Thanks Mike. I agree wholeheartedly with you. Both my husband and I felt that even if she came back with a changed opinion about wanting to attend the USCGA, the experience would still be impactful and worth it. It really is right up her alley, though, so I'll be surprised if it turns her off versus solidifying her conviction that a service academy is the route for her. Because she's being recruited by the softball coach as a catcher, I took her to watch the USCGA Bears play a tournament in Florida. (Also took her to watch West Point play). Afterward, she got to meet the coaches and some of the players. She said to me, "Mom, those girls are like women. They are so well put together." She could see immediately the difference that military bearing makes. She asked one of them, "What made you decide to go to West Point." And the cadet answered, "I just never wanted to go to the party school." She liked that answer. One of the Dads was telling her that there are definitely hard times and sometimes the cadets start feeling like it's tough or they're not measuring up. But he reminded her that only the best and brightest are admitted, so even though there might be times you'll feel mediocre at the Academy, you have to remember that you are swimming with the best fish in the sea. I told her to look over at the row of athletes in the dugout and told her those were our nation's next generation of the very brightest female leaders. I applaud all the cadets ... past, present and future ... because you are truly awesome!!!!! If my daughter is fortunate enough to join the ranks, I will be the proudest mom on the planet.