Political leanings at USMA- Conserservative? Liberal? Mix?

I'm so curious as to why your son is attracted to a military academy? Really doesn't sound like he will fit in and I would not feel too safe having someone with those views in my platoon. Scary.

Make sure to let everyone in the chain of command know how you feel. We'll see how you fit in.
 
His ideas would definitely be challenged and would probably change. I know many of my thoughts on various topics have changed a lot since I came here.
 
Hello Texana:

I read your original post yesterday and decided to mull your words overnight before writing a response. Like you, I am new to this forum and have a DS who is seriously considering service via an academy or ROTC. Also like you and your son, we live in (conservative, bible-belt, small-town) Texas. That however, may very well be where our similarities end.

My son and I are those conservative neighbors to whom you ascribe, or at minimum insinuate, a certain incapability to empathize with people who hold ideals that differ from our own. I can assure you that is not the case. Your statement your that your son, "is very turned off by reflexive patriotism..." was particularly distasteful, given your example of what constitutes reflexive patriotism.

Your example of Colin Kaepernick's peaceful protest is a bit hypocritical. You present the example in a way which presumes that anyone who disagrees with your son's view, does so because of a shallow, distorted understanding of the underlying issues. The hypocrisy is rooted in your assumption that any disagreement comes from a place of ignorance and is merely a knee-jerk reaction. Again, I can assure you that is not the case. My son and I have discussed this story, and he does disagree with Colin's behavior. My son believes Colin has the right to kneel during the National Anthem; however, just because you can...doesn't mean you should. DS sees this protest as somewhat self-serving, given Kaepernick's position with the team and the way it subsequently raised his national profile. DS also sees it as counterproductive, in view of the negative reaction from the general public and the law enforcement community, to whom it was directed.

I do not raise these arguments to re-litigate whether Kaepernick is patriotic, anti-American, or somewhere in between; but to disabuse your son of the notion that one side or the other has absolute moral or intellectual high ground. More importantly, you and your son should understand that the individuals who are appointed to any of the academies will be the best of America, all outstanding individuals. They will be intellectually curious, open to new ideas, and very diverse in a multitude of ways. Your son should be ready to be challenged on his beliefs, when he presents them, and it will not be a reflexive, ill-conceived argument from the other side.

One last thought about the Service Academies and how they compare with an Ivy League education. I do believe that the academies will lean more conservative than the Ivies. Ivy schools have always proudly proclaimed that they are a place where students learn critical thinking and diversity of thought. That said, it has become common practice at these colleges for students and even faculty to protest speakers with whom they disagree. Often those protests result in the cancellation of these engagements. Now that certainly can't promote diversity of thought. Can anyone on this forum imagine academy cadets doing anything other than politely and conscientiously listening to a speaker with whom they disagreed. I can't.

Texana, I know it was not your intention to entice an argument with your post. In fact, based on some of the answers you received, many readers found nothing about your post objectionable. For me, there was a subtle arrogance in it that just struck a chord and required a response. As stated above, I believe that you underestimate the caliber of the cadets with which your son will matriculate. I believe that you will find this community extremely helpful in your son's quest to become a "leader of character" from the USMA. Based on your description of him, it appears that he will make a fine candidate and exceptional cadet. I wish you and him the best of luck.

JDB
Well said!!!!!
 
Great replies! I appreciate everyone taking the time to share their thoughts with me. The variety of responses pretty much gave me the answer I needed. If the posters here reflect a cross-section of the USMA population, then it seems to have a definite lean to the right but not decisively so.

From what I read in one person's post, I was led to take a closer look at the USMA clubs and found there is a "Secular Student Alliance" that "welcomes freethinkers" and "espouses the ideals of scientific rationality and secularism". That's encouraging! I might have my son email the officer in charge to get some additional insight. I also came across the "Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers" organization which might also be helpful.
I'm thinking Annapolis might be better fit. Go Army!
 
Whoever got the idea that an 18-19 year even really knows anything.

No, they think they know everything.

And if they've been accepted into an elite University like USMA, then they've probably never been disabused of that notion.

The most important elements of the maturation process (at least for my male offspring) are:

1) Learning when to keep your big mouth shut.

2)Learning what you don't know.

3)Learning you're not the center of the universe.

4)Learning that most people aren't offended by what comes out of one's mouth. They simply don't care.

DS learned it quickly in AROTC and I'm sure the SA's do it more quickly and thoroughly.
 
I think I am in the "basket of deplorable's" group.
 
Traditionally the academies and the military in general leans right, but as the country has gotten farther and farther left, so has the military. But still it's more conservative than the mainstream.

The problem over the last decade or more is that what constitutes a liberal or conservative has gotten screwed up. It used to be that conservatives and Republicans believed in limited government, a strong free enterprise system, individual liberties, and protection of our Constitution and the rights it guarantees. You are hard pressed to find any actual politicians anywhere who fight for those things, and even Republicans think that it's the government's job to "create jobs" and fix everything, instead of getting out of the way and letting free enterprise do what it does best.

A strong defense has generally been part of the Republican mantra, and they typically follow through with the spending, even if it is sometimes foolish spending. The Democrats talk about a strong defense and national security at election time, but will always gladly cut the military in favor of spending on welfare and social programs, and the big and costly government which goes hand in hand with those.

Republicans or "today's conservatives" talk about protecting constitutional freedoms and liberties, but then condemn folks if they don't conform to the prescribed sexual preference, and want to use laws to forbid people from being free in that choice. The Republican presidential candidate wants to openly discriminate based on religion. Does the party believe in the Constitution, rights, freedom, and individual liberty, or not?

I used to consider myself a conservative, but it that's a conservative in need to call myself something else.

Either way, a military school is going to be somewhere right of wherever center happens to be.
 
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