Well said.
My son sometimes will tell me about the challenges, and those who never quite figure things out. He tries to help them, but they first have to admit they need help and accept it.
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Perspectives
- Thread starter SamAca10
- Start date
Well said.
My son sometimes will tell me about the challenges, and those who never quite figure things out. He tries to help them, but they first have to admit they need help and accept it.
I am a West Point graduate who retired with 35 years of active duty.
I just read the tirade by John Reed. It was a very long article and I will not comment on all of his ideas.
My main concern is that he recommends that people NOT go to West Point. I believe that West Point is not for everyone, but my experience is that 99+ % of West Point grads value the experience. It apperas to me that Mr. Reid was one of those who SHOULD NOT have gone to West Point. It seems as if he was not a very successful cadet or officer. Today he seems to very intent on getting attention and selling books. Remember, that he graduated (as I did) in the "Vietnam" era. This was a very difficult time for our country and the Army and I think it influenced his perspective in a negative way.
Many of his points have value - the Army and West Point are not perfect. However, I have found in a long career in the Army and in Motorola, that West Point graduates are very adept at performing in a wide variety of jobs and vocations. I believe the dicipline, organizational skill and leadership you learn at West Point are second to none in the colleges and universities of America.
Read his article but do not think that his views are the views of the vast majority of West Pointers. Follow your dream and "gut" and do not be negatively influenced by the negative feeling of a small minority of West Point graduates.
I just read the tirade by John Reed. It was a very long article and I will not comment on all of his ideas.
My main concern is that he recommends that people NOT go to West Point. I believe that West Point is not for everyone, but my experience is that 99+ % of West Point grads value the experience. It apperas to me that Mr. Reid was one of those who SHOULD NOT have gone to West Point. It seems as if he was not a very successful cadet or officer. Today he seems to very intent on getting attention and selling books. Remember, that he graduated (as I did) in the "Vietnam" era. This was a very difficult time for our country and the Army and I think it influenced his perspective in a negative way.
Many of his points have value - the Army and West Point are not perfect. However, I have found in a long career in the Army and in Motorola, that West Point graduates are very adept at performing in a wide variety of jobs and vocations. I believe the dicipline, organizational skill and leadership you learn at West Point are second to none in the colleges and universities of America.
Read his article but do not think that his views are the views of the vast majority of West Pointers. Follow your dream and "gut" and do not be negatively influenced by the negative feeling of a small minority of West Point graduates.
gsfikaris,
I think you are doing what most parents of HS seniors are doing - shopping schools to see which one best fits your son. I think considering West Point is a very different process. West Point is definitely not for everyone (I am a West Point grad and my son is in the class of 2015). It is not just "another school to consider". When you enter WP you are entering a new world which is very different from the ROTC experience.
I do not want to be too emotional but I think you need to have a special "calling" to enter this world and be successful. Clearly, the article was from a disgruented graduate who did not fit WP or the Army. My advice, if you do not feel in your gut that you want West Point then you probably do not belong here. I am not trying to be harsh. I think the same thing is true of other vocations - if you do not feel a calling then go in another direction.
I am sure that at least 99% of West Pointers are glad they attended and graduated. In my civilian career I found that West Pointers were very qualified and exceptionally competitive in many different vocations in the civilian world.
I think you are doing what most parents of HS seniors are doing - shopping schools to see which one best fits your son. I think considering West Point is a very different process. West Point is definitely not for everyone (I am a West Point grad and my son is in the class of 2015). It is not just "another school to consider". When you enter WP you are entering a new world which is very different from the ROTC experience.
I do not want to be too emotional but I think you need to have a special "calling" to enter this world and be successful. Clearly, the article was from a disgruented graduate who did not fit WP or the Army. My advice, if you do not feel in your gut that you want West Point then you probably do not belong here. I am not trying to be harsh. I think the same thing is true of other vocations - if you do not feel a calling then go in another direction.
I am sure that at least 99% of West Pointers are glad they attended and graduated. In my civilian career I found that West Pointers were very qualified and exceptionally competitive in many different vocations in the civilian world.