Perception of Service Academies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I think it’s as OP’s combination of “ I didn’t know” with the “thought that was for kids with no options”. It’s pretty cringe. Simultaneously ignorant and arrogant. But yes, it’s surprising for anyone who was college bound to be unaware of this.

Her/his response at 21:04 is far from arrogant. It fact I would say it's the opposite where he/she says "I guess I"m the one who needs schooling". They were quite open minded in listening to the responses unlike half the posters on this forum.
i think it just makes people feel superior to chime in yet again with "I can't believe you wouldn't know that".

It’s really common for people to read only the first post or page of a multi-page post. It’s never safe to assume everyone has read every post.

Then perhaps those people should not be commenting on arrogance or calling people out. Sorry but that’s just an excuse. If you can’t read the posts, assume the best and at least be NICE in your responses.

[Anonymous]

While they are imperfectly placed in the category, the Naval Academy is ranked 6th, West Point is ranked 11th, and the Air Force Academy is ranked 22nd among US New's national liberal arts colleges. Nothing to sneeze at.

Man, people are ignorant.

[Anonymous]

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 is highly prestigious in all circles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a sibling who attended a service academy and did the exchange program to spend a semester at other academies. Overall, the academies are an intense experience that can mess up the most sane person. When I meet a ring knocker, I think two things: you're smart but odds are you have trauma that probably clouds your thinking.

Or at least makes you bad at relationships. Not all, of course.

Interesting you think that. I dated a cadet in college and they were way more respectful of "no" than civilian college boys. Way more focused and just really had that respect driven into them. Why do you feel they are bad at relationships?

Not in that way.

What makes them great at their jobs (compartmentalization, taking charge, looking for potential problems, making calculated, strictly rational decisions etc) often makes them hard to live with and less aware of other peoples needs, feelings, and emotions. Pilots in particular have an especially high divorce rate. Generally, they are really good, smart people who just kind of suck at relationships. That said, the military is widely diverse with thousands of different jobs so it’s not true of everyone.

I’ll buy that they can be emotionally detached. I think it’s harsh to say most suck at relationships. We are stationed at Walter Reed and know very few divorced couples and would say that overall they are happily married.

[Anonymous]

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

This person *must* be a troll.

[Anonymous]

Parent of USMA student here - it is certainly not for everyone, but it is an amazing experience. USMA had 4 Rhodes Scholars last year and four US Presidents went to Service Academies. Local HS that sends the most kids to Academies in recent years- TJ.

For the parents with interested kids, you will find much more information at serviceacademyforums.com - DCUM is NOT a good source of info about the Academies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a sibling who attended a service academy and did the exchange program to spend a semester at other academies. Overall, the academies are an intense experience that can mess up the most sane person. When I meet a ring knocker, I think two things: you're smart but odds are you have trauma that probably clouds your thinking.

Or at least makes you bad at relationships. Not all, of course.

Interesting you think that. I dated a cadet in college and they were way more respectful of "no" than civilian college boys. Way more focused and just really had that respect driven into them. Why do you feel they are bad at relationships?

Not in that way.

What makes them great at their jobs (compartmentalization, taking charge, looking for potential problems, making calculated, strictly rational decisions etc) often makes them hard to live with and less aware of other peoples needs, feelings, and emotions. Pilots in particular have an especially high divorce rate. Generally, they are really good, smart people who just kind of suck at relationships. That said, the military is widely diverse with thousands of different jobs so it’s not true of everyone.

I’ll buy that they can be emotionally detached. I think it’s harsh to say most suck at relationships. We are stationed at Walter Reed and know very few divorced couples and would say that overall they are happily married.

And half the couples I met during the young officer stage 25 years ago are divorced. I suppose it depends on their field, how old you are and how well you really know the deepest thoughts of your married friends. Several times DH has said “I can’t believe Larla and Leo split” and I was thinking “really???? Because it wasn’t a surprise to me. Moving every 3 years and doing most of the parenting alone play a big role too.

[Anonymous]

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 is highly prestigious in all circles.

No they are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There are liberals in the military, thank goodness. I spent time talking with many of them at a hospital and no one I talked to was conservative.

Please don’t feel bad, OP. The snoots here think everyone should know what they know. My own grandfather and dad attended service academies, and I had no idea they were considered prestigious until after my father died. My dad never bragged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 is highly prestigious in all circles.

No they are not.

NP. I will re-phrase: they are highly prestigious in all circles but the ignorant and uneducated ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There are liberals in the military, thank goodness. I spent time talking with many of them at a hospital and no one I talked to was conservative.

Please don’t feel bad, OP. The snoots here think everyone should know what they know. My own grandfather and dad attended service academies, and I had no idea they were considered prestigious until after my father died. My dad never bragged.

I don’t believe you. Your father may not have “bragged,” but are you telling us that entire time he was alive you never once told anyone that he was an academy graduate and no one ever reacted in any way to give you any impression that it was a big thing?

Sorry, but nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of the service academies offer at least 3 great things, in no particular order: (1) Excellent education at no cost (in general, I think students actually get paid), (2) a guaranteed job upon graduation , and (3) a chance to serve your country. Its an amazing opportunity for those who are interested and able to take advantage.

THIS.... also, there is access to very specialized engineering and aviation training as well. These kids are amazing for their willingness to serve....they work super hard, have precious few freedoms, and do not experience anything that resembles a typical college experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I mean, some do. Many want the free education and are willing to do 4 years afterwards to get it. Same with ROTC.

This was the case for my relative. They are winding up their time now and are glad to be looking at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a sibling who attended a service academy and did the exchange program to spend a semester at other academies. Overall, the academies are an intense experience that can mess up the most sane person. When I meet a ring knocker, I think two things: you're smart but odds are you have trauma that probably clouds your thinking.

Or at least makes you bad at relationships. Not all, of course.

Interesting you think that. I dated a cadet in college and they were way more respectful of "no" than civilian college boys. Way more focused and just really had that respect driven into them. Why do you feel they are bad at relationships?

Not in that way.

What makes them great at their jobs (compartmentalization, taking charge, looking for potential problems, making calculated, strictly rational decisions etc) often makes them hard to live with and less aware of other peoples needs, feelings, and emotions. Pilots in particular have an especially high divorce rate. Generally, they are really good, smart people who just kind of suck at relationships. That said, the military is widely diverse with thousands of different jobs so it’s not true of everyone.

I’ll buy that they can be emotionally detached. I think it’s harsh to say most suck at relationships. We are stationed at Walter Reed and know very few divorced couples and would say that overall they are happily married.

And half the couples I met during the young officer stage 25 years ago are divorced. I suppose it depends on their field, how old you are and how well you really know the deepest thoughts of your married friends. Several times DH has said “I can’t believe Larla and Leo split” and I was thinking “really???? Because it wasn’t a surprise to me. Moving every 3 years and doing most of the parenting alone play a big role too.

Interesting. After a twenty year military career in which we were stationed at places that exposed us to people from all the services, most of the couples we have known are still married. A few divorces here and there, but I would say the rate is very similar to our civilian friends. Moving and parenting alone is certainly difficult, but I found it tended to make people more resilient and able to handle tough times and situations in a graceful way.

[Anonymous]

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?

This is truly one of the most pathetic posts on DCUM. Your children aren’t service academy material - so you don’t need to worry about it. Now back to your daytime tv shows. Or whatever it is you do.