National Service/Military Academies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this political climate, who in their right mind would pursue a military career?

The exact same kinds of people join every year (regardless of the current political leadership or political climate).

[Anonymous]

USNWR lists the Naval Academy as a liberal arts college. Don't all grads get STEM degrees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USNWR lists the Naval Academy as a liberal arts college. Don't all grads get STEM degrees?

STEM and liberal arts majors overlap. Math, physics, chemistry, biology are all liberal arts degrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents of anyone with a son or daughter who has gained admission to any one of our national service academies, my rising high school sophomore son says he might be interested in looking at West Point or Annapolis. I'm trying to provide him with some guidance, but I have no idea where to even begin. Questions include how does the application process differ from the regular college application process, how difficult was it to get into, what are they looking for, is is true I need our state senator to nominate them? We woud greatly appreciate anyone who can help answer these questions, and otherwise point us in the right direction.

OP - I don't have time to read all the posts above but by now I'm sure you know you need a Congressional recommendation. What I can suggest is look into a summer cadets program that brings together interested applicants for a week's boot camp. A friend stayed with me while her son did the Annapolis one-week boot camp. He did not get in - I think the problem was a single bad grade in a weird subject like P.E. but he did go on to do ROTC at USC and has been serving in the Navy (and very happy) ever since.

[Anonymous]

Did your friend’s son get the nomination?

[Anonymous]

US Merchant Marine Academy. Often overlooked but a solid option. My DH went there and loved it.

You do 2 semesters at sea. And your commitment is 8 years (I think) of navy reserves. He traveled the world, had no school debt, got a great education, and the payback was relatively low. He loved his time there and payed back more than the minimum requirement.

Since then, a few kids in our neighborhood have also gone and loved it.

It has had problems in recent years with some harassment type issues. But, has worked hard (I'm told, I have not first hand knowledge) to try to address those.

[Anonymous]

Why don't more DC suburban kids look at the academies? With the Pentagon, Walter Reed, etc. around here, I'd expect much more interest in the academies. A rep from one academy was scheduled to visit virtually the other day at the HS where I teach and not one kid signed up. Not one. What has the word come to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't more DC suburban kids look at the academies? With the Pentagon, Walter Reed, etc. around here, I'd expect much more interest in the academies. A rep from one academy was scheduled to visit virtually the other day at the HS where I teach and not one kid signed up. Not one. What has the word come to?

With this Commander in Chief?

No, thank you.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the cultures aren't great. I much preferred an integrated ROTC program vs what friends said their experiences were in corps cadets or service academies (not shocking, it's very rigid).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't more DC suburban kids look at the academies? With the Pentagon, Walter Reed, etc. around here, I'd expect much more interest in the academies. A rep from one academy was scheduled to visit virtually the other day at the HS where I teach and not one kid signed up. Not one. What has the word come to?

This area is not known for military outside of people in the military. And military folks usually don't stay around.

My spouse is retired. I have no issue with my kids doing military but I wouldn't push an academy for many reasons including not wanting them to owe time.

[Anonymous]

My DH was at the Coast Guard Academy. It was tough but I understand it is less so now. He has had a wonderful, fulfilling, interesting, domestic and international career. Great service aimed at helping others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH was at the Coast Guard Academy. It was tough but I understand it is less so now. He has had a wonderful, fulfilling, interesting, domestic and international career. Great service aimed at helping others.

Is the Coast Guard Academy a good service for women?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't more DC suburban kids look at the academies? With the Pentagon, Walter Reed, etc. around here, I'd expect much more interest in the academies. A rep from one academy was scheduled to visit virtually the other day at the HS where I teach and not one kid signed up. Not one. What has the word come to?

With this Commander in Chief?

No, thank you.

This. A problem Commander in Chief like this will suppress interest in these options and it is easy to see why.

[Anonymous]

Coast Guard Academy -- and the Coast Guard as a service --- is excellent for women.

[Anonymous]

PP, are you suggesting Coast Guard is a better place for women generally than the others? I don't doubt it, but why do you say that?