Just parents on here?

when we went to visit WP the had a power point that listed this forum by name and said "do not believe what you read".
so of course I immediately logged on.
like anything else there are individual posts with wildly incorrect information, but they tend to be quickly called out.
Aside from the VMI/ Citadel bickering it has been very useful.
 
Hurricane12 said:
Maybe I'm the outlier, but I tend to feel like there are too many parents answering questions with authority they don't have. Asking questions is whatever. The kid should probably ask the questions for himself, but I understand that teenagers don't always have the perspective to know what to ask and parents feel they can come here and ask those questions without being too overbearing to their child.
But it's silly when parents try to post answers to questions much better suited to alums or current mids/cadets or feel entitled to say that a candidate is a good/bad fit for the military.
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I don't think you're an outlier and you're just presenting your perspective on the topic. And for what it's worth I appreciate it. I have to admit the above did give me pause to see if I have done this in the past and I will make it a point not to do this. I don't think I do but I'll make it a point to keep that in mind as I type every character. I tend to like and post on these types of threads because I do want to be a better member of this community and I thinking having this type of discussion is necessary so people can hold a mirror up to themselves.

That aside I would think that if WP is making statements like some of the post above we as community members have to fix something. I would assume we would want to be held up by the SAs as a place to go to answer some questions. Now I'm not saying we should be the only source but we should be at least viewed as a reliable one.
 
As a parent, I have always reserved my posts with the following goals:
1. post objective information and only what I can substantiate with an authoritative source link.
2. Never offer an opinion on something I have not experienced first hand.
3. Try to encourage young people as opposed to discourage.

Having gone through the SA/ROTC process twice now, I enjoy giving back to this forum after it has helped me and my DS so much.

Oh yeah, and +1 on the ElCid/VMI bickering.
 
Most posters have sincere questions and haven't found answers to them on the "official" sites. This forum has a great collection of wisdom and members who are willing to share fact, informed opinions and suggestions. They participate because they are motivated to give back and help the next generation. As with all things, my recommendation to anyone seeking and receiving advice: "trust, but verify."
 
It's a mix, and it varies based on the time of year. When students get involved in the "search and apply" mode, their activities pick up. Other times of year, it's the parent who is out of the loop and trying to figure out what is going on.

As for the "don't use forums" idea. I call a qualified BS. Forums are unofficial discussions, so they are worth what you pay for them, sometimes. That said, there are plenty of people on social media and forums who know a whole lot of useful info. The warning for applicants was probably due to a few social media mistakes, where a candidate/appointee talked a really big game--shot their mouth off--and unknowingly said some very dumb and/or insulting things. It's never good to show up to an job and publicly declare you will be better than everyone there, and use that (highly coveted job) as a simple stepping stone to greatness!
 
Member LG: I get your point. Its a fair one.

But I would suggest you "triangulate" by gathering multiple data points, refine your questions, seek consensus, and ideally work your way back to an "official source" for confirmation. In the absence of a definitive answer from an official (and informed) source, you build the best knowledge you can based on the consistency and weight of the answers provided.
 
Our kids would have such wonderful lives, if only they'd let their parents live them for them.
 
USMCGrunt said:
Member LG: I get your point. Its a fair one.

But I would suggest you "triangulate" by gathering multiple data points, refine your questions, seek consensus, and ideally work your way back to an "official source" for confirmation. In the absence of a definitive answer from an official (and informed) source, you build the best knowledge you can based on the consistency and weight of the answers provided.
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That's what I think I do. But do you expect some immature candidates that are too lazy to browse the admissions website, instead post the question on this forum, to do what you suggested above?
 
34KING18 said:
It seems to me like there are more parents on here taking about their dear ds and what not, rather than the actual students. Is it the parents or the kids that want to go to the Service Academy/ROTC/SMC? At all of the admissions events I have been at, all of the admissions counselors make a point about not wanting to talk with mom and dad and actually talking with the applicant. I totally understand when parents are talking to each other about the service and what not but when they are saying things like " My ds wants to know... " it kinda throws a red flag that mom and dad want the kid to go to the Academy or SMC or whatnot and that they kid may actually not want to. There are plenty of kids here that don't have their mom and dad asking questions for them. Just wondering :)
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My son's interest in joining the military and ROTC was 100% his idea. His interest in joining this forum was zero percent. If I recall correctly, I joined SAF around the time he was offered a scholarship (to a college he hadn't applied to). I'm always grateful when current cadets or recent graduates share their knowledge here.
 
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Is there really CITADEL-vmi bickering on here?

I joined so I could perhaps understand the jargon my DS was spouting, that he wanted to go over my head :) For real though, trying to understand the abbreviations and military terms, so I could communicate a little about things when I was lucky enough to see him.
 
Our DS was a member on this board before I joined. He no longer posts, as most of his concerns can be addressed directly now. LOL.

I still post because 1) I appreciate the wealth of experience and knowledge shared by members 2) if I could share an experience or the workings of a process that helped someone else, it would be a way to "pay it forward," and lastly, I just enjoy the tone/ mannerisms of the forum in general.

The wife never joined the board.

DS absolutely drove the process from Day 1 in earning his appointment. Our place was just to confirm his goals and give him a ride when he needed, before he got his DL. The one time we asserted ourselves was when the high school counselors would not submit his 7 semester transcripts to the Academy, even after DS had asked multiple times. We talked to the counselors, then the principal about what was at stake and their lack of urgency hindering the highly valuable opportunity of a current student. Miraculously, the transcripts were submitted then.

We are supportive, but he drives the bus. That's how it should be, IMHO.
 
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Sledge said:
Kids don't know what they don't know. Parents, with 20+ years of ups and downs in the workforce, worry more and know more questions to ask. That's the way I see it.
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We often discussed "opening doors" and "having choices," in life. We never posed the Academies as the only answer. To your point, we just conveyed our experiences and what we saw for him going forward with the different choices available. WE repeatedly emphasized that we would support him through most any constructive, positive choice, but wanted him to give 100% whichever direction he chose. We didn't want him making a decision based upon how "difficult" or "work intensive" a choice might be. We tried to get him to think about what he wanted, and what it might take to get there.
 
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