Your Son/Daughter is Going Where?? Round 2

I apologize for implying that the education is "free." Obviously not, on a number of levels. The point of the story was that once the family member accepted that DS was going to college to join the military, the response that VMI would be a preferable option was surprising, on a number of levels. Didn't mean to offend. DS intends to serve his country, even if he doesn't get into USNA.
 
Wahoo Fan said:
I don’t think anyone should look at the service academies as “free” and “paid by the taxpayers.” The cadets/mids must pay back their tuition with service time. That hardly seems free to me (except from the parents’ standpoint).

FWIW, I have never had one of these types of conversations (regarding my son going to USMA).
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I am going to play devil advocate. It is free for the student. There is no cash involved so therefore it's free. No one who receives government benefits thinks that the free money or food they are receiving is being paid by the taxpayers. I am a CPA and most people who get tax refunds think its free government money when in reality its an overpayment on your part. No one returns a toaster to Costco and thinks they got free money. However get a refund on your taxes and you think you hit paydirt. As for the academy, yes the price is attending five years in the military and putting your life at risk. The problem is no one thinks that far in the future. All people see is they are paying tuition and you arent.
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
In advanced management training at a Fortune 10 Company one of the skills taught was how to reply to that difficult person that verbally throws some hand grandes in a meeting. Response: "Thank you Bill". It can be very powerful. Don't take the bait.
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This is so tough. Mom's siblings are making our lives difficult while managing mom, Hospice, memory care, etc. My fave aunt (Dad's side) and I were talking recently, and I was lamenting how they were making this horrid situation harder. She said that when someone is verbally taking over, tossing grenades in a conversation, she just nods, says, 'aha, aha, yes, I hear what you're saying", and then moves on.

In theory, the person has been 'heard' and not smacked around, even if they deserve it. Not taking the bait, especially when you really want to reel them in and dispatch them quickly is difficult.
 
The people who start out with “I’m sorry, but…(and proceed to lob grenade).” With my kindest smile, I immediately reassure them there is no need to be sorry and apologize for what they just said, and then just change the subject.
 
Heatherg21 said:
This is so tough. Mom's siblings are making our lives difficult while managing mom, Hospice, memory care, etc. My fave aunt (Dad's side) and I were talking recently, and I was lamenting how they were making this horrid situation harder. She said that when someone is verbally taking over, tossing grenades in a conversation, she just nods, says, 'aha, aha, yes, I hear what you're saying", and then moves on.

In theory, the person has been 'heard' and not smacked around, even if they deserve it. Not taking the bait, especially when you really want to reel them in and dispatch them quickly is difficult.
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I am reminded of an old MASH episode...
 
When my USNA 26 son received his appointment, I had a classmates mom ask “”so how much scholarship money do they get for that?”
 
I’m laughing at all the responses on this thread. Imagine the looks I get when I explain to people my son goes to USMMA and he can serve as a deck officer on a merchant ship or commission into any of the services. Commence the eye glaze…no one understands. 😳 Nobody gets KP.
 
Recently, on a cruise, we were sitting at dinner with 8 others when one started his story with "When I first sailed as a third mate...." When he finished I asked how he became a mate and his look said "Here I go again trying to explain what no one understands and still won't when I finish but here goes. I went to a place called the Merchant Marine Academy." I cut him off by saying our daughter graduated from there. The relieved, almost joyous, smile on his face said it all. "Finally, someone who gets it."
 
UHBlackhawk said:
I’ve learned to tell people I’m from Long Island.
I have to explain to non NY there are three parts to New York-
1. NYC, which most people outside NY think of as Manhattan.
2. Long Island
3. Upstate (north of the Throgs Neck to me).
Each is very distinct.
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I know this is an old post, but I just have to jump in here. I grew up in Western New York, and Western New Yorker's do NOT consider themselves Upstate New Yorker's. ;)
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
My son graduates in 55 days...the other day I was telling someone about it... Reply: "So does he have to go into the Navy or can he get a job?" Think about that reply.
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which is really crazy question because he is graduating from the Air Force Academy
 
My son introduced me to another 2nd LT. after the TBS graduation last week at MCB Quantico. It turned out that she too graduated from the Naval Academy. I asked her "do you miss it?"

Her response was delayed by maybe a millisecond. She said "Nope, not a bit".
 
THParent said:
My son introduced me to another 2nd LT. after the TBS graduation last week at MCB Quantico. It turned out that she too graduated from the Naval Academy. I asked her "do you miss it?"
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@THParent, did we cross paths unknowingly? At one point after the graduation ceremony, I did detect a whiff of bacon while standing outside. But I assumed it was coming from a nearby eatery. 😉
 
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