Please help me with a response

forumjunkie said:
Nobody has asked me, but I guess I am feeling a little snarky back tonight, Like "Cause his parents are too cheap to pay for a Real College" or "because the Navy has gotta send em somewhere so they can learn to peal those spuds! "
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Do you guys remember that SNL skit about the Navy from the 70's? I just love that line, "It's not just a job. It's $96.78 a week."

http://scoopdeck.navytimes.com/2015/02/16/video-snls-hilarious-navy-commercial-parody-from-1979/

I've used that a couple of times when asked what attracted our son to the military. In our circles, that question is never asked with genuine curiosity, so why bother giving a genuine answer? Plus, I'm known to be flip.
 
So before Anyone thinks We only sent the kid to the Academy to get free tuition, (My husband is working genealogy now would appear to have an officer in every generation going back to the Revolutionary War, Actually further but we won't cross back over the Pond) Its not that I am obsessed with the money. It's like they say about Public speaking, speak to your audience. So when dealing with "Those Kinda people. ya gotta speak a language they understand, say " Service to Country and Others" get a blank stare. Say "To get a Couple Hundred thousand Dollar Education free , and get paid to do it. Btw, How did you finance your kids education?" As Fencer Mother might say "Touche" .

Hey I learned this tact from my Mid son. Who came home early last year at Thanksgiving for Outreach. Was standing in the Lunchroom at the Local High School in uniform, got no interest at all I'm sure they thought he was a Navy recruiter. Inspiration.......he grabbed a piece of Paper and scribbled on it. "I get paid to go to College". TaDa probably not the right kind, but defiantly a new level of interest!
 
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Yeah but we got paid twenty four hours a day, awake or asleep, on duty or off, and that pay in Biloxi was a lot of money in those days considering what the locals were making! If they had a job the minimum wage was around $1.50 an hour. When I did look at my Soc Sec amounts I am amazed at how little I made in those years and still survived with an apartment and a car. But life was good and we were young.
 
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Just Dad said:
What!? travel from Seattle to Annapolis FOR A WEEKEND! U-r kidding Right?-------- Wife and I were out there for a long weekend over Columbus Day, we went to the Huston game. I saw the Bear Shark in person!
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Good point - you should buy a place in Annapolis, THEN go out there every weekend! (I like the way you think, MittenMan!)
 
forumjunkie said:
Which leads to another Misconception, the general public still thinks the military is where you send people who get in trouble. The last ditch effort at salvation. Adults and kids just don't seem to understand, they don't want your rejects! If you mess up, and get in trouble you Ain't gonna get in the military!
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Well, to that point, I was astounded by some of the parent questions during our CVW at USNA when DD was applying. One parent asked "how do you handle kids with discipline problems, or who have been in some trouble with the law when they apply?" That was easily the best, though "my son doesn't really like math, he's more of an arts and theater type - will that be a problem?" was a close second...especially given it was asked of the officer in charge of the Math and Science Department, a former sub captain.

So it's not just the completely non-SA people who get the remedial military school idea. Some applicant families are similarly confused!
 
[QUOTE
That was easily the best, though "my son doesn't really like math, he's more of an arts and theater type - will that be a problem?" was a close second...especially given it was asked of the officer in charge of the Math and Science Department, a former sub captain.
![/QUOTE]

I would've loved to be there. What was the officer's response?
 
This is a great thread! I am still coming to grips with my daughter's decision about going to the CGA- it is a great opportunity and she is resolute about it, it's just not what I envisioned for her. My hubby has a strong military background, I have zero so it is just taking me more time to wrap my head around it, but am nonetheless extremely proud of her. The strange looks and condescending comments (often disguised as compliments) when we have told some people her news gets my feathers ruffled! DD attends a very high profile prep school where Ivy League schools are a more common destination than Academies, but her peers and teachers know she is a special kid and was destined to do something "more"!
 
Idlewild said:
This is a great thread! I am still coming to grips with my daughter's decision about going to the CGA- it is a great opportunity and she is resolute about it, it's just not what I envisioned for her. My hubby has a strong military background, I have zero so it is just taking me more time to wrap my head around it, but am nonetheless extremely proud of her. The strange looks and condescending comments (often disguised as compliments) when we have told some people her news gets my feathers ruffled! DD attends a very high profile prep school where Ivy League schools are a more common destination than Academies, but her peers and teachers know she is a special kid and was destined to do something "more"!
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I had the pleasure of meeting RADM Cari Thomas, USCG (Ret), at a holiday social. She is now the Executive Director for the Navy League. She exudes command presence, that indefinable quality of confidence and capability, and also warmth. LITS and others may have different impressions, which is occasionally the case depending on how first impressions align with inside-service opinions.

Here's her bio. Your DD is an uncut gem ready for her own polishing. I have met some amazing women - and men - in my Navy career, and I know that was one of the reasons I stayed in for a full career. The smart, capable, funny people who were leaders, peers, shipmates, junior officers, senior enlisted leaders, sailors from every conceivable background.

https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg092/flag_bios/biography/CariThomas.pdf

Please envision this for your daughter - she will emerge from USCGA confident and strong, and the world of leadership and challenge the CG will throw at her will produce a woman who can command the room, make a difference and handle anything that comes her way.
 
I only briefly interacted with RADM Thomas when she was a captain, during the BP oil spill response in 2010. She seemed nice enough to me, but I didn't interact with her enough to develop an informed opinion.
 
Capt MJ said:
I had the pleasure of meeting RADM Cari Thomas, USCG (Ret), at a holiday social. She is now the Executive Director for the Navy League. She exudes command presence, that indefinable quality of confidence and capability, and also warmth. LITS and others may have different impressions, which is occasionally the case depending on how first impressions align with inside-service opinions.

Here's her bio. Your DD is an uncut gem ready for her own polishing. I have met some amazing women - and men - in my Navy career, and I know that was one of the reasons I stayed in for a full career. The smart, capable, funny people who were leaders, peers, shipmates, junior officers, senior enlisted leaders, sailors from every conceivable background.

https://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg092/flag_bios/biography/CariThomas.pdf

Please envision this for your daughter - she will emerge from USCGA confident and strong, and the world of leadership and challenge the CG will throw at her will produce a woman who can command the room, make a difference and handle anything that comes her way.
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She's such a great kid- as comfortable with adults as kids, extremely creative, driven, fun- the whole package. Turning down Notre Dame among others for this opportunity, but has such a sense of adventure that I am not completely surprised. She has been lucky to have an awesome high school experience with tremendous female role models that are smart and tough and nurturing- she felt very confident that she will get a similar experience through the USCGA. This website has been invaluable throughout the process- thank you all!
 
mmb5 said:
[QUOTE
That was easily the best, though "my son doesn't really like math, he's more of an arts and theater type - will that be a problem?" was a close second...especially given it was asked of the officer in charge of the Math and Science Department, a former sub captain.
!
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I would've loved to be there. What was the officer's response?[/QUOTE]

He said, "well, we do have a good theater program as an extra curricular, but there will be a lot of math in the classroom, so your son should be prepared for that."

Very diplomatic.
 
This thread was just what I needed. Midsib is applying to an SA and the responses from friends has been overwhelmingly negative. I'm grateful for the comments here.
 
elnavy said:
This thread was just what I needed. Midsib is applying to an SA and the responses from friends has been overwhelmingly negative. I'm grateful for the comments here.
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Have faith, SA's and ROTC programs develop LEADERS, there are plenty of technicians, we need more LEADERS. My USMA 2019 DD was home for Christmas and I was amazed at the leadership he demonstrated when he visited his HS Rifle Team and his Boy Scout Troop.
 
mintyicedtea said:
I ran into an aquaintance the other day. She asked about one of my sons' college plans, and I mentioned that he was very interested in a service academy. She looked at me aghast and said, he might have to go to war! She gave me a look like I was a terrible mother for even supporting such a goal. I could not think of a quick response and had to leave quickly because I had to be somewhere.

We are not from a military family, and in all honesty it has taken me a while to get used to the idea of him going into the military. But I have come to peace with it because I know this is a calling he has believed in for years.

Can parents help me come up with a respectful response to those who question the sanity of sending off a child to the military? I have a feeling more of these comments may be coming our way. How do you respond?
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My response is always "I know! I'm so proud of him for choosing to serve our country." No sarcasm, it's the truth and stops the discussion from going any further. It is very rare someone says anything other then "Thank him for his service."
 
mintyicedtea said:
I ran into an aquaintance the other day. She asked about one of my sons' college plans, and I mentioned that he was very interested in a service academy. She looked at me aghast and said, he might have to go to war! She gave me a look like I was a terrible mother for even supporting such a goal. I could not think of a quick response and had to leave quickly because I had to be somewhere.

We are not from a military family, and in all honesty it has taken me a while to get used to the idea of him going into the military. But I have come to peace with it because I know this is a calling he has believed in for years.

Can parents help me come up with a respectful response to those who question the sanity of sending off a child to the military? I have a feeling more of these comments may be coming our way. How do you respond?
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The woman will never understand the "reasons" why your son is going and why you're supportive. The manners of people.............
 
A peer of my son's had told him he is "mooching" off the government. Son has 3 offers of full expenses for large, prestigious universities. Not sure how kid is "mooching" off the government when he could have a much easier path through academics. Hmmmmmmph!
 
Love4monsters said:
A peer of my son's had told him he is "mooching" off the government. Son has 3 offers of full expenses for large, prestigious universities. Not sure how kid is "mooching" off the government when he could have a much easier path through academics. Hmmmmmmph!
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I think the peer is mooching off all of our sons and daughters willingness to lay down their lives for their countrymen... Sadly, they will never understand.
 
Just stumbled on this thread and had to laugh. This is what I got the other day. "The Naval Academy? But your son is so smart, I can't believe he's not going to college!"
 
mpk19 said:
Just stumbled on this thread and had to laugh. This is what I got the other day. "The Naval Academy? But your son is so smart, I can't believe he's not going to college!"
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This where it would be handy to whip out your phone and show a clip of a USNA Plebe in the recent Jeopardy collegiate finals with Stanford and MIT seniors (I think).
 
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