I don't think he meant it that way. I understood him to be saying that with the OP already having a 4-year ROTC scholarship, it seemed crazy to give that up and not at least give college a chance. His reference to your DD was acknowledging that he considered what she did to be different than what OP was considering because she gave college/ROTC (her Plan B at the time) a chance (and found it wasn't for her) before enlisting.
"... to me you chose the smart way of doing it." There really isn't a "smart way". There is a path that is right for each individual. What is the best path for one person may not work for another person. As we tell our children, it's not always what you say, but how you say it.
Trust me, after the last few months of what DD went through, there were times I had to "check" myself from stating publicly what she did this time last year was "crazy" (was certainly thinking it LOUDLY lol). We as adults sometimes get emotional and let our fingers get ahead of our minds, especially when our "kids" are involved. I think the biggest lesson in this whole thing is that EVERY choice comes with a degree of risk and all anyone can do is take a good hard look at their options and make the best decision for them. If it turns out to be a bad one, well live and learn, pick up the pieces and move on.
Trust me, after the last few months of what DD went through, there were times I had to "check" myself from stating publicly what she did this time last year was "crazy" (was certainly thinking it LOUDLY lol). We as adults sometimes get emotional and let our fingers get ahead of our minds, especially when our "kids" are involved. I think the biggest lesson in this whole thing is that EVERY choice comes with a degree of risk and all anyone can do is take a good hard look at their options and make the best decision for them. If it turns out to be a bad one, well live and learn, pick up the pieces and move on.[/QUOTE]
I will agree with you on that point! Poor choice of wording, but I think the point behind it was sincere
I realize there are many paths to anything. I dont deny that. First I never used the word stupid. Second I didnt imply or say that not taking the smart road make you dumb or not smart. You seem insulted because she took the path I dont think is smart and yet succeeded. I have no idea if you were to agree with me if it had not work out. Really doesnt matter. There are plenty of people who took the stupid road like dropping out of Harvard and then creating Micrososft. Those are the anomalies. My guess is that those who would take the four year Rotc scholarship, possbily get into the Academy and commission 4-5 years later are going to be ahead of the game over those who enlist and later go to college. It isnt an insult to those who go their own path and I am sure there will be plenty of those who are very succesful using the enlisting route. It is called going their own path for a reason. It is my opinion that that the smart move is taking the scholarship. It doenst mean they will be more successful and it doenst mean those who take a different route wont be. But if I were to play the odds, going to college now would be the advantage. Its my opinion. My guess it was your opinion also when your daughter initally quit school.
I think my response was a little harsh.
I have no problem with your response. It was fine although I was honestly not attacking your daughters decision. The thing is that your daughter was right and it worked out perfectly for her. I think if my son were to come to me and tell me he wanted to enlist in order to eventually go to the academy, I would tell him the smart way would be to go to Rotc. If he listens to me or not, it is his decision and he has to decide what is right for him. Maybe the word "smart" is the problem. I use the word in terms of what path will most likely get you to where you want to be . Again, that doesnt mean it is the right path or the only path and it doesnt even mean it wont take you somwhere else where you didnt know you wanted to be. We play the odds. Want your child to have a sucessful career, go to college. No one said you cant make it with a high school diploma, but how many do. My wife cousin never went to college and lives in a 10,000 square foot house in Los Angeles where Justin Bieber used to live. He went to a technical school to learn to be a plumber and I went to college to be an CPA. Which one of us took the smart path?I think my response was a little harsh.
Yes, my initial reaction to my daughter was that she was not doing something smart. But the years of watching her and others find their way has made me realize that there are many different paths in life that lead to success, to include paths to West Point and commissioning. I think each person must find out what road they need to take. My DD had someone show up to her unit in Iraq who was formerly a Cadet at West Point. This soldier was not there due to an honor issue, she just realized that she wanted to see and experience things, so she dropped out and enlisted. This was a person who, if they knew the route was there and thought about it probably should have enlisted first. I know a Plebe who just finished his junior year with a Air Force ROTC scholarship but dropped it for USMA.