I was wondering when someone was gonna mention this. I have talked to two cadets about this and viewed the fb group. The fox news article about North korea is not possible because Sgt. Story was not AWOL on Monday. I have heard Sweden, Mexico, and North Korea as possibilities.
However, Sweden's embassy in North Korea does handle US relations there because the US does not have any "official" diplomatic ties. Probably just a coincidence though.
Best post on facebook from the Sgt. Story group:
Cow loan: $32,000
One way ticket to Sweden: $1,500
Getting the book store girl to go with you: priceless
Cow Loan: A sum of money provided to Cows ( Juniors) by a lending institution at a very low interest rate. Payments do not begin until ninety days after graduation. The amounts and rates vary. Repayment on the Cadet's loan occurs over 60 equal monthly payments. Heard this year the loan was for $32,500.
Actually they had two choices this year:
NavyFed = $32,500 at 1.25% interest
USAA = $30,000 at 1.99% interest
We can certainly nitpick about the definition of 'scandal' - 'rumor or malicious gossip about events or actions.' I feel that this incident falls within the boundaries of that definition. Like the USNA situation, we don't have all the facts. Unlike the USNA situation, it only reflects poorly on this cadet and not the Academy. Have heard many updates to this story. None which point to an unintentional disappearance by the cadet. Again, rumors not facts. The only fact that can be substantiated is if 'bookstore girl' showed up for work today.
Why would someone want the USAA loan which is smaller and has a higher rate?
Chockstock - do you personally know Cadet Story?
If not you might want to knock that chip off your shoulder. If you want to go to a service academy and you think that every cadet is perfect you need to take the blinders off. Last year a Cadet went missing and he turned up dead. A few weeks later his best friend went missing and he fortunately turned up, though he was suicidal.
There is a lot of stress at West Point. Making this facebook page and the posts that are on it are just a way for the Cadets to release the stress and not think of the worst.
Many cadets decline the loan. Many take it and put it in a CD, some spend it all, some invest. Many buy a car. It's all optional--no one forces you to take the $.