplan course and took the tests four times, his highest composite a 30 ACT and 1320 SAT. Competitive, but not a lock for Ivy Leagues or SAs. And he had to study hard and practice to get those scores.

I would also second LineInTheSand's notion: a substantial number from each class that begins at I-Day is not there at graduation. None are guilty of depriving a more worthy candidate of their appointment. Each candidate is responsible for their own record and application. There are always factors beyond the candidate's control when applying, and I'd caution against any mentality that smacks of blaming others for his/her receipt of a TWE. I suspect that mids who think that way, get caught up in who deserves what or what is or isn't fair, have a rought go of it at the Academy (and life!).

Getting in is the "easy part".

I would think that 'home' would be much like it was before you left, except that you won't be going to school (presuming that you went to the academy right from high school). If you had a supportive home environment, that should still be the case. It might be a little lonely since your high school friends are probably off to college themselves. Hopefully someone will respond to this thread that has actually separated either in Plebe Summer or early in Plebe Year as you have and can give some real-life experience advice. Other than that, if you still intend to pursue a college education, you probably need to get going on applications for 2012 since you will technically not be a transfer student and you may need some letters of recommendation from high school teachers.

LineInTheSand said:

Getting in is the "easy part".

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You know...in retrospect...

I agree.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

bugsy said:

Unfortunately "better candidate" means higher test scores for most admissions offices. Their must be a study out their somewhere that correlates the various admission criteria with completion rates and career progression.

With so many applicants It must be hard not to weigh test scores high. But does that really indicate success in a SA and success as a military officer. I know the whole person score montra. But in reality test scores matter most.

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Yes, I do believe test scores matter most. I don't like it, but that's how it works. The way I explain the importance of the test scores to kids I work with as a FFR is that test scores provide reasonable estimation of your academic foundation. SAT/ACT are not perfect, but very strong connection between good test scores and ability to do college level work.

SAs can accept anybody, but if they don't meet the academic standard they are not graduating rather will get separated. Not like other colleges, there are limitation to individual effort at a SA. At a normal college, you can drop classes, not take courses you don't like, and do nothing for study. At a SA, can't do what you can do at a regular college. So what happens to a cadet with a weak academic foundation, he or she runs out of time to study.

thatguy said:

i am a plebe and am leaving the naval academy. just wondering if anyone can tell me what its like to be home again?

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thatguy - My best friend left plebe year when we were at USNA (long time ago). He was pretty admanant in his thinking that the academy wasn't for him, and, therefore, had no problems back home with parents/friends even though his father was a career naval officer. He went back to school and eventually became a successful real estate developer. I currently work with a highly successful engineer who left plebe year, and I had a brilliant business school professor who also left plebe year. USNA and the navy are not for everyone - if you are sure of your decision, go, don't look back and enjoy your life. Good luck.

That Guy,

As long as you know you are making the right decision, then you will be fine. It will sting going back home and telling people that you left, but if it is the right decision they will see that and you will know it in your heart that it was right. Plus you are leaving after Plebe Summer, so in some regards I do think that helps. There is a stigma that if someone leaves then it was because they "couldn't hack it." You know you made it through that, so that is not the reason. Making that decision cannot be easy. But, with that being said, I do recommend you talk this out with anyone and everyone that you respect and trust. Officers, upperclassmen, parents, family, friends, professors, chaplains. Although you probably don't know it right now, but your upperclassman are a good starting point. As much as they have been on you lately, they do want you to succeed.

I actually have several close friends who all left USNA. Actually all of them are married to Academy grads. They are all very successful and happy people. It just wasn't for them. I also know more people who left and then came back because they made the wrong decision in leaving. All of these folks left at different points of their time at USNA, some early plebe year, some after, others before 2 for 7. If you are on the fence my only recommendation is to hang in there and ride it out until you know for sure. Plebe year is not what the rest of your 3 years will be like and the Academy is not like the fleet either. If you still want to be a Naval Officer and serve your country, then stay.

It is hard right now, academics are starting to stack up, upperclassmen are on you, you are exhausted. But, if you got in, you can make it at the Academy. If you really know that this is not the place for you and you don't want to be an Officer, then by all means, head home and work on Plan B. Good luck.

rkrosnar said:

Someone who occupied a slot, who doesn't want to be there and blocked someone who truly wanted to be there. It was stated right I am quitting. With a lot of time to think about the decision, that was made.

RGK

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Quite a few drop out or cannot keep up. My son, 2/C lost three roomies over his first two years. Academics, conduct, just plain unable to keep up.

It is not correct logic to think that somewhere out here on the fruited plain, some individual received a TWE, while thatguy got a BFE, and that somehow a "slot" was wasted on someone who didn't stay. USNA offered a appointment to thatguy because they wanted him, plain and simple. They plan for attrition.

It is easy for those who received a TWE to harbor anger when someone drops out, for whatever reason.......instead of taking a hard look at themselves or their kiddo and realizing that something in their own application package was lacking.

Let's not be kicking thatguy while he is down. And he is down. Damn few walk away from a SA without a great deal of thought, feelings of failure, etc. I doubt many strut out all cocky saying "Hey, that sucked!" They waited by the mailbox like the rest of us for that BFE and were delighted to get in as well. I feel pretty certain none of them planned to quit, get asked to separate, and were just there on a lark.

What a few wise alums mentioned in this thread is absolutely true. Getting in is the easy part! Finishing is the tough part!

It seems to me that everyone that is a grad understands what thatguy is going through and doesn't hold it against him for leaving. It is a tough place. There is definite truth to the saying that the SAs aren't a great place to be, but an awesome place to be from.

Don't be ashamed for the decision you have made. I myself was in your position a year ago, although under different circumstances. Coming home is different and you'll be suprised how different the lifestyle is. The most important thing to realize is that you'll have your family as a strong support system. I know I surely did. Have faith in your decision. It may not be right away, but you will have a period of time when you'll question what you did. This was the toughest time for me. But having my family and close friends there made it easier. Overall just keep your head up and don't let people judge you for what you did. I'm sure it was a very mature decision and rememer you know whats best for yourself.

Our class alumni group has extended invitations to reunions for those who didn't graduate. Each reunion, and there has been quite a few, seems to have progressively more of these individuals. My class had 1/3 to resign and most resignations had nothing to do with academics. Nearly all, to a person, those who have returned for reunions have regretted quitting and wished they had stuck it out.

I heard this one from a USAFA grad before I left for BCT, but I think it applies to all service academies. If you are going to leave, make sure you are running towards something, not away from something. What he meant by that was make sure that you have a plan and a goal in mind. Don't just leave because something is hard at the time or you just want to get away from USXA. If it isn't for you, I completely understand, just make sure you are running to a goal. If not, stick it out until you do have a plan. Maybe you can get some transfer credits out of the process at least.