Funny SA Misconceptions

I have gotten: That my son will be getting a free education. I always say it is not free, there is a commitment that he has to honor.

Also, my son had a friend post on "Facebook" - I hope you don't have to bomb any women or babies.

Most people we run into are really cool and know what the academies are. Most congratulate him and tell im what a great job he has done.

I have had asked by some people how much it costs?
 
There's also a ton of confusion as far as the nomination process goes . For those who remotely understand what an SA is, assume that one needs a senator/MOC to write you "a recommendation" and that the only way to get this "recommendation" is if "you know someone."

I actually thought this was one of the funnier moments regarding the nominations. I was telling a teacher that I wanted to attend USNA, and she said "oh I can talk to my husband, he is very politically connected...don't you need to know someone to get the senator to write you a recommendation."

I'm sure you guys get something similar to this a lot.
 
goldfarb1 said:
There's also a ton of confusion as far as the nomination process goes . For those who remotely understand what an SA is, assume that one needs a senator/MOC to write you "a recommendation" and that the only way to get this "recommendation" is if "you know someone."

I actually thought this was one of the funnier moments regarding the nominations. I was telling a teacher that I wanted to attend USNA, and she said "oh I can talk to my husband, he is very politically connected...don't you need to know someone to get the senator to write you a recommendation."

I'm sure you guys get something similar to this a lot.
Click to expand...

When I mentioned my nominations in an email to an Academy grad who is currently serving, he referred to them in his reply as "letters of recommendation."

Idk......
 
www said:
When I mentioned my nominations in an email to an Academy grad who is currently serving, he referred to them in his reply as "letters of recommendation."

Idk......
Click to expand...

When son was nominated by our Senator and our Congressman, an announcement was made over the intercom at school congratulating him on his Acceptance to the Naval Academy...as days passed, we had to keep telling everyone "well, no, he is not in yet....nominations are a big step, still waiting to hear from the Academy" The puzzled looks we received were plenty....UGHHHHH!!
 
harmi - my son found the opposite. When he received his appointment, he wrote thank you letters to everyone who had written letters of recommendation for him (no, not congressmen :wink:!). In them he thanked them for writing the letters and told them about receiving the appointment and his excitement. He had several of those people (coaches, teachers) later ask him in person "So when will you find out if you got in or not?" :confused: Guess the word "appointment" isn't as obvious to the rest of the world as those of us on these boards!
 
marciemi said:
harmi - my son found the opposite. When he received his appointment, he wrote thank you letters to everyone who had written letters of recommendation for him (no, not congressmen :wink:!). In them he thanked them for writing the letters and told them about receiving the appointment and his excitement. He had several of those people (coaches, teachers) later ask him in person "So when will you find out if you got in or not?" :confused: Guess the word "appointment" isn't as obvious to the rest of the world as those of us on these boards!
Click to expand...

hahaha!!!!! Gotta love it!! I for one will be quite happy when the process is over, one way or another.....:smile:
 
Makes me want to write an informational brochure about noms, SA's, enlisted, the qualifications, ROTC, the commitment to prepare for this, (you guys know what I mean), and pass it out to anyone who might need one or even enjoy learning about this stuff. I'm still learning! I would love to see all the stats and above details in black and white able to be handed over for somone to mull over. I'm probably going to do an informal version for my extended family and friends to be included in my son's graduation announcement. Even family don't really get it and need a little help. :wink: -officer
 
goldfarb1 said:
There's also a ton of confusion as far as the nomination process goes . For those who remotely understand what an SA is, assume that one needs a senator/MOC to write you "a recommendation" and that the only way to get this "recommendation" is if "you know someone."

I actually thought this was one of the funnier moments regarding the nominations. I was telling a teacher that I wanted to attend USNA, and she said "oh I can talk to my husband, he is very politically connected...don't you need to know someone to get the senator to write you a recommendation."

I'm sure you guys get something similar to this a lot.
Click to expand...

Apparently theres been quite a few candidates who dont understand the process either. My RD told me of one candidate who went in for his MOC interview and was in near tears by the end after he was informed he needed to apply to the actual academy as well.
 
Try explaining USMAPS, especially if they knew of his other scholarships...
 
Try explaining a scholarship "one nickel at a time and fill in the blanks" with a five year commitment after graduation:yllol: A scholarship and a free ride to any other school does not usually include a future commitment.
 
2010 said:
Apparently theres been quite a few candidates who dont understand the process either. My RD told me of one candidate who went in for his MOC interview and was in near tears by the end after he was informed he needed to apply to the actual academy as well.
Click to expand...

:eek:
 
After I got my LOA, a lot of people asked, "So have you gotten a senator to sign off on your acceptance yet?"- they thought I needed a signature of approval, or something.

And when I first started applying, I did get the "the only way you'll get into a service academy is to know your senator or have connections". I would then have to try and explain the whole interview panel thing...
 
I'll add one more I'd posted on CC. When my son was at AF summer seminar, he bought a t-shirt that says on the front "Friends don't let friends go to West Point" (a dig at his dad and me!) and has the AF Logo. The back says "Go Falcons!" Twice when he's worn the shirt he's had people approach him and give him a hard time about wearing an "anti-military" shirt! Guess the AF and Falcons parts aren't obvious to many!
 
I got one last night from a friend. It literally took me 10 minutes to convince him he was wrong and did not nderstand. The worst part was that he was in the military when he was younger.

His son is also a senior in HS, I asked him if his son had decided which university he was going to attend. My buddy told me not yet. Then he told me his son would not want to go to a service academy because if he got there and did not like it he did not want to be enlisted. I tried to explain that the kids have 2 years to decide but he kept insisting that I was wrong. Finally he understood or so I think.
 
My boys and I were involved in a conference call with a college fencing coach who, even after they decided AFA, was still trying to figure out why sons did not decide on College X.

CollegeXCoach: We gave you each the best of athletic scholarships. When you graduate, you'll be less than $40,000 in debt!

Later, in talking to another coach, one son mentioned that together, they were getting an education that was worth $800,000+ , the poor coach was dumbfounded. He had no idea Service Academies were "free."
 
I just had a funny phone conversation with a member of our school newspaper's staff.

Me: Hello?
Staff: Hi, Can I ask you a few questions for the Oracle?
Me: Sure. About what?
Staff: Well, I heard you're planning on going to West Point next year... and I'm doing an article on alternatives to going to college... I'd like your opinion on the matter.
Me: Sorry, maybe I misheard... Alternative?
Staff: Yeah, Maybe like why you chose West Point over college or why you don't want to attend college.

I then gave her the names of two of my friends who are going to West Point and Annapolis. They're more...hot-tempered... than I am and may have a field day with her.


I was HIGHLY considering just giving her the Naval Academy friend's name and saying, "Well, I'm going to West Point, as is Joe Shmoe. We would have no comment on "alternatives" to college, because USMA is a fine college. XXXX is going to USNA, however, and you could probably talk to him about giving up a college education...."
 
titan2010 said:
I just had a funny phone conversation with a member of our school newspaper's staff.

Me: Hello?
Staff: Hi, Can I ask you a few questions for the Oracle?
Me: Sure. About what?
Staff: Well, I heard you're planning on going to West Point next year... and I'm doing an article on alternatives to going to college... I'd like your opinion on the matter.
Me: Sorry, maybe I misheard... Alternative?
Staff: Yeah, Maybe like why you chose West Point over college or why you don't want to attend college.

I then gave her the names of two of my friends who are going to West Point and Annapolis. They're more...hot-tempered... than I am and may have a field day with her.


I was HIGHLY considering just giving her the Naval Academy friend's name and saying, "Well, I'm going to West Point, as is Joe Shmoe. We would have no comment on "alternatives" to college, because USMA is a fine college. XXXX is going to USNA, however, and you could probably talk to him about giving up a college education...."
Click to expand...

OMG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top