So, it is free: Polite and meaningful answer

Most of the time when anyone says it must be nice that they had their college paid for, I tell them the government didn't pay for their school, they gave them a student loan and the repayment was their service obligation. Unlike the school scholarships their kids received which carry no obligation upon graduation. That, they usually understand.

As usual, @Jcleppe is the voice of reason. His response to the "free education" comment is spot on perfect, although I never used it. If his response was the Yin, then mine was the Yang.

When someone made a comment like that to me, I assumed they knew nothing. I would tell them that xROTC is indeed a great deal, that it's open to anyone and that the scholarships are more accessible than they may think. I told them that ROTC was like a fun/challenging series of extra-curricular activities with excellent summer opportunities--never a word about commitment. If they don't know that much then I might as well try explaining baseball to a Mongolian yak herder.

I've thought about this thread for a while after reading through the comments. Please don't yell at me too much but I have a slightly different perspective on the question the OP asked.

Feel free to yell at me.

I always have downplayed or ignored the "service to the country" sentiment. Not that it isn't a legitimate sentiment, but rather because I didn't believe that was my DS's motivation. There were things he wanted to do and the Army was his ticket. It would have been disingenuous to feed into a jingoistic narrative about military service which is so grossly misunderstood by the 90+% of Americans, who like me, never served. There is nothing wrong with going into an SA or ROTC or an enlistment to prove oneself and asking what's in it for me. That is what post-adolescent kids do. My DS was no exception.

What he learned in 4 years of AROTC and 3 1/2 years of AD was how to use/develop his talents/skills and learn new ones to further the team, which in turn advances the larger mission, which theoretically is in service of the nation. His effectiveness is rewarded. It's a virtuous cycle, borne of his self-interest.

I would take it a step further and suggest that working one's tail off while waiting to be told what to do in service of the "institution" of the military can lead to a very unsatisfying outcome.
I agree with you. My son is a AF UPT and went through AF Rotc because he wanted to be a pilot. Even though he majored in flight at college and pretty much got every pilot license you can get as a civilian, he wanted to fly military jets for the military. Maybe I am wrong, but I dont he joined because he had a calling to serve, but rather it provides him with what he wants to do with life. However, his choice not only provides him with what he wants to do but also serves his nation. NO different from those who go to a SA. They not only wind up with a top notch education for free, but they get many intangible benefits that will benefit them many years later. They then in turn serve their nation for a period of time. I think you are going to find people from all over the sprectrum. On, one end you have those who join just to serve to the other end to those who are looking for what the military can give you.
 
Like any other parents, we are very proud, happy and humble that our DS decided to be part of the noble cause of serving the country and ready to continue the family legacy to service.

Now that neighbors, friends and others getting to know of his appointment to West Point, I was wondering what would be a polite and meaningful answer to a question "so... it's free education?" without offending anyone asking this. I'm sure, they don't have bad intention, but, the way it comes out dampens all the commitment factor to reach to this point and beyond 4 years at the academy.

Congratulations to all the cadets/midshipman c/o 2023 and well wishes for the continued success.
I heard one good answer at an SA event....."yes it is free. As is the Gold Star flag we would hang in our front window if our son gives his life for our country."
 
[/QUOTE]Ha! At least they understand attending a service academy. It's all part of the adventure.[/QUOTE]
From a fellow soccer parent re: NASS, "Really? I wouldn't have thought Colorado students would be eligible for the Navy (sic) Academy."
 
Just this week a lady commented to me that it's great that my son is getting a free education. I then gently reminded her that one of my son's classmates (my son is at Buckner) lost his life just a few days earlier during military training. (I'm sure you all heard about the WP cadet who was fatally injured last week. He was from my state - not far from where we live , so many here heard about it as it was all over the news. ) I could watch as my comment slowly sunk in and she got very quiet after that.
 
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