Parents of Class of 2020 Facebook group

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spitwaad27

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A closed Facebook group has been created for parents of those cadet candidates who have accepted their appointments. It's titled West Point Class of 2020 Parents. Thought I'd get the word out.
 
I've resisted joining FB for many reasons. With a few exceptions (and this is one) I don't think I've missed much. Do you know if the information is also available on some form of bulletin board or email update sort of thing?
 
I understand your concerns about FB, however there are huge benefits to joining the WP parents page. This is a great place to gather with other parents in your class to meet and socialize. Its administered by WP public affairs office and has updates on calendar events. You'll get a chance to share pics of your cadets also. Many parents live close and often take pics that they will share with you. You'll share the 47 month journey together and you'll find many of the parents are just like you. Trust me its a good thing.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
2020HD said:
I've resisted joining FB for many reasons. With a few exceptions (and this is one) I don't think I've missed much. Do you know if the information is also available on some form of bulletin board or email update sort of thing?
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Understand your reluctance. FB is probably going to be your most useful tool for support and timely news. Social media is here to stay, expanding all the time, and being socially literate has become a business necessity for me.

Go to Barnes & Noble, grab a copy of Facebook for Dummies, find a chair and skim the areas on how to set various settings for feeds and privacy. You can essentially close all the doors and windows of your "house," have zero "friends," have a minimalist profile, and just track the parents FB page. You don't have to post. You can skip any profile info not required. Pick some image as your avatar. No need to go into the mindless "Museum of Me" mode. Use the FB app to set notifications, check in as needed for a few minutes. Ignore.

I have a Twitter account for business purposes, to follow industry leaders, news, weather and companies. I admit to following Hugh Laurie and Alton Brown because they are funny. I seldom tweet, but it doesn't matter, as I have all of about 2 "followers." I block unknowns who try to follow me. Being conversant with these communications channels has kept me current and relevant in the workplace, but I learn all the rules and set my social exposure according to how much I wish to be out there.
 
Ditto on the advice to join FB even if only for WP info. The WP FB pages are hugely helpful!!! I can't stress this enough.
There are several pages to consider. The Parents Class of XXXX will have info that you can use right away. There is some info on West Point's website for parents and you should consult it, but you will get more info on the various FB pages.

There is a WP Mom's page that is hugely active. There is also a WP Dad's page, but is akin to the Reader's Digest Condensed version. :)

Also, if you are a praying person, there is a FB page for prayer requests for FB cadets and their families.

There are other WP FB pages as well, but I wanted to highlight just a few.
 
I've been an IT tech heavy for 30 years and have managed to avoid FB, Twitter, Instagram, snapchat, etc. You will miss nothing of importance by avoiding FB. Everything you need to know you can get from anonymous Internet forums like this one, from the academy itself and its website, and from your cadet. If it's entertainment you're seeking, that's another story.
 
VelveteenR said:
I've been an IT tech heavy for 30 years and have managed to avoid FB, Twitter, Instagram, snapchat, etc. You will miss nothing of importance by avoiding FB. Everything you need to know you can get from anonymous Internet forums like this one, from the academy itself and its website, and from your cadet. If it's entertainment you're seeking, that's another story.
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Haha... don't put too much faith on getting much info from your cadet. They are usually the last to know about things happening at the academy. And they probably won't tell you about it if you didn't ask (sometimes even if you ask.) The academy website is official but often sanitized and will always give the public version of things. SAF... well that's a whole different beast.

Seriously, the different academy FB pages (parents, sports, girl/boyfriends, moms/dads) will be your friend before, during and after BCT and beyond. We have formed close friendships with many people that we would never have met if not for it. Most times you will find out about things/news/gossip/plans way before your cadet will. You will get tips on house rentals, vacation destinations, class schedules and what to do if your kid missed their shuttle from the airport. You will have a vast network of current and former parents to bounce things off, ask prayers from and vent to.

It is a choice to join FB, not all the parents do and I understand that. But for many that do, we have found a whole new world of people from all over the country with similar likes, philosophy and passions. I respectfully disagree with the assertion that the FB pages are only for "entertainment" value.
 
The moms on the West Point Mom's FB page are a force to be reckoned with. Just sayin'
If you run into any challenge (and I do mean any challenge), you'll find an incredible resource for help. Truely, it is a community where we have each other's back.
 
What I like about this forum is that one can find a wealth of opinions. :)

And truely, FB isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I have been surprised and overwhelmed by the support network I have found on the Mom's page. And I'd be remiss if I didn't point that out in case someone is looking for that.
 
This type of scenioro take place all the time: Help my cadet plane landed late and missed the buss, can anyone help? (a parent close by) On my way now to pick up a few cadets in the same situation, I'll include him, I have plenty of room and will take him.

This happens all the time and the contacts are made through FB. Its a good thing especially during R-Day, A-Day , PPW and games to meet other clubs doing tailgate parties. Its a blast!

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
There is an e-mail support system that works very well also. You e-mail in everyone receives, after screening, then you can contact individuals with an answer or shotgun out the answer. I am not sure what the protocol is for giving that info out so I will take a pass on that. I think the administrators contact you.

Not unusual to see requests like, help my mid is home and forgot shoulder boards for uniform, supposed to go ...... can anyone help. 20 min later.....Thanks, we are covers now....etc..
 
Curious to know how the admin of the FB will know if we are parents of an appointee? Anyway thanks. I look forward to joining the group.
 
quemado said:
Curious to know how the admin of the FB will know if we are parents of an appointee? Anyway thanks. I look forward to joining the group.
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I believe they use a verification with picture of the appointment. Based on other threads, you request to join, they ask for the appropriate responses, and then you can join.
 
My wife joined FB for this reason over a month ago but her request to join the Parents FB page has gone unanswered. It's entirely possible she didn't "ask" in the correct manner, I don't know.
In either case, if someone in the know could PM me here I can share her real name and hopefully get her linked up properly. thanks
 
^has your DS/DD accepted their appointment? You will only be added to the official class page once that happens. Does your DD/DS have a different last name? If so that needs to be noted. PM Deb Dalton for the class parents page & one of the admin for the moms page (or any other page - prayer, etc). Hope that helps
 
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