Coast Guard Academy? So you're enlisting?

[tycarpen]

Interrupting a class to announce that you were accepted to USCGA is not only attention and recognition seeking, it's obnoxious. He deserves no attention. He did the work and got a very expensive gift from the American taxpayer. He should be recognizing the teacher for paying those taxes. I didn't even accept the flag flown in Washington from my congressman when I got into USMMA, or even more recognition when I graduated.

Wow. OK, If you are going to slap such harsh judgment, maybe I ought to fill in the gaps. Not necessarily for you, but for the others who may read this.

DS had asked permission from his instructor to take an important phone call during class (he was hoping to get the USCGA call that third week in December). The class was filled with students he has friendships with and has known since freshman year. He was granted permission. When the call came, he excused himself. Coming back into the room, in his excitement he shared the happy news... He is EXTREMELY grateful for the opportunity and to all of those that have helped him along the way.

It is interesting to me that the commenter read the story so differently.

I guess this is the risk one takes when submitting a post. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt when I don't have all the information, obviously not everyone feels the same.

 

[dddad]

Interrupting a class to announce that you were accepted to USCGA is not only attention and recognition seeking, it's obnoxious. He deserves no attention. He did the work and got a very expensive gift from the American taxpayer. He should be recognizing the teacher for paying those taxes. I didn't even accept the flag flown in Washington from my congressman when I got into USMMA, or even more recognition when I graduated.

If a kid didn’t share his/her good news with the class, I’d wonder what his/her problem was with his peers and teacher. And, in this instance, I’m wondering just that about Mr2020.

 

[sanman]

If a kid didn’t share his/her good news with the class, I’d wonder what his/her problem was with his peers and teacher. And, in this instance, I’m wondering just that about Mr2020.

Especially when you take into account his last sentence which is effectively nothing more than virtue signalling.

 

[sanman]

Wow. OK, If you are going to slap such harsh judgment, maybe I ought to fill in the gaps. Not necessarily for you, but for the others who may read this.

DS had asked permission from his instructor to take an important phone call during class (he was hoping to get the USCGA call that third week in December). The class was filled with students he has friendships with and has known since freshman year. He was granted permission. When the call came, he excused himself. Coming back into the room, in his excitement he shared the happy news... He is EXTREMELY grateful for the opportunity and to all of those that have helped him along the way.

It is interesting to me that the commenter read the story so differently.

I guess this is the risk one takes when submitting a post. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt when I don't have all the information, obviously not everyone feels the same.

No need to provide further explanation. Just look at Mr2020s posting history and you will see he has a habit of trying to cause offense.

 

[tycarpen]

No need to provide further explanation. Just look at Mr2020s posting history and you will see he has a habit of trying to cause offense.

@sanman Thank you!

 

[Jeepman]

Interrupting a class to announce that you were accepted to USCGA is not only attention and recognition seeking, it's obnoxious. He deserves no attention. He did the work and got a very expensive gift from the American taxpayer. He should be recognizing the teacher for paying those taxes. I didn't even accept the flag flown in Washington from my congressman when I got into USMMA, or even more recognition when I graduated.

Dang, chill out. Are you upset because you lost your Che Guevara t-shirt? Don't worry, we can all chip in and buy you another one.

 

[Keystone_Dad]

I know there is a thread in the general forum about how people respond when they hear you, or your DS or DD is going to a service academy. But, I am hoping to hear stories from the USCGA group.

As a mom, I'm watching something that really surprises me and bums me out: the consistent lack of recognition and enthusiasm my DS receives when he shares he earned an appointment to US Coast Guard Academy. Anyone else experiencing this? It is so unexpected! For example, when my DS got the call during his NJROTC class, he came back, excited, and announced to the class his happy news. His instructor just said "we don't enter the room from that door....and Coast Guard, OK, congrats." HIS NJROTC INSTRUCTOR! Whaaaat???

I don't know if it is West Coast thing, or if this is pretty consistent across the board? To add insult to injury, today he was called out of one of his AP classes to attend a school sponsored job fair because the facilitator said "Coast Guard Academy, so that means you're enlisting?" He said, "Mom, I understand my classmates don't get it, but the school??" Mostly it is just hard to watch him not get the support from his peers.

Anyone else have stories??

I find most are surprised that USCGA has a football team. Then I'm asked where USCGA is located. Please pass on a hearty "Well done!" to your DS. Yes it deserves attention! Public service is a honorable endeavor. We have two sons at USCGA and I just retired Jan 2020 after 35 years in uniform. Ignore the naysayers. Trust your gut and share the good news with others. Who knows? Young people might be inspired to serve as well.

 

[cave9269]

I find most are surprised that USCGA has a football team. Then I'm asked where USCGA is located. Please pass on a hearty "Well done!" to your DS. Yes it deserves attention! Public service is a honorable endeavor. We have two sons at USCGA and I just retired Jan 2020 after 35 years in uniform. Ignore the naysayers. Trust your gut and share the good news with others. Who knows? Young people might be inspired to serve as well.

My DS will be playing Football for CGA. The fact that he will be playing Football for Coast Guard seems to cause minor brain bleeds in some people.

 

[Devil Doc]

I live in an area with a huge military presence. All 5 (Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard) have substantial operations here. Probably 1/3 or more of the students at my kids’ school have a direct military connection. They have celebrations when a kid gets a nomination and have a blowout when any appointment is made or ROTCs are given. Competition for SA and ROTC is high in my area. I’m a bit jealous, though, of others that live where average people aren’t knowledgeable of the military and SAs and the bright kids have less competition. Rest well knowing your kid is pursuing a truly noble endeavor, even if others don’t understand. Plus, it seems that the people without knowledge of the benefits of the military in general, and the SAs in particular, are probably not very good at math or long-term financial planning. My hat is off to every parent and kid that appreciates military service of any kind.

Same here in Northern Virginia. Obviously I guess. I've written on here before the school in which I teach is the closest in our district to the Pentagon. We have heavy academy and ROTC representation at our convocation. They schedule the military presentations first so they can leave after they finish. Whenever the big checks are presented and the amount is revealed there is always a collective "whoaaa" from the crowd. I chuckle to myself and imagine what the parents of the kids going to "regular college" are thinking.

 

[Devil Doc]

I find most are surprised that USCGA has a football team. Then I'm asked where USCGA is located. Please pass on a hearty "Well done!" to your DS. Yes it deserves attention! Public service is a honorable endeavor. We have two sons at USCGA and I just retired Jan 2020 after 35 years in uniform. Ignore the naysayers. Trust your gut and share the good news with others. Who knows? Young people might be inspired to serve as well.

In early to mid-2000s my son drew interest in football from four of the five service academies. Army: no interest. Navy: heavily recruited including seats on 50 yard line at all home games. Dropped from slate abruptly. Air Force: he received a letter from Fisher DeBerry thanking him for his participation in the recruiting process but he didn't meet the academic standards. A very classy gesture from a great college football coach.

Coast Guard: Coach George called the house one day when DS wasn't home. I spoke with him for several minutes. Nice man but told me straight up that football wise was no problem but, "the Coast Guard Academy is the hardest of all of them to get into, maybe your son will be interested in prep school." He ended up not attending any academy and took another route to his commission.

 

[tycarpen]

In early to mid-2000s my son drew interest in football from four of the five service academies. Army: no interest. Navy: heavily recruited including seats on 50 yard line at all home games. Dropped from slate abruptly. Air Force: he received a letter from Fisher DeBerry thanking him for his participation in the recruiting process but he didn't meet the academic standards. A very classy gesture from a great college football coach.

Coast Guard: Coach George called the house one day when DS wasn't home. I spoke with him for several minutes. Nice man but told me straight up that football wise was no problem but, "the Coast Guard Academy is the hardest of all of them to get into, maybe your son will be interested in prep school." He ended up not attending any academy and took another route to his commission.

@Devil Doc Sounds like your DS is a talented athlete! Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like your DS kept his eye on the goal and made a great choice. P.S. My DH was a Devil Doc. I still marvel at the instant bond that is shared when he meets a marine for the first time. It's pretty special.

 

[Devil Doc]

@Devil Doc Sounds like your DS is a talented athlete! Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like your DS kept his eye on the goal and made a great choice. P.S. My DH was a Devil Doc. I still marvel at the instant bond that is shared when he meets a marine for the first time. It's pretty special.

There's no higher honor than maintaining the Navy and Marine Corps' most valuable weapons system, the Sailor and Marine.

 

[Swimmom816]

Wow. OK, If you are going to slap such harsh judgment, maybe I ought to fill in the gaps. Not necessarily for you, but for the others who may read this.

DS had asked permission from his instructor to take an important phone call during class (he was hoping to get the USCGA call that third week in December). The class was filled with students he has friendships with and has known since freshman year. He was granted permission. When the call came, he excused himself. Coming back into the room, in his excitement he shared the happy news... He is EXTREMELY grateful for the opportunity and to all of those that have helped him along the way.

It is interesting to me that the commenter read the story so differently.

I guess this is the risk one takes when submitting a post. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt when I don't have all the information, obviously not everyone feels the same.

Congratulations to your DS on his Appointment!!

 

[tycarpen]

Congratulations to your DS on his Appointment!!

Thank you @Swimmom816! ❤

 

[snowieWI3]

The most shocking comment was made by an assistant principal in my daughter's school - whose husband is overseas for the Army. She asked about my kid's college plans I told her about her hopes for the USCGA - she said "what's that?" and I explained.....and she said "the Coast Guard is not a branch of the military..you do know that, right?" Uhhhh....

 

[tycarpen]

The most shocking comment was made by an assistant principal in my daughter's school - whose husband is overseas for the Army. She asked about my kid's college plans I told her about her hopes for the USCGA - she said "what's that?" and I explained.....and she said "the Coast Guard is not a branch of the military..you do know that, right?" Uhhhh....

Oh boy. That is a surprising comment. The conversation in my head would have been: "hmm...where do I even start here?"

 

[Capt MJ]

Oh my. That is a jaw-dropper.

There are many who do not understand the 3 DOD armed services and the 2 that are part of other departments, much less the 7 uniformed services, which include the 5 armed and 2 unarmed (USPHS and NOAA). Same pay, uniformed rank structure, mostly the same benefits.

I am surprised by a teacher and military spouse’s ignorance, but if she hasn’t grown up with it and has only had exposure to another service, well, we can be kind.

I admit it makes me want to imagine ways to educate her that would be gentle but essentially cause a giant light bulb to pop open in her brain.

I am extremely fond of the Coast Guard, having worked with them often in my Navy career, and in my corporate career through MWR and CGA sponsorships, but also having had a CG CWO4 neighbor growing up, who headed up the local CG station and intracoastal waterway boathouse. He would take me and his two kids out on buoy-tending trips on the sound. I loved it, watching them work and being on the water, trying my hand at driving the boat and learning about nav buoys and nav aids. His kids puked. I think if anyone had told me about CG officer opportunities, I would have been very interested. I think the CG has important and challenging missions, and a strong professional culture.

And that orange stripe! The coolest. Who else could sport this: