Perception of Service Academies

[Anonymous]

My husband went to WP. What I’ve realized since he retired and we moved to a civilian heavy area is that the general public has absolutely no idea how the military works, the difference between officers and enlisted, or the extremely strong alumnus network service academies have. It has immensely benefited my husband since leaving active duty in his civilian career to be a service academy grad. Even more than being an HBS MBA has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They provide and excellent education. It's that simple. Of course, that comes with significant strings attached, and you need to be aware of and okay with them.

It's not "strings attached." They want to sign up.

They are still strings. You owe them when you graduate. You can't transfer the credits anywhere else, which is what a friend's kid ended up doing despite this because it turned out to not be a good match for him.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:i was chatting with a friend who mentioned that their high achieving rising junior was hoping to attend a service academy (West Point or USNA). They don't have a family military background and are certainly not hurting for money. My sense is that the kid could go to any school they wanted. It's not an understatement to say that choosing a service academy path totally floored me. What is the draw here or what am I missing? Is this considered a prestigious route in some circles?

It's considered a "prestigious route" in ALL circles. Except, maybe, the ignorant ones.

OP here - I'm willing to claim ignorance. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if the family were conservative, but given that they are left-leaning it was surprising. It sounds like I'm the one who needs schooling in this though. My kids are much younger and I'm from the midwest if that serves as any sort of explanation.

I grew up in the Midwest too, OP and had never heard of it. When meeting my now WP attending husband and he told me where he went to school clearly trying to impress me, I completely blew him off and flippantly said “oh, I’ve never heard of it”. I truly had never heard of it. What a moron I was. Yes, it’s very prestigious.

You had never heard of West Point?

Seriously?

Yes
No one in my midwest school ever went there. I did not know anyone who served in the military except some uncles who were drafted and had no choice. There are no military bases nearby. It’s just different than it is here with many service people around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i was chatting with a friend who mentioned that their high achieving rising junior was hoping to attend a service academy (West Point or USNA). They don't have a family military background and are certainly not hurting for money. My sense is that the kid could go to any school they wanted. It's not an understatement to say that choosing a service academy path totally floored me. What is the draw here or what am I missing? Is this considered a prestigious route in some circles?

It's considered a "prestigious route" in ALL circles. Except, maybe, the ignorant ones.

OP here - I'm willing to claim ignorance. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if the family were conservative, but given that they are left-leaning it was surprising. It sounds like I'm the one who needs schooling in this though. My kids are much younger and I'm from the midwest if that serves as any sort of explanation.

I grew up in the Midwest too, OP and had never heard of it. When meeting my now WP attending husband and he told me where he went to school clearly trying to impress me, I completely blew him off and flippantly said “oh, I’ve never heard of it”. I truly had never heard of it. What a moron I was. Yes, it’s very prestigious.

You had never heard of West Point?

Seriously?

Yes
No one in my midwest school ever went there. I did not know anyone who served in the military except some uncles who were drafted and had no choice. There are no military bases nearby. It’s just different than it is here with many service people around.

I grew up no where near bases either but every year at least one of the honor society superstar athletes in the popular crowd went to the Naval Academy. Did anyone at your school go away to college? Or do they stay local?

[Anonymous]

I truly cannot believe how ignorant some people are. My parents were both high school drop outs and half of my siblings didn't go to college. But we obviously knew the service academies were prestigious. People on this thread should be embarrassed.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a rising senior and actively considering two of the service academies. I've visited both and could not be more impressed. She is a 4.0+, highly recruited athlete and will study engineering. She is by no means a lock to get in but to date she has done everything she has needed to do. She will apply to traditional colleges as well but once a kid begins to consider the academies the difference becomes very clear. its not for every young person. Those that attend are impressive. I'll support her decision regardless of where she chooses though I am hoping she goes to one of the academies she is considering.

[Anonymous]

I think the "DC" part of DCUM is evident in some of these replies that assume that all people should know about service academies. In many places, there is no noticeable military presence. In my town, there is no one that I know who is or has been military.

However; years ago, we did a stint in Arlington, VA, and suddenly met teachers/coaches/parents who were former or active military, and many people had a family member who served. At this time, my then-elementary school DC noticed all this, became interested and here we are years later and DC is applying to a service academy.

And yes, we are all fumbling around trying to get it right, even DC's college counselor is on the learning curve, because we are back in our own geographical clueless bubble.

I don't think anyone should be shamed for not knowing about Service Academies. It's just an indicator at how stratified America is, and also, it's a bit of a marketing failure.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I get it, OP. I come from a part of the country where I didnt know a single military member/vet other than my drafted grandfathers. Not a single person from my graduating class of 550 went into the military. When my sister’s boyfriend ended up attending the naval academy the following year, we were all fairly shocked—it wasn’t a typical path. (To be completely transparent though, he had applied to a handful of civilian schools and didn’t get in—USNA was the only option he had once decisions came out).

It worked out well for him, but it wasn’t until moving to DC that I learned it’s considered prestigious. I assumed at the time it had been his safety school since it was the only one he got into, lol.

Bullshit.

I don’t know how to prove it is true, but it really is. This was 2005 in an area where the closest (tiny) military bases were hours away. It just wasn’t a thing in my life at that time. Totally different mentality in dc adjacent areas, where I now have more military acquaintances than I can count.

My spouse grew up in the middle of nowhere in Central Flyover Country to parents who didn't go to college. They knew it. You're embarrassing yourself. I wouldn't tell anyone in real life that you didn't know about the service academies.

Sorry you’re so defensive. Many people aren’t impressed by the military or the “service academies.” Get over yourself.

-not the OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a professor at an R1 school, I have only vaguely heard of this. I thought it was like community college.

Well, you should be ashamed of yourself then.

We’re not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it, OP. I come from a part of the country where I didnt know a single military member/vet other than my drafted grandfathers. Not a single person from my graduating class of 550 went into the military. When my sister’s boyfriend ended up attending the naval academy the following year, we were all fairly shocked—it wasn’t a typical path. (To be completely transparent though, he had applied to a handful of civilian schools and didn’t get in—USNA was the only option he had once decisions came out).

It worked out well for him, but it wasn’t until moving to DC that I learned it’s considered prestigious. I assumed at the time it had been his safety school since it was the only one he got into, lol.

Bullshit.

I don’t know how to prove it is true, but it really is. This was 2005 in an area where the closest (tiny) military bases were hours away. It just wasn’t a thing in my life at that time. Totally different mentality in dc adjacent areas, where I now have more military acquaintances than I can count.

I think the bullshit refers to "it was his only option." And I agree. Unless he only applied to Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford.

Right there is 0% chance that his ONLY option was the Naval Academy. 0%.

You have absolutely no way of knowing that. None.

[Anonymous]

My parents were military officers and encouraged us to consider the service academies. They would have been thrilled to have us attend, not only because it prestigious and completely paid for, but also because academy graduates get preferential treatment throughout their careers. I would have to say that many of my classmates without close family in the military did not know much about the academies or military service.

[Anonymous]

If you want to be part of a cult, go to a service academy. It’s for the rest of your life. Thinking you are better than others. Traditions that mean nothing. Can you climb a greased flagpole? Really? Maybe you could be the next Michael Flynn.

[Anonymous]

I would be thrilled if my son went to one of the service academies. My husband and nieces attended.

[Anonymous]

My DC will graduate from USNA next year. Getting through covid at a SA was the worst part, otherwise an incredible 3 years so far. If your kid is interested, take a tour and take a look at requirements in your sophomore year. The summer seminar junior year is a good opportunity to get a taste of academy life, apply early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I truly cannot believe how ignorant some people are. My parents were both high school drop outs and half of my siblings didn't go to college. But we obviously knew the service academies were prestigious. People on this thread should be embarrassed.

I don't understand the outrage about people who didn't know of service academies in high school. There are a lot of subjects people don't know about in high school/early college that they get educated about. I'm the poster who didn't know what it was when I met my husband. He will retire in two years after 20 years of military service, with me by his side. And you think i should be embarrassed? The people who should be embarrassed are the ones who trash the military, ie cult poster below, or the ones who don't bother to serve. Give me a break.