Your son/daughter goes where???

I'll play- Since my DS was Appointed to USCGA the responses that come to mind are:

Where is that? Florida?
Does he like boats?
Why?
Why not West Point?
Why not the Naval Academy?
Why not the Air Force Academy?
What's the difference between that and Merchant Marine?
Where is Merchant Marine?
He's not going to college?
Will he go to college when he's finished?
I have a (insert weird distant relative) in the CG. They LOVE IT!

I am gentle and informative and simply say that it is the Coast Guard's version of West Point, he will graduate in 4 years and earn a commision. They seem to understand.......I think......maybe.
 
I am literally at the post office today to ship a package to my DS @ USAFA. The gentleman behind the counter asks me so does this place have something to do with the Air Force as he can read the address. I just simply stated yes he is a cadet at the Air Force Academy. His follow up was hmm yeah all of my friends they just signed up and went to Lackland and then got their jobs as they did not have to go to a school before they went to Lackland. I just smiled and thanked him for helping me with my package.
 
Good one at the PO! I’ve shared way back my mother’s friends’ concerns when they heard I was going into the Navy, that my hands would be ruined by “handling those big wet ropes.”

I have always wondered about ways for parents to explain the service academies to The Clueless. I have considered “Yes, (SA name) is the (Service’s) Ivy League-level college, where midshipmen/cadets get both their BS degree at one of the top schools in the nation, as well as their officer commission and a guaranteed job right after graduation. Did you see that article where 7 out of 11 in the latest NASA astronaut class are Service Academy graduates or military officers? So happy our son/daughter met the criteria to be chosen.”

www.nasa.gov

NASA’s Astronaut Candidates to Graduate with Eye on Artemis Missions - NASA

NASA will honor the first class of astronaut candidates to graduate under the Artemis program at 10:30 a.m. EST Friday, Jan. 10, at the agency’s Johnson Space
www.nasa.gov www.nasa.gov


Perhaps don’t use this one on perfectly nice people at the PO who are just sharing what they know, but reserve for family/“friends” whom you know are taking a poke at you or your kiddo.

I’m also fond of responding to people who are saying a “poke” thing by thanking them enthusiastically and warmly agreeing with what they SHOULD have said.
Them: poking statement
Me: “Yes, thank you, I am so excited about X, and so pleased you understand how special it is to (fill in blank).” They either get educated and realize oh, a good thing, or if truly malicious, will have been informed their snark was noted and a boundary firmly set in place.
 
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I have one kid on his second year of an NROTC scholarship and when non military family members, coworkers and friends heard, they would remark about his getting a "free" education. That is when I felt compelled to provide them with a free education on what accepting an ROTC Scholarship or Service Academy appointment actually means. The academic, fitness and leadership workload, sleepless nights, dozens upon dozens of hours completing applications for service academies, universities, congressional nominations, interviews, working on backup plans because for however awesome a student is, sometimes that still isn't enough. All this to get to a point where they are awarded with an appointment, a BFE, a scholarship. Those looking from the outside in, do not understand the solemnity of making a decision to accept the award and the commitment to serve that will come after this "free" education.

Two years later, I have my second son who is faced with similar future and decisions and once again, I hear the comments about how "lucky" he is to possibly get a free education. I wish people would instead comment about how lucky they feel to know their are young men and women who are willing to step up to serve their country in the military.
 
1) As I mention that I'm applying to other colleges besides the USAFA, people say stuff like "I thought you were going into the air force, not college."
2) So you want to be a pilot. Why don't you get civilian training instead of going into the air force?
3) My English teacher said after I explained to her that my top school is the AFA and I just finished my application, "so its guaranteed that you are going there?"
4) and then my favorite, "What's the Air Force Academy?"
 
One remark that one of my classmates made at school was, “I bet you are super excited for World War III.”. I believe this was a jab at my interest in service academies. Makes no sense to me.
 
ELW2001 said:
One remark that one of my classmates made at school was, “I bet you are super excited for World War III.”. I believe this was a jab at my interest in service academies. Makes no sense to me.
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One of my friends said: “at least you know you are going to fight in WW3, I’m not sure if I’ll get drafted, you volunteered!”
 
ELW2001 said:
One remark that one of my classmates made at school was, “I bet you are super excited for World War III.”. I believe this was a jab at my interest in service academies. Makes no sense to me.
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You are apparently way more mature than your classmate. You get that it’s not a video game decision.
 
Instant solution: Bring back the draft (or some other version of compulsory military service).

That way all of these aforementioned boneheads would know what they're were talking about. As an aside, my Dad served in the US Army for 20+ years, from the occupation of Japan, to Korea, to Southeast Asia. He enlisted and later became an officer (when you didn't have to have a college degree). He said unequivocally that the best soldiers he served with, and lead, were draftees! His thought was that the draftees largely represented all of American society (geographically, socioeconomically, racially, etc.). Interesting thought as in many ways, this is the goal (in some respects), of the Academy admissions process.
 
Perhaps the most infuriating response I have ever gotten from someone who has not heard of the service academies,
"Why on earth does the military need colleges? If you were smart you wouldn't join in the first place"
 
I work in tech and largely with non-Americans. It's been fun explaining USAFA to colleagues and other work folks. I get universal fascination out of people and I think it's given me more street cred among my peers. 😆 I have a totally different background from most people in tech world so it makes for great shop talk.
 
ELW2001 said:
One remark that one of my classmates made at school was, “I bet you are super excited for World War III.”. I believe this was a jab at my interest in service academies. Makes no sense to me.
Click to expand...
Thats like telling a cop you must be excited next time somebody gets shot. Logically if there is no crime, you wouldnt need a cop
 
Last week spoke to an old friend and he asked what my DDs plans are for next year. I told him that her plan B is an elite school near his town if her plan A does not works. His jaws dropped and was so disappointed why this top school was not her plan A and more importantly what other college ( in somebody sane mind) can be plan A. When I told him USMA is her plan A, he was not able to relate and wished me good luck.

I guess our family will see some more jaw dropped or teeth come out when plan A pans out.
 
Depends on who is asking, and what they are REALLY asking, and why they are asking at all.

For the PTA crowd: Most know about SAs but not USMMA. I say DD's top 3 includes USMMA and then the question, so I size up who's asking and whether they really want to know all about the Merchant Marine academy. Usually not - they are really asking "How elite is the Merchant Marine Academy?" So I crafted this for the Ivy-centric, "reach-schools-are-better" crowd: Here's a very loose analogy: Suppose I told you DD got into HYPS, and you asked me which one she chose. Then I say Cornell, and you gasp. Then I tell you she is double majoring - in Hotel Management and Entomology with special research on the bedbug. And Cornell also offers everything from Chemistry to English. That is sort of like USMMA where it is incredibly difficult to get into, and at first blush you might chose HYPS, but then realize that Cornell is arguably the best in the county in these 2 fields plus offers all the other majors. The USMMA's main mission is to train Merchant MarineRs (me making a big R in the air) not MarineS (a big S in the air and x'ing it out). You get a year at Sea - no kidding, the mother of all study abroads! But it is unique that you could go to any branch of service upon graduation. Now how's your DS/DD's college process going?.....me adhering to the unspoken rule of 3 minutes of air time, next persons turn...because even more than Where is DD going/is it an elite school, they really are saying, you get 3 minutes, then my turn to talk about my own DS/DD (why they asked me anything in the first place)!
 
I've read and responded to a couple of threads on this topic. Those posts are a couple of years old and probably over-long.
3.5 yrs in, with DD's USNA course work completed and her "dream job" ahead of her. I think I can boil it down some.

"In the USNA, DD picked a school that actually has a direct interest in how well she is educated, in the adult she would become and in the leader she would be. That Navy interest in getting the absolute best from DD has been evident from her 1st day on campus. It shows in: her academic accomplishments, in her level maturity, in her physicality, in her quiet laid back confidence, and the pride on her face, (in anyone's company) when she says "I am a USNA Midshipman". As her father, I will tell you that I am flat out GRATEFUL to the USN for the quality of education they provided her, the life-experiences they delivered to her, and the close attention given to her progress and safety along the way.
I knew it was going to be a good place for DD going in, but the last 4years have blown me away!------------Where did you say your kid is going??"

TOOoooo long again; maybe just pick a sentence.😬
 
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