Social Media

I've read where applicants/candidates should stay clear of social media. What about parents? Is it ok to share the excitement when your DD/DS gets selected for Summer Seminar or a CVW? Just wondering…..

Social media is fine, just don't be a clown about it. For instance there was a guy who boasted that he was going to be an astronaut once he graduated from the academy and this was prior to him entering (ie while he was in high school). Needless to say he got owned when he started basic and washed out.

On the USMA thread there is a post about a young man that did something stupid relative to social media and his appointment was pulled

Of course, 'your kid' is too smart and too mature for such a thing. The idea to stop using social media is somewhat akin to the 'bubble wrap' argument and not lose the appointment for injury

Teenagers (males in particular) are prone to incredible lapses in judgement. Of course I am not talking about 'your' DS/DD, but it happens

The upperclass will also look for reasons to provide grief. Whether they do that by finding something on social media or something done at the SA - the general advice is to at least make them find a reason than giving them a reason for the grief

The grief is unavoidable

crazyride said:

I've read where applicants/candidates should stay clear of social media. What about parents? Is it ok to share the excitement when your DD/DS gets selected for Summer Seminar or a CVW? Just wondering…..

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Go ahead and share your excitement. As a parent you likely have a few hundred (or less) FB friends, whereas a lot of teens/college age have a thousand "friends." Just make sure your privacy settings are set to private or friends only. (You don't have to tag your DS/DD.) If your DS/DD eventually gets an appointment and ends up at a SA, there will be pictures posted by other parents and academy photographers of various events, trips and goings-on at the SA. You can then join closed/private groups for parents, etc to share your excitement.

I think as long as you use common sense, social media is fine. I would limit personally identifiable posts (i.e. we are going on vacation next week and our house will be empty !!!!), but that applies even if you aren't involved in SA's. Closed/private groups may not always be a 'secure' as you would like, so still would use common sense is whatever you are posting online.

Thanks for the replies!! Off to the Naval Academy next weekend for a CVW with my DD. Getting excited and just want to share a little of it. Thanks again!!

I have restricted my posts on social media to friends only - not public! I know of people who have gotten friend requests from the middle east and other parts of the world. Understand that your DS/D is going into the military and, unfortunately, may attract unwanted attention.

Just be smart about who can see your posts & be aware that nothing is truly private on the internet.

Another thing--while I DON'T suggest making inflammatory social media posts/blogs/etc. for a variety of reasons, having a target on your back does not mean you're guaranteed to wash out of BCT. If you keep up a good attitude and are determined to stay no matter how hard it gets, there is very little cadre can do to stand in the way of your progress.

Remember, I-Day may form first impressions, but that day by itself does not form permanent ones. Otherwise, I would be forever remembered as the guy who grabbed someone else's tote bag and had to make an extra run all the way across the Tzo, by myself, to return it and fetch my own!