Quiet Forum

I haven't been here in a long time.

my DS graduated in 2011. This was my hangout back in those days. Heck, I think this place was started in 2006 when he started at KP (yeah, the 5 yr plan)

Now my next DS is considering KP (he is starting his SR year). About to start the roller coaster ride again.

Not sure how I feel about FB playing into it....

hmmm, I like this place.... stomping my foot.
 
This Forum vs. Facebook

I love this forum, I lurked for months as my then 10th grader brought home the USMMA brochure to our non-military (at least my generation) family home. "This", he says, "is what I want to do. I want to do something different; something that means something." You guys taught me, enlightened me, entertained me (grab that bowl of popcorn), and persuaded me of the flexibility of future career options. But you know what guys? I miss all the activity and questions that seemed to roll around here a couple of years ago. Maybe I was just too busy (for months) pouring though all the archived questions and sparing sessions, but it really does seem too quiet.
So, I am a VERY active member of the 2017 parents FB page. We know each other by name, where we live, how cute our little DS/DD look in those new “whites”. It’s a blast. I like my “like” button and the 2017 parents are a wonderful cross section of our wonderful country with the same focus that I have – OUR PLEBE CANDIDATES!
But I know you guys KNOW so much more about what I have in store for me (even next week when I get to pin whatever it will be, that I will pin on my DS’s shoulder boards). So please keep up the chatter. Inform me. Repeat stuff you said last year – I still need to hear it.
I really don’t know exactly WHAT to ask, but I will keep reading and checking in, because I am certain that we(me and my P/C) could not have maneuvered though the application/nomination/acceptance process without one of us(me) hanging out here to “learn the ropes”. (Should I use “lines”, in that quote?:rolleyes:)

Very proud 17TexasMom
 
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We learn a lot through both places, Facebook MMA sites and here. My daughter and I both have learned more than we could have hoped for, much more than when my son went through the process.
 
Our ds just graduated and though we are very active in a position on the WI Parent's Assc Board, I do miss the activity, asking questions, making comments on FB and here. So periodically I get on the forum and read for old times sake and for new info about jobs, what's going on in the industry and to see if there are questions I can answer. All I can say is that 2017 Parents, you will experience the most proud day/s of your life when you go for Acceptance Wkend. I still can remember the feeling of pride and awe.......which was exponentially multiplied at June's graduation....with grateful tears streaming down my face at the church service at Mariner's Chapel. So let out the reins, cut the umbilical, and let your dd and ds soar to heights you'd never imagine. Love them, support them, and listen to them. You've done a great job so far, as have they, but keep growing as they will be most definitely doing.
 
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Glad the forum is active again. I learned so much from the parents and mids that were at KP before us. Now I feel it is my turn to pay it forward. As parents of graduates we have a totally different perspective. Welcome back and ask away.
 
Parents Weekend starts tomorrow!

Our ds just graduated and though we are very active in a position on the WI Parent's Assc Board, I do miss the activity, asking questions, making comments on FB and here. So periodically I get on the forum and read for old times sake and for new info about jobs, what's going on in the industry and to see if there are questions I can answer. All I can say is that 2017 Parents, you will experience the most proud day/s of your life when you go for Acceptance Wkend. I still can remember the feeling of pride and awe.......which was exponentially multiplied at June's graduation....with grateful tears streaming down my face at the church service at Mariner's Chapel. So let out the reins, cut the umbilical, and let your dd and ds soar to heights you'd never imagine. Love them, support them, and listen to them. You've done a great job so far, as have they, but keep growing as they will be most definitely doing.

Thank you. I leave today to see my DS tomorrow for the first time in 66 days. The longest 66 days... but I am so proud and he is so sure that USMMA is the place for him. I cannot wait to see him, but know the weekend will be too short and will fly by to quickly. I am feeling so blessed to be a part of this unique experience.:smile:
 
17TexasMom and other Parents of 2017er's.

Please post and let us know your reactions to Acceptance Weekend! 17TexasMom, you done great! I know how long those first days are. The first year was long for us. No emails and pretty much no phone calls due to the work load.

Parents, I promise you when you hear from your ds/dd at the end of the first year (for us that was) the response to the question......

"Are you happy here son? Was KP a good decision for you"

"I cannot picture myself anywhere else"......relief will flood you.

We never wanted to ask that question too soon. It puts too much pressure on them. They need time to learn how to experience time away from family/friends, being the big fish in the little pond of HS. They need to learn how to quickly, as I call it "Mining the Gold Mine of their classmates (upper in particular in their Company) AND their professors.

Asking for help will be key. Asking for what to do and what to AVOID are part of asking for help.

And after their first time out to sea, at least for us because our ds was a B-Split, time flew much faster for dear hubby (dh) and me.

Now, for people whose ds/dd choose or are placed in A split, here's my take.
Because our son went right out to sea, he experienced what he'd be learning in class, sooner than the A Splitters. He enjoyed it and was applying what he learned and there was a great snow ball effect.

A-splitters have to wait a few more months for that. So hang in there moms and dads of A Splitters.

Again congratulations to the Class of 2017 and especially my WI Plebes!
 
I really enjoy this forum. It has taught me a lot about the USMMA that I did not Already know. I read every single post making sure I don't miss anything. This forum has what FB needs. Not just the USMMA AAF but real experience from all people I.e parents along with alumnus.
 
my 2 cents on this...

Totally agree ladies. It's a shame since there is a wealth of information here and valuable insight from Alums that have lived the KP experience. It seems like the FB crew doesn't have much respect for the information shared by alums or experienced parents, which is unfortunate.

There are (many) that got away from the Forum becasue of some old salty dogs that were kinda jerks (sorry guys, just being honest). Another reason why some left the Forum is because it's common for incoming appointees to get "fooled" by uppers (pretending to be medical set backs or adults and responding on the Forum to these newbies).... eventually the appointees figured out they are being played... So now each year when newbies come on board, they are warmed to "read but don't speak" in this group. As far as the FB pages tho, it honestly depends on WHICH facebook page... 2014 Parent Page didn't have much of a big group at all- FB was still "new" to adults. 2015 has an "everybody; parent, family member and alumni group that evolved from 'just' the 2015 group". It's active but most everyone is on cruise control. 2016 bombed after some mean parents got out of hand- they had a dozen private messages going daily slamming individuals and making fun of them being their backs- and people caught on and it got pretty pissy- then 2016 private company fb groups were formed becasue parents wanted to get away from the meanies- lets just say it imploded and whomever is left is friendly- and it's honestly a nice quiet group now. I think there are two 2016 fb parent pages now too. 2017's parent group is very active and it's a great group of plebe parents with just a small handful of upper parents on the page- but they are being "bubble wrapped" by their 2016 administrators to make SURE they get kind support and info and not a mean crazy idot slapping them around like what happened with the 2016 group. They have also been introduced to the "2015 everybody page" as well and a few have ventured out...
I started off a big fan of the Forum, then completely got away from it (with attitude I might confess), but then realized that "just" the FB pages is a dangerous thing. I now have matured (ahem) and understand that the Forum IS a good thing- and serves it's purpose... and is a piece of the puzzle that is needed. The FB groups are also "just" a piece of the puzzle.... AND the Parents Associations are also an important piece of the puzzle as well. TOGETHER when you put all of the pieces together is when you truly have needed information and support that is essential with the KP journey. To "just" do ONE of these things is not enough!!! To "just" do the FB page is not good.... there needs to be an appreciation and recognition for all of the avenues. There is some good info on the Forum that the FB pages just can't get...
I think the Forum will be jumping very soon when 2018 hopefuls start their process and have zillions of questions... and up until May they depend on just this sight (as well as direct news from KP). So once again, it's the calm before the storm....
 
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... Another reason why some left the Forum is because it's common for incoming appointees to get "fooled" by uppers (pretending to be medical set backs or adults and responding on the Forum to these newbies).... eventually the appointees figured out they are being played... So now each year when newbies come on board, they are warmed to "read but don't speak" in this group. ....
I started off a big fan of the Forum, then completely got away from it (with attitude I might confess), but then realized that "just" the FB pages is a dangerous thing. I now have matured (ahem) and understand that the Forum IS a good thing- and serves it's purpose... and is a piece of the puzzle that is needed. The FB groups are also "just" a piece of the puzzle.... AND the Parents Associations are also an important piece of the puzzle as well. ... To "just" do the FB page is not good.... there needs to be an appreciation and recognition for all of the avenues. There is some good info on the Forum that the FB pages just can't get...
I think the Forum will be jumping very soon when 2018 hopefuls start their process and have zillions of questions... and up until May they depend on just this sight (as well as direct news from KP). So once again, it's the calm before the storm....

aaogaa - well stated and glad you have come back as a regular participant in the conversations here.

A couple of further thoughts - I really don't share the "hide and just observe" point of view; especially for prospective candidates. If any upper classmen really troll these forums looking for PCs and think about targeting them for being open here, I'd hope first they (the current members of the regiment) remember what they were like as High School aged folks, especially if they were as many - cocky little BMOCs....

That said as you point out some of us "old salts" can get pretty "pissy" and have a pretty surly attitude when we think we are the ones "being played" or that the PC hasn't done even the most basic research by checking information readily available on the www.usmma.edu website and/or admissions page. However, over the more recent times because of the reaction to some of the more "frank posts/response" by us "old salts" I know I have "dialed it all back a few notches" and believe from what I read on the threads these days so have many if not all of the others.

Finally I too think both the FB pages and the Forums serve different purposes as you note. I used to highlight in my responses here on the forum when I was thinking and responding as a Parent vs. when I was thinking and responding as an Alumnus. I sometimes still do but most of the time now that our DS has been a graduate more than a year I'm more often then not thinking and responding as a more mellow alumnus. That said, the FB pages have a lot more "mutual parental support" and this Forum has a lot more, easier to sort and find, specific information about certain transitional events/times in a young PC and then Plebe then Midshipman at the USMMA's lives. At least that's my feeling.

Good luck and Acta Non Verba to all.
 
I will post my weekend summary.

17TexasMom and other Parents of 2017er's.

Please post and let us know your reactions to Acceptance Weekend! 17TexasMom, you done great! I know how long those first days are. The first year was long for us. No emails and pretty much no phone calls due to the work load.

Again congratulations to the Class of 2017 and especially my WI Plebes!

I have written my reactions to Acceptance Weekend and will post on a new thread. I am in this for the long haul!!!!

Semper Gumby
 
Thanks aaooga15, jasperdog, lits, grevar,bearhunter66,uscga2018, and Pima, for your insightful, informative and helpful comments. This thread demonstrates what this forum really does......help folks seeking information. I have learned a lot on this forum, especially from the archived threads. My DS now has the opportunity to choose from usmma, uscga, usna, and nrotc. I am glad he is using the forum as another research tool to really help him decide what he wants to do after the academy, and pick the school opportunity that will work best for him.
 
congrats to you DS (dear son)

Thanks aaooga15, jasperdog, lits, grevar,bearhunter66,uscga2018, and Pima, for your insightful, informative and helpful comments. This thread demonstrates what this forum really does......help folks seeking information. I have learned a lot on this forum, especially from the archived threads. My DS now has the opportunity to choose from usmma, uscga, usna, and nrotc. I am glad he is using the forum as another research tool to really help him decide what he wants to do after the academy, and pick the school opportunity that will work best for him.

You are welcome MilitaryBound2018. And congratulations to your DS (dear son). He sounds like a stellar young man. Tell him that many USMMA midshipmen were offered an appointment and received a nomination to other Academies as well, but they chose the USMMA becasue of it's options post graduation. The options that the USMMA students are offered to go active duty military in ANY branch of their choice, OR to go into the reserves is something that many appreciate and seek. Many KP (Kings Point) midshipmen graduate and go into the private sector in the marritime industry and make big $$$ post graduation. Others choose USMMA because of the year at sea experinece... and I might add that experience is second TO NONE. :cool: Understand tho that EACH of the Academies thinks their school is the VERY BEST and MUCH BETTER than everyone else too... lol... we are all on the same team, but we also are very loyal to our school.

It is important for your child to follow their gut and their heart and chose the place that is the best fit for them- and wherever that may be, I sincerely congratulate your son and wish him the very best.
Best of luck to you and congratulations again to your DS. :thumb:
 
Aooga15. The more we learn about USMMA the more we have decided it is a well kept secret and a hidden jewel among the SAs. The rededication of funds and structural and curriculum improvements in this past year is also very encouraging. The ability for DS to go reserves or into any active duty service gives these 18 yr old time and options to really decide what they want to do. That is HUGE. Please keep posting anything you hear about USMMA and I will let you know what DS decides.
 
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