So...thanks but...
All, thank you for those who come to/came to my defense that said it won't surprise you, I don't feel I needed you to do so, I've looked at my prior responses here and to the other posts that FutureMarine has made on this forum, I've replied to several and have tried to convey simple direct answers. If you go back through this and related threads I hope you'll see that to be true.
aaooga15: Sorry if you feel/choose to characterize my response as being rude. I've looked at it and my others to FutureMarine, in the world I live in I'd call them direct and blunt; at worst I'd even have to give you and FutureMarine at least a partial nod if you choose to take my last reply as terse. But "rude"? I can't agree, not at all, especially if you look at the tone and tenor of FutureMarine's posts and replies here, they are merely replying in kind - direct and to the point. BTW, as a USMMA graduate, I will proudly state I learned to be that way (direct and to the point) at the USMMA and it has served me very well during my 29 year professional career since graduating. I'd suspect that it's a quality that is still generally shared by Kings Pointers I certainly see it in my son and his Classmates in 2012 and I'd be surprised if it doesn't get instilled in the Class of 2015 since some of one's biggest influences at the USMMA are the First Classmen you meet and deal with while you are a Plebe.
2013Parent - 1) I did treat the poster as I would like to be treated, repeatedly, including here - I answered their questions, even their last ones, which they posted and responded to after I felt (which I still feel) they are a troll. 2) re:
Second, since USMMA is not a Military Academy, perhaps, the option to go directly (almost) into the military is removed as an option.....directing all who enter and graduate to serve the interest(s) of the Merchant Marine industry as THE form of service obligation to be undertaken.
While perhaps KPEngineer agrees and would prefer to have this debate, it's really not on topic USMMA graduates don't have the option to go "almost" directly into the military; they have the option to apply and, if accepted, go "directly" directly into the military on active duty to satisfy their service obligations. As a parent of current mid you no doubt know that as well as the fact that they are currently in the military - the U.S. Naval Reserve as well; I merely post the statement here in case someone chooses to misunderstand your post as they did mine. While I agree with KPEngineer that the primary purpose and mission of the USMMA is to develop and train leaders for the US Maritime Industry, I would not be in favor of seeing the option of going directly into active duty to fulfill their obligation removed for new grads in this or any future class. I do try and support all efforts by the current Academy Staff to create a tone, tenor, and atmosphere such that graduating class move back towards the 15-20% going active duty vice the ~30% that was the case in the Class of 2010.
KingsPointDiversity: First I'll point out that the advice to contact the admissions office that you gave is indeed the same advice I gave FutureMarine in response to his first posts here. That said, I'll respectfully disagree, IMO there are indeed dumb questions,
especially ones that are
repeatedly posted in ignorance,
after someone gets a number of informed, respectful, replies. Further, as I indicate there are people who get a kick out of being internet trolls (just as there are people who take your videos and re-splice them into things you never intended to poke fun at USMMA in advance of the USMMA-USCGA Football game). Further, as I believe you'll agree, the information I conveyed is correct, the "normal application process and calendar/timeline" for all of the Federal Academies that require a Congressional Nomination/Appointment are very similar so if the PC doesn't have what they need together to apply for USNA Class of 2016 at this time they are quickly coming against the stops but they likely have about the same amount of time left to apply to USMMA Class of 2016.
As you know, the time to have your appointment application to the various nominating authorities deadlines generally range from the middle of this month until 1 November. The latest you can have an application packet to your office (USMMA Admissions) - USMMA Application Package deadline to admissions for Class of 2016: 3/1/2012 per the website; USNA: per their website 3/1/2012. Congressional Nominating authorities as you know have schedules that vary from nominating authority to authority but generally the nominations process and calendar of an individual authority is the same for all the Academies they can make nominations to. Also in general they want to close receipt of applications between 9/15 and 11/1; complete their interviews if that's part of the process by Christmas; and issue nominations in January. I could post links to my earlier replies where I suggested FutureMarine and others call admissions and go on an overnight visit - I'm pretty sure a scan of my posts to PCs will bear me out - that's what I always tell PCs. All that said, this PCs the repeated asking of strange and uniformed questions with the steadfast, and almost dogmatic accompanying statements about how they want to go to USMMA and become an active duty Marine clearly made me suspect their motives at posting rather than as you point out just picking up the phone and calling Admissions. Something that as everyone here, myself included, generally knows results in the phone being answered by a courteous and helpful individual.
If you look at this PCs posts here and on the USMA forum, in addition to posting numerous questions repeatedly on multiple forums, a practice which is against these forums policies; the posts and questions are filled with the misstatements and misconceptions that they describe in some detail and respond to straightforward answers with follow-up questions like "Are you sure?" Further, even if only half of theses misconceptions are true/accurately stated form the PC's perspective, there is no way they have properly started or completed the application process for entry to either the entering Class of 2016 or 2017. I do agree they should talk to someone that can help them - that's the initial response I gave FutureMarine to their first questions that they apparently ignored, perhaps they'll take the same advice now that you've provided it to them. If they are not a troll, I hope for their sake they do. If they don't no sweat off m back, I've got my USMMA Degree and ring; my own son has his ring and as long as he doesn't do anything patently stupid will have his degree and license on June 18, 2012. The failure to take that advice the first couple of times it was given in response to these types of questions is what makes me say there are indeed "dumb" questions.
Be well all and Acta Non Verba!