Why Naval Academy be a choice for a smart kid

[Navy4ever]

I am sorry that my statements were offensive to some, but they were meant to be, so i am ok.


Wow...so much for kindness

[Vista123]

Originally Posted by Navy4ever

I am sorry that my statements were offensive to some, but they were meant to be, so i am ok.

I think perhaps it was a typo. Grrrrr I make typos at the most inopportune times as well...Sometimes my postings have trouble with more than mere taste, judgement, and knowledge -- Sometimes it's sheer luck that I spell corektly.

I think maybe they meant to type:

I am sorry that my statements were offensive to some, but they were NOT meant to be.

[Packer]

Originally Posted by Vista123

I think maybe they meant to type:

I am sorry that my statements were offensive to some, but they were NOT meant to be.

I hope that is what kazi meant to type.

[Stealth_81]

Originally Posted by Packer

I hope that is what kazi meant to type.

Looking at the tone of the post, I think that you and Vista123 are correct.

Stealth_81

[chiromed0]

I would just say that in our case we support our DS and we didn't send him into harms way. We sent him to Annapolis. If he is ever in harms way, a possibility not an inevitability then it was his decision, not ours.

Logically, if you look at the number of people in the military and the number of casualties you are NOT sending them to their doom. It is the ultimate worse thing that could happen to them-or is it? How about living a lifetime knowing your heart told you to go and you didn't. Only they can decide and it is their life. Of course you love and support them but once the decision is made, do not put doubt in their mind and make them second guess. Just be there, answer their questions and help them find their way.

We were lucky enough to have wonderful support in our area and a great USNA grad & former Navy Seal speaker, Clint Bruce. He said something that has stuck in our minds and gives us clarity. He congratulated the parents and said, "this is what happens when you give us good clay, the price of raising great kids is they want to do great things, so I'm sorry...but thank you because you've given us good clay".

The academy's are there to train and educate the future leaders of our military and country. You should feel very proud that your kid feels that calling. As to whether you all ultimately decide to go that route do not feel like you are making their decision...you are trusting their decision.

[kazi]

my apologies. Kazi

[kazi]

Thank you very much. Kazi

[dunninla]

Kazi, your questions are completely rational and normal for a parent who loves their child, and is not familiar with the risks associated with serving our country as a military officer. Most parents feel the same way, at least my wife did when my DD wanted to apply to NROTC and AROTC.

Really, is this any different from your son saying he wants to join the Peace Corps to serve in dangerous Columbia, or to enter Seminary to become a priest, or to go to Hollywood to pursue an acting career? Basically anything he might like but you would not pick for him?

At 18 he is a legal adult, and may choose to do anything he wants, without parental approval. That includes attending a service academy, or an ROTC program. Of course you are not legally obligated to contribute to him financially, which is often the leverage parents hold over choices their kids make that are against their wishes. Money = control.

Anyway, my nephew was valadictorian at his elite HS here in Socal, chose not to attend UC Berkeley, and accepted his appointment to the Naval Academy. He ultimately graduated near the top in Engineering, and is currently at MIT in a fully funded Masters in Aeronautical Engineering program and working at a DOD financed laboratory. In about a year he'll be at Flight school. So, lots of smart kids go to all five Academies. Incidentally, the quality of his educational experience in the classroom and Labs at the Naval Academy gained him his choice of graduate Engineering program... Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, a University in Switzerland whose name escapes me at the moment, etc.