Why Naval Academy be a choice for a smart kid

[kazi]

Our son seem motivated to seek admission in a full academy or as NROTC, but we as parents are not sure if we can support his decision. He did the summer seminar and now preparing his application. Of course, the value of almost free education is great but why and how could we send our kid harms way? For a smart kid (GPA 4.3 due to AP courses), why should Naval academy be a choice. Questions ringing in my head. How often they are sent to fight as an Engineer, he aspires to be one? What do Engineers in Navy do when sent to war, say in Afganistan or Iraq?

[Rentasailor]

You gather information. You process information. You have a discussion with your son. You all decide what kind of person your son aspires to be and the potential steps it might take for him to achieve that goal. The military is not for everyone, however, since you are asking the question, I would guess that you have very little experience with the military. Perhaps, your son might want to consider the Merchant Marine Academy which has an outstanding engineering program and creates advanced career opportunities for its graduates. I hope that helps in some way...I would encourage you to read materials on the Naval Academy, it's graduates, its philosophy, and current Naval Warfighting Doctrine. My last suggestion would be to ask yourself what you true objections are after you have educated yourself in the subject matter.

[kazi]

I am wondering how i may be able to connect with Parents who have been through this decision. Any suggestion? thank you so much. Kazi

[mom3boys]

Kazi, one source for contacting other parents for face-to-face would be to locate the parents' club in your area. If you cannot find it, contact the academy to get the name of the president. Most areas have a club.

[usna1985]

Having strong parental support for a decision to attend a SA and success there is invaluable.

That said, at the end of the day, it should be your son's decision, not yours. If he is truly committed to USNA, then he should apply and -- if appointed -- attend. If he's unsure, then he should probably apply and see if his views change one way or the other -- there's no harm in applying as one can always decline an appointment. If he isn't interested, especially after NASS, he should move on with his life. It is HIS life.

[Hurricane12]

why and how could we send our kid harms way?

I've written a couple iterations of this post and kicked it down several notches from my initial knee-jerk reaction in the spirit of the holiday.

The bottom line is, as usna1985 and others have pointed out, is that it's not your choice.

Anyway, to address the actual title of your post. I have a more pragmatic answer in me too, but I'll go with the more idealistic one first.

The military needs smart kids, both as leaders and as followers. Aside from the technical side of things, officers are supposed to be able to think critically and be responsible for large amounts of personnel and material.
A Marine rifle platoon commander (first job out of USNA, probably age 22-23) is responsible for the lives of 45+ Marines, not to mention the weighty decisions he has to make regarding interaction with the local populace or other military actions which can have strategic consequences. Read up on stuff like the strategic corporal, counterinsurgency, the three-block war, and how the military fits into foreign policy decisions to get an idea of how a military officer's job can fit into the bigger picture and have a huge impact.
I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want dumb kids doing these jobs.

And if he (or you) truly decide that the military doesn't need your smart kid, that's fine. I'm sure my class had that too. Don't worry, just as with my class, kids who will go on attend grad school at Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, and Harvard (and in some cases, go on to be major players in whatever sector they choose to in the end, whether it's public or private) will decide that the Navy/Marine Corps is worth their time.

[Vista123]

Instead of asking "Why Naval Academy be a choice for a smart kid?" one might ask "Why Naval Academy be a choice for a any kid?"

The answer would be the same.

We dont really come from a military background. When I see my son (4.4+ GPA, 34 act E and M, ap scholar, engineer hopeful, etc) outside throwing a basketball back and forth to improve his CFA, I dont get it-I ask a couple of open ended "why" type questions-but really my job is just to hold the tape measure and return the basketball....

I can say that the entire process has made him a better, more reflective person and really a better family member.

Good luck to your son in whatever he does.

Enjoy your Fourth!

[Packer]

It has already been said but it is not and should not be your decision. It is your son's life to live and his decision to make. Your job is to make sure he is making an informed decision.

Also the whole "why would a smart kid go to the Naval academy" is quite offensive.

[MemberLG]

Originally Posted by kazi

how could we send our kid harms way?

If not your kid, we should we send to harms way? Poor and dumb?

The way I explain it to some parents are that attending a military academy is not about free college education or becoming an engineer. The reason why someone should attend a military academy is to become a military officer AND serve our country.

[subvet]

Also the whole "why would a smart kid go to the Naval academy" is quite offensive.[/QUOTE]

It is! Our DD is also a smart kid who chose the Academy despite her mothers misgivngs. She is now in Flt Trng at Pensacola and realizing this is exactly where she is meant to be.