Prospective parents: I’ve had discussions with my now youngster over the years. There isn’t “hazing.” It can be difficult at times, but it’s not “hazing”. In fact I know of a situation of a specific company training officer that trained harder than he should and he was dealt with quickly and appropriately. Still wasn’t hazing.
As far as drugs go, that can happen, as it can anywhere, I would expect. At a SA, it would be harder than anywhere else. IMO, that’s on the Mids/cadets. That’s their personal choice and hopefully we have done our jobs as parents to make that a non-issue for our own child. There is a lot at risk to choose to participate in illegal activities. Any of them. My Mid has not been exposed to drugs. At all.
My own personal biggest “fear” is the use of energy drinks. Supplements. Caffeine. Pre-work. Not living a healthy, physical lifestyle year round. Eating junk food. And then trying to get in shape quickly. As the mom of wrestlers, I know about cutting weight. Dehydration. How hard all the above is on the body. We talk to our kids all the time about all this. As it’s all legal, these are more my concerns than illegal stuff.
There is NOT rampart abuses going around. Unfortunately the unknown (and we may never know!! There are privacy issues with disclosures) makes minds wander. But rest assured, and if your child attends I suspect you will agree, our kids are safer and watched over closer than at “regular college”. I have no doubt.