Parent Associations?

Kirkmanj

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Joined
Dec 2, 2014
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I went to buy tickets to Parents' Weekend game at USAFA, and was told it was good to join a local parents association. I checked and there appears to have been a Central Valley California group in the past, but I could find no current presence. There are other active groups several hours away in NorCal and SoCal, however.

Questions: have any experienced the pros and cons of near-far parent associations, and what are the main benefits/things to look for?

Interested in joining for tips, info, fellowship, and cadet support, including All Academies Balls. Anyone from CA out there? Would love your advice!
 
I know I've fairly vocal about "helicopter parents" but I think Parents' Associations are great.

My parents were members of the Coast Guard Academy Parents' Association. It was a time period I wasn't especially fond of, and it was pre-smart phones with little texting. The Parents' Association kept them informed. In fact, they often found out things before the cadets (and sometimes found out things that weren't especially true).

These associations allows parents to talk, to share advice, voice concerns, stay informed and are largely an outlet for them. Our parents association donated to the cadets, and we certainly benefitted from it. They also hosted little lunches etc. This is especially true during grad week.

The chapters allow parents to organize "all academy balls" or other get togethers. They can also serve as a source of information for new parents from the same area.

I have no idea how much they cost, and I never knew the "magic" from the inside, but I think as a cadet I benefited and I'm sure it made things easier for my parents too. They made some good friends too.

Of course, the Parents' Association also annoyed us from time to time.... "Mahhhh get outta my room!"
 
From the opposite coast, so can't help with CA specific info, sorry.

But couple of things I can share....

1) There is wonderful woman named Rose who is the main contact at USAFA for Parent's Groups. She distributes information, candidate contact info (if they agreed) and more. If anyone would know about an existing parent group, it would be her. Don't have her contact info handy where I am now. but if you PM me I will respond with it.

2) DW and I are deeply involved with local USAFA Parent's Group. It's an amazing experience and you will encounter some of the most amazing people... you quickly begin to understand where these best and brightest young officer candidates come from! The parent's groups offer another source of information, support when you need it, the chance to contribute to the well being of the cadets and USAFA, and more. In our case, most parent's first experience with the group comes during a summer picnic/bbq where the new cadets and their families are invited to meet everyone. The families bond and answer questions, and there are usually several current cadets home for a summer session that volunteer to come and speak.

If you are considering joining one of these groups, I would encourage you to take the plunge. At first you will love the support and getting all the tips and tricks that go with the first year, then you will come to love giving back even if it's something as silly helping to build and ship snack-filled Exam Survival Kits for your state's cadets.
 
Anywhere near NY? I'd love to find a group here. If not, I'll PM you as well if you don't mind for the contact info.
where in NY? there is a metro NY/LI club and an upstate (rochester/buffalo) club i know.
 
My son will be at USMA this June (class of 2019) and I've already found the Parents Club to be so helpful as I' ve been able to meet some local parents and cadets through it. My son has connected with the cadets and they will exercise together as they prepare physically for the summer training at West Point. There are also a few WP facebook pages that are for the parents of cadets. They are also a tremendous resource of information (correct info as there is a WP liaison on the FB pages) and support.

Parents with children at hte other SAs may want to see if there are FB pages like I"ve described.
 
Grew up in the Bronx myself good to see a fellow NY'er here.

I was born in Italy but moved to Brooklyn when I was a teenager. Most of our friends (my husband is Italian by birth too) can't figure out why we are so happy and proud of our DD so it's good to meet people who do understand.
 
I was born in Italy but moved to Brooklyn when I was a teenager. Most of our friends (my husband is Italian by birth too) can't figure out why we are so happy and proud of our DD so it's good to meet people who do understand.

Yeah it's strange being so close to USMA you'd figure they would understand. But I guess with Cornell and Columbia being so close they understand those names a lot better.
 
I was born in Italy but moved to Brooklyn when I was a teenager. Most of our friends (my husband is Italian by birth too) can't figure out why we are so happy and proud of our DD so it's good to meet people who do understand.
are you looking for any specific SA Parents group? I can help you with the USAFA's Metro NY info, PM me.
 
Yeah it's strange being so close to USMA you'd figure they would understand. But I guess with Cornell and Columbia being so close they understand those names a lot better.

And most Italians also tells me 'it's a girl. Why would you send her into the military.'
 
First off, let's get real: This is NOT STEELER FOOTBALL. It's Parents Weekend Football. So, if you just want to go to the game, buy the cheapest seats you can (nosebleed, $10 or so, and buy a $5 T-shirt as a souvenir).

Many of the Parents Groups have BBQs after the game (but really, you'll be at THUDGATE, so... ). They are generally quite good about taking care of our cadets at Halloween, etc. We did not last long in our parents group, but we're not "joiner" types. For those who are, they are great support.

But, a reminder: IT IS NOT STEELER FOOTBALL. :)
 
Ask him if he has been mistaken for the "Good Humor Ice Cream Man" in his dress whites! . . . ;)
 
Ask him if he has been mistaken for the "Good Humor Ice Cream Man" in his dress whites! . . . ;)

I should!

You know when I was young I wanted to go to West Point, but I finished high school at 16, was going through the green card process, parents were dead set against it so I ended up joining AROTC for two years. Way too many years later, I still regret not having going to Officer School once I got my degree and green card. The Army would have been the place for me. I know it's not where my daughter should be. She fell in love with USAFA and everything I've learned just fits her so much. In the end, that's all that matters to me. I'm even more sure, after seeing how quickly she said no to all of the good schools that had admitted her, even though she's been admitted to USAFAPS and won't have a direct entry.
 
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