A whole new world...to an entire family.

peppypea

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Joined
Feb 2, 2017
Messages
308
Hello! I am here to introduce myself. I am the mother of three teens- the oldest of which is applying for the Air Force Academy.

We are not a military family, I am not used to this. To be honest, I am scared. We spoke to the USAFA representative today- after our meeting I feel a little better. No one wants to possibly send their kid into a potentially combative situation. Regardless of how you feel about the current administration, trouble seems afoot. (I promise I am not here to pick fights- just calling it as I see it.)

Since 4th grade my oldest has had a heart for public service- specifically higher office (probably like a LOT of kids here, I am sure.) All of the things my son has done up to this point have all been on him- with three of kids in quick succession I don't have time to be a Tiger Mom, lol! He is outgoing, the top of his class and a natural born leader (not to mention, student body president, in the symphony, sports, you name it- Mr. All American.) To achieve his goals, he would like to get his law degree- and being firmly middle class, his dad and I can't afford to make him into one. Between the educational opportunities AND the military experience he will have part of the toolkit to become what he wants to be.

As a mom, I have to admit I am incredibly nervous. Giving your kid up to the military is a big decision- but as he spreads his wings and becomes himself, I can only guide him and let him make the best decision for his own future. Regardless of how it goes, I will support his decision fully.

So, that's me- in a nice neat little package. Feel free to ask me any questions- I want you to know me as well as get to know you.
 
Welcome! And good luck to your DS.
Be sure to check the acronym list at the top tool bar.

You will find this to be a helpful community with many parents who share your concerns.
 
Good morning. Remember to get those 10 posts in, you can start by answering this one.
 
Your son sounds like my husband...back in the stone age, as in typewriters, he helped his brother secure a full ride ROTC scholarship to Norwich while in flight school himself. Suggest your son consider applying to other Service Academies. If he wants to Fly, the Naval Academy has a high rate of Aviators. See post on selection stats. If he wants to get that law degree and go JAG, not sure why it would matter which branch. Sometimes you can only get a Nomination to a particular branch so if you don't keep your options open you get shut out.
 
You may wish to get a copy of The Air Force Candidate Book by Sue Ross; it answered a lot of questions for me when our DD was going through the process.
 
Welcome aboard. You sound like a great Mom and your DS (dear son) sounds like a great kid. You're also typical in the sense that no parent wants to see their kid harmed in any way, nevertheless this is the path they've chosen and you learn to live with it. Eventually, for me, the pride overpowers anything else.

As a suggestion, if your DS is interested in USAFA he should also look at applying to AFROTC as one alternate backup plan.
 
Thank you all! He will be applying for ROTC and possibly the USNA, too. The man we talked to yesterday actually had his career in the military having gone through the ROTC program.

@Wishful thank you for the suggestion- I just ordered the book right now!

He's not really gunning to fly, but, as with most "little" boys, he'd love to fly (and wouldn't THAT be great on a resume?) I guess time will tell.

I am excited to learn more about the entire process for all of us.
 
Thank you all! He will be applying for ROTC and possibly the USNA, too. The man we talked to yesterday actually had his career in the military having gone through the ROTC program.

@Wishful thank you for the suggestion- I just ordered the book right now!

He's not really gunning to fly, but, as with most "little" boys, he'd love to fly (and wouldn't THAT be great on a resume?) I guess time will tell.

I am excited to learn more about the entire process for all of us.

It's a whole new world to me as well! My son is waiting anxiously on an appointment to USNA while also trying for an NROTC scholarship to a backup school. I'm praying he ends up where he is meant to be!
 
For anonymity's sake, you may want to ask the mods to take your son's name out of your posts.
 
Yo, mods- can you take my kids name off this? I would edit but i have no idea how to do that. (That's not his real name anyway- but I don't want to upset the applecart!)
 
Yo, mods- can you take my kids name off this? I would edit but i have no idea how to do that. (That's not his real name anyway- but I don't want to upset the applecart!)

I did that a while ago. :)

Stealth_81
 
Welcome! I am also from a non-military family and a somewhat anti-military area/community. This forum definitely helped my mom feel a little better about my decision to go to USAFA, that and going to some parents club meetings in our area got her from terrified to the point of trying to stop me, to super supportive and proud.

I love the AF and it was definitely the right choice. I'm debt free, own a house and car, have a masters degree and am on my way to a PhD all thanks to the AF.
 
"He is outgoing, the top of his class and a natural born leader (not to mention, student body president, in the symphony, sports, you name it- Mr. All American.) To achieve his goals, he would like to get his law degree- and being firmly middle class, his dad and I can't afford to make him into one. Between the educational opportunities AND the military experience he will have part of the toolkit to become what he wants to be."

To me, it sounds like you've raised a tremendous young man.

And the toolkit to the middle class, or even upper middle class (or real, honest-to-goodness wealth), that service in the armed forces offers is tremendous. America's suburbs & Florida's retirement communities are littered with it's echelons.

But even it didn't exist at all, your son's achievements and attitude are a badge of honor and accomplishment that his parents are deserving of.

And, honestly, has there ever been a time when danger wasn't afoot when young Americans enlisted? Ever?

I predict your young one will be taking the bar in six years or so, making you even prouder. Or getting promoted to major. He sounds like a winner.
 
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