Add to that the fact that your child will become a part of the Long Gray Line, which is so impressive that no other institution could ever match up.
Well, that's subjective. I think that's a big downside to USMA. Our son affirmed Sunday night, and my heart is heavy at this point of no return (figuratively, of course). I still wish he were anywhere but where he is, but I love him, support him, and have kept my opinions from him since R-Day. Not everyone is impressed by the academies or the military. I still feel he had much better college options, and I have yet to hear or see anything to convince me otherwise. I post counterpoint here occasionally just to provide some balance. I'm sure not everyone who peeks into this forum is as "all-in" as most seem to be, and if you are a lurker who is among the less convinced, that's OK. It's probably time for me to move on as this definitely is not my herd, though I have great respect for many of the senior posters, their experience, and their generosity of time and wisdom. I peek in occasionally just to see what the chat is, but I find it mostly a monotone choir. Given the purpose of this forum, I understand that. I do not post to cause contention, but statements like the one quoted above make me shake my head and show me just how far from this herd I stand. If anyone else reading here is also outside the perimeter, take heart, you are not alone.
I don't mean to take this thread off-topic, but that comment struck me. Carry on.
The suggestion that i am part of any herd gives me and would give those who know me a chuckle, but I'll own the fact that I am very proud, not that my son was admitted to USMA (and two other academies), but because he was drawn to them in the first place. And further, although both my wife and I had genuine concerns and reservations about our son going to West Point, and the obligations which follow, and I have had a few points of criticism over the past year and a half, West Point is beyond a tremendous institution, which truly seeks out and trains those who wish to become great leaders, and it has done a fine job at that for a couple centuries. With all due respect, there is strong distinction between believing that USMA is an outstanding school/institution, with a foundation built on historical accomplishment, and "drinking the koolaid", as you suggest Velveteen. To the extent that you don't believe in the mission of West Point or the other academies, or feel the desire to express your disappointment that your son chose WP over a "better college", I wont go further with this since I strongly suspect that my points will fall on deaf ears with you; and , respectfully, "you wouldn't understand". As for those who do, however, congratulations on the achievements and character of your sons and daughters. May the blessings and good fortune of God continue to remain with them!
GO ARMY!!
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