Ohhhh dating questions! My favorite.
At the Coast Guard Academy we called it "dark siding." I'm not sure if they still use that term.
I dated three ladies at CGA, one was a classmate and two were a year behind me. It was nice while it lasted, but it was less pleasant when the relationships ended. Now, that's not unique to a service academy. What is unique, at least at CGA, is you all live in one building, so when you break up, there's no getting away. Also, while CGA has a better male/female ratio, the ladies still have their picks! They don't like you? Eh, who cares, they have three other guys who are also options. For the guys, your dating population is 1/3 of that (that's changed with the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, I guess, but I'm not really sure how, so I'm just speaking from my experience).
Here's the thing....and this is the truth of it, hormones are on a high. You have smart, physically fit folks, who are pretty much wearing the same thing (so fashion doesn't matter). If you have a relationship at an academy it can be legal (like my relationships) or illegal (like some of my classmates). If you engage in a relationship that is forbidden, maybe you'll get away with it, but you're more likely to be caught, and that could quickly end your cadet/midshipman career.
Timing is an issue too. You're locked most of the week on a campus that doesn't allow you to "express yourself" physically or really even emotionally. Again, you can take your chances.... find a dark corner to steal a kiss or more, but in the event that you're caught.... it can quickly end your cadet/midshipman career.
We all have the opportunities to break rules. I've broken rules. But if you do, be prepared for the consequences. I watched a mast (non judicial punishment) of a cadet under me, who was rocked by the command. After seeing that, I stopped playing with fire. A quick kiss, a sweet embrace.... they aren't worth your future career.
Date at an academy, I don't recommend against it. But I do recommend remembering the true cost of your decisions, and I encourage you to really weigh the risk v. reward. Breaking frat/relationship rules at an academy; the risk is far greater than the reward.
