USMA grad whose kids go to USNA

If memory serves, a relatively recent bigwig at USMA — the commandant, perhaps — had two daughters attending USNA. I recall them being interviewed prior to an Army-Navy Game. So if anyone was qualified to lead the support group, it would be him. 🤣 (Hopefully someone comes along to check my recollection.)
 
I liked the parents answer when asked: "Your daughter received offers of appointment to WEST POINT, to ANNAPOLIS, and to the AF Academy...WHY did she choose USAFA???"

Mom: "Because she qualified!!"

I always wondered what she was implying...

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DS received appointments to 3 SAs, one being the salty one on the Severn and one being the one on the northern river. And I’m not saying that to be a braggart or boast. Honestly. Just for context for this story.

Fast forward a year or two, his sponsor parent is an active duty high ranking USMA grad who is stationed in MD. Literally the same rank as a very high ranking USNA officer DS and his compatriots are so fearful of on the yard. The go army beat navy and go navy beat army rants are epic. When the sponsor dad drops him on the yard his friends are always asking, “dude, why so serious, why are you saluting your sponsor dad?”. It’s kind of funny.

I went out for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and bought the sponsors admiral row tickets and parking. They do so much.

When I walked up and finally met them and had a beer, he was so funny. He was hanging out with a USMA classmate and when he explained my son was his midshipmen and had been accepted to USMA and USNA, he jokingly said, “he is the one who got into both and chose USNA, my USMA jokes don’t work with him”.

I don’t retell jokes well, but in that moment it was really funny.
 
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MidCakePa said:
If memory serves, a relatively recent bigwig at USMA — the commandant, perhaps — had two daughters attending USNA. I recall them being interviewed prior to an Army-Navy Game. So if anyone was qualified to lead the support group, it would be him. 🤣 (Hopefully someone comes along to check my recollection.)
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You remember correctly. It was the Comm. He flew a USNA flag over his house for their graduation.
 
It’s more common than you might think. Children grow up liking the idea of a path of service, but not the same one as mom or dad. We’ve sponsored several mids over the years who had other-service parents. They shopped just as much in the Mid Store and learned the Navy slang.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
You remember correctly. It was the Comm. He flew a USNA flag over his house for their graduation.
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Demonstrates the great mutual respect among those who’ve actually worn the uniform. And underlines the notion that only those who’ve actually worn the uniform are entitled to talk trash about other branches. 😉
 
I will just say, it cuts both ways. Both myself and my father went Marines. Four generations of USNA behind us. DS #1 went USCG (I attribute that to neighbor becoming 1st female Supe. - and anomaly.) But, I still had two boys left interested the an academy. Both went USMA! The DS #2 was very close to an uncle (USMA class of 89 grad) that was killed in Afghanistan an a big storyteller of time at West Point. Boys #2 and #3 are very close and once DS #2 decided on USMA then DS #3 had to be there as well. And, yes, the last two had USNA offers as well. I am still very proud at their choices, just a little conflicted around Navy/Army time….
 
MarTac said:
I will just say, it cuts both ways. Both myself and my father went Marines. Four generations of USNA behind us. DS #1 went USCG (I attribute that to neighbor becoming 1st female Supe. - and anomaly.) But, I still had two boys left interested the an academy. Both went USMA! The DS #2 was very close to an uncle (USMA class of 89 grad) that was killed in Afghanistan an a big storyteller of time at West Point. Boys #2 and #3 are very close and once DS #2 decided on USMA then DS #3 had to be there as well. And, yes, the last two had USNA offers as well. I am still very proud at their choices, just a little conflicted around Navy/Army time….
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I remember a comment from Peyton and Eli Manning’s mom, who said, “I root for whoever has the ball.”
 
I spent part of this past Sunday with my class/companymate Jim ____. After USNA, Jim did very well
as a Naval Aviator and later lawyer for various state agencies in another state. Jim has three sons and
two went to USNA and one to USMA. He and his wife are currently living near a very prestigious
university while USMA son is getting his grad education enroute a USMA teaching position. as there are a
number of grandchildren and son is quite busy, they are there to help as needed. He just told me that they'll
probably move on up to the West Point area with son this summer. . .
.
Every family does have its black sheep - even great Navy families!
 
VelveteenR said:
I feel for all of you with traitor children. Imagine our deep grief when our son chose a service academy over Michigan. So humiliating.
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Go Blue- Forever!
DS had an early interest in USNA. By his junior year he had decided he wanted to serve as a naval officer, but did not want the 24/7 life of a service academy. He had not heard of ROTC programs. I told him briefly about how they worked. He jumped online and did some research and was all in. We were fortunate enough over spring break of his junior year to be able to go visit three of his top choices, Purdue, Illinois and Michigan. Michigan was his top choice going in and the visit confirmed it. His eyes lit up the entire visit. I was a bit worried about him going there, a kid from a small California town, but he had no fear. As if the university wasn't enough, the food in Ann Arbor sealed the deal for him. I also think being a part of NROTC and having that close group to fall back on for support made things easier. And nothing like a game at the Big House!
 
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