OK, it seems to me that this thread is going down a slippery slope closer into the flame-war nether regions, so let me try to straighten up some points, provide some perspective, and hopefully nip this all in the bud.
Salj, I hope you will see that Pima was not trying to be mis-leading, only trying to pass on some advise from our years in the service and from what we've seen here on numerous occassions. Please allow me to also add my thoughts on what occurred in my son's case and why we say the things we say...
First, I am NOT an AF Academy Graduate. Haven't even been to C. Springs. Neither has Pima. So, can we state "your academy experience will be like this." Frankly, no. But if you look at ALL the threads and posts we've added to this site, you won't find that quote from us. Usually, our quotes are along the lines of "your AF CAREER will be like this." Very different situation, and something both of us have AMPLE experience with.
Now, I suppose you're asking "then what gives you the right to even post on here?" Well, we found this site a couple of years back when our son starting his application process. The fact that he even was considering the Academy blew us away! Talk about out-of-left-field! He never showed any interest before, and it was totally unexpected. So, we did what hundred of other parents did -- we researched the internet and found this site. LOTS of great advise on the academy and the application process.
But there was always this nagging fear in the back of Pima's and my mind, we worried our DS was doing this for me and not for himself. Was he really interested in the AF and the Academy, or was he trying to live up to my life as a career officer and flyer? For me, it was simple, the AF was something I've wanted snce I was a kid. We never heard the same enthusiasm from him as he was growing up. So, we did what we felt a good parent should do -- we gave him THE FACTS and asked for his reasons. The academy life is unlike any other college experience, for both some good reasons and some not-so-good reasons. We made him understand the ups and the downs. And I'll admit it, we pestered him on his reasons for wanting the academy, and more importantly the commitment in the service it entails.
After weeks of pestering (I'm his dad, it's my perogative to do that if I want to
), the truth finally came out: "I want to be an officer, and I want to fly." Our answer: "So, is the Academy something you want just as much?" He continued being truthful to us (shocking, I know!), "No, it's just a the best garauntee that I can get both." (which, in fact, it is. He ain't dumb, that son O' mine
). We then asked, "So, if you could have it, what would be your real dream life?", to which he replied "to go to XXXX (hint: Not the academy, but to the same state school I went to. Don't get me started on my next thought: "Great! Again, he's trying to follow in my foot-steps!"), then to go on to the AF. I'll do the Academy, but it's really not the type of education or college experience I want." Our next step was to take him to the school he really wanted to go to, and see if he could achieve that dream. They were truthful to him as well. Chances to fly out of ROTC? Well, not as good as at the Academy, but still pretty darn good if he put in the effort, kept his nose clean, and had good grades. He actually walked out of that meeting smiling! And with his acceptance letter already in hand, we walked out of the ROTC offices and straight to the Bursers office and paid his tuition down payment. We still hadn't heard from the Academy on his acceptance status at that point, and when the letter came in the mail two weeks letter from C. Springs, we tried to hand it to him, and he just said: "That's nice", turned around and went back upstairs, letter still in my hands. He made the choice on his own, and has never regretted it.
Perhaps your next question is "then why are you still here?" Valid question. You see, we made friends here, and saw that our experiences in the Service and the advise we gave about those experiences were important to those young kids here looking for answers. And quite frankly, that SHOULD be the ultimate goal for everyone: not the path to get to a service career, be it Academy, ROTC, or OTS. But the ACTUAL career itself. Even moer alarming to Pima and I was what we sometimes observed here: young people infatuated and enthralled by the Hollywood image of the glamorous fighter pilot life-style. No understanding of the commitments and sacrifices that get you to that "glamorous" life, or how hard it really is to get there. So, we provided some perspective, and more importantly, we provided the TRUTH. DOes the truth hurt sometimes? You betcha. But these kids deserve the thruth. It's not all sunshine and lolli-pops, and the Academy demand A LOT of commitment and dedication. Some will be shocked by this and fail. Some will thrive, and it sounds like your children are in that category. They sound like great kids, and you SHOULD be proud of them.
So, sometimes Pima and I may come off as "glass half empty" kind of people when we burst a bubble or two here on these forums. So be it. We also see the value of the truth we preach. But more importantly, we want these kids to walk into this situation with their eyes open: they need to know, just an inclining, of what they are getting into. And the REAL truth? The Academy life is NOTHING in comparison to active duty. Now that is tough! And I'm sure you and your husband can attest to that as well...