Parental Consent

vanm98,

Our country needs more determined young people like you. Please do not disclose publicly on this forum the city and state in which you reside, but I suggest that, if you live in or near a major city, you go on line and determine the names of the largest private law firms in that city. Go to the law firms' web sites. Almost every large law firm has a pro bono policy, i.e., they aspire to meet the ABA's challenge that at least five percent of attorney and paraprofessional hours be dedicated to pro bono matters. This means the law firm handles certain matters (usually hardship cases) for free.

I suggest you go through the biographies of the attorneys for the large law firms in your city (start with the partners' biographies first) to see if you can find an attorney who graduated from the USAFA, USNA or USMA. If you find an attorney who is a SA graduate, call that attorney. If not, call the firm's pro bono coordinator or pro bono partner. Be prepared. Explain why you are calling; lead with your conclusion; and ask the attorney whether the attorney or the attorney's law firm would represent you pro bono.

Remember, this is your life. Exercise good judgment, continue to be proactive and do not let others extinguish your dreams. Good luck.
 
...there's no logical excuse for turning down a 440K scholarship to a top US university... IMO
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...there can be legitimate reasons why parents might object to their children serving their country (I don't personally know of any)
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We would have turned down that "scholarship" in a heartbeat, but our son turned 18 before appointments came out. There are many ways to be of service to your country and humanity that do not involve attending a service academy or potential combat/death/military indoctrination. That said, we love our son and support his adult choice.
 
Your mom and dad are not the enemy and life is full of tough choices, but this isn't one of them. I'm sure father loves you. I would defer to the class of 2021, that way its 100% your choice. Additionally, its an extra year for you to mature, prep academically, and travel. Life is short.
 
Don't assume that Your dad is Jealous. My husband's father was just like yours, and my husband much like you. One thing that you may not realize is that some people especially rural and Blue collar still believe in a "Class Structure" they feel that you should "Know your place" and that you are being Arrogant by trying to rise above your class, and that your arrogance itself is is a sin. "Blessed are the Meek" "Blessed are the Poor" etc..
Along that same vein is a certain amount of defensiveness on their part, "What you think what I do for a living is not good enough, you think you are better than you family and friends"

Good Movie/Book along that Vein. "Rocket Boys" The true story of Homer Hickem. It was so true and realistic along this Thread, my husband literally got up and walked out of the movie. Just couldn't stand the emotions it dredged up.

So your Dad may be Proud of you, just wants you to be proud of him and your roots also, And really just does not understand this world you are jumping out into. Many people just cannot understand you Risk takers.

OR He could just be a lazy self centered Jerk. Don't want to put too much credit and psycho babble where it is not warranted. :(

Hang Tough but be respectful, and as you can see by this thread you are not alone!
 
LDH said:
Don't assume that Your dad is Jealous. My husband's father was just like yours, and my husband much like you. One thing that you may not realize is that some people especially rural and Blue collar still believe in a "Class Structure" they feel that you should "Know your place" and that you are being Arrogant by trying to rise above your class, and that your arrogance itself is is a sin. "Blessed are the Meek" "Blessed are the Poor" etc..
Along that same vein is a certain amount of defensiveness on their part, "What you think what I do for a living is not good enough, you think you are better than you family and friends"

Good Movie/Book along that Vein. "Rocket Boys" The true story of Homer Hickem. It was so true and realistic along this Thread, my husband literally got up and walked out of the movie. Just couldn't stand the emotions it dredged up.

So your Dad may be Proud of you, just wants you to be proud of him and your roots also, And really just does not understand this world you are jumping out into. Many people just cannot understand you Risk takers.

OR He could just be a lazy self centered Jerk. Don't want to put too much credit and psycho babble where it is not warranted. :(

Hang Tough but be respectful, and as you can see by this thread you are not alone!
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And us rednecks from rural and blue collar families cling to them there guns and Bibles

Don't need none of that there education
 
fencersmother said:
but perhaps you can point out to your father that until your JUNIOR year (called 2*), you are not obligated to serve in the AF nor even continue on at USAFA, and you will still not be charged any fee, and can keep the pay you earn
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I do not disagree with anything said, and do not want to scare anybody, but this is technically not completely accurate. Mind you, I do not know of anyone at the academy ever having an issue.

When you accept, the contract signed does have language to the effect that prior 2*, you can leave without recourse. However, that is subject to the discretion of the Secretary and the needs of the Air Force (paraphrase). Unless forms have changed in the last year or two, I think this is still the case.

Again, never heard of it happening pre-commitment, but it seems that AF reserves the right to send you a bill if they ultimately decide to or change policy.
 
Cerberi said:
And us rednecks from rural and blue collar families cling to them there guns and Bibles

Don't need none of that there education
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I think you are agreeing? Just in case you think I was Type casting, We live rural Tn moved up from L.A. (Lower Alabama) My husbands parents were both raised in West By god VA. I know whereof I speak!

But I suppose the same could be said for Blue Collar City folks. Too. I just don't know firsthand about them.
 
We are way off base from the original post. The young man wants to know his options for getting 'parental consent' and if one or both parents need to sign.

Either (1) his Mom needs to sign (and she says she will) or (2) he needs to become an emancipated minor or (3) he waits until 2021.

All this 'feel good', touchy feely, 'I feel your pain' doesn't change his options.

As my DD replied to the her LO during the LO interview about what traits are most important to succeed at USAFA - 'My Dad says, I need to work on my sarcasm.' LO's (who is a grad) response, 'Roger that'
 
vanm98 said:
should I go ahead and try to start the emancipation process?
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Try to work it out with your folks. I am a lawyer (sorry, don't do family law stuff and state laws differ). However, I would hazard a guess that the emancipation process would take considerably longer to complete than you probably have anyway.
 
Cerberi said:
We are way off base from the original post. The young man wants to know his options for getting 'parental consent' and if one or both parents need to sign.

Either (1) his Mom needs to sign (and she says she will) or (2) he needs to become an emancipated minor or (3) he waits until 2021.

All this 'feel good', touchy feely, 'I feel your pain' doesn't change his options.

As my DD replied to the her LO during the LO interview about what traits are most important to succeed at USAFA - 'My Dad says, I need to work on my sarcasm.' LO's (who is a grad) response, 'Roger that'
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Thanks for helping bring the thread back on track @Cerberi.
I appreciate the help everyone has offered, and I will proceed to close this thread-as I have received all of the information I need. Thank you.
 
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