Convincing parents to let me apply to West Point

If you are going to be 18, then you can do whatever you want. There is an old saying, its easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission. Its your life. Going to the Navy or AF isnt necessarly any safer than going into the army. Do what is going to make you happy. In any case, there is no guarantee you will get into the Army and no guarantee you will choose the Army. Its going to be a lot better for you to have three option (assuming they all say yes) than to close yourself off to one by not applying
 
Humey said:
If you are going to be 18, then you can do whatever you want. There is an old saying, its easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission. Its your life. Going to the Navy or AF isnt necessarly any safer than going into the army. Do what is going to make you happy. In any case, there is no guarantee you will get into the Army and no guarantee you will choose the Army. Its going to be a lot better for you to have three option (assuming they all say yes) than to close yourself off to one by not applying
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That’s my mentality! Thank you for the advice
 
bluejayburrito said:
I don’t have any West Point contacts, only USAFA cadets and Navy midshipmen/alumni.
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You could reach out to long time members and or alumnus of WP via message. Our DS is currently gathering info for a choice he wasn't sure he would have. The forum members who have vast experience through service or as parents of those who serve are invaluable. The information we are gathering will help our son make his decision. Good luck to you, I applaud your dedication and steadfastness to your path.
 
Lots of threads around here for parents in this situation. Select a couple and have your folks read them. My favorite was this one:

Whip-sawed Parent

I am really struggling with how to be supportive of our DS as he figures out which path to choose: USNA or public university w/ or w/o NROTC. Some days I think attending USNA is the most amazing opportunity for him; other days I think this is the worst idea ever. Sometimes I feel like this is a...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
My wife and I are WP grads and one son is applying for the class of 2024. My wife and I were 100% percent against him applying. We lobbied long and hard against West Point from his freshman to the start of junior year. End of the day, he was determined so we had a very long, frank conversation about our concerns. He told us that it wasn't up for discussion because he was going to apply. It was his call so we got on board and helped him in every way possible. We wanted to be on his side so that we could provide pre-guidance and some context once he gets there. In our experience, West Point provides one point of view. We want to be the calm voice in his ear providing an alternate perspective and helping him make decisions with a clear head. Being all hyped up by COL Tex Turner stabbing a M16 with fixed bayonet in the stage is not sound rationale for choosing a branch! ha ha
 
"... West Point provides one point of view" ???

Can u summarize very briefly what you mean by this?

There are so many candidates whose dreams are to serve our country and choose WP for training ground for leadership and wisdom.

I know it's hard to tell your (and your wife's) entire experience on this simple thread, but if you can glean maybe the major points of why/how WP only provides one point of view... us parents of future USMA cadets will have some things to keep in mind (and learn)... Thank you in advance.
 
Needs of the institution vs needs/wants of the individual. They don't always align. When they don't, it is easy for an 18-23 year old to just suck it up because they have been told this over and over again. With some perspective, the misalignment can be better managed to create a more positive outcome. Anyone that has served can tell you a story about "needs of the army" and how that impacted their life.

Maybe this will help. When we were getting close to branch selection night, we were inundated with information about all the various branches. That said, my professors were definitely pushing combat arms and specifically infantry. The night of branch selection, COL Tex Turner gets in front of the entire firstie class (at Ike Hall), dressed in BDUs with an outstanding cammo job on his face (Cavalry cowboy hat on and cigar in his mouth) and slams the bayonet end of a M16 into the stage and says, "I don't know about you, but I just feel better with my M16 jammed into the ground when talking to motivated soldiers. HOOAH?" We all went nuts...it was an epic moment that I remember vividly nearly 30 years later. Same night, I picked infantry even though it wasn't even on my top 5 branch list. Some perspective leading into that moment would have been helpful.
 
All good points @Howlie2 . I vividly remember Tex Turner. He was legend. I heard all the stories and then saw him in the PX once and was like, wow, he really does exist!
 
I agree with others. Apply if it’s a dream of yours and you can try and convince them later if necessary although you will not need their approval. As a parent of a USNA daughter I get their anxiety but I bet if you end up receiving an appointment to any academy even USMA they will come around and be very proud. They might still be nervous but they will be proud and happy for you. You get one shot at living your life so do what makes you happy.
 
Like any college, USMA offers several options to learn more about the experience for students and parents. (Videos, tours, admission outreach events, parent clubs, etc

The application process is rigorous but not binding. If you can do the heavy lifting then introduce West Point to your parents through the various outreach options, that may provide the opportunity you are seeking.

Good luck!
 
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