Advice to parents of applicants

Chiromed0 - LOL. He will adapt and quickly. My son has applied enlisted, USMC Reserves so he is well used to the staedy diet of MRE's. Had to laugh this weekend, his unit was away being evaluated in shooting at an army base. Well someone forgot to pack the MRE'S so they were quite happy to get back home and get something to eat. I say "Go tell it to the Marines!"
 
Maplerock said:
I have eaten in King Hall many times. There is a great selection of food, and as much as you can eat (albeit from the edge of your chair as a plebe :)

There is also a fruit/salad/snack bar, and options for special situations like Kosher and Vegetarian. The Mids make mean milkshakes at many meals.

No one is ever going to profess loving Hospital or school food, but I could live on USNA fare very well.
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Maybe I had low standards or the quality of food has gone done over the decades, but I recall being completely satisfied with the food in the hall. I think most of us were satisfied. There were certain meals that we collectively did not like and there were some meals that we all looked forward to.

Some people are just picky, I guess. You can't please all 4,500 of the midshipmen. I don't think it would be any different if it were 4,500 civilian students at a civilian university. They will be some that are completely satisfied with the school's food and others who will feel the need to run off to Whole Foods and eat Indian Spiced Peas with Tofu.
 
There was a time (2006) when the food really was bad. Upperclass giving Plebes some of their food. The cllncher came when Washington Post showed a cartoon of a Mid standing outside the Wall with a sign reading "Will serve my country for food!" Got results instantly!
 
Vista123, great post!

Rather than a Chinook or Sikorsky sky crane, I prefer to think of myself as more of a Delta Force Litte Bird, quietly hovering over the next ridge waiting to swoop in and lay down some fire (or whoop the boy back into shape, as the case may be!)

I don't think I could helo my DS if I wanted to, he has more going on and more balls in the air than I could ever keep track of and manage for him.

I am very fortunate I found this site. I don't know how I could ever do this without all the great advice. Thank you all!
 
Dial, I fully agree! This is top on my favorites list over the past six months.

Congrats to all, what a journey we have begun.
 
jomass said:
... In reality, they WOULD NOT RECOMMEND USNA to any prospective student...
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Having two current midshipman, I'm going to challenge this post.

There is certainly no shortage of cynical midshipmen who are dissatisfied with how things operate at the academy. But, to suggest that most of these midshipmen feel this way and, given the opportunity, would not attend the Naval Academy is completely ... well ... to be blunt - complete BS!

These are tough times in the military. Budget constraints are resulting in certain cutbacks. It is affecting the Naval Academy, as well. Certain training opportunities are being cancelled. There is less leniency for infractions for the midshipmen. The days of second, third and fourth chances are evaporating in favor of a "Strike one, you're out!" policy.

Welcome to the real world, midshipmen!

Those who are candidates should take this post with a grain-of-salt. It should not discourage you. Most midshipmen with this extremely cynical attitude are struggling in some area; either academically, physically, conduct-wise, honor-wise, or military aptitude. Some realize that they are not going to be competitive for their first choice in Service Selection and cannot adjust to the prospect of their 2nd choice. (i.e. wanted to be a hotshot fighter pilot but will now probably be a division officer on a destroyer.)

PREDICTION: The original poster will probably respond with how well his/her midshipman is doing. He's a real stud and excelling in all areas and still thinks it is a horrible school to attend.

And yet, that midshipman signed his commitment papers for his 2/C (junior) year. Why? Did he just learn what a horrible institution it was this past year?

The Naval Academy is a great institution but, in many ways, it's like anything else - it is what you make of it. Is it a perfect school? No! There are great opportunities to excel and hone your leadership skills. Or, you can choose to bask in your cynicism and only see the bad.

Whenever there seems to be a completely illogical, random act on the part of the administration (like the example of the punitive action taken against the midshipman who lost "too much weight"), there is usually more to that story that is not being told.

My advice: Continue with your applications. If you've received an appointment - rejoice! You have a golden opportunity placed before you. What you choose to do with that opportunity is up to you. Don't wait for somebody to inspire or motivate you. Be an instrument of inspiration and self-motivation that is an example to others. That's what a true leaders is.
 
jomass said:
I'm a parent of a current 2nd class. Let me tell you, I have met some of the best of kids, who are friends of my mid at USNA. Let me also tell you that to a man, not one of those mids would do it again. Not one. On the surface, they'll give you a dishonest 'things are going ok'. In reality, they WOULD NOT RECOMMEND USNA to any prospective student. My mid is a different person than the happy-go-lucky, personable guy he was before USNA. After 2 1/2 years: cynical, bereft of energy; disillusioned; unhappy; a shadow of his former self, who was a 4.00 GPA, 2 sport all conference athlete. "The all-American kid". Other parents I've come to know all have come to the same realization.

Parents, yes, you will be so proud to tell your co-workers, relatives, golf buddies and anyone else who sees your USNA car sticker and USNA sweatshirts, that your DS/DD is at THE USNA!! I qualify for parent of the year! But it's not about you. Gotta understand that ASAP.

The mind-bending time spent at USNA will change your DS/DD and not for the better; you will wonder what ever happened to my Johnny. Decisions made by the Supe, Dant, Company Officers, Brigade Officers, etc will spin your head. Designed to turn these bright, energetic kids into robots who slog through their days, resigned to not thinking on their own. {And you tough, macho, we had it so much harder in my day types, can now be dismissed}

Let me give you a case in point this week. A mid (not mine) who was overweight and therefore considered unsat, worked out to get in shape and lose some weight to get ready for the PRT last weekend; he lost the necessary wt to now be sat! He even passed his PRT! All is good right? No. He lost the necessary wt and passed the PRT. But no, he still is losing his spring break privileges......because he's unsat. Why is he unsat even though he's within weight and passed the PRT? Because the USNA says "he lost too much weight in the given time period". He did too good. That's the logic that mids are dealing with day in and day out. A myriad of such examples of irrational USNA life are there. To the point where they practically wave the white flag and resign themselves to giving up. Still great kids, but certainly not the same. Not changed for the better.

Think it over. Do you want to recognize your bright, optimistic, high-achieving DS/DD in 3 years? Then go elsewhere.
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If your mid wasn't happy and disillusioned after more than a couple of years-before they commit to their 3rd year in the academy, aren't they allowed to get out without any obligation?
 
Dial the gate said:
Vista123, great post!

Rather than a Chinook or Sikorsky sky crane, I prefer to think of myself as more of a Delta Force Litte Bird, quietly hovering over the next ridge waiting to swoop in and lay down some fire (or whoop the boy back into shape, as the case may be!)

I don't think I could helo my DS if I wanted to, he has more going on and more balls in the air than I could ever keep track of and manage for him.

I am very fortunate I found this site. I don't know how I could ever do this without all the great advice. Thank you all!
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Well said. DS is currently on the dark side of the moon, waiting for appt. This list is invaluable. Thank you all.
 
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