How is this situation best handled?

[kinnem]

Great points by all! Thank you and I hope you can appreciate mine as well. I believe from the description, my DD is much like DrMom's #1 with regard to service academies. Unfortunately for me, she's equally singularly minded about most things. I keep warning her never to have children because if they don't fit into her mold her head may explode! As I've said before, I truly believe all of these kids are going to do great and there are no wrong choices when deciding between academies. I think DrMom explains it best offering her #3's perspective so special thanks there. And for Sugar, I don't know what the trigger was for her at USNA. I would share it if I knew. The Navy will find out before I do, and if she doesn't get appointed she'll take it to her grave, she's that kind of kid.

Wishing her the best of luck. Hope her dreams come true.

 

[DesertCaliMom]

DS is singularly minded as well. Cyber security and operations is his goal, Navy only. He will do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. He shows that determination for each step along the way.

I tried to expose him to people in his field in other branches, but this is his goal no matter the research yields.

There is nothing wrong with chasing a dream, I support DS in every way, but I remind him I wouldn't be doing my job without exposing him to a bigger picture. It works for us!

 

[DrMom]

Hey Desert Cali Mom, I know it is late in the process for your guy...but the Army has a Cyber Branch since October 2014. All Cyber, All Day. They send a lot of the 2LTs to get masters straight outta' college. (#1 is living that dream.)

 

[galileo.galilei]

[/QUOTE]I still don't understand how a 17 year old kid can figure out with any degree of accuracy what he/she will want to be doing the rest of their life. But everyone on these forums keeps saying their kid knows they want to be in one of the armed services but not the other. Really? I have been a judge for 8 years, and was a lawyer for almost 20 years before that because I could never figure out what I should do before that. Honestly. How many kids go to one academy, or enlist in one service or another, only to think about what they might be able to do if they were in one of the other branches of service, but realize there is no sense thinking about it, because they are already committed to the one they are in. There are great career options in all of them, and most career fields one service has the others have too. Navy has ships, so if you want that then don't do Army or Air Force. But you could still do Coast Guard. Most kids are in love with a vision they have. Usually a romantic vision, made for Hollywood, and they see themselves in a particular uniform. We all had visions of ourselves at that age, and with rare exception those visions or goals change because our interests and aptitude change as we experience things, mature, and grow.
I encourage all kids to broaden there interests and options by applying to multiple academies.[/QUOTE]
This is very sound advice, unfortunately it falls on deaf ears for most of the kids singularly focused only on one academy, my DS included. I would love for him to consider other academies, but that seems to be a very challenging task. I believe USMMA or USAF would have been great choices also, but that is not up to me to decide. He is in love with the USNA vision he has, and he is either going to achieve it, or will need to suffer significant setbacks in the process to convince him otherwise (not getting in one year is considered a small price to pay for his dream). The unfortunate part that many kids his age lack the wisdom and depth of thought that comes from experiencing setbacks. So there isn't much for me to do, except to watch him learn through his own mistakes. The way I see it, he has at least 50-55+ years of service and professional life ahead of him. Spending 2-3 years applying to academies, experiencing regular college and gaining life experience is a small price to pay in a grand scheme of things, especially if leads to serving a mission that is greater than himself (though USNA or NROTC).

 

[DesertCaliMom]

Hey Desert Cali Mom, I know it is late in the process for your guy...but the Army has a Cyber Branch since October 2014. All Cyber, All Day. They send a lot of the 2LTs to get masters straight outta' college. (#1 is living that dream.)

I will pass it on! At our congressional open house the WP rep and the BGO actually started a little tug of war with his heart. He listened well, sees USA is piling money at cyber studies, but there is just something calling him to Navy. Most (80%) of our relatives dating back to WWI have been Army and Marines, so there is some kinda trailblazing desire to buck a tradition, too.

Thanks for the info!

 

[galileo.galilei]

DS is singularly minded as well. Cyber security and operations is his goal, Navy only. He will do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. He shows that determination for each step along the way.

I tried to expose him to people in his field in other branches, but this is his goal no matter the research yields.

Same here. I've tried to expose him to other branches, no such luck. I personally think that is a wrong choice (not to consider other academies), but can't fault him for his determination, which I believe had been passed to him through my genes. ):

 

[parentalunit2]

Ahhhh, what’s that smell in the air? Why it’s springtime on SAF! Buckle up everyone, it just may get nasty over the next few weeks. Brovol made some really excellent points above. I know this is a really, really stressful time for college admissions as a whole. I will just add that it is rather audacious for a person who has not yet earned an appointment to be telling those who did earn appointments to hurry up and make their decision. This happens each and every year; just watch it unfold over the next few weeks. Everyone just needs to remember where they are in line. After all, if you are about to join the military, this will be drilled into your head ad nauseam.

 

[2020Vision]

A little sensitivity from those on both sides of the equation will be welcome over the next few weeks. For those still anxiously awaiting appointments, it can be perceived that those bemoaning their situations after receiving an appointment (or even multiple appointments) are being boastful and inconsiderate. However, for those faced with deciding between multiple appointments, it can feel like an overwhelming and life-altering choice. It's impossible to say that those who have already received appointments are necessarily more deserving than those who have not. Each year, many hard-working, well-qualified candidates get a TWE, while others who may appear less qualified receive appointments. No one, outside of the academies, understands the peculiar appointment process and why some candidates may be chosen over others. So, in reality, those selected may be at their chosen academy more as a matter of serendipity than superior qualification. What I'm trying to say is this: be grateful and humble if your child receives an appointment. And if no appointment materializes for your child, remain proud and optimistic about your child's future, with the understanding that no other candidate "took" your child's slot -- the academies offer more appointments than they have actual openings, expecting that some will be turned down.

 

[bluediamond]

Rant, Rant, Rant, Rant....delete, delete, delete. I wanted to write a lot, but I decided there are better topics that could actually help applicants and parents positively.

 

[Jcleppe]

Good luck to all those still waiting and to those struggling to make a decision.

As someone said earlier, this conversation comes up every year. Some make multiple applications, heck some apply to all the SAs and most of the ROTC programs in a single year, an achievement in itself. On the other end some apply to only one SA or one ROTC program, they are focused on just one option. The only thing I would add about this whole process is that this won't be the last time these young men and women will have to make a choice, the Army has 16 (17 with Cyber) Branches for new officers to choose from, the Navy and AF both have options as well. A cadet or Mid that leaves their options open will handle what they are given much better. While some may be only interested in one service, if selected just remember that the choices will be many and more difficult as you progress.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Good post, except never concede our West Point boys and girls would ever like the Navel Academy. Mine would choke me if he heard that. The only nice thing we can say nice about that place is that their white shoes are very pretty, and of course that hey did a nice job as the warm up band, singing their alma mater first before West Point's was sung by the main attraction after the Army Navy game in December.

Had to wait 14 years for that post !