I think this is one of those discussions that can best be answered only by those who have been there. All others provide nothing but second hand speculation. What we are seeing on these forums are a group of justifiably proud parents who are putting their kids on taller pedestals than perhaps is warranted.
The admissions process ensures that they have the wherewithal to succeed. Once there, the atmosphere is such that a positive attitude is inevitable unless the cadet/midshipman truly wants to fight the system. The atmosphere again provides success in academics. Again, only those who fight the system and do not utilize the many available resources, will fail. In many ways, a SA, with fewer distractions, a more structured environment, and a much better support system and atmosphere, is actually easier to graduate from than a civilian college.
All hyperbole aside, how many eighteen years old go to a SA to defend their country? Each has a more personal reason. And how many service people in Iraq are there today because they want to defend their country? Very few. They will, almost to a person, tell you they are there to help their buddy, to help both of them to come home alive. The more esoteric might tell you that they want to see their unit succeed. This is why the building of teamwork is so important in all military training programs. None will tell you that it is so John Doe, 1 Main St, Any Town, USA can sleep at night.
I have always said and will continue to do so, that getting in is the hard part. To stay there is a piece of cake.
There are mids/candidates who do not belong in the military and the admissions process cannot detect. Most will leave, either by their own choosing or at the insistence of their peers and/or upper class. I would think that a higher than 80% retention would contain some of these individuals. As a taxpayer, I would rather they leave while at a SA rather than when they are in the position to lose someone's life.
The admissions process ensures that they have the wherewithal to succeed. Once there, the atmosphere is such that a positive attitude is inevitable unless the cadet/midshipman truly wants to fight the system. The atmosphere again provides success in academics. Again, only those who fight the system and do not utilize the many available resources, will fail. In many ways, a SA, with fewer distractions, a more structured environment, and a much better support system and atmosphere, is actually easier to graduate from than a civilian college.
All hyperbole aside, how many eighteen years old go to a SA to defend their country? Each has a more personal reason. And how many service people in Iraq are there today because they want to defend their country? Very few. They will, almost to a person, tell you they are there to help their buddy, to help both of them to come home alive. The more esoteric might tell you that they want to see their unit succeed. This is why the building of teamwork is so important in all military training programs. None will tell you that it is so John Doe, 1 Main St, Any Town, USA can sleep at night.
I have always said and will continue to do so, that getting in is the hard part. To stay there is a piece of cake.
There are mids/candidates who do not belong in the military and the admissions process cannot detect. Most will leave, either by their own choosing or at the insistence of their peers and/or upper class. I would think that a higher than 80% retention would contain some of these individuals. As a taxpayer, I would rather they leave while at a SA rather than when they are in the position to lose someone's life.
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