Auuuugh! Just went to lunch with some friends this last weekend who just don't get it. I know the lack of understanding is pervasive, but I struggle with it. The:
--"How's DS doing in the Navy?" He's at USNA. Great, loving it, thriving!
--"Did he deploy after finishing basic last summer?" Uhm, no. It's a military college. He's taking classes now. He'll go to the fleet after he graduates.
--"Our son got offered a spot at West Point, but he just threw the appointment letter in the trash. The military is not for him." Huh? Your son applied to Westpoint and for nominations and all? "Oh no, his grades and ACT were just so good, he got an unsolicited recruitment letter offering him an appointment." Uh.. gee, I have never heard of it working that way.
--"So he's just in college then?" Well, yes and no. There's more to it... (I think I need a *Not College elevator answer)
And so on. I know it's not unique, par for the course with some people. But I think this is why this forum and USNA social media are so popular: the energy and frustration of explaining. Ooof! (Thanks for letting me vent.)